Why do you think I brought you to the imperial capital and had you stay here for six months? Arent you curious about the actual underlying reason?
Raciels expression showed no hint of a smile. Princess Adeline hesitated as she locked eyes with him.
The reason he summoned to the imperial capital?
Her brow slightly furrowed, and a feeling of unease began to erge.
She had thought he had simply pressured the king and the royal family, using the Cremo incident as an excuse to embarrass them. However, there was another purpose for bringing her here.
What kind of plan is he devising?
She couldnt even make a guess.
She took a seat and gazed at Raciel in silence, almost as if she intended to communicate that if he harbored any concealed motives, he should expose them.
Upon witnessing her deanor, Raciel concealed a smile within.
Its fortuitous that this opportunity has presented itself so early, he thought, a sense of contentnt washing over him.
At last, an occasion to engage in a substantial conversation with the princess had erged, a desire he had held since the previous day.
I must address her gallstone ailnt. The gallstones that likely occupy her gallbladder need removal. But foremost, she must be cognizant of her symptoms.
Awareness of symptoms.
Identifying where discomfort resides, acknowledging the presence of the illness, and embarking on the journey of treatntRaciel held the belief that these constituted the foremost stride in any curative process.
Undoubtedly. Despite the efforts of doctors, traditional healers, or pharmacists to grasp onto the patient, if the patient lacks the volition to be treated, all endeavors are futile.
Primarily, the patient must possess the determination to convalesce. They must adopt a ntality that propels them toward treatnt. Only then can the curative course proceed seamlessly.
Yet, the princess was currently far from that initial stage. She hadnt even attained the awareness of her discomforts location.
The rationale behind this was straightforward.
Gallstone disease seldom manifests self-evident symptoms.
Barely any signs such as excruciating pain in a specific region, elevated fever, or insufferable unease are evident. Such was the hallmark of gallstone disease.
In fact, Raciel was acquainted with a Korean web novelist nad Moon Baek who had encountered this situation. Moon Baek had been urgently rushed to the ergency room due to intense abdominal pain. Only subsequent to the examination did he realize that a gallstone had obstructed his bile duct entirely.
Likely the princess shares a similar experience. Perhaps her sole indication of the gallstones presence is occasional bloating post als. Apart from that, she likely experiences no distinct pain or discomfort, analogous to Moon Baeks ordeal, much like many others.
This enigma is precisely what renders gallstone disease intricate. Most remain oblivious until the condition escalates, compelling them to seek dical attention. In reality, research in the United States has revealed that a substantial 15-20% of the adult population possesses gallstones.
However, a majority of them remain oblivious to their gallstone condition.
Naturally, Koreans are no exception. The princess falls within the sa category. She doesnt even entertain the notion that she harbors gallstones. But were Raciel to initiate treatnt abruptly? Cooperation would not be forthcoming. She would likely scoff.
And thus, the redy.
Awareness of her ailnt must take precedence.
Raciel resolved firmly.
This opportunity had been a long ti in the making. He ticulously formulated his utterances, delivering them with the gentleness one might employ while softly crooning, much akin to the style of Bill Gates Microsoft.
Foremost, allow to impart, Your Highness, that you possess a re two years before your demise.
What?
I jest not.
Yes, its not a jestits a poor one.
Princess Adelines visage solidified, yet Raciel remained unperturbed.
Feel free to dismiss it as an inane jest. Nevertheless, its accurate. This is intelligence garnered from the imperial familys direct intelligence agency.
What?
Information of your life expectancy being under two years is classified intelligence disseminated by the imperial familys direct intelligence agency.
Raciel articulated, his countenance unwavering.
Imperial familys direct intelligence agency?
Classified intelligence?
Of course, it was an untruth of grand proportions. Nonetheless, he enunciated it with an unwavering mien, as if it bore the weight of truth.
Princess, you might not be aware, but our imperial intelligence agency has eyes and ears in nearly every corner of the globe. Even your actions, as a part of the royal family of Anbouaz, are not exempt from their observation. Thanks to this, we were able to detect and analyze subtle symptoms of an illness that has escaped your notice.
What are you implying?
You harbor a severe ailnt within you, unbeknownst to you.
So, youre asserting that I have only two years to live due to this illness?
Yes.
Ha, really.
Princess Adeline retorted with skepticism.
It was inevitable.
She had stumbled upon this location during a leisurely stroll. Driven by curiosity, she ventured inside, and the ambiance drew her in, leading her to sit across from the crown prince. Prior to this, she had begun viewing the crown prince from a slightly different perspective, having witnessed an unexpected facet of him.
Such a multitude of patients. I had no inkling that he would tend to these underprivileged individuals without seeking anything in return.
In truth, rumors about the Crown Prince of Magentano had reached her ears long before. Word had it that he possessed the ability to heal. Of course, she had dismissed this as an eccentric pasti of sorts.
Yet, what she had witnessed today was far more profound than she had envisioned. Not a single renowned doctor in Anbouaz had ever managed a dical facility on such a grand scale.
This unpredictability led her to perceive the Crown Prince in a new light. She pondered over his intentions. Why did he call her? She speculated that she might finally glean a proper explanation. Yet, when that explanation finally erged, it left her disillusioned.
How contemptible you are.
Adelines tone turned colder. Raciel responded with composure.
Truth can often carry an unpleasant tone.
