The Visitation of the Second Prince
2815 Words
The streets of Berlun were filled with excitement.
Soon, the anniversary ball began. The nobles and common citizens were all readily prepared for the festival.
“I heard the Emperor is preparing the anniversary ball to be even more extravagant than ever!”
“Really?”
“Yeah, and food will be provided for free to common and low-income citizens.”
“Nice, as expected of the Emperor! A long and healthy life for him!”
The citizens all gathered to talk about the anniversary ball.
Currently, the Granzreich Empire was one of the strongest in the continent…no, in the continent. Past the continent, the New World, and even the East. There wasn’t a place that wasn’t influenced by the Empire.
Only the Francoine Republic and Britannia Empire could probably be compared to them. There were other strong lands like the Russy Federation, the port country Spana, and the United States across the western ocean, but they weren’t as powerful as the Empire or the Fracoen Empire. The Qing land in the East was already on its way to downfall.
Since they were such a powerful empire, the anniversary ball would be on a large scale as well.
“I heard that there’s gonna be an important announcement at this ball?”
“Yeah, I heard. They’re going to announce the fiancee of the Crown Prince.”
“I see! People say the Crown Prince will be someone who surpasses the Emperor!”
“Yeah. He’s already participating in several positions taking care of the empire. He’s cold, but his abilities are the best that the Imperial Family has seen.
“Really? That’s amazing. That’s the Granzreich family for you! But where did you hear that?”
“My friend. Don’t drink every day and read some newspapers. It’ll be all in there. It even has the newest lover of the womanizing 3rd Prince!”
Just like he said, the media of the Empire was extremely well developed. From politics to celebrities’ lifestyles. The freedom of the press was also present.
“Ahem, but who do you think will be the Crown Prince’s fiancee?”
“Hm, I’m curious too. I hope it’s someone who knows to take good care of those under her. Since the Crown Prince is cold, I think that kind of Crown Princess will fit him well.”
“Yeah, definitely, I hope it’s a good person.”
The two continued to speak about the Crown Prince and his future fiancee.
Meanwhile, in Therese Institute of Engineering, the center of all the gossip, the Crown Prince was being treated by Catarina in the clinic room.
“How’s the tiredness?”
“It’s better?”
“What about feeling heavy or spiritless?”
And the questions continued. After this went on for some time, she wrote something on a piece of paper and chose the amount of medicine to prescribe.
“I think we can keep the amount this way. Take the medicine on your way back.”
They were words that signaled the end of their appointment.
“…Is it over?”
“Yes, take care on the way back.”
But the Crown Prince didn’t get up and continued to stare at her.
“…?”
Catarina tilted her head.
“Andrew?”
“…It’s nothing.”
His and her treatment always went like this. She only asked what she needed to know and she kindly said goodbye. It was always the same. That since she was done, he should leave. Eins didn’t like that.
The treatment time was also too short. He felt like she was only spending half of the time with other patients on him. ‘Does she have to make me leave this fast?’ He was surprised at himself for thinking that. What other time would a doctor and a patient need? The treatment time was short, but it was because she only needed to observe him. He knew well.
But… every time he left, his heart felt strange. It was a feeling that he couldn’t identify.
‘I don’t like it.’ Yeah. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t like it.
The girl asked as he was acting strangely.
“Sir Andrew? Do you have something to say? Do you have any questions about the illness?”
Eins bitterly smiled and stood up.
“No. I’ll see you in three days.”
“Alright, you’ve done a lot for today. Be careful on your way back.”
It was still a polite farewell. Then, when he felt that the farewell was somehow unpleasant, she said something unexpected.
“After the next visit, you don’t have to come again.”
“…!”
The Crown Prince frowned.
“What do you mean? I don’t have to come? Are you telling me to stop coming?”
His voice suddenly became low. At his upset voice, Catarina answered in surprise.
“Ah…because you’re fine now. I think one more time is good. Is there a problem…?”
