She's a Genius Part II
2017 Words
“…Is she rude to others? Or behaves without manners?”
“None of that at all. Rather, people continuously compliment her. All the people in the hospital like her, saying she’s not only skilled and pretty but also kind.”
“Doesn’t she seem tired doing that?”
“Since she’s a young girl, she does seem tired. Being an engineering disciple isn’t an easy job. But she likes creating things beyond our imaginations.”
Foofayette thought of the girl he observed in the center some time ago. Even if he hasn't met her yet, he has some news about her where she almost stays at her office drawing schematics and during her break time, she’ll interact with other engineers working on the project.
“I don’t know if this fits a young girl but…from what I can see, Lady Emilia was born to be an engineer. She could also become a doctor if she were to choose to”
Born to be an engineer. It was one of the greatest compliments that could be given to an engineer. Foofayette shook his head inwardly. ‘I really can’t understand. How such a small girl.’ It really was impossible. But what could he do? It wasn’t like what had happened changed just because he didn’t believe in it. So he had to accept it.
Meanwhile, Marquis Nix also has a shocked expression. Based on the things the viscount said earlier, she performed a splenectomy. To think that Catarina can perform surgery is truly astonishing and flabbergasting. Her daughter is a miracle, a genius!
“Alright. You must’ve been busy, but thanks for stopping by.”
“It’s nothing. If you have anything to ask me, call me anytime.”
And after he said his farewell, he left the residence.
“…”
The Marquis looked out the window towards where his daughter was, in the facility.
“Haha. That child did that?”
He laughed unbelievingly. He couldn’t even imagine what his daughter looked like in the laboratory. He was surprised, but it wasn’t the unpleasant kind. No, he felt good. What kind of father wouldn’t be proud after hearing their child’s compliments?
“Catarina….”
He called his daughter’s name. It was obvious, but he loved his daughter more than anything. So, when she said she would enter to become an engineer, he was worried. Aside from the bet with the Emperor, he was worried she might struggle with all the work she had to do. Worried that her weak body would get sick.
‘Catarina is so lovable these days. I don’t want to give her to anyone. Foolishly.’ His face darkened momentarily. ‘So I’m worried.’ He muttered to himself in a frustrated voice.
“I don’t know what I should do now.”
And he turned his head. Outside, he could see the Weisburg Palace of the Granzreich Empire. He sighed. It was a deep and long sigh.
***
‘Why did the Marquis ask about Emilia?’ Foofayette thought to himself. ‘Is it really….? Lady Emilia?’
He thought of the Lady Catarina he heard from the rumors. There were so many bad rumors about how selfish and mean she was, even though she was so young.
‘No. It’s completely different.’ Lady Emilia was indeed a skilled genius, but she was always kind and generous to others. It was too different from the Lady Clarence in the rumors. ‘Then why?’ But he couldn’t continue his thoughts. The highest being in the empire had called for him.
“ G-Greetings to His Majesty! I am the director of the Therese Institute of Engineering, Viscount Foofayette.”
Foofayette stuttered while greeting him because he was so nervous. In front of him, a middle-aged man smiled. He was Winchester von Granzreich. The Emperor had called for him!
‘Why me?’ Foofayette thought while bowing to the Emperor. Was he dreaming right now? He had never been summoned to the palace before. ‘Did I do something wrong?’ He had never done anything to get merit, but he was summoned. He was already worried.
“You can get up. I heard you do a lot looking over the development of the Gettsburg bridge.”
“I-It’s nothing, Your Majesty.”
“Sir Foofayette talks about you frequently. Do you have any difficulties looking over the construction?”
“It’s nothing. Due to your grace, there aren’t any special difficulties.”
“Ha, my grace. It’s all thanks to Marquis Nix.”
The Emperor didn’t get to the point and made light conversation. Like Marquis Nix earlier. He had a calm voice, but Foofayette couldn’t help but become nervous.
He didn’t know what business the Emperor had with him. The Emperor didn’t notice Foofayette’s nervousness and took a sip of his tea.
“The tea still doesn’t taste like that child’s.”
“I apologize, Your Majesty.”
“Did you do exactly as Lady Catarina told you to?”
“Yes, I copied everything she did.”
But the Emperor didn’t look satisfied.
“It’s not the same. The tea she made was deep and also cleansed the mind.”
The servant, Sir Rudolf, made an embarrassed face.
“I apologize. It’s because I’m lacking.”
“It’s fine. Oh well. You can’t make it even when you follow the recipe. It would be faster to ask her myself. I hope the day comes soon when I can taste the tea that child makes every day.”
Winchester smiled when he spoke. It was a warm smile. Seeing this, Foofayette was surprised. The Emperor who ruled the empire could make such a comfortable smile? Was this because he was thinking of Lady Catarina that he spoke of earlier? But the Lady Catarina Foofayette knew was…
The Emperor got to the point.
“You’re curious about why I called you, right?”
