The Prince's Nanny, Her Specialty Is Assassination - Chapter 28

Chapter 28: A Cold Is Unfair (1)

“Huuh? Ah, that, that’s…”

Catherine’s expression darkened abruptly, as if recalling something.

“Did something happen?”

“Well, I was working in the annex back then, so I don’t know the details, but…”

Catherine glanced at the sleeping prince and whispered to me, “The previous nanny collapsed after drinking poisoned tea, and back then, His Highness personally went to call a physician.”

The Third Prince’s Palace, located in the most remote part of the Imperial Palace.

The medical bureau was quite a distance from here.

Edwin had run all the way there for his poisoned nanny, but not a single physician followed him.

“At the time, the Second Prince had come down with pneumonia, and all the physicians had been dispatched to his palace.”

“Still, couldn’t they have sent at least one?”

“Well, Her Highness the Second Empress supposedly forbade anyone from leaving until the Second Prince fully recovered.”

So that’s what happened. Edwin was terribly unlucky.

Tragically so.

“The previous nanny was already quite elderly. In the end, they couldn’t administer the antidote in time, and she passed away shortly after.”

“…I see.”

Suddenly, I recalled what Edwin had once said to me.

“She died. Because of me.”

So that’s why he said it.

I looked at the boy lying in bed.

Since the incident with Prince Lloyd, he hadn’t spoken a word to me for days.

He hadn’t left his bed except for meals.

And I hadn’t noticed his condition any sooner.

“What should we do? His Highness hates physicians so much…”

“What do you mean what? We have to bring one.”

I handed Emilia over to Catherine.

“If his fever gets any worse, it’ll be dangerous.”

Even before I died, I had never once caught a cold—I was extremely healthy.

Among my old comrades, my nickname had even been the Iron Human.

So I couldn’t guess how much pain he was in now.

But I had seen plenty of people suffer long-term complications from high fevers.

‘If the role of nanny given to me isn’t over yet, then I must see it through.’

At the very least, while I remained in this position, I couldn’t allow him to fall into such a state.

“I’ll go to the medical bureau myself. Please take care of His Highness.”

“You’ll go in person, Nanny? I think it would be better if I went instead.”

Catherine looked uneasy.

“I think Their Highnesses need you by their side more than they need me…”

Her voice trembled with a loss of confidence.

I could guess the reason.

‘It makes sense—she was watching over them when the near-incident with Lloyd happened.’

But I had no intention of sending her to the medical bureau.

It was the same place that turned away a prince.

If I sent someone as kind and naive as her, she wouldn’t even be able to secure a vial of fever medicine.

“I’m not suited for caregiving,” I replied with a blank expression. “And His Highness is in no condition to run away, so you needn’t worry.”

“Excuse me?”

“This time, you could go outside the palace instead of just the annex. Maybe take the chance to enjoy a little outing?”

“N-Nannyyy—!”

Catherine, flustered, finally realized I was teasing her and pouted.

“Please don’t joke like that! I really thought I was going to die that day!”

“Then I leave it to you.”

Without waiting for her response, I left the room.

The last thing I heard was Edwin’s breathing, growing more labored.

I had to hurry.

Exiting the Third Prince’s Palace, I began walking.

It didn’t take long for that walk to turn into a sprint.

***

The Ventrume Empire’s medical bureau was quite large.

In its vast garden, there were no ornamental plants—only medicinal herbs of every kind.

I passed through the herb fields and entered the building.

The bitter smell of herbs and sharp tang of spices filled the air.

I wrinkled my nose instinctively, and someone approached.

“Which palace are you from?”

It was an elderly man, perhaps in his seventies.

On the cloak draped over his shoulders was an embroidered image of a snake climbing a wooden staff.

‘An emblem of the god of medicine.’

Then this man must be the highest-ranking physician here.

I replied respectfully, “I come from the Third Prince’s Palace.”

“…The Third Prince’s Palace?”

At those words, the physician’s expression subtly changed.

“Yes. His Highness the Third Prince is gravely ill. Please send a physician—”

“Oh dear, what to do.”

The physician cut me off and smiled awkwardly.

“I’m afraid it’s difficult at the moment. All our physicians are currently out on external visits.”

“All of them? Why?”

“Ah, don’t get me started. Just recently, Her Highness the Second Empress collapsed from her chronic illness, and now she’s fainted again today. So the entire bureau is on high alert.”

I furrowed my brows.

