Who is this Lady?
2411 Words
“Oho, two things?”
The Emperor had an amused face.
“Let’s hear them.”
“The first is the Eastern Kingdom Moncell.”
“Hm?”
The Emperor had a confused face.
“The Moncell Kingdom? Not the Francoine Republic?”
“Yes, we need to consider the participation of the Moncel Kingdom in the war.”
The Marquis spoke to her in an educating tone.
“Catarina, the Moncell Kingdom has no relation to the Tauric Peninsula. They’re close, but they don’t care about the tribal wars going on in that area right now either, and they have no relation to the Black Sea. We have to worry about the Francoine Republic right now.”
“Yes, you’re right, father. Geographically, the Moncell Kingdom has no need to participate in the war.”
“But why do we have to consider their participation?”
“Because the current ruler of the Moncell Kingdom is Count Demayne.”
“Because of Count Demayne?”
The Marquis stopped trying to teach her and his face momentarily froze.
And at the same went for the Emperor. Both of them were giants in managing the Empire. They would’ve understood Catarina’s hidden meaning in her words.
“Lady is that perhaps…?”
“Yes, Count Demayne is an unstable king who has not been acknowledged as the current ruler. To earn the right to be king the traditional way, he must be approved by the Francoine Republic.”
“...!”
“Since the Moncell Kingdom is one that became independent from the past Francoine Republic, the Francoine Empire.”
The Emperor and the Marquis had grave faces. Even the Crown Prince was looking at her.
“The Francoine Republic can’t move their forces right now. Instead of approving Count Demayne’s right to rule, they may ask for assistance in attacking our force.”
“...!!!”
A heavy silence descended on the garden. It wasn’t something to ignore just because a young girl had said it. There was definitely potential for what she said to happen.
“Huh, Moncell Kingdom. I didn’t even think about that. Yes, it’s definitely possible.”
“Yes. The Republic won’t stay still. It’s completely possible that they’ll move to the Moncell Kingdom.”
Both of them looked at Catarina with awed expressions. How did they, who managed the entire empire, miss, something that a young girl had caught?
And at that moment, a cold voice pierced the air.
“The Moncell Kingdom only has about 20,000 soldiers they can deploy. Are you saying that their army can put our empire’s forces in danger?”
“....!”
It was the Crown Prince. One couldn’t know how Catarina was feeling, discussing subjects with her husband after thirty years, but she calmly responded.
“If we fight head-on, I believe our forces will never be able to lose. Since the Granzreich Empire is one of the best forces in the West, no in the entire world. Except for the Republic, Rossiya Empire, and the Brittia Empire forces, no army will be able to fight against us head-on and win.”
“You know well. But?”
“But only if we fight them head-on.”
The Crown Prince’s eyebrows furrowed. Before he could ask again, Catarina said two words.
“Donov River and the Ukra Mountains Ranges.”
“...!!!”
“If the Moncell Kingdom’s forces move, they won’t come to the Tauric Peninsula, but to Ukra Mountain Ranges. Since if they travel by the Donov River, they can head straight to Ukra Mountain Ranges.”
“Lady, you’re saying?”
“Yes, the Ukra Mountain Ranges are the only way for our Granzreich Brigade to get to the Tauric Peninsula. If they are compromised, our forces may be isolated in that area.”
“...!!!”
If that happened, there would only be one result. The total loss of the Expeditionary Forces.
“Huh…”
Another silence descended upon the garden. It was incomparable to the silence before. Everyone looked at Catarina in astonishment for catching what the giants who managed the empire missed.
The Marquis thought with a dark face.
‘Yes, it’s definitely possible. And if that happens, it’s the end of the Expeditionary Force. Why didn’t I think of that all this time?’
The Emperor and the Crown Prince were thinking the same thing. It was a scary, but definitely possible hypothesis. After a long silence, the Emperor spoke up.
“Prime Minister.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Tomorrow, go to the Head of the Battalion and discuss this topic.”
“I will do so.”
“The Moncell Kingdom may not actually participate, but we must prepare for what the Lady said. Crown Prince, you tell the Intelligence Bureau to observe the movements of the Moncell Kingdom.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor quickly gave out his orders. He primly drank his tea and looked at Catarina in astonishment and amazement.
‘Amazing. How did Catarina come up with this?’
This child who was as pretty as a doll was able to have these thoughts. It was unbelievable. Weren’t these the thoughts of someone who had a strong grasp on politics and public relations?
‘She not only sees the political stance of the Empire but also the relationship between the different countries and the peninsula.
Furthermore, she even considered the full scenario. It’s like she’s a genius strategist.’
‘Have I been wrong about her? This is amazing.’
“Marquis.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“How did you raise this lady so amazingly?”
“Haha….”
The Marquis awkwardly laughed. He was also surprised. He knew his daughter had changed and was reading a lot of books these days…but…to this extent?
“Lady.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Didn’t you say we have two things to look out for? What is the other one?”
“It is ‘disease.’”
“Disease.”
Catarina respectfully nodded her head. This was actually more important than the Moncell Kingdom participating in the war.
‘Eventually, the Expeditionary Force ends up being destroyed by the disease.’
She thought of the past. After the forces were isolated on the mountain range, an epidemic had killed them all. I don’t know exactly what it was, but if we prepare for it well, the damage will be lessened.’
“The Tauric Peninsula is in a different environment than the Empire. Especially during times of war, we must be careful.”
The Emperor nodded his head.
“You’re right. The disease can definitely spread. Then how should we prepare for it?”