A spy agency? You propose that amid the information they supplied, there exist indications of a grave ailnt that I havent even noticed. Do you consider a fool, Your Highness?
Not in the slightest.
Do you believe I would entertain such preposterousness? Is deceiving truly of such importance?
This isnt about deceiving you, but rather about healing you.
Do you not comprehend that your current words are deceptive?
Your perception of deceit arises from your lack of belief in .
Would it be an entirely different matter if I could place trust in you?
Then, what if I could make you believe?
Raciel countered unwaveringly. At that mont, Adeline grasped the truth. Crown Prince Raciel had been earnest all along.
Precisely how do you intend to evoke belief in ?
I shall furnish you with evidence.
Raciel asserted with confidence. An age-old saying echoed in his words: Seeing is believing.
The optimal approach to make soone acknowledge an ailnt devoid of outward manifestations is to present them with tangible evidence.
This principle held true for all aspects of existence, including human psychology. Even when one is inclined to deny, the act of witnessing can compel acceptance.
For instance?
A bank account displaying rely three digits. The stock value of ones investnts plumting in a steep blue nosedive.
And so, Raciel intended to demonstrate this principle to the princess. The gallstones within her. Conspicuously, unequivocally, to the extent that denial would be implausible.
Poboki?
Raciel inquired, directing his voice toward the coat pocket. A figure erged from the pocket.
Po pooo!
The creature was about the size of a clenched fist, with a rounded form and fiery wings fluttering through the air. It went by the na Poboki, a Phantom Beasta phoenix carp, specificallytasked with assessing the chemical composition of dicines.
Addressing Poboki, Raciel began, Have you been feeling restless lately? Weve got work to attend to.
Poo pooo? Pooki.
No, no. No treats for today.
Poo pooo?
Lets initiate by introducing you to our patient. This here is Princess Adeline, our patient for today.
Pooki kiii?
Poboki turned to glance behind and only then recognized the astonished gaze aid at it.
Pooo pooo? Pooki?
Princess Adeline swallowed uneasily, offering an awkward smile to Poboki, who hovered between her and Raciel, its fiery wings flickering.
Hey, there.
Poo boooo ki! Pookki!
Poboki extended a fin, its expression brimming with delight. Adeline hesitantly shook the fin with her hand.
Raciels smile carried an air of mystery.
This is Poboki. It serves as the pharmaceutical component analyst at my Star Palace Clinic.
Pharmaceutical component analyst?
Yes. But today, its role will differ slightly.
What might that be
Adeline furrowed her brows, her confusion palpable. The crown princes intentions eluded her.
He claid Im facing death, that an unnoticed ailnt plagues , and cautioned against skepticism. He promised evidence.
So why, at this mont, was he introducing an unfamiliar Phantom Beast into the equation? What purpose did he have in mind for this creature?
She remained clueless.
An enigma in its entirety.
Then, Raciel addressed the situation.
Poboki, shall we comnce?
Pooo booo?
You know, that thing.
Pooo!
With a significant glance from Raciel, Poboki nodded, extending its fiery wings as wide as they could stretch.
Poooo booooo kiiio!
Swoosh!
Pobokis wings unfurled in a perfect 16:9 proportion, resembling a floating tablet suspended in the air. Adelines eyes widened, yet the true astonishnt lay ahead.
Lets initiate the examination now. If you would be so kind as to offer your hand for a mont.
Raciel took a deliberate step forward and extended his hand toward Adelines shoulder. His touch caught her off guard.
!
Reacting instinctively, Adeline swatted Raciels hand away. Her gaze turned icy as she stared at him, her eyes sharp and frigid.
What do you think youre doing?
I apologize. Nevertheless, weve already amassed all the required data for the examination. Kindly bear with us for a mont longer.
What?
Adeline tilted her head.
Data for the examination?
Already gathered?
What?
What in the world is he talking about?
Utterly confounded, she couldnt help but speculate about the crown princes intentions. Was he plotting sothing? Or perhaps he was rely a facade of sanity concealing madness beneath.
She could no longer contain her exasperation.
Swoosh!
Adeline shoved her chair aside abruptly and rose from her seat. She no longer wished to tolerate the crown princes peculiar behavior.
Her determination solidified: she would exit the examination room without delay, repel any attempts he made to obstruct her, sever all ties with him, and pay him no mind even if they chanced upon each other in the future.
Embracing this resolution, she pivoted to leave.
But then, in that very mont,
.Pooooobobobobobobobobobo!
Out of nowhere, Poboki erupted with a hearty cry, and a transformation unfolded across its fiery wings, elegantly stretched in a picture-perfect 16:9 ratio. The flas danced brilliantly, hues shifting in a frenetic display. Soon, they started to depict sothing.
A prolonged, pouch-like structure took form. The pouch appeared to undulate rhythmically, housing a collection of brown beads within. The beads exhibited irregular, unattractive shapes.
Whats going on?
Adeline found herself in a state of bewildernt.
The crown prince had promised evidence of her ailnt. Yet now, what was this peculiar image being presented to her?
Princess, this represents your gallbladder, visualized through a CT scan.
What?
Adeline hesitated.
Raciels enigmatic smile persisted. At this instant, he recollected the ticulous preparations he had undertaken a few days prior in anticipation of todays CT scan.
(To be Continued)
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