The Doctor Cured The Villainess And Ran Away-Chapter 23: Entering the Palace

“Congratulations on being chosen as the personal physician, my son.”

After the final selection ended, I had a conversation with my father at the main estate.

He seemed genuinely elated about my appointment, so much so that he forgot his dignity as the head of the house and couldn’t hide his beaming smile.

“Haha, the student surpasses the teacher, doesn’t he? It’s all thanks to your teachings, Father.”

“No. I never properly taught you healing techniques, nor did I pass down any wisdom about life. The fault lies with me for failing to pay attention to you sooner. This success—you achieved it on your own, Las.”

My father placed his hand on my shoulder and gave a nod.

“Brother, congratulations on passing.”

“Ah, Neria. Thank you.”

Neria seemed a little deflated for some reason.

“Neria, is something wrong? Your brother just got great news, but you don’t look happy.”

“No, that’s not it. I mean... it’s not, but...”

She shrank her neck slightly and responded in a soft, shrinking voice.

“Brother, you’re going to the Imperial Palace now, right...? I finally got a chance to talk to you again, and now I won’t get to see you anymore...”

“Haha.”

How does Neria manage to say everything in such a sweet way?

I gently patted her head and replied.

“I’ll be on leave often, so we’ll see each other soon. I already got advance permission.”

“Really?”

Only then did her face light up with a bright smile.

“Yeah. And while I’m at the Imperial Palace, there’s something I’d like you to do for me.”

“For me?”

“Mhm. You know the rose garden in front of the annex?”

“Oh, of course I do. You have to pass by it whenever you leave the estate, so—”

Neria suddenly clapped her hands over her mouth, realizing she had just let something slip.

So that tunnel really was the route she used to sneak out for fun.

“I want you to tend to that garden and grow as many roses as you can. You’ll need to send me rose petals along with the honey candies on a regular basis.”

“Rose petals and honey candies...”

“It’s important. Can you do that for me?”

“Of course! Leave your garden to me, Brother!”

Neria clenched her little fists and beamed with confidence.

With Neria, I could entrust it without worry.

Next, I made my way to the training grounds.

Despite yesterday’s massive operation, Captain Tanya hadn’t taken any rest.

She was still out in the yard, hauling stones as part of her strength training. Fortunately, I didn’t seem to be a disturbance.

When Tanya spotted me, she ran straight over.

“Hey, Captain.”

“Young master, I heard the news. Congratulations.”

“The real hardship starts now.”

I gave a lazy answer, crunching on a candy, and Tanya let out a brief laugh, brushing her sweat-soaked bangs aside.

“Am I interrupting your ◆ Nоvеlіgһt ◆ (Only on Nоvеlіgһt) routine?”

“Not at all. This is the Gotberg estate—of course you’re free to come and go as you please. I’m the one who should be prepared.”

“Mm, good. Keep that attitude.”

“As long as you stay just as diligent, young master.”

Can’t win a single line with her. I guess greatness really does show early.

“Captain, I’ll be starting my work as a personal physician at the Imperial Palace tomorrow.”

“I see.”

“As we talked about before, I was hoping you’d come with me as my escort knight. What do you think?”

I phrased it casually, as if I were just inviting her on a stroll.

At my words, Tanya stepped forward without hesitation and offered me a handshake.

“I look forward to serving you, young master.”

“A handshake? Shouldn’t you be kneeling and swearing loyalty or something?”

“You know how we northern knights are.”

“Try doing that in the Imperial Palace too, just like that.”

Tanya smiled lightly and shrugged. Since a plain handshake felt dull, we gripped each other’s thumbs and bumped shoulders.

Tanya seemed to like that greeting more.

“I’m allowed up to two escort knights. Do you have anyone you’d recommend for the second?”

“What about suggesting it to Boris? Aren’t the two of you close?”

“Close, huh. He can’t come right away because of his injury anyway, and dragging a newlywed along—come on.”

“Mm... fair point. Still, it’s worth talking to him.”

When I visited Boris at the infirmary, he promptly gave me a recommendation.

“Man, it would’ve been fun to go with you, young master, such a shame. But I think the marquisate is where I belong. Nothing like home turf, right? Instead, I’d recommend Bruno.”

As soon as Boris called out, Bruno came over fully prepared.

Though we hadn’t been in the same squad during the monster subjugation, I remembered him performing quite well.

He had a massive build—he looked like a walking gray bear.

“Bruno, while the young master serves as personal physician at the Imperial Palace, he’ll need an escort. Would you like to join him with me?”