“Please speak, Your Majesty.”
Foofayette swallowed. Just what was it? He couldn’t have imagined what the Emperor said.
“Do you know about the child named Emilia?”
“..!!”
Foofayette widened his eyes. Emilia? That child?
“You don’t know? She’s a disciple in your hospital.”
“N-No!”
Foofayette flusteredly answered. Of course, he knew. But why was the Emperor looking for that child? The same went for the Marquis. ‘Just what was the identity of that child?’ The Emperor spoke.
“Will you tell me about that child?”
“What would you like to know?”
“Just everything. How she’s doing, if she’s skilled, tired, what you think. Tell me everything.”
The viscount didn’t understand the Emperor’s request, but it was the order of the Emperor so he began to explain about Emilia.
“Hm, is that so? That child is outstanding?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. She’s more outstanding than any engineer I’ve met so far. She seems to be someone that’ll shine a light on the engineering field of the empire.”
“Ahem. I heard she was a young girl, doesn’t she have a hard time working?”
“Not at all. I was surprised to see such a young girl being able to work a lot of hours. She was truly born as an engineer.
“…”
The Emperor closed his mouth. And he spoke in an uncomfortable voice.
“Alright. Viscount Foofayette.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You’ve done a lot today. I kept you from your work when you’re busy. You may return now.”
“Yes, I’ll return now.”
And Foofayette carefully stepped back, still curious about why the Emperor asked him about Emilia. But then, the Emperor spoke to him.
“Oh right, Viscount.”
“Yes, Your Majesty?”
“Is the preparation for the engineering license test going well?”
The viscount thought of the royal order that he didn’t understand. To give a difficult engineering license test.
“Yes, Your Majesty. We’re making it difficult so only those who are qualified can pass.”
“Yes, give hard questions. Engineers deal with the development of the Empire’s technology. We can’t let someone who is unqualified do it.”
“Yes, I’ll be careful.”
Even while he answered like that, he didn’t understand. The former test was already hard enough that people who weren’t qualified couldn’t pass. Engineers were respected because they passed such a difficult test.
‘And why is the Emperor interested in such a test? Well, I guess we should raise the difficulty again.’
He stepped out of the room. Since he was going to raise the difficulty again, this test would really be a test that would be the death of some students.
“Hm…”
Winchester stroked his chin.
“Catarina, that child did that?”
It was an unimaginable evaluation. ‘I thought she would run away after some days. This is surprising. ‘And she wasn’t just good. She was a genius. And a genius of the century that would rewrite history. ‘No way.’
He shook his head. He wasn’t looking down at her, rather, he treasured her a lot. However, this was too unbelievable. ‘She never experienced medicine, but she was able to do that? And also, she’s one step closer to introducing a new type of aircraft. Hm, I guess there was a misunderstanding.’ He didn’t see it with his eyes, so he didn’t believe it.
But he was sure of one thing. ‘I guess she’s doing better than I thought. Seeing as how she’s being acknowledged that much, she’s definitely a smart child.’ He thought of when he met Catarina a while back. She looked wise beyond her years.
‘And we’ve recently received news that the Moncell Kingdom was moving. If it wasn’t for her, the Tauric Expedition would’ve been in trouble.’ It wasn’t just trouble. Catarina had saved the forces of the empire from being destroyed.
Since she was a smart child, she would do well in the engineering institute. That was what the Emperor thought. ‘But she can’t get too into it. She’s going to be the Crown Princess, then the Empress soon.
He was proud of her working at the hospital despite her age, but she was going to be a part of the Imperial Family soon. He was worried she would become sick while working at the hospital.
“Sir Rudolf.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Is the preparation for the ball going well?”
The servant politely answered.
“Yes, it’s being prepared as you ordered. But…what will you do about the announcement of the Crown Prince’s fiancee?”
His closest servant, Bent, knew well about the bet with Catarina. There was no way she would win the bet, but she wasn’t an adult yet. So if she was announced as the fiancee, it wasn’t keeping the promise of the bet.
“I don’t plan on breaking my promise. Even if it’s a light bet, it’s one that I suggested. And I’ll win anyway.”
It was a bet the Emperor had suggested. So if Catarina satisfied the conditions, he would let her go. It was the truth. But the conditions of the bet were…
-If you do something more worthy of an Empress than an engineer
What would she have to do that was more worthy as an engineer for the Empire? And in 6 months at that. It was impossible. So Winchester thought there was no way he would lose.
“So are you going to push back the announcement of the Crown Prince’s fiancee? Until the bet is over?”
“No, I won’t push it back.”
“Then…?”
It was hard to know what he was thinking. But Winchester smiled instead of replying. It was a somewhat mischievous smile.
“Lady Catarina will participate in the ball, right?”
“Yes, of course. It’s mandatory for those higher than a Count’s status to participate.”
“Alright.”
He nodded his head and spoke.
“It’ll be a nice ball.”
- Writer
