Read Doctor Elise :: Chapter 4

Doctor Elise

Chapter 4

Part 1 Regression-3

Lenne glared at his little sister, and Elise gave no particular reaction.

The meal fizzled out in an awkward haze.

“I have something to think about, so I’ll head up to my room.”

She then returned to her room.

Silence remained in the hall.

Chris narrowed his eyes at his brother.

“Lenne, why do you have to be that way to Lise when you haven’t seen her in a while?”

“I merely spoke my thoughts.”

“You have no idea how kind our sister’s been lately!”

“Kind? Her? Elise?” Lenne scoffed.

Chris huffed and continued, “You haven’t even watched her properly! Lately, Lise has been—!”

“I’ve watched her for the last fifteen years. You expect me to believe that she’s kind? I would sooner believe the sun rose in the west.”

“Lenne!”

Chris began to raise his voice, but Lenne shook his head.

“Enough with this pointless conversation. I’m returning to the knightage.”

Chris sighed.

His brother was as stubborn as a mule and, without seeing Elise’s change for himself, would never believe it.

I don’t know if he’d believe it even if he saw it for himself. He’s the suspicious type, after all.

“You’ve been really busy lately. When are you stopping by again?”

“I’m not sure. It will be difficult for a while.”

“The Rifle Knights aren’t participating in the Crimean War, right?”

Baron de Clarence nodded. “It has been decided that the Second Brigade will participate first. However, if the Republic of Fransoienne joins, then we, the royal knights of the Rifle Knightage, will join as well.”

“Then it’s not entirely impossible that you might participate.”

“Correct. The republic won’t give up its maritime rights to the Black Sea without a fight.”

Lenne pulled on a thin coat, as the weather was still a bit chilly.

“Do well, Chris.”

“Do what well?”

“Everything. Take care of our family here at home, and don’t embarrass Father at the administrative office.”

Chris pouted. “Don’t nag. I should be telling you that. Bullets have no eyes, so be careful.”

Lenne smirked. “Yeah, see you next time.”

***

Meanwhile, Elise returned to her room and lay on her bed, deep in thought.

What do I do? There aren’t even two full months until the birthday banquet.

Elise thought of the crown prince.

Her marriage to him was her biggest mistake. If she hadn’t married him, her first life wouldn’t have ended in such tragedy.

For his sake and for mine, I have to put a stop to this marriage.

But there was a problem.

She herself had insisted on the engagement to the crown prince.

A year prior, when she was fifteen, she had fallen for him at first sight. She had suffered too severe of a fever for it to be a passing flutter, and because of her need to have everything she wanted, she pestered her father relentlessly for the engagement.

The problem is that it really happened.

That was because her father, Marquess Earl de Clarence, was the prime minister of the empire as well as the emperor’s dearest best friend.

The emperor was more than pleased by the thought of joining families with his most trusted subject, and thus began the tragedy.

Haa, it’s not like I can say I changed my mind now, and it’s an engagement to the crown prince. Once the engagement is announced, the imperial family won’t be able to take it back because of their reputation. What do I do?

She deliberated for a long time. However, even when daybreak came, she couldn’t think of a clear resolution.

The emperor had become set on his decision, so what tricks could she possibly employ to change his mind?

With a serious expression on her face, Marie contemplated.

“My lady, here’s your tea.”

Marie set down a warm-scented black tea.

“Ah, thanks so much, Marie.”

But Marie hesitated for a moment instead of leaving immediately.

“Hmm? What is it, Marie?”

“Um, my lady.” Marie hesitated for a long moment before opening her mouth. “I’m not sure what it is... but I wouldn’t worry too much. I’m sure it’ll work out.”

The young maid ducked down, face flushed. “You’ve just looked under the weather since yesterday. I’m sorry if I spoke out of line.”

Elise was stunned for a moment at Marie’s words, but she broke into a smile.

“Marie, will you come over here for a moment?”

“Yes, my lady.”

Once Marie stepped within reach, Elise stroked her head as if proud.

“Thanks. My Marie is all grown up.”

“My Marie.”

