The Quack Lady - Chapter 59
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Episode 59
Very fortunately, he was there every time I went to the apothecary room.
“Please don’t say that and just help me once, won’t you?”
“…I told you I can’t.”
“But I… no, it would be a great help to the Marchioness! And for the lady’s baby…”
“…I can’t do such important things.”
I could understand the boy’s feelings.
‘Well, even I find this burdensome. He must find it even more so.’
That’s why. That’s why I decided not to persuade him anymore after that.
“I don’t know! Let’s just do drug research!”
It would be somewhat difficult without an assistant, but that’s all.
Moreover, since I was extremely busy right now, I didn’t want to waste time on situations with low probability.
“Drugs that stimulate dopamine receptors are levodopa and carbidopa, and also…”
I muttered while finely grinding and filtering medicinal materials in a glass flask as usual.
Parkinson’s is a disease where cells that produce dopamine in the brain develop problems.
The problem is that this dopamine cannot pass through the brain and blood vessels, making drug treatment difficult.
‘Even if we create it outside the body, it’s difficult to deliver it to the brain.’
My goal was to prevent the disease’s progression speed while stimulating the nerves that produce dopamine to restore them to their original state.
Of course, it would be extremely difficult.
‘Well, it’s not like medicinal materials only exist here.’
After checking the list of insufficient herbs, I immediately picked up a quill pen.
* * *
The Grand Council Chamber of the Imperial Palace.
Nobles took their seats around a large circular table.
It was a gathering attended by founding contributors and representative nobles from each region.
Marquis Rapid tapped the table rhythmically as if lost in thought.
“Duke Quais enters.”
At the news of the Duke’s entrance, the nobles rose from their seats.
The man who appeared with an expressionless face sat in the seat of honor and gazed at them.
Loren Quais.
He was the head of a family with power and wealth rivaling the imperial family, and was regarded as the true ruler of this country.
Especially his exceptional genius talent in one field had elevated his family to the top of the Empire.
Above all, there was no one who could oppose him, who was evaluated as the strongest Duke in history.
“Is there anyone here who has had a direct audience with His Majesty the Emperor recently?”
The nobles looked around unnecessarily.
At most, a few dozen high-ranking nobles glanced at each other.
“As expected.”
The Duke calmly received the documents.
“Recently, the Crown Prince has begun handling state affairs in place of His Majesty the Emperor, and confusion is mounting.”
“…”
“Not just our Northern Region, but the entire Empire.”
The Duke’s words were true.
The corruption that started with the Temple was slowly eating away at the country, taking advantage of the chaos.
‘What on earth are you thinking, Your Majesty?’
Everything happened suddenly.
The Emperor disappeared, leaving behind only a single letter.
Along with the shocking content that he would entrust all state affairs to the Crown Prince.
After that, he had tried to have an audience with the Emperor several times, but the Emperor did not show himself.
The reason was poor health.
“But Duke, is it really right for us to have such discussions…”
At one noble’s words, other nobles began to waver.
“That’s right. This is clearly overstepping our authority. When His Highness the Crown Prince is currently handling state affairs, how can we…”
The noble deliberately avoided eye contact and added in a small voice.
‘Everyone is afraid.’
Now that the Emperor who had strongly checked the current Crown Prince had disappeared, there was no one who opposed Crown Prince Kaileus.
Since it was an expected answer, the Duke casually continued speaking.
“We cannot change the Crown Prince.”
At his straightforward expression, the nobles stirred greatly.
Some even showed somewhat heated reactions, asking if he had insulted the royal family.
However, the Duke continued speaking without concern.
“The ducal house that governs the entire Northern Region will issue a blockade order and from now on will work for the normalization of the north.”
At his words, the nobles stirred once again.
‘As expected of Duke Quais.’
An exclamation mixed with admiration burst from Rapid’s mouth as well.
‘It’s too submissive to be considered rebellion, but not considering it rebellion would more than upset the Crown Prince.’
Above all, if the Duke took the lead, there was no reason to refuse.
“I will become your justification.”
At the Duke’s words, the hall fell coldly silent.
Duke Quais looked at the nobles’ faces without even moving.
Soon, one noble raised his hand.
“I will join as well!”
“Our family will help too!”
At the courageous cry, nobles began raising their hands one by one.
At the following procession, Duke Quais gestured slightly.
At his gesture, the doors of the conference hall opened and servants entered.
“What’s being distributed now is a temporary governance plan created by the Quais ducal house. The lords of each region should familiarize themselves with the contents to prevent regional chaos.”
As if they had been waiting, the servants offered thick parchments to the nobles.
The nobles who received them each nodded their heads.
Afterward, they discussed plans to normalize their domains while leaving the Emperor’s authority intact.
‘He really is a genius.’
Rapid let out a hollow laugh while looking at the parchment Duke Quais had offered.
As if he had foreseen all these situations, the document contained current widespread problems and solutions tailored to each region’s characteristics.
When the lengthy meeting ended, Rapid approached the Duke who was about to leave the conference hall and offered his greetings.
“I pay my respects, Your Excellency.”
“Count Hartwin.”
He nodded slightly.
Blazing flame-like eyes, deep black hair as if completely burned.
However, his expression was nothing but cold.
Thanks to this, the strange sense of intimidation emanating from him naturally made people shrink.
Rapid tried to compose his expression and bent one knee to him.
“It’s nothing else, but since my wife’s delivery is not far off, I think we’ll need to delay the blockade order for our Hartwin Baronial Residence a little.”
At his words, the attendant beside Duke Quais urgently whispered something to Duke Quais.
Duke Quais spoke to him calmly with his usual expressionless face.
“You must be very worried.”
“…?”
Count Rapid doubted his ears.
The rational Duke felt that even the nobles’ way of speaking was unnecessary, which soon created a wall with high society.
‘Well, just looking at how the Duke past marriageable age still has no partner…’
However, at the same time, the Duke with the strongest power had even dismissed demands that he should see to his vassals’ descendants.
That’s why I thought he wouldn’t understand such situations even more.
“Th-thank you.”
As he awkwardly expressed his gratitude, the Duke let out a short breath and said.
“This matter with His Majesty the Emperor wouldn’t have been discovered if not for the Count either.”
He said while glancing at the parchment in his hands.
“You will use your Information Guild to secretly assist the Count from behind.”
“Yes, I understand.”
It was to find out whether the Emperor’s seclusion was involuntary or voluntary.
Rapid swallowed dryly and bowed his head.
“…Thank you for your consideration. I will not forget this kindness.”
Duke Quais was about to say something to him but stopped.
Soon after he turned around majestically and disappeared, Rapid stood up from his seat and smiled.
Just the thought of returning to the manor and being present for the moment of the child’s birth seemed overwhelming.
“Shall I go buy the most delicious cake in the capital?”
He thought of Brien and the baby that would soon be born.
His light brown hair fluttered pleasantly in the wind.
* * *
A few days later, late at night.
Brien visited Selian’s bedroom.
“Mother?”
“Brien?”
Selian, who spotted her, sat up in bed.
“Stay put. What if you fall again like last time?”
“Still going on about that? I’ve been getting better since taking the medicine.”
Selian drew a faint smile.
The medicine Rtemeia had given her was truly effective.
At the least, her trembling had decreased, and at most, her gait was noticeably normalizing.
Brien, who had been listening to those words for a moment, smiled and called Selian affectionately.
“Mother.”
“Yes?”
“I’m going to have the surgery.”
“If you’re going to say that again, then leave.”
Selian turned her head away. Brien, who was watching her, spoke calmly.
“I’m sorry, Mother. You know this is the only way left.”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————