Queen of The Scalpel - Chapter 12
The Marquis thought with a dark face.
‘Yes, it’s definitely possible. And if that happens, it’s the end of the Expeditionary Force. Why didn’t I think of that all this time?’
The Emperor and the Crown Prince were thinking the same thing. It was a scary, but definitely possible hypothesis. After a long silence, the Emperor spoke up.
“Prime Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Tomorrow, go to the Head of the Battalion and discuss this topic.”
“I will do so.”
“The Monshell Kingdom may not actually participate, but we must prepare for what the Lady said. Crown Prince, you tell the Intelligence Bureau to observe the movements of the Monshell Kingdom.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor quickly gave out his orders. He primly drank his tea and looked at Elise in astonishment and amazement.
‘Amazing. How did she think of this?’
This child who was as pretty as a doll was able to have these thoughts. It was unbelievable. Weren’t these the thoughts of someone who had a strong grasp on politics and public relations?
‘Was I mistaken about this child? How amazing.’
“Marquis.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How did you raise this lady so amazingly?”
“Haha….”
The Marquis awkwardly laughed. He was also surprised. He knew his daughter had changed and was reading a lot of books these days…but…to this extent?
“Lady.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Didn’t you say we have two things to look out for? What is the other one?”
“It is ‘disease.’”
“Disease.”
Elise respectfully nodded her head. This was actually more important than the Monshell Kingdom participating in the war.
‘Eventually, the Expeditionary Force ends up being destroyed by disease.’
She thought of the past. After the forces were isolated on the mountain range, an epidemic had killed them all. I don’t know exactly what it was, but if we prepare for it well, the damage will be lessened.’
“The Creme Peninsula is in a different environment than the Empire. Especially during times of war, we must be careful.”
The Emperor nodded his head.
“You’re right. Disease can definitely spread. Then how should we prepare for it?”
“Medical supplies need to be prepared. The most important thing is sanitation.”
“Sanitation?”
The Emperor had a strange look. Elise realized why.
‘It’s because the importance of sanitation hasn’t been established yet.’
Of course, they were some people who realized it. They were the doctors of the empire.
However, it wasn’t a commonplace concept yet.
“Yes. It’s said that disease arises from unclean environments. So if a little more importance is placed on sanitation, it can help to stop the spread of disease.”
The Emperor once again had an astonished expression.
“I see. Amazing. Where did you learn that?”
Elise made a feeble excuse.
“I recently became interested in medical studies. I only know a little bit, so this is quite embarrassing.”
“It doesn’t seem like a little bit.”
Elise awkwardly avoided his gaze. She thought she might’ve gone overboard, but pushed that thought away.
‘If only this saves more people.’
The Emperor spoke again.
“After more planning, I will use what Lady Elise said today. If your advice helps with the war, I will bestow the Order of Military Merit upon you.”
“….!!!”
Elise was shocked. The Britia Empire’s Order of Military Merit! It was the greatest Order in the entire Empire. Just to be given the Order meant you were given the title of a knight. So it could be said it was the greatest honor possible for a noble.
“It was just a foolish thought. That is too much, so please take it back.”
“If the Lady’s thoughts were foolish, who could hold their head up high and walk around? And it’s not too much. Actually, it’s not enough if your advice actually can prevent the disaster we would’ve been in.”
“….”
Elise couldn’t say anything to that. But then, the Emperor asked in a mischievous tone.
“But Lady.”
“Yes?”
“What’s that you brought with you? Isn’t it something for me?”
“Ah…!!”
It was the item she had prepared through the butler for the Emperor. She had being trying to give it to him, but she couldn’t find the right timing.
“It is incense, from the eastern land Qing.”
“Incense?”
“Yes, it’s an incense that the nobles of Qing use. It’s pure, so it washes the tiredness away, and it gives you more vitality, so I brought it to give to you.”
The Emperor had a satisfied face after a sniff.
“The scent is already clearing my head. Amazing. How did you bring just what I needed?”
“Thank you for liking it.”
“I’ve been tired these days, actually. I’ll use it well.”
At those words, Elise looked at the Emperor’s eyes. A tiredness could be seen in them. It was then. A diagnosis flashed by her head.
‘Perhaps?’
“Your Majesty, recently have you been feeling tired despite a deep sleep?”
“Indeed.”
“And you drink water frequently?”
“Now that you say it, sounds about right.”
“Don’t you still feel thirsty after drinking water?”
“That also sounds right.”
The Emperor had a surprised face, as if asking how she knew. Elise inwardly clasped her hands. She remembered the Emperor breathing quickly before his death to make up for the acidemia through respiratory alkalosis.
‘This was it! The Emperor’s disease.’
A single diagnosis popped up in her head.
‘He wasn’t able to be treated, so that’s why he fell into a coma!’
She was also feeling a bit dejected at the same time.
‘To think that the Emperor of the great Britia Empire died because of this mere disease.’
And it wasn’t even a threatening disease; it was merely a common disease that could be treated.