Chapter 192
Despite being of royal birth, he is a criminal not even permitted to be transported by carriage. Even if his feet become raw, or if he falls and rolls about becoming covered in wounds, he must walk on his own two feet until he leaves the Empire. Of course, this too is part of the punishment. For a criminal, it would be a time when dying comfortably in an instant might seem preferable.
‘Is this finally the end?’
Luwen’s future has changed. The one he loves is me, and the cause of war has been removed.
‘But why do I feel so uneasy?’
Am I anxious because I’m too happy?
“Watch your step. Construction materials are scattered everywhere.”
We had already arrived near the clinic. Perhaps because it wasn’t a large-scale construction to begin with, the building had already taken shape.
‘Maybe… it’s because the First Prince’s downfall was less dramatic than I expected.’
He fell from power much earlier than in the original story, and the year when war was supposed to break out hasn’t arrived yet, so maybe that’s why I feel uneasy. Still, the current Luwen has awakened a powerful strength called “aura,” so perhaps I can set aside my worries.
‘Actually, what I should be concerned about is this.’
Among the workers employed for the clinic construction, there were familiar faces. They were patients who had received treatment from me.
‘Since my sister personally directed the rescue, they probably guessed my identity.’
Regardless of my intentions, they would feel deceived. Since I hadn’t revealed my status from the beginning like Master had, they might not come to me for treatment even after the clinic is completed. Even if they had no choice but to receive treatment, they wouldn’t be as friendly as before.
‘…That’s a shame.’
It was disheartening to think I wouldn’t see their faces as they handed over fish they had caught themselves, medicinal herbs, or farm produce. The auntie who occasionally brought food saying it turned out delicious would no longer come.
The items they gave weren’t what mattered. It was disappointing that I wouldn’t be able to see their welcoming faces, their reliance, their trust—especially the bright expressions they showed me.
“Doctor, you’ve arrived.”
The construction foreman approached, removing his hat and gripping it tightly with both hands. My gaze went to the misshapen, distorted hat at his chest. This was also a familiar face.
On a windy day, he was checking the construction site when a tree fell and pinned him down, they said. Rushed in as an emergency, his survival couldn’t be guaranteed. But he created a miracle with his strong will to live. Though he survived by his own strength, he still came to the clinic every day to greet me.
‘Doctor! I’m here!’
‘Welcome, Mr. Harve.’
‘Hohoho! My wife scolds me so much for going to the clinic every day when I’m not even sick. She says I’m bothering you.’
‘Bothering me? Not at all. Just seeing you healthy makes me happy.’
He used to laugh heartily. Not like now, awkwardly checking my reaction.
‘Ah, this is a bit upsetting.’
Still, I should be grateful that Luwen and I are safe.
It would have been better if the arson incident hadn’t happened at all, but the culprit received proper punishment. …Yes. Wanting more would be greedy. Luwen is by my side, and today is our first outing as lovers, so I should be satisfied.
Besides, with time, things might return to how they were before.
“It’s been a while, Mr. Harve. Thank you for readily taking on the clinic reconstruction.”
I hid my regretful feelings and smiled as usual. But Mr. Harve’s expression as he looked at me seemed somehow troubled. Wondering if my presence was burdensome, I was considering whether I should leave.
“…Doctor.”
Mr. Harve’s face contorted. His lips protruded, and numerous wrinkles formed on his lower jaw. He looked like he was about to burst into tears, which confused me, when someone patted his back with a thud.
“Oh my goodness, this man!”
It was Mr. Harve’s wife. She looked at her husband as if he were pathetic, then bowed her head to me.
“Are you still our doctor?”
To this bold question, I happily replied.
“Yes. Of course.”
“See, I told you so. You’ve seen the doctor for so long and still don’t understand?”
She poked her husband’s side with her elbow, smiling playfully. At the same time, Mr. Harve’s face brightened.
“Doctor, are you not hurt anywhere? A scary noble who looks just like you took you away, and we couldn’t see you, so everyone was very worried.”
“That’s right! We were told later that you were fine, but with only Taran at the temporary clinic, how could we believe it?”
