Chapter 158 |
Memories sway,
Every time he closes his eyes,
No, even when they are open, always.
This father is immersed in memories, restraining a smile. Striving not to be just a father but an emperor. Each time he gazes upon him, he is transported back to that first moment he cradled him as a tiny infant, and thus, the father grapples with concealing his smile. Ultimately, he chose to remain not as a father, but as an emperor.
Even now, the emperor persists in doing so.
“…….”
The emperor silently lifted his gaze. With stern, resolute eyes, he suppressed his true emotions and cast a glance that feigned cold rationality and severity.
Where his gaze landed,
stood Raciel.
The father’s heart perpetually ached.
The emperor’s heart was eternally desolate.
Viewed through a father’s eyes, there was fervent support. Seen through the emperor’s gaze, there was stern urgency. Always torn between these two conflicting hearts. But what always prevailed was the emperor’s heart.
Even now, it must be so. As the ruler of a vast empire, he must remain unyielding. However, in recent days, it has become increasingly challenging. The father’s heart continually shakes his chest, imploring him to regard that child with a warmer gaze, as if to console.
That is why.
The emperor hardened his gaze. With an even more stringent tone, he spoke.
“How dare you? Can you boldly claim to have comprehended my intentions? Truly?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Are you confident?”
“Absolutely, Your Majesty.”
“…….”
Is it true?
Has that child truly grasped his intentions from the beginning? In a peculiar anticipation, the emperor covertly clenched his fist. He sternly looked down at his eldest, Raciel. Yet, he could not entirely conceal a trace of delight in his eyes.
Thanks to that, Raciel could discern.
‘That gentleman, he is incredibly joyful.’
It was more than mere happiness. If no one were observing, he might even pump his fist in the air and cheer. The emperor’s genuine emotions, barely contained, were subtly perceptible. Observing his clenched fist and the faintly trembling wrinkles at the corner of his eyes left no room for doubt.
That is why.
Raciel felt his heart settle even more. A strange guilt creeping into one corner of his heart. Does he deserve such a gaze from him? In reality, he is not his son.
Nevertheless, he set aside that fleeting ripple of emotion. Now was not the time for unnecessary sentimentality. It was not the time to heed the voice of conscience. There was a task to accomplish, and he had to execute it.
‘So, it’s showtime.’
He readied his heart. He filled the void left by the fading guilt with a confident smile. He gazed at the emperor. He carefully placed the prepared words on his tongue. And he launched them.
“Actually, from the very beginning, from when Your Majesty personally presented me with the bundle of marriage proposals, I had a faint inkling. It became clearer as time passed.”
“Hmm, what?”
“That Your Majesty had no intention of accepting any of those proposals?”
“All of them? By me?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“That’s preposterous.”
“Isn’t it, though?”
“On what grounds do you make such a bold deduction?”
“Because, Your Majesty, you did not arrange a marriage for me at an early stage.”
“…What?”
The emperor hesitated.
Raciel inwardly suppressed a smile.
‘Bingo.’
Just as expected.
Why didn’t the crown prince Raciel in the novel marry early? It was a question he had pondered and thought about for some time.
After all, regardless of Raciel’s poor health and lack of attractiveness as a marriage partner, he was still the crown prince. If the emperor had wanted to, he could have forcibly arranged a match for him.
But the emperor chose not to do so.
Why?
It was initially puzzling, but now it seemed clear.
“If you had married me off early, by now you would have had a grandchild to succeed you, bypassing my poor health. If you had stayed healthy, the grandchild would have grown up to be of sufficient age. You could have passed the throne to the grandchild, bypassing me.”
It was true. If a grandchild had been secured early, the health of Crown Prince Raciel wouldn’t have been an issue. The emperor could have passed his throne to the grandchild in due time.
“However, Your Majesty did not choose that path. The meaning is clear. From the beginning, you had no intention of bypassing me. Therefore… you intend to match me with a partner from an insignificant family.”
“Huh. That’s quite a presumptuous speculation.”
“At the same time, it’s an accurate speculation.”
“Do you dare to be certain of it?”
“Yes. That’s why I dared to guess. Presenting me with the marriage proposals was a test in itself.”
“A test…”
“To see how I would handle the marriage proposals, to assess and gauge my capabilities, wasn’t it?”
“……”
“So, I did exactly as Your Majesty expected.”
“Rejecting all the proposals while also arranging a suitable event and justification to avoid blame?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Raciel nodded calmly. That’s precisely it. In reality, the banquet was merely a convenient excuse for a widespread rejection. It didn’t matter if the second prince wasn’t engaged to anyone. Of course, it would be preferable if he were.
