Chapter 33: Health Check

It felt both familiar and comforting.

Whenever she lay on the luxurious bed in the garden room, Reneb sometimes felt a slight sense of discomfort.

It seemed that such a bed should belong to a more dazzling beauty.

“Do you like it? His Majesty sent someone from the House of Marquis Siren to ensure it reflects your tastes, my lady.”

She hadn’t expected it to be so personalized.

In a way, it seemed almost excessive kindness for someone who would be leaving the very day the peace accord ended.

‘Come to think of it, even if he pretends not to care on the outside, he does have a considerate side.’

Reneb was lost in that thought when Icar, who had quietly approached, issued a low warning.

“Dehan, don’t say unnecessary things.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will be careful with my words.”

“Do you like it? Well, even if you don’t, I guess you wouldn’t be able to say so honestly.”

For once, Icar spoke truthfully.

After all, how many guests would have the courage to openly criticize a guest room in front of Icar, even if they disliked it?

Still, Reneb didn’t mind Icar’s self-deprecating comment.

“I really do like it. Thank you for paying such careful attention, Your Majesty.”

Reneb smiled faintly, and Dehan, as if nothing had ever shaken him, proudly straightened his shoulders.

Though, at the sight of Icar’s gaze, he immediately slumped again.

Reneb couldn’t help but smile slightly at the dynamic—Dehan trying to match Icar but quickly backing down, and Icar appearing domineering but soft toward Dehan.

As Reneb let out a small chuckle, the two of them both turned their gazes toward her.

“My lady?”

“Why?”

“Hmm, I’d like to see more inside. May I come in?”

“Of course.”

Ignoring their gazes, Reneb stepped inside.

On the way back to the garden after inspecting the guest room, Reneb noticed a young woman standing in the corridor.

She carried a large bag and wore a somewhat simple dress, not befitting a noble, but she didn’t appear to be a palace servant either.

Sensing Reneb’s gaze, the woman lifted her eyes from the book she had been reading.

Their eyes met, and the woman looked at Reneb with curiosity before speaking.

“Hello. I’m Melita, the personal physician of His Majesty the Emperor. I was sent by His Majesty to see the Lady of the House of Marquis Siren. May I—?”

Quick.

Just a few minutes ago, Icar had been with Reneb.

When did he even summon the physician?

For a moment, Reneb recalled seeing Icar speaking with a servant in the corridor toward the guest room.

‘That must’ve been it.’

During the move from the garden to the guest room, it had been just Reneb and Icar.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Miss Melita. You’ve come to the right person. Shall we step inside to talk?”

Reneb gestured politely and moved forward.

“Yes, let’s. I heard there was an urgent patient, but you seem quite healthy, my lady. That’s why I wanted to make sure.”

“Oh, that’s what you were told.”

Reneb pressed her lips together.

An urgent patient, indeed.

As she opened the door to the parlor, she could hear Kyernen and Amber chatting softly.

Noticing Reneb, they turned toward her.

“My lady, you’ve returned.”

“Welcome back, my lady. How was the guest room?”

Their eyes shifted to Melita, standing quietly behind Reneb.

“This is Miss Melita, His Majesty the Emperor’s personal physician.”

Kyernen and Amber bowed politely to Melita.

However, Kyernen’s expression was somewhat peculiar, though it was unclear why.

“Are you feeling unwell, my lady?”

Amber asked with a frown, and Reneb offered a white lie.

“No, it’s nothing like that. His Majesty simply considers the health of his guests and arranged for regular check-ups.”

“Oh…”

Only then did Amber relax and nod.

“I hope you could prepare some tea for Miss Melita.”

“If it’s tea, I can bring it right away.”

Kyernen quickly exited the parlor, and Melita, looking at Amber standing awkwardly, said:

“I’d also like some dessert to accompany the tea. Please have the Emperor’s personal chef prepare it.”

“Excuse me? Ah, yes!”

Amber blinked in surprise and hurried toward the door.

“If you give my name, they’ll prepare a delicious dessert immediately,” Melita called after her.

“Yes!”

Normally, they could ask the guest chef for dessert.

But why insist on the Emperor’s personal chef?

Curious, Reneb looked at Melita.

Momentarily bewildered by how quickly everything happened, Reneb stepped toward the door to stop Amber.

“Amber, wait a moment…”

“Just a moment, my lady.”

Then Melita grabbed Reneb.

“Weren’t you trying to hide any discomfort from them?”

Reneb stayed silent, and Melita continued:

“Don’t worry, I’m not here to tease your adorable maid.”

Melita placed her large bag on the table and pulled out a device that resembled a stethoscope.

Reneb was slightly surprised.