“It would be an honor.”

Bruno accepted the proposal without hesitation. I liked how straightforward he was.

“If both Captain and Bruno are gone, the order’s strength will be down for a while.”

“You’ll handle it just fine, Boris.”

“Oh ho, are you making me vice-captain? Does that come with a raise?”

“No extra pay—but more vacation days.”

“Hmm, that’s fair enough, I guess.”

And just like that, the members who would accompany me to the Imperial Palace were neatly decided.

The next morning, I left the annex dressed in the outfit Sivers and the attendants helped me into.

“That the young master is entering the Imperial Medical Institute as a royal physician... I’m moved beyond words.”

Sivers always overreacted. I hadn’t known him long, but maybe I’d end up missing him eventually.

“It was fortunate the outfit you ordered arrived in time.”

I wasn’t wearing the ceremonial garb most healers wore.

Instead, I wore a custom-ordered set layered over my usual suit.

The iconic symbol of a doctor—a white coat.

“Send me the extras as soon as they’re ready.”

“Of course, sir. Leave it to me.”

I passed through the garden and exited the front gates of the marquessate.

Father, Neria, the attendants, and the knights.

Many waved to see me off. I gave them a casual wave in return.

After leaving the estate, we headed toward the teleportation gate.

My two escort knights were by my side.

And at the end of the road, stood a small army’s worth of knights and attendants.

At the center stood Asella, chin raised, looking down at me with all the dignity in the world.

“You’re late.”

I pulled out my pocket watch to check—it was still well before the departure time.

“I’m not late.”

“You’re late if you made me wait.”

Of course.

Because Her Highness is the standard by which the world is measured.

A moment later, Empress Consort Camilla arrived from the estate to join us.

A court mage, already in position, released mana into the gate, receiving the signal from the palace and activating the portal.

A cascade of blue light.

Just before stepping into it, Asella turned to me and asked:

“Have you ever used a gate before, Lord Gotberg?”

“No.”

Since my regression, I hadn’t experienced it. So I answered honestly.

Asella grinned devilishly at my reply.

“Good. It'll be a fresh experience.”

With those words, she strode ahead with grace and elegance.

“Shall we go, young master?”

“Let’s. Captain Tanya—ah, and one thing. From now on, call me ‘Doctor.’”

“Understood, Doctor.”

I may be a quack, but I’m still a personal physician now. A little respect wouldn’t hurt.

With a honey candy in my mouth, I threw myself into the blue light.

***

The teleportation—my first since the regression—was horrible.

My head spun so badly I collapsed on the spot like an idiot.

Asella laughed at me.

And in the end, I had to be carried into the palace on Tanya’s back.

“So this is the Imperial Palace...”

Tanya was glancing around with great interest, clearly amazed by the splendid red structures towering around us.

The palace grounds were located in the very center of the capital.

And as expected of the Imperial Palace, its scale far exceeded anything the Gotberg estate could hope to compare to.

The main palace, where the Emperor resided, was practically a fortress.

On top of that, there were several auxiliary palaces built for the royal family members.

The place where Asella and Empress Consort Camilla lived was called Moonlight Palace, located in the northwest section of the Imperial grounds.

“And this is the room I’ll be staying in.”

It was right next to Asella’s own chambers.

I thought there’d at least be some distance—but no, it was right there on the second floor, separated by a single wall.

“Is your body all right?”

“Feeling a lot better now.”

“The appointment ceremony will be held this afternoon. For now, you should unpack and get ready.”

“What about the work schedule?”

“You start immediately—tomorrow morning.”

Tanya handed me the schedule.

As a personal physician, my role was to check the health of my assigned patient—meaning the royal—on a daily basis.

Even the slightest abnormality had to be detected and treated immediately, in order to maintain perfect condition at all times.

“Wake up at dawn, perform a mana level check. Hm. They’ve prepared dedicated artifacts too.”

My room was stocked with all kinds of equipment and premium-grade artifacts for a royal physician.

“To someone like Asella, who nullifies healing spells, all of this is junk.”

I shoved the mana meter into a drawer and closed it.

“She did say she’d prepare the right environment for me.”

So I should be able to request whatever materials I needed without issue.

“What’s your plan?”

Tanya and Bruno gave me curious looks.

I smirked.

“It’s not like I’m looking to get revenge for what happened, but... this much should be fine.”

“You’re talking about Her Highness... right?”

“Yeah. I mean, surely Her Highness isn’t afraid of needles, right? What do you think?”

As I scrolled through the [Blood Test] skill description, Tanya just blinked at me.