The emperor’s expression hardened.
“You have such little confidence. On what basis do you assume that I would consider marrying you to a daughter from a modest family?”
“That, too, is straightforward.”
“…Go on.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. The answer is because my health is not yet normal.”
“Health?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Although I am better than before, I am still frail, and there’s a possibility that I might succumb before middle age or pass away. You must also be considering such a possibility.”
“…….”
The emperor did not respond.
Considering the possibility of his son’s premature death.
He had never forgotten that. He had awakened to it hundreds, thousands of times. As an emperor, it was a matter of concern. As a father, it was heartbreaking. But it was also a possibility that could not be ignored.
Raciel continued.
“So, in the event that I do become seriously ill in middle age. If the prince is still quite young at that time… wouldn’t the family of the empress who becomes my partner be of great significance?”
“…….”
“If the empress hails from a powerful family, she and her relatives could use the young prince as a puppet to wield the power of the royal family to their advantage. Surely, Your Majesty would not desire such an increase in influence from the empress’s external family.”
“Really, you thought so?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. That’s why, since you did not secure an heir by marrying me off early, I assumed that my partner would certainly be a woman from a modest family. Therefore, I considered none of the ladies who sent marriage proposals this time to be suitable candidates.”
“Is that all you have to say?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“It seems your tongue is unusually quick.”
“I am deeply honored.”
“…….”
Raciel calmly lowered his head, exuding a confident cunningness in his demeanor. As the emperor looked at that expression, he inwardly suppressed his annoyance.
‘When did this child grow so astute?’
He had hit the nail on the head, precisely identifying the emperor’s inner thoughts. The speculation and analysis were so impeccable that they left no room for argument.
It was astonishing.
A child who had lost his mother at birth. A child too frail to even properly play around. A child who always tugged at his heartstrings every time he saw him.
The child who had been perpetually bedridden was gradually becoming healthier, causing various incidents… and now it felt like he had risen to an impressive level.
The emperor had to give credit where it was due.
It was hair-raising.
And he couldn’t help but feel elated.
That’s why the emperor hardened his expression even further.
“To act so self-assured merely by speaking a few words, as if you’ve comprehended my intentions, is truly absurd.”
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“You’re not even afraid now?”
“I have simply expressed some thoughts in accordance with Your Majesty’s will.”
“You persist in relying on your silver tongue to the end, I see.”
“I apologize for that as well, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm.”
The emperor’s snort filled the room. It seemed like he was greatly displeased, but in reality, he was struggling to contain the satisfaction that threatened to escape through his nose like a melody.
“Enough of this idle chatter. You must have come to me today with a request, haven’t you?”
“That is correct, Your Majesty.”
“Then, let’s hear it.”
“Would you be willing to consider my request?”
“Do you dare to make a commotion before even stating your request?”
The emperor’s gaze grew stern.
But Raciel knew the truth.
Outwardly, the emperor appeared angry, but deep down, he was immensely pleased. He was ready to reward the one who had accurately understood his intentions. And that reward would likely be…
‘To willingly grant my request.’
Raciel bowed with a pretense of respect.
“Then, if I may dare to make a request of Your Majesty…”
His mind worked quickly and efficiently. He recalled the long-term plan he had been nurturing lately – expanding the palace clinic into a comprehensive hospital.
‘That way… I can extend my own life.’
Had it been during his time in Anbouaz?
Serving undercover as military physician Rihan, he had realized something crucial. He couldn’t handle all the medical treatments on his own.
‘That’s simply inefficient.’
Thinking about it, it made sense.
No matter how diligently he treated patients, there was a limit to how many he could see in a day. And in the future? As the palace clinic grew and its reputation spread, the number of patients seeking treatment there would only increase.
That’s why.
‘I can’t manage all those treatments by myself. In fact, it’s already overwhelming. Besides Gardin, I need other doctors.’
Internal medicine, surgery, urology, otolaryngology, and more. He felt the need to hire various specialists.
But what about himself?
‘I’ll focus on treating critically ill patients who can definitely provide me with bonus life, and delegate the rest to the hired doctors.’
That would be the solution. He could avoid the fate of being overwhelmed by endless treatments and dying from overwork while trying to gain extra life. It would be much more efficient in accumulating bonus life.
So…
“Based on the achievements I’ve accumulated so far, I request the title of honorary professor at the Imperial Magentano Medical College.”
Raciel’s audacious request sent ripples through the emperor’s heart.
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