The old man in front of me was lying.

I could tell by looking at his expression.

He smiled like a kind person, but the corners of his eyes didn’t move at all.

His gaze kept drifting to the upper left while he spoke.

These were all traits of someone who was lying.

‘But why?’

What mattered was why he was lying to me.

“Then please prepare some medicine at least.”

At the mention of medicine, the physician’s expression changed.

Like a hunting dog spotting an opportunity.

With a beaming smile, he replied, “Oh dear, of course I’ll prepare medicine! What symptoms is His Highness experiencing?”

“A high fever and persistent cough. I believe it’s a cold.”

The physician nodded at my description. “Judging by those symptoms, it does seem like a cold. I’ll write a prescription right away in the dispensary. Please follow me.”

The elderly physician accompanied me to the dispensary.

It was located just behind the medical bureau building.

As expected of the Imperial Palace, the dispensary was quite large.

But inside the spacious room, there was only one young apothecary.

The moment the apothecary saw the physician, he quickly bowed. “G-greetings, Master Physician! What brings you here in person…?”

“Hoho, what else? I’m here to prescribe some medicine.”

So this old man was the master physician, the emperor’s personal doctor.

He held a much higher position than I’d assumed.

“Now then.”

The physician swiftly began writing out a prescription.

“Just follow this.”

“Yes, understood.”

The young apothecary politely accepted the prescription and began preparing the herbs.

I silently watched his hands move—

“By the way.”

The master physician suddenly stepped into my line of sight.

“I’ve worked in the palace for 14 years, but this is the first time I’ve seen you, young lady. Are you newly appointed?”

“Yes.”

“If I may, could I ask your name?”

Instead of answering, I simply stared at him.

He gave an awkward smile, slightly flustered. “Ah, how rude of me. I should introduce myself first. I’m Sass Zyle, the director of this medical bureau.”

Sass Zyle. Appears to be in his seventies. Title: Master Physician. Position: Director of the Medical Bureau.

‘A name that doesn’t seem fitting for someone who should be in the medical bureau…’

Recalling his background in my mind, I finally spoke, “What an honor. I didn’t expect to meet Count Zyle here.”

“Oh? You know me?”

Of course I did.

Before I died, I had even accepted a few requests from House Zyle.

Looking at the surprised Sass Zyle, I gave a slight smile. “I’ve heard you often volunteer medical services at almshouses and temples for those who can’t afford treatment. You’re said to be a man of great virtue.”

I smiled at the visibly startled Sass Zyle.

“And in high society, you’re also known for your happy marriage.”

His expression twitched slightly.

“Haha, happy marriage—that’s a bit embarrassing. We’re just as close as any other couple.”

He forced an uncomfortable smile and abruptly changed the subject.

“Anyway, young lady, you must have a hard time. Especially working in that place.”

“That place?”

“Haha, let’s be honest. Who doesn’t know that the Third Prince’s Palace is a difficult place to work?”

He gave me a meaningful smile.

“Actually, I happen to be quite close with the Second Empress. What do you say? Wouldn’t this be a good opportunity to transfer to her palace?”

Before I knew it, he had stepped in close, whispering near my ear.

“A beautiful lady like you doesn’t belong in a shabby place like the Third Prince’s Palace.”

I stretched my lips into a long smile.

‘Sass Zyle. A vile human being who molests young female patients at almshouses and exploits poor temple sisters at infirmaries.’

They say you can’t break a habit.

And now he was even laying hands on palace maids?

If the jealous Countess Zyle found out, there would be hell to pay. He really had some nerve.

“I appreciate the offer.”

I lightly brushed away the physician’s hand as he tried to clasp mine.

“But I’m fine.”

“Hmm, what a shame. It’s truly a great opportunity.”

Just as Sass was about to spew more nonsense—

“Um, the medicine is ready.”

The apothecary stepped between us and handed me a small vial.

The potion in the clear glass bottle gleamed bright yellow.

“Ahem! That’s unfortunate. But since the lady says no, I won’t insist.”

Sass turned his head away, feigning embarrassment.

“Well then, I’ll see you off. I’m quite busy, you see.”

Unlike before, the master physician now acted pompously, jerking his chin.

As if saying, You’re dismissed now, be gone.

But I had no intention of leaving just yet.

Something had been nagging at me since earlier.

And there it was, lying on the counter.

I picked up the pen he had used to write the prescription.

A fine-tipped fountain pen with a sharp nib.