He didn’t have to come back, but why was he reacting like that? Shouldn’t he be happy? Was it because he was worried he wasn’t completely fixed yet? Catarina made a soft smile that assured him.
“You’re a lot better. So don’t worry too much. A hospital is a place that you shouldn’t come to often. Not to mention, the engineering institute is not a hospital in the first place. Also, you know what they say. The more you see a doctor’s face, the worse it is. Don’t worry, and you’ll be better after taking the medicine.”
Since she was explaining like this, there was nothing he could say.
“Alright.”
And the treatment that day ended.
Eins released his powers and returned to the palace to do his work. The work he had to do was piled up like a mountain.
Going to Therese Institute of Engineering every 3 days was too much. He had to spend the rest of his time extremely busy to make time to go to the hospital. ‘But she told me not to come.’
He frowned. It wasn’t something he should be feeling bad about. It was a good thing for him not to go back. He knew that. But, he didn’t feel any better.
“Your Highness.”
Then, Eins turned his head at the familiar voice.
“Is something wrong?”
A sharp but handsome face. His cold but beautiful face was similar to a sword. Looking at the blonde hair that was similar to Catarina’s, the Crown Prince spoke his name.
“Nathan.”
Baron Nathan Eisenberg. He was Catarina’s older brother and the successor of Eisenberg Marquis. He was the vice-leader of the Royal Knights Legion, and one of the top knights in the empire.
At the same time, he was also his trusted advisor and only friend.
“Your Highness, you don’t look too well. Are you feeling sick again?”
“No. I’m fine.”
The Crown Prince shook his head. He really did feel fine. Eating the medicine the physician gave him didn’t make him feel any different, but the medicine that Catarina gave him really treated him. It was incredible. Now, he really was fine.
And the Crown Prince didn’t like that. ‘Why did I get better so fast? What did she prescribe to me?’ It was a good thing he got better quickly, but he didn’t like it. It definitely wasn’t because she told him not to come now that he was better.
“Is it because of the 3rd Prince?”
“No. It’s nothing, so don’t worry.”
“Just tell me. I’ll solve it for you.”
He couldn’t say ‘it’s because of your little sister,’ so he just inwardly sighed.
“Baron.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“What does your sister like?”
“…?”
Nathan Eisenberg’s eyes were filled with questions.
“Why….?”
“Just because. I have to pay her back for something. It’s not because I have any special feelings towards her, so don’t worry.”
The Crown Prince made up excuses for himself although no one had asked. ‘Since I do have to pay her back. She saved my subordinate, and fixed me.’ Yes, this was just a sign of gratitude, not anything else. Since he couldn’t just skip over giving thanks to someone since he was a member of the Imperial Family. That was what he thought.
“What does your sister like? Catarina?”
Nathan, her brother, was lost in thought. ‘What does she like?’ He couldn’t think of anything. Since he was a soldier who lived on the battlefield, he wasn’t really interested in what she liked. And he always scolded his sister, not affectionately speaking with her. He said what he barely managed to remember.
“She likes things to eat.
“What?”
“I think she especially likes strawberry cake.”
“…”
It was completely unhelpful. He couldn’t pay her back with strawberry cake!
“Is there anything else?”
“Mango pudding and banana tart…she doesn’t like milk…”
“No, not those things. Something that I can give her as a present!”
“…”
The Crown Prince clicked his tongue looking at his friend who looked like he couldn’t speak. To think he only knew this much! It wasn’t any help.
“I’m trying to give her a present… Well, do you have any ideas? When you confess to girls you like, what do you give them?”
An awkward silence filled the room.
“…”
He was still quiet.
‘Who am I asking these questions?’ The Crown Prince blamed himself.
Baron Nathan could make supporters of the 3rd Prince speechless in a second but there was one thing he couldn’t do. It was speaking to girls.
He was quiet and strict, so Baron Nathan wasn’t that knowledgeable about girls. The same went for him since he was always buried in his work. He had never even held a girl’s hand. ‘But I can’t ask the Third.’
He thought of the greater womanizer in the Palace, no in all of Berlun.
