Queen of the Scalpel - Chapter 71 - Unintentional Major Accident

Chapter 71: Unintentional Major Accident

The Emperor, Minchester, stood on the second floor balcony. He could see the entire ballroom in a single glance.

“Lady Elise de Clarence greets the sun of the empire.”

Elise pushed away her nervousness and curtsied.

“It’s been a while, lady. Has it been a month?:

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Seems like the hospital took a toll on you. You’ve lost weight.”

“It’s fine, Your Majesty.”

“What do you mean ‘fine’? I don’t feel at ease seeing your look so tired.

“It’s nothing.”

Manchester clicked his tongue.

“Lady.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Elise bowed her head and waited for the Emperor to speak again. He probably wouldn’t have called to just ask how she was doing. He was going to bring it up now. But what he said was completely unexpected.

“I have a favor, can you do something for me?”

“….? Please go ahead.”

“Can you make the tea you made for me last time?”

She wasn’t really in the mood to make tea, but how could she refuse? Elise politely replied.

“Yes, Your Majesty. Please wait a moment.”

She had a servant bring tea leaves and other necessary materials and started to make the tea. ‘Sigh, what is the Emperor thinking?’

She couldn’t tell. Was it because she was calmly boiling the tea? She started to calm down as well. ‘I’ll just speak with him anyhow. I can’t let it go like this.’ The scent of the tea began to waft up. At the scent that symbolized the east, the Emperor spoke.

“You wouldn’t know. How much I missed this taste. Even when had it made like you instructed, it didn’t taste the same. How are you able to create this taste?”

“That’s too excessive a compliment. I’m concerned that my skills won’t be to your taste.”

Elise replied humbly. The Emperor drank the tea she made.

“It’s very nice.”

He smiled and savored the flavor of the tea. And a silence descended on them. Was it because of the calming scent? The balcony felt worlds away from the noisy ballroom downstairs.

“…”

Elise fisted her dress. She felt anxious, but she pushed it down. Waiting for him to speak first. The Emperor put his cup down.

“Lady.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You had something to ask me?”

He spoke in a soft voice. Elise swallowed. The time had come. This conversation would decide her fate. She needed to speak well.

“Yes, Your Majesty. If it’s alright, could I ask a question?”

“Go ahead.”

“What happened to the bet from last time?”

Her heart beat faster. The bet to cancel her engagement with the Crown Prince if she proved her value as a doctor. It was incredibly unfair to her, but she was confident in winning. No, no matter what came her way, she was going to win.

But…if the Emperor canceled the bet? She didn’t even want to think about it, but there was nothing she could do.

“Why do you ask that?”

But the Emperor asked like he hadn’t even thought about that.

“Pardon?”

“It’s still valid.”

“…!”

“Even if it’s a personal bet with you, I am the emperor of the empire that is spread all over the world. I won’t go back on my word. So don’t worry.”

Elise was taken aback at what he said. Then what was the announcement earlier? The Emperor spoke with a smile. It was a playful smile for some reason.

“Isn’t it not an official announcement?”

“…”

“We didn’t have an engagement ceremony or officially announce it. If you win the bet with me, it can be canceled anytime, so don’t worry.”

“But…”

She hesitated. The Emperor was right. Since it wasn’t official. And there hadn’t been a ceremony. But if he canceled his words, the Emperor’s reputation would be hurt. And he was supposed to be the person most respected in the empire.

“Is that…okay?”

“Well, that’s something for me to worry about. Don’t worry. I swear on the Romanoff name that your reputation won’t be hurt.”

The Emperor spoke like it was nothing.

“And my dignity won’t be hurt by something like that.”

“…!”

“An emperor’s dignity comes from the mind of his citizens. Isn’t that right? And I’m not too bad off in that aspect.

Minchester smiled. He was right. This was the rule of the Romanoff family. Governance for serving. An emperor’s dignity comes from his citizens.

Because these rules were kept, although other ruling families fell, the Romanoff had the absolute power, and Minchester received the absolute support of the people.

“Anyhow, lady.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I guess you’re sure you’re going to win? Seeing as how you’re worrying about what will happen when you win. But what should we do?”

The Emperor spoke mischievously.

“I don’t plan on losing either.”

“…!”

“The exact contents of the bet were this. ‘To prove your worth as a doctor is higher than as an empress.’ But I don’t know about that. And I don’t know if you can do that before your adult ceremony.”

Elise realized the Emperor’s intentions. He used the word ‘worth.’ ‘He’s not planning on admitting it unless it’s something truly spectacular.’ And the judge of the bet was the Emperor, if he said no, it was her outright loss. She had to do something everyone would acknowledge.

And before her adult ceremony, which was in a few months. Elise’s face hardened. ‘But…I still…won’t lose.’ She clenched her fist. Yeah, she couldn’t lose. She had to win.