The owner of a fruit stand near the clinic added a word. Then others approached one by one, checking on my well-being and beginning to act as friendly as before. As if… they had been waiting.
“Everyone dug the ground with one heart and mind. The noble lady said you must be alive, and if we wanted to save you, we should move quickly—she scolded us fiercely.”
“Our desire to save the doctor was as desperate as that noble… ahem! That noble lady’s. …Sir!”
Mr. Shanbo, who usually spoke to me casually, used awkward honorifics, earning laughter from those around.
I had lost nothing.
“But is it okay for us to be this casual? I’m afraid we might be arrested for disrespect…”
“It’s fine. If I’ve permitted it, who would arrest you? If such a thing happens, I won’t stand by.”
It’s peaceful and joyful. Only then did I realize that I enjoyed the time spent at the clinic more than I had thought.
Saving people. And this place where I formed connections and built bonds with them was a place I had created with my own hands, my own space. Now, it felt like a place where I belonged, one that would never be shaken no matter what happened.
Could it be the end of winter approaching? The breeze that blew was quite refreshing.
I held Luwen’s hand tightly. I wanted to convey to him how happy and joyful I was right now. His gentle smile and firmly returned grip. His response was as if he completely understood my feelings.
It was a perfect day beyond measure.
* * *
The next day, I read the Second Prince’s letter addressed to me multiple times. Unlike him, it conveyed the matter so directly, almost transparently, that I couldn’t help but wonder if there was another meaning behind it.
[I intend to recommend to His Majesty that Luwen, who has awakened his aura, be granted the title of Honorary Duke. I would like to hear your esteemed opinion on this matter.]
It was brief but shocking content. Of course, from the Empire’s perspective, they had to prevent aura users from leaking to other countries at all costs. But it was just yesterday that the First Prince became a criminal and was expelled from the Empire.
‘This seems like an attempt to keep Luwen while simultaneously using the legendary power of “aura” to cover up the imperial family’s disgrace.’
Not only that, but it might also be aimed at showing that the Second Prince is different from the First Prince—an enlightened royal who is capable of making unconventional appointments for the sake of the Empire.
The Second Prince’s scheme was obvious in many ways, but wasn’t Luwen originally wanting to become a nobleman? Being granted the title of Honorary Duke without having to be mobilized for dangerous frontier regions or monster subjugation was something to greatly welcome.
However, titles come with responsibilities. If they first bestow the title and then assign duties befitting it, Luwen might have to go far away. And then there would be no way to prevent that.
‘It seems better to check Luwen’s wishes rather than deciding this myself.’
If he were to go far away… for instance, if he were assigned to a frontier, I would have to choose between the clinic and Luwen, but I couldn’t deprive him of an opportunity because of my selfishness.
“Luwen.”
“Yes.”
“Do you want to become a Duke, by any chance?”
“A Duke?”
Luwen tilted his head as if wondering why I suddenly asked such a thing. I quietly showed him the Second Prince’s letter.
Luwen, who had been reading calmly, suddenly raised his head with surprised eyes, just like I had. I could sense a slight excitement. He seemed to welcome this proposal.
If so, I should support him. So that Luwen could become an Honorary Duke.
But…
“Then, would I be allowed to take you with me, Young Master?”
“Huh? Me?”
“Yes. Am I asking if I can formally propose to you.”
According to the Empire’s marriage laws, same-sex unions are not recognized. But that’s only “officially”; in reality, they are treated as spouses. So if Luwen’s meaning of “proposal” is that he wants to announce it to society, then…
“Yes. Even if we can’t record it in documents, we can live like a married couple.”
That’s how I could answer.
Suddenly, Luwen grabbed my waist and lifted me up. Then, with a flushed face, he looked up at me, pulled me into a tight embrace, and planted kisses on my forehead repeatedly.
“Pfft. What’s this? Why so sudden?”
“Because I’m happy.”
“About what? Becoming a Duke?”
“Are you really asking because you don’t know?”
Luwen kissed my cheek with a smack, then pulled away with a melting smile.
“A title is as useless as a scrap of paper to me without you, Young Master. What makes me happy is…”
He paused briefly, then concluded with a dazzling smile.
“…that now no one can monopolize you in front of me.”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