“Medical supplies need to be prepared. The most important thing is sanitation.”
“Sanitation?”
The Emperor had a strange look. Catarina realized why.
‘It’s because the importance of sanitation hasn’t been established yet.’
Of course, there were some people who realized it. They were the doctors of the empire.
However, it wasn’t a commonplace concept yet.
“Yes. It’s said that disease arises from unclean environments. So if a little more importance is placed on sanitation, it can help to stop the spread of disease.”
The Emperor once again had an astonished expression.
“I see. Amazing. Where did you learn that?”
Catarina made a feeble excuse.
“I recently became interested in medical studies. I only know a little bit, so this is quite embarrassing.”
“It doesn’t seem like a little bit.”
Catarina awkwardly avoided his gaze. She thought she might’ve gone overboard, but pushed that thought away.
‘If only this saves more people.’
The Emperor spoke again.
“After more planning, I will use what Lady Catarina said today. If your advice helps with the war, I will bestow the Order of Military Merit upon you.”
“….!!!”
Catarina was shocked. The Granzreich Empire’s Order of Military Merit! It was the greatest Order in the entire Empire. Just to be given the Order meant you were given the title of a knight. So it could be said it was the greatest honor possible for a noble.
“It was merely a silly suggestion. That is too much for someone like me!”
“If you call your suggestion silly, then those after you are fools. It’s not too much at all. In fact, the insignia would not be enough if we can indeed stop a catastrophe thanks to you.”
“...”
Catarina couldn’t say anything to that. But then, the Emperor asked in a mischievous tone.
“But Lady.”
“Yes?”
“What’s that you brought with you? Isn’t it something for me?”
“Ah…!!”
“It is incense, from the eastern land of Qing.”
“Incense?”
“Yes, it’s an incense that the nobles of Qing use. It’s pure, so it washes the tiredness away, and it gives you more vitality, so I brought it to give to you.”
The Emperor had a satisfied face after a sniff.
“The scent is already clearing my head. Amazing. How did you bring just what I needed?”
“Thank you for liking it.”
“I’ve been tired these days, actually. I’ll use it well.”
At those words, Catarina looked at the Emperor’s eyes. Tiredness could be seen in them. It was then. A diagnosis flashed by her head.
‘Perhaps?’
“Your Majesty, recently have you been feeling tired despite a deep sleep?”
“Indeed.”
“And you drink water frequently?”
“Now that you say it, it sounds about right.”
“Don’t you still feel thirsty after drinking water?”
“That also sounds right.”
The Emperor had a surprised face as if asking how she knew. Catarina inwardly clasped her hands. She remembered the Emperor breathing quickly before his death to make up for the acidemia through respiratory alkalosis.
‘This was it! The Emperor’s disease.’
A single diagnosis popped up in her head.
‘He wasn’t able to be treated, so that’s why he fell into a coma!’
She was also feeling a bit dejected at the same time.
‘To think that the Emperor of the great Granzreich Empire died because of this mere disease.’
And it wasn’t even a threatening disease; it was merely a common disease that could be treated.
Diabetes Mellitus. The Emperor is suffering from diabetes.
His blood sugar kept rising since he wasn’t treated. And he suffered from acidosis when his blood sugar hit 1,000.
If he was at that current medical knowledge of Granzreich Empire wouldn’t be able to diagnose or cure him.
There are two ways to survive this pesky disease. The first is to maintain the blood sugar level as near to normal as possible by following a diet plan. Two is to inject insulin, which is impossible to synthesize without the Recombinant DNA machine. If she could make one, could she save the Emperor from dying?
‘Well, let’s think about it in the future.’
“Recently, I’ve read about a disease with similar symptoms as yours.”
“Hmph...you read about it?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“I don’t remember the exact name...but it said that symptoms such as yours may arise if there is too much sugar in the blood. Sugar is an essential nutrient in our body but, if there is too much, a person could show signs similar to yours, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor propped up his chin, amazed at Catarina again.
“I will speak with Baron Julius about the matter.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
‘Baron Julius is an excellent doctor. He should be able to realize what it is with that information.’
Catarina clasped her hand inwardly again. Now that the matter regarding the health of the Emperor is solved. All that is left is…
‘My engagement to the prince!’
Catarina initiated her plan that was interrupted by the coming of the Crown Prince.
“Actually, Your Majesty...I have something I would like to discuss.”
“Something to discuss? What is it? Ask me anything.”
Catarina braced herself.
“I’m sorry to ask this. But please reconsider the engagement between me and Prince Eins.”
Upon hearing her words, the Marquis, the Emperor, and the Prince’s eyes widened in shock.
“What do you mean Catarina?! I do not understand. Reconsider the engagement?”
As expected, this would be their reaction. But Catarina was prepared for that.
“It’s just as I said, Please cancel our engagement.”
Her father rose to his seat and looked at Catarina angrily.
“Y, You…? Catarina! All of a sudden?! What kind of nonsense is this? Marriage is not a game…!!!” The Marquis chided.
The Emperor raised his hand, signaling his prime minister to stop.
“It’s okay. Now, let me now ask you, Catarina, do you know what you’re requesting?”
Catarina steeled herself as she began prostrating in front of the Emperor.
“...!!!”
“I do understand, please forgive me. I will accept any punishment you deem inappropriate for tarnishing the honor of the royal crown.”
The Emperor looks confused. “For what reason? Weren’t you the one begging for this engagement in the first place? Did you suddenly have a change of heart?”
“It’s just that...I am not fit to be an empress.”
- Writer