Marie’s heart skipped at those words. No one at the estate had ever said such a thing to her before.

Her changed ladyship was very strange. Even though she was just a girl of sixteen, Marie felt as though she was a kind, older sister.

I really hope she stays this way.

Having made the wish, Marie left.

Elise thought as she sipped the black tea.

“Right, I’ll never find the answer this way, no matter how hard I mull it over.”

Her eyes grew hard.

“There’s only one way,” she said as she set the teacup down. “I have to face this head on. I have to speak to His Imperial Majesty myself. There’s no other way.”

Right now, Elise was Jihyun Song.

Jihyun Song, who looked gentle but was a surgeon to her very bones. She had never used tricks in her past life on Earth. She had solved every challenge by facing them head on.

Cutting the Gordian knot: it meant to tackle a thick knot by cutting through it with a blade, and it was considered to be a surgeon’s favorite way of solving problems.

It might mean receiving a severe punishment though.

After requesting an engagement, now she was asking him to take it back?

The emperor might treat her like a beloved niece, as his closest confidante’s daughter, but he was sure to be angered.

It can’t be helped, though. Even if it means being punished, it’s a cost I have to pay. I have to cancel this engagement.

And so, she began to put a plan together.

Even if she was going to cut through a knot, she still needed an effective strategy. Thus, she began to ruminate on a way to get the emperor to accept her opinion while enraging him as little as possible.

***

Her opportunity to speak to the emperor came sooner than expected. He had invited Marquess de Clarence and Elise to the imperial palace.

He probably wants to see the future wife of the crown prince one more time, right?

This wouldn’t be her first meeting with the emperor. Because of his closeness to Marquess de Clarence, she had seen him frequently ever since she was little, and he adored her like his own niece.

“My lady, what style dress would you like to order from the designer Eviann?”

“It’s fine. I’m going to wear a dress I have.”

“Pardon? But... will that be okay?”

“Mm-hmm, I already have plenty of dresses anyway.”

“But...”

Elise shook her head and thought, It’s an unnecessary extravagance.

In her past life, she would order a new dress to wear for every ball and every visit to the imperial palace. Of course it was always of the highest quality. Just selling the dresses she had worn once and had thrown out easily netted an incredible sum of money.

There’s no need for such vanity.

She hardly dressed up as the surgeon Jihyun Song. She didn’t have the time or leisure to dress up, and most importantly, after experiencing the peak of luxury and vanity, she felt to her core how pointless it all was.

What’s important is what’s on the inside.

After thinking this, she headed to her dressing room.

Even after discarding a considerable number of outfits, there were enough fancy clothes left to blind her.

“Which dress would you like to wear, my lady? What about this one?”

Marie pulled out a crimson dress. It was as glamorous as a rose. Elise, with her pale skin, would look as beautiful as a flower herself in it.

“No, not that. Isn’t there something a bit more orderly?”

“What about this?”

“No, it’s too flamboyant...”

Marie continued to suggest various dresses according to her mistress’s tastes, but Elise shook her head.

Elise gazed out over the dressing room in contemplation.

There’s nothing to wear.

Unlike her first life, she had lived as a surgeon on Earth, so she hated flamboyant clothes.

Scrubs and a doctor’s coat would be the most comfortable, but I can’t exactly go see His Majesty in scrubs. Isn’t there something a bit neater? It can’t be too simple though. Something neat but elegant...

She couldn’t just wear anything when she was going to see the emperor. She looked for an outfit that was neat and elegant, and after a long search, she finally found what she wanted.

“I’ll wear this.”

“Will you really wear that? Will that be okay?”

“Mm-hmm, I like this.” Elise nodded at the neat, white dress.

“You’re so pretty, my lady. Fancy dresses suit you far more.” Marie pouted, but Elise only gave her a smile in response.

“Either way, Marie.”

“Yes?”

“That thing I requested from the butler. Has it arrived?”

“Ah, my lady. It should be arriving at the estate soon.”

“Good, thanks. Check with the butler again so that it isn’t late.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Elise looked out the window at the approaching dusk.

Three days from now.