IPWDP 57

Episode 57

“It’s anemia caused by malnutrition.”

Ephilia let out a faint laugh at the doctor’s diagnosis, but it was a self‑mocking smile. Regios, who was listening beside her, also looked dumbfounded. It was absurd. Even she thought it was such a pitiful diagnosis. How could such a thing come out from within the imperial palace?

The elderly doctor was the personal physician responsible for the health of not only the former emperor but also the current emperor. He was old enough to look like he was the one who needed rest more than anyone else, but his skill was unquestionable. The fact that the emperor’s own physician had been called meant only one thing—it was the emperor’s order.

“I suspected as much. I’m just glad it isn’t anything serious.”

“What do you mean it isn’t serious? It is serious.”

Before Regios could say anything, the personal physician’s wrinkled face deepened into an even harsher frown.

If he started probing into the cause, they would all be in trouble. Seeing the person behind the doctor turning pale already made her feel strangely guilty.

“Are you eating properly?”

“Of course.”

In truth, she wasn’t eating properly at all, but she couldn’t say that. The doctor looked unconvinced, but he didn’t pry further.

“Then increase your food intake.”

“Yes, I will.”

“You’re already far too thin. I’ll send a prescribed meal to the kitchen. You must eat all of it. His Majesty the Emperor ordered me to see to your health. Must I, at my age, suffer his wrath?”

“Yes, I’ll do that.”

Knowing that the quickest way out was to give the answer the doctor wanted, Ephilia spoke like a dutiful patient.

“It would be nice if your eating habits matched your obedient answers… Well then, I’ll take my leave.”

It seemed that decades of treating people had made his eyes hard to fool. He stood, lightly sneering at her insincere reply.

“Master, let me help you.”

“Help? Nonsense. Move aside.”

He brushed off his disciple’s attempt to assist him and walked out stiffly. But Regios made no move to leave.

“Malnutrition. I’m at a loss for words.”

Muttering shortly, Regios instructed a maid to bring soup. The warm soup smelled savory, but Ephilia felt no appetite at all.

“I’ll eat later.”

“Didn’t you just say you’d start eating properly?”

“I just don’t want to.”

“If you want me to feed you myself, keep sitting like that.”

He really would. Ephilia reluctantly scooped the soup into her mouth. The finely chopped ingredients felt like sand on her tongue. With Regios watching her intently, she swallowed her sigh along with the soup.

“I’ve never received a report saying you’ve been skipping meals.”

Of course he’d know even how much she ate. It was suffocating.

“I had no appetite, so I threw it away.”

He’d surely figure out exactly where and to whom she had given the untouched meals. She needed to change the subject. Ephilia quickly found one—Tail, who was always behind Regios, wasn’t here.

“Where’s Tail?”

“In training.”

“I see.”

Silence returned. She searched desperately for something else to say.

“Your injury… doesn’t it hurt?”

But before she could find a new topic, the one question she most wanted to avoid came out. She had fainted after seeing the scar—of course this would be the first thing he asked.

“You saw it. It healed long ago.”

The scar that erased the mark of destiny lay over his heart. His violet eyes held a tangle of complicated emotion. Whatever it was, it was nothing good.

“Let me make something clear. If there is anything that can keep you from leaving, I’ll use it—whatever it is.”

He meant she should stop trying to run or entertain foolish thoughts. Just as she expected. Ephilia gave a bitter smile.

He truly felt no guilt toward her. She no longer knew what she was to him. Just some destiny he refused to lose?

Knock, knock. A maid announced visitors.

“My lady. His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress have come to see you.”

Ephilia jumped in shock. They were the rulers of the empire. For them to visit an ill noblewoman was unheard of. Even if she were officially the crown princess, such a visit would still be an honor.

“Did you seat them in the parlor?”

“N‑no, they—”

Before the maid could finish, the Emperor and Empress entered. The personal physician jumped to his feet; Ephilia also tried to rise from bed, but the Emperor stopped her.

“No need to stand.”

“Your Majesties… How are you here? You could have summoned me instead.”

“How could we order a sick patient to come? We were worried. So, what ails you?”

“It was nothing serious.”

“That is for the doctor to determine, not you.”

“Regios is right,” the Emperor added.

At the Emperor’s question, Regios reported the diagnosis exactly.

“Malnutrition?”

“He said it wasn’t severe. Just that she needs to eat better.”

“Really, it was nothing.”

“Our cooks must not be to your liking.”

“I just didn’t have an appetite… and I’m sorry for ruining the banquet. Twice.”

The second banquet had ended in chaos as well—she had run off and then fainted.

‘I still can’t let you go.’

Those words echoed in her mind, leaving her hollow. Her strength drained, and she collapsed. The moment darkness crept over her vision, she felt Regios catch her.

Her attempt to escape had been publicly explained away as her feeling unwell. Regios had handled the aftermath before it could become scandal. She didn’t know whether to call it impressive or terrifying.

“It’s not your fault. Don’t worry,” the Empress soothed.

It was the kindness that hurt. The cruel people didn’t break her—the kind ones did, because their warmth held her down and kept her from running.

“As long as you’re not truly ill. We’ll be going.”

The Emperor stood immediately, having come only out of concern. But the Empress remained.

“I’d like to speak with Ephilia a bit longer.”

“Of course.”

His reply was tender.

“Regios, you leave as well.”

Regios looked displeased, but followed the Emperor out. Once they were alone, Ephilia wondered what the Empress would say. Even if Regios had tidily covered everything up, there was no way the Emperor and Empress were unaware.

“Ephilia.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“You must not skip meals, even if you have no appetite.”

The Empress’s voice was gentle. Ephilia hadn’t expected this. She thought she would be scolded for ruining the banquets. She expected questions—accusations, even. She did not expect worry.

“…Yes. I’m sorry.”

“No matter what happens, don’t ruin yourself.”

“Yes… I’ll try.”

This was why it hurt. If only she had been scolded.

The Empress hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, painfully.

“Ephilia… do you hate Regios?”

Was it hate? Hatred, resentment—or just exhaustion? Ephilia struggled to answer.

“I don’t know.”

“I know it’s shameless of me to ask, but… could you forgive him?”

The Empress knew Ephilia hadn’t wanted to return to the palace. She couldn’t not know.

Ephilia also knew—the Empress would always take Regios’s side. Her kindness was poison.

“Your Majesty…”

“What he did to you was cruel. Unforgivably so. It was a childish tantrum taken too far.”

He had always been like that. If he had been cold from the beginning, Ephilia could have given up. But he would show her small moments of tenderness, and those became shackles. His gentle cruelty had sickened her—not her body, but her heart. The illness grew until she destroyed herself.

“Regios regrets it deeply.”

That wasn’t regret. If he regretted, he wouldn’t be doing this. People claimed he had changed, but he hadn’t. He only acted in the opposite direction—still ignoring her feelings.

“After you disappeared… he went insane.”