Even ten years from now, in her previous life before returning, Paradium didn’t have stethoscopes.

This meant that Bashker was far ahead in medical technology.

Sensing Reneb’s curiosity, Melita held up the stethoscope.

“First time seeing one? It’s a new device.”

“Eh? What…?”

Reneb had seen many things before death, but this was her first time seeing one since possessing this body.

“Do they already have these in Paradium?”

Melita widened her eyes in surprise at Reneb’s lukewarm response.

“I’m not sure. She’s always been healthy.”

Reneb gave a vague answer and sat down in front of Melita.

After a brief examination, Melita concluded:

“You are very healthy, my lady. You seem a bit thin… Have you ever had the same symptoms before?”

“Yes, once.”

“When was that?”

“At the imperial ball.”

Melita inquired about the food and items used that day, and Reneb answered diligently.

“Hmm… nothing seems particularly unusual.”

Melita’s brows furrowed deeply as she clasped her chin.

That made sense for the imperial ball.

The dress would have been tightly cinched to make her waist look slim, possibly causing breathing difficulty.

But now, Reneb wore a dress with a looser fit.

Unable to determine the cause, Melita fell silent.

At that moment, Kyernen returned with tea.

Curious about the check-up results, he lingered nearby instead of leaving immediately.

Melita glanced at him, gathered her instruments back into her bag, and stood.

“You are very healthy, my lady. I shall take my leave for today.”

“Thank you for today, Miss Melita.”

“You’re welcome. Oh, I would advise slightly increasing your daily food intake.”

Melita smiled broadly and turned to leave.

As Reneb watched her off, Kyernen spoke:

“I’m so relieved that my lady is healthy. When she first arrived, I was worried. I wondered if it might be something serious.”

Kyernen’s face was a mix of relief and concern, and Reneb gently reassured her.

“It’s just His Majesty’s consideration for his guests’ health. Don’t worry.”

“Yes. By the way, I didn’t know you were acquainted with Count Webbering.”

Reneb turned toward Kyernen while walking to the sofa.

“Does that mean Miss Melita is Count Webbering?”

Kyernen blinked at Reneb’s question.

“I thought you were quite close since you addressed him by name. Was I mistaken?”

No wonder.

At first, Reneb assumed she was common-born since she only introduced herself as Melita.

Some commoners don’t have family names, after all.

Yet, Melita carried the unmistakable aura of nobility.

Her posture was upright and proper—a hallmark of nobles raised with strict education.

Moreover, she was polite yet displayed an unreserved demeanor toward Reneb.

Now that Reneb knew she was noble, all doubts were resolved.

“So, Miss Melita inherited the Webbering title?”

“Yes.”

“How many other women in Bashker hold hereditary titles besides her?”

“I’m not exactly sure, but there are a few. However, among the high-ranking nobles, Count Webbering is unique.”

Reneb listened with keen interest as Kyernen continued:

“It was a few years ago. The previous Count Webbering suddenly passed away, and there was no legitimate heir besides Miss Melita. All collateral relatives vied for the title, causing some uproar. His Majesty recognized Miss Melita as Count Webbering, and the matter was settled.”

“His Majesty?”

Melita’s appearance gave Reneb much to ponder.

In an era so conservative, a woman who is both a physician and a countess.

“Perhaps that’s why the Countess became His Majesty’s personal physician?”

Just then, Amber rushed into the parlor.

“Ah, am I too late? I tried to hurry…”

Amber, carrying a golden tray of Gugelhupf, was out of breath.

“Oh? Miss Melita isn’t here?”

“Ah…”

Reneb sighed softly.

What to do, now that Amber had been sent on a difficult errand and Melita had already left.

“It seems she had urgent matters. Let’s just enjoy it ourselves,” Reneb said to Kyernen.

“Right. Let’s eat together,” Kyernen agreed, and Amber placed the tray down, licking her lips.

“Shall we?”

Amber served some Gugelhupf onto Reneb’s plate, her eyes sparkling.

Despite her words, she seemed happy that there was one fewer mouth to feed.

“The shape is beautiful, and it smells amazing! My lady, please try it quickly.”

Reneb shared the Gugelhupf with the two of them.

The subtle Earl Grey flavor was not overly sweet and suited her taste perfectly.

“Now that I think about it, my lady, you loved this when you were young.”

“Me?”

“Yes, don’t you remember?”

Suddenly, she recalled when she had first possessed this body in this world. At that time, young Reneb’s body had been occupied, and she initially thought it was a story about childcare.

It wasn’t.

Even before possessing the body, Reneb tended to forget past memories easily.

Unlike recently, when encountering objects or places from her past often brought back memories from her previous life, causing some discomfort.