Marius von Granzreich. He was behind in line for the successor of the Emperor, but he was still famous. It was his third little brother, his political enemy, the 3rd Prince.
‘Marius.’ Eins’s face turned cold. Even if he was his political enemy, he didn’t have any personal enmity with his little brother. But he couldn’t forgive ‘them’ for doing what they did.
Then, Baron Nathan spoke in a timid voice, unlike his usual self.
“Your Highness, what about a jewel?”
“Jewel?”
“Yes, thinking about it now, I think Catarina used to like shiny things since she was young. She liked dresses with jewels on them as well.”
“Jewels. I see.”
The Crown Prince nodded his head. It was a good present to express his thanks. And all women liked it. ‘But will Lady Catarina like it?’ He thought of Lady Catarina who worked at the Therese Institute of Engineering in a white coat without any accessories. But she was still beautiful.
It was hard to think of her and jewels in the same train of thought, but since his trusted advisor and her brother said so, he decided to go with it.
He asked his servant to present a jewel for him. It was a shiny red ruby. 3 days later, when he went to receive his last treatment, he held out the present towards her.
...
“No, thank you.”
She didn’t even hesitate for a second.
“…”
Eins was speechless at the outright rejection.
“Why?”
“I didn’t treat you expecting presents like this.”
“It’s just a sign of gratitude.”
“I know. Even though I’m not a doctor, to someone like me who loves treating patients and workers in my free time is already a present to me. I only did something that any doctor would do. So I can’t take a present like this...Even though I'm not a doctor hehe..."
“…”
She kindly smiled so his feelings wouldn’t be hurt.
“I know you gave it to me with a good heart. I’ll accept the thought instead.”
“…”
“But I can’t take it, because I only did something I needed to do.”
If he gave her something simple, like cookies or fruit, she would’ve happily accepted it.
“I see. Then I apologize for offering such a thing.”
“No, I’m sorry. But I do appreciate the sentiment.”
But the Crown Prince shook his head.
“No, It’s fine, however, I would like to repay you somehow.”
Yeah, he didn’t feel bad. It was just completely different from what he expected. He had a bad feeling from the start when he asked for advice from Baron Nathan for dating advice. He was just surprised that that immature Catarina he knew had changed this much. To be honest, it was touching.
“What should we do?”
“What?”
“I don’t become debted to people. How should I pay back the help I received from you?”
“Oh, that. It should’ve been fine with the donation you gave to the institution. It helped us a lot and it sped up the process so you would be able to see the finished product in less than a month…”
Eins’s lip twitched.
“Are you talking about that small fee? Don’t you know that’s not what I’m talking about?”
“It’s really alright….”
“Tell me what you want. I don’t leave debts with others.”
He sounded like he wasn’t someone that had gotten help, but like Catarina was indebted to him. Eventually, Catarina spoke.
“Strawberry cake.”
“What?”
“I like strawberry cake. If we meet sometime, buy me strawberry cake. From the bakery on Pike street. Their cakes are sweet and refreshing.”
“…”
As he closed his mouth, Catarina spoke like she was being sincere.
“It’s true. I really really like strawberry cake. But my mother doesn’t let me eat it because it’s bad for me.”
It was a cute voice that her second brother Albert would die over. She looked like she was her age at that moment rather than the adult-like appearance she always had.
“What about mango pudding?”
“Pardon?”
“Don’t you like mango pudding?”
“Ah, yes! I like that as well. But how did you know that?”
“And banana tart? And you don’t like milk.”
“…!”
Catarina’s eyes widened. How did he know this well? But it was then. She saw something that she couldn’t believe.
The man…who seemed like he would never smile…was slightly smiling!
“Alright. Let’s do that. The bakery from Pike street. And not only that, but mango pudding, and banana tart.
“…!”
At his smile, her heart beat faster.
Her second life. She didn’t know, but it was the first time she saw a genuine smile from this man. The smile that she so desperately wanted.
“I’ll let you eat everything. In the future.”
- Writer
