Chapter 93

The next day, Princess Elysia quietly opened her mouth.

“I wish to observe a surgery without pain.”

I directed my gaze toward her slightly.

“…It is not a very pleasant thing to watch.”

I informed her frankly. It is not a spectacle; it is reality.

But the Princess did not back down.

“No. Verifying it in person is also my duty.”

It was a voice without hesitation.

Pausing a beat, I nod.

“…Understood.”

I had them check the records. There were no tooth extractions scheduled for a while, but there was a substitute.

“Tomorrow, there is one case of a leg amputation.”

A leg where putrefaction has advanced; if left alone, it would involve the patient’s life.

The Princess fell silent for just an instant, but immediately raised her face.

“…That is fine.”

To those words, I answered shortly.

“Then, I permit your presence.”

The next day.

The treatment room was quieter than usual. The stone floor had been washed clean, and all unnecessary items had been moved aside.

The windows were thrown open, letting the air pass through. On the desk, instruments covered with a cloth were lined up in an orderly fashion.

The patient was already laid out.

His complexion was poor, and his breathing shallow. His leg was blackened from below the knee, and the stench of putrefaction drifted faintly.

The Princess’s feet stopped slightly, but she said nothing.

The doctor issued a short instruction.

“The medicine.”

The prepared item was presented. The extract obtained from poppy seeds was carefully measured and given to him to drink.

Eventually, the patient’s tension loosened, and his eyelids dropped heavily.

“…His reactions?”

“They are dulling.”

The doctor nodded.

“Begin.”

The cloth was removed, and in that instant, the air in the room pulled slightly taut. The blade went in.

Elysia watched it.

There was no hesitation in the people’s movements. The assistant immediately responded, held him down, and the next instrument was passed. There were no unnecessary voices. Only regular, systematic exchanges continued.

Eventually, a low, dry sound echoed in the room. A sound repeated at regular intervals. Before long, that sound also ceased.

“Wash.”

The doctor’s voice dropped.

Warmed hot water was used, and things were arranged. Furthermore, the scent of strong alcohol rose, and the air changed.

“Suture.”

A matter-of-fact voice spoke, and without excess or deficiency, they closed it just as much as necessary.

“…That is all.”

The doctor announced shortly.

The patient was still in a shallow sleep. There was no thrashing from pain, no screaming; it was quiet.

Silence fell.

Within it, Princess Elysia stood.

Her complexion was pale and her fingertips trembled slightly, but she did not avert her gaze until the very end.

Eventually, she slowly let out a breath.

“…This is, a surgery with the pain suppressed…”

I did not answer. I merely showed her reality. The Princess stood rooted to the spot for a while, but eventually said quietly.

“…Thank you for allowing me to see it.”

Even after the surgery ended, Princess Elysia did not move from that spot. I stepped one pace closer and called out quietly.

“Princess Elysia, perhaps you should rest a little.”

The Princess did not answer immediately. Then, adjusting her breathing slightly, she nodded.

“…I will do so.”

Her voice was faintly hoarse. I directed my gaze to Marc.

“A room.”

I instruct shortly. Accompanied by her maid, the Princess left the scene.

The door to the prepared room closed. In that instant, the strength left Princess Elysia’s legs.

“…Ah.”

A voiceless breath leaked out. The maid hurriedly supported her, but even so, she could not remain completely standing.

She dropped her hips into a nearby chair, half-collapsing into it.

Her fingertips were gripped tight and would not unlace.

“Your Highness…”

The maid furrowed her brow.

“…That is, salvation…”

Her words did not continue.

With her breathing still disordered, Princess Elysia cast her eyes down.

Around that time.

While walking down the corridor, I informed Marc.

“Prepare something warm.”

“…With alcohol?”

“No.”

I deny it shortly.

“It will place a burden on her stomach. Something with weak stimulation… brew a sedative herb and drop some honey into it.”

Marc nods.

“Understood.”

Her nerves must be exhausted. Because she watched that scene until the very end.

Eventually, the door to her room was quietly knocked upon. The maid received it and carried the tray. From the steaming vessel, a faint, pale scent spread.

Princess Elysia slowly raised her face.

“…Thank you.”

She said faintly, reaching for the vessel.

She was still trembling slightly, and she held it as if wrapping it with both hands. The warmth transmitted to her fingertips, her breathing settled just a little, and she brought it to her lips.

Just one sip.

A soft sweetness spread across her tongue, and the scent of honey and the faint bitterness of the medicinal herb quietly seeped into her.

“…”

Taking another sip just like that—at that moment, a single drop fell with a plop. A small ripple spread at the edge of the vessel.

“…Ah…”

Princess Elysia’s slightly surprised voice. The fingertips that tried to wipe it away stopped.

After a while, Princess Elysia let out a deep breath.

The door quietly opened.

The maid stepped out one pace first. She checked the surroundings and pulled back slightly. Following her, Princess Elysia revealed her figure. The pallor from earlier had already faded, her breathing was steady, and her back was straight.

…She pulled herself back together, huh.

She possessed enough composure to make one think so.

Even so, it was not perfect. A lingering shadow remained deep in her gaze. However, she would not let that show on the surface.

The Princess approached and stopped at an appropriate distance.

She pulled her chin back slightly.

“Thank you very much for your consideration earlier.”

Her tone was composed as usual, but just the slightest bit softer.

I responded shortly.

“I merely did what is natural.”

Without averting my gaze, I continued.

“…Was it not too intrusive?”

I chose my words so as not to step in more than necessary. The Princess cast her eyes down for just an instant.

And then, she raised her face again.

“No. Rather, I was saved by it.”

Those words were small. But they were not ambiguous. The maid dropped her gaze slightly.

The Princess continued.

“What I beheld is by no means something that can be easily accepted. Even so… I understood that I must not avert my eyes from it.”

For just an instant, a pause fell.

“I am deeply grateful for the help you provided me to do so.”

She bowed politely. It was a movement conforming to formality, but what was poured into it was not mere form.

Receiving that, I gave a slight nod.

“That is sufficient.”

I announce only that.

The Princess smiled slightly.

I looked at that expression and said nothing.

…She has not crumbled.

Even after seeing that scene, she recovers, composes her words, and extends her courtesies.

She is certainly equipped with the pride of a Princess.

…It is not an easy thing, is it.

A position that demands one not to crumble, even after witnessing something like that. It is something that protects, and something that binds.

I averted my gaze. I will not step in any further than that.

“…Shall we proceed to the next?”

I announced merely that.