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Chapter 08
Failure
“An infectious disease… how would someone even investigate that…?”
Staring at the words spread across the paper, I let out a small sigh.
In the novel, the period when the infection spread on a massive scale came shortly before I turned eighteen.
This country may have magic, but that doesn’t mean every illness can be solved with healing spells.
If a case becomes severe, recovery might not come in time. And in the first place, healing magic is rare—not something just anyone can use. If such a disease were to spread among the populace, it would become deadly.
(I know what’s coming… so leaving things as they are really isn’t right, is it?)
Even my current fever had only been suppressed—along with the pain—thanks to Brother Luke’s power. My depleted stamina and malnourished state, however, couldn’t be fixed so easily.
“My body really was in terrible shape…”
Apparently, I’d been brewing and drinking herbal remedies on my own, but there was no way that alone could make up for a lack of proper meals.
(That’s why Brother Luke strictly ordered me to rest, wasn’t it?)
After all, my condition must have been completely obvious to him once he used healing magic on me.
And once someone heals another person, that healer’s ability can be called into question if the patient immediately falls ill again.
(So that’s why Brother Luke took care of me.)
A perfect prince would never ignore the dire circumstances of his younger sister once he became aware of them.
That’s why he helped me this time—or so I concluded.
Still, the fact that no one had reached out to help me until now remained like a hard knot in my chest.
I wanted someone to save me sooner.
It’s only because Lilibel was truly on the brink of death that I’ve been given this kind of environment, and even now, I can’t help but feel unsettled by it.
And then there’s something else…
I still don’t know why Lilibel was treated so coldly in the first place. Whenever I try to think about it, a sharp pain shoots through my head—as if I’m being forcibly prevented from remembering.
No. For now, I should think about what lies ahead.
“To prevent an unknown infectious disease… what can I do first?”
There’s so much I lack. No—there’s hardly anything I don’t lack.
I stood up and turned toward Rosarina and the others.
Staying here and taking it easy won’t change anything.
“Rosarina. I’d like to go see Brother Luke… could you guide me there?”
At my request, Rosarina looked startled.
She seemed unsure for a moment, but eventually nodded. “Very well.”
Walking through the eastern wing of the castle—the floor constantly traveled by government officials—made me tense.
My footsteps were so quiet they were swallowed by the carpet, yet the sharp gazes of the knights still pricked at my shoulders.
This must be my first time ever setting foot in a place like this.
Just as I caught sight of the door to Brother Luke’s office and stepped forward toward the knight guarding the entrance—
“This is the First Prince’s office. Those without business here are asked to keep their distance.”
The crisp, firm voice made me freeze in place.
The reaction stung more than I expected.
But perhaps it was only natural, considering my position until now.
A princess with no presence—someone whose existence changed nothing whether she was there or not. Of course they wouldn’t know how to deal with me suddenly appearing.
(But this isn’t the time to worry about that.)
If I want to avoid my future “narration death,” I can’t back down today.
“I am Lilibel, the First Princess. I’ve come to see my brother, Prince Luke.”
As clearly and politely as I could, I spoke.
The knight’s eyes widened slightly. A brief silence followed.
Another knight then said, “We will confirm,” before knocking on the office door and slipping inside.
My heart pounded wildly.
What if my brother refuses to see me?
“Princess Lilibel, our deepest apologies. Please come in. His Highness has agreed to meet with you.”
The softer voice contrasted sharply with before as the door slowly opened.
“Thank you.”
I bowed lightly and stepped inside.
The office was perfectly silent, sunlight from the window casting shadows across a massive desk.
And there, at the far end of the room, was Brother Luke.
With hair gleaming like spun gold and intelligent blue eyes focused on his documents, he looked like the very embodiment of the word perfect.
Dressed in white formal attire, his posture straight and dignified… he felt distant somehow.
(He’s working so hard… and he’s only seventeen. That’s amazing.)
I couldn’t help thinking that in modern terms.
After all, he’d still be a student back then.
“…Lilibel? What brings you here? This is your first time coming to my office, isn’t it?”
He turned toward me with a gentle voice—but his eyes narrowed ever so slightly, a flicker of confusion that made my chest tighten.
I took a deep breath and bowed deeply.
“I’m sorry to interrupt your work. But… you’re the only person I can consult.”
The truth was, I didn’t know anyone else.
When I said that, his brow twitched faintly.
“…Go on.”
“Well—Brother Luke. Would you allow me to study medicine and pharmacology from now on?”
I said it.
My heart raced as the words left my mouth.
Brother Luke quietly set down the quill he’d been holding. His blue eyes wavered slightly as he looked at me.
“…Medicine and pharmacology?”
At his repetition, I nodded.
“Yes. I believe it’s knowledge I’ll need. For the future—and so I can be of use to others, even just a little.”
He remained silent for a while.
Then he leaned back in his chair and narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
The wait for his response felt unbearably long.
“Your intentions aren’t bad. However, isn’t medicine a bit too heavy a subject to jump into right away?”
“…What?”
“For instance, you could begin with history or general education. You’ve had very few opportunities to study such things until now. Diving straight into a specialized field may only lead you to take a longer path in the end.”
His tone was calm—and logical.
But I only had three years left. If I wanted to act before the disease spread, time was already running out.
“I—I’ll study those too! But I really want to learn medicine. I know there’s only so much I can do, even then. Still…!”
I desperately held back the tremble threatening my lips.
“Did something happen?”
The question made me choke on my words.
Something did happen—but I couldn’t talk about my past life.
It wasn’t a story anyone could believe. And everything I was trying to do lacked concrete proof. All I had was a future where I would die if I did nothing.
“…No. But I feel like I’ll regret it if I don’t learn it now.”
“Hm…”
Brother Luke studied me intently, as if probing for something.
Silence filled the room.
Then—
“I’ll think about it. But I still don’t believe this is what you need right now. As a princess, there are other things you ought to be doing. I’ll make arrangements for those first.”
I gasped softly.
“Above all, focus on restoring your health.”
“But—!”
“You are royalty. Even if there’s something you want to learn, it has no meaning if it isn’t necessary. The royal palace already has specialized physicians and apothecaries.”
His words were cool and matter-of-fact.
As if my thoughts had never been worth considering in the first place.
(I knew it…)
I’d expected this, somewhere deep down.
Still, I’d let myself hope—selfishly—that maybe he would reach out to me.
Brother Luke was right. And the fact that he was willing to help in other ways was already more than an unfortunate princess like me deserved.
Biting my lip, I bowed deeply.
“…I understand. I’m sorry for troubling you.”
There was no point in pushing further.
Feeling foolish for having grown complacent just because he’d been kind to me these past few days, I quietly left the room.
After rejoining Rosarina outside, we headed back toward my quarters.
(If Brother Luke won’t help, then I’ll have to find another way.)
I have no intention of giving up.
If I can’t rely on my brother, then I’ll search for what I can do on my own.
(Still… I want to be alone for a bit.)
The moment our conversation ended, the tension holding me together snapped.
Turning to Rosarina, who’d been following me with worry etched on her face, I forced a gentle smile.
“I’m sorry, Rosarina. I’d like to be alone for a little while. Could you return to my room ahead of me?”
“But, Your Highness—by yourself—”
“Please. Just for a bit. I want to go to the detached palace. I’ve always been alone, so I’ll be fine. I promise I’ll come back.”
“…Very well. I’ll await your return.”
Rosarina bowed, her eyes still full of concern, but said nothing more.
