🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter – 19
I believed that becoming Raviel’s body was so I could live like a human.
And I wanted to walk my life steadily on my own feet.
So I especially didn’t want to show weakness to anyone.
“Understood.”
Daring to act like this toward the Emperor might seem very insolent.
He probably never had anyone treat him like this.
But right now, I came first.
Even if I get scolded for not following etiquette, it’s better than bleeding in front of the Emperor.
I stayed poised and dignified as a lawyer in front of him, but once I was upstairs, I rushed to the bathroom.
My nose tingled and burned—sure enough, I was bleeding.
Drip.
Blood poured from my nose, dropping in red beads onto the white marble sink.
“At least I didn’t make a mess in the room.”
The room was a rented space in the mercenary office. Even if it was mine, bleeding on the floor was not pleasant. I felt relief that I at least made it to the bathroom in time.
Tilting my head forward helped more than leaning back.
I looked at myself in the mirror briefly, grabbed my nose, and leaned forward.
Unlike normal nosebleeds, this one kept flowing.
Usually it stops within ten minutes, but this time it took about twenty.
After confirming the bleeding had stopped, I wiped my face quickly. My pale face, blood streaked around it, even made my head spin from how much had poured out.
Eventually, I collapsed face-up on the bed.
“Hah… life is really hard.”
How could such a body exist?
Even before becoming Raviel, my body wasn’t very healthy. Law work left no time for exercise and I often skipped meals. But this body was on another level. Exercise was almost impossible.
Then, a knock.
Tap. Tap.
Could it be Kan? Or was my father coming again?
I struggled to my feet and opened the door.
“Who’s there?”
“A physician.”
“…A physician? You must have the wrong room. I didn’t call anyone.”
I remembered the physicians from living at the Avalon mansion. My father had never called one for Raviel. Only the Countess, her stepmother, had hired one with money she got from selling her property. So I wanted to be checked, but I wasn’t going to welcome someone I didn’t call.
“Oh, I’m a palace physician.”
“…Pardon? How did you—”
“Today is my day off, but Your Majesty personally sent me here.”
“…Your Majesty? The Emperor?”
“Yes. He said it’s for someone very special and ordered me to check your health.”
Why? Why would the Emperor do this?
“Is that all?”
“Your face looks pale. It seemed like you were hiding some illness. Even if you refuse, he said I must check you.”
He noticed in that brief moment?
The Emperor is not usually someone considerate and kind.
The man who dismissed me easily before now immediately saw my health problem and even sent a palace physician?
“We usually don’t treat outsiders, but since this is the Emperor’s order, I will check you briefly.”
“Ah….”
“I hope you won’t refuse. It would put me in a difficult position. Simply put, just cooperate.”
While I was fumbling, the physician entered, carrying a large doctor’s bag.
“Please sit.”
“….”
He carried a strict and overbearing air.
Of course. The prestige of a palace physician is high. And the Emperor personally sent him to this tiny room in the mercenary office.
I sat before him.
Raviel had seen physicians before, thanks to the Countess. Those memories were clear. Comparing then and now, this palace physician was clearly a professional.
“How are you feeling?”
His expression darkened.
“You’re not in good health.”
“Yes. I’ve been weak since childhood. Is it very serious?”
“No. It seems you’ve overexerted and slept poorly recently. I’ll prepare medicine for that.”
“Thank you.”
I sensed he was hiding something.
Sometimes it’s better not to know everything.
Hearing I might be terminally ill could shake me completely.
Emotions affect the body, and my carefully held resolve might collapse. I did not want to face death again.
The physician placed several medicine bottles on the table.
“Ah, this…”
Then he took something from his pocket and handed it to me.
“What’s this?”
The Imperial emblem.
A small silver medallion stamped with the royal crest.
“The Emperor said that since you are suspicious by nature, show this as proof that I am a palace physician.”
“Ah… haha.”
Either the physician knew Raviel personally or he somehow knew me very well.
No… it’s not Raviel. My personality is just distrustful.
I forced a polite smile at him.
“I’m not suspicious, haha.”
“Take this medicine. This is the best combination I could make. I’ll send more via attendants for now.”
“Is my health really that bad?”
“No. With rest and proper care, you’ll get better.”
That meant there was some problem with my body.
Even if I pressured him, I doubted a palace physician would tell me everything honestly.
Should I even see a physician?
I was afraid. Afraid of dying. Afraid of dying pointlessly.
I had already died once and had finally found a new life. I was happy to do what I enjoyed again here. Helping people free themselves through divorce—this was satisfying. I couldn’t afford to be sick.
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
Before he left, I poured the medicine into my mouth. The bitter taste spread instantly.
The physician left, and I locked the door, lying back on the bed.
“Really… a strange man. Sending a physician too….”
His alluring face flashed in my mind.
No. He probably just wants me to take the case.
The Emperor, who promised to make me Empress if I handled his case.
I would never accept his request. I would never displace the current Empress.
But that night, I dreamt.
I dreamt of becoming Empress. The nightmare kept coming, and I only woke around lunchtime the next day.
“Ugh…”
Maybe the physician was good—after taking the medicine once, my body already felt refreshed.
Even after a nightmare, I felt light and free.
“This feels amazing!”
I got ready quickly and headed down to go meet Baron Taylor, as the Emperor had instructed.
At first, I met the two knights from the Stork Baron family—sent by Iz.
“Good morning. Today you’re going… um…”
Normally, they would have greeted lightly, but they looked uneasy and pointed somewhere. And there was…
“Why… are you here…?”
“Late, aren’t we?”
The Emperor.
Why was he here? He represented the whole country, busy with duties. How was he freer than a lawyer like me?
“…Were you waiting for me?”
“Of course. Let’s go now.”
“Uh… where?”
