1.
“Diego,” Diego said in a low voice. Perhaps it was his imagination, but the smile lingering on his lips seemed to stiffen. The Dean grew even more restless, carefully observing Diego’s expression.
However, Irene remained as indifferent as she had been from the start.
“Because I am not capable of being a physician who treats people.”
“…….”
A heavy silence fell once more. This time, it lasted even longer.
Diego, watching Irene with contemplative eyes, scratched his temple with his index finger. A low laugh escaped from between his teeth.
“A medical student who cannot become a physician?”
“Yes.”
He waited for a moment, but Irene seemed to have no intention of explaining further.
“Well, this is something.”
Diego muttered under his breath, rubbing his lips with his palm. Soon, wearing a playful smirk, he asked again.
“Why is it that you cannot become a physician?”
At that, the eyes that had been so impassive finally flickered. Diego did not miss that fleeting moment. As he narrowed his eyes—
“Because I dislike people.”
“…….”
An unexpected answer. Diego, who had been expecting a reply about her dedication to research or the existence of a fiancé, looked as though he had been struck on the back of the head.
Irene added with an indifferent expression.
“If you grab any student passing by and ask them, you will understand what I mean. You will likely hear much more than you would about me being the top-ranking graduate. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Holding her skirt and performing a slight curtsy, Irene crossed the room without looking back. As she took a step into the hallway, she hesitated, then slowly turned her head.
Irene’s gaze was not directed at Diego, but at Javier, who was standing by the door. Her gaze lingered.
Staring straight at Javier with hollow eyes, Irene spoke abruptly.
“Seek out Professor Figueras.”
Javier narrowed his eyes at the sudden mention of the name.
“Why should I seek him out?”
The counter-question came from behind him. Diego, who had been with Professor Figueras until just a moment ago, watched her with intrigued eyes.
An impassive voice fell from Irene’s lips.
“He is highly skilled in internal medicine. Especially with respiratory diseases. While it is said there is no cure for asthma, the Professor would at least know how to alleviate the symptoms. Inhaling steam might temporarily make breathing easier, but that is merely a fleeting measure.”
“!”
For an instant, Javier looked as if he had been blindsided. The same was true for Diego.
The Dean tilted his head, muttering, “Asthma, you say?” but Irene was already gone.
All that remained was the foul stench of decomposing corpses and the three men.
The Dean, who had been standing there blankly, turned his head toward Javier. Diego’s gaze was also pinned on him.
Pressed by the silent interrogation, Javier opened his mouth reluctantly.
“I suffered from asthma as a child. I outgrew it, but during seasons like this, I sometimes find it uncomfortable to breathe. However, it is not to a degree that requires concern.”
“Seasons like this, you say.”
Diego turned his head slowly. Although there were no windows in the enclosed basement, he stared at the season beyond the walls without difficulty.
The season when flowers began to bloom.
Then, he cast his gaze back to Javier. He was right. It was not enough to be of concern. As proof, neither Professor Figueras nor the Dean had noticed a thing.
The Dean also seemed to realize this, as he offered an embarrassed excuse.
“She may have that kind of personality, but one cannot help but acknowledge her skill. She passed the Royal Medical examination with the highest marks in history. Moreover, her five senses are keener than others. There is no better talent for becoming a physician. Especially for a surgeon.”
“…….”
“There was a small commotion when Miss Irene entered our college. She passed the entrance exam as the top student, but she lacked a recommendation letter from a school principal. That was to be expected; Miss Irene had never attended school. Many professors objected to her admission, citing a lack of basic decorum, but I forced it through. Our Royal Medical College Of Divoa is not only a repository of wisdom holding history and tradition, but it also provides a fair opportunity to all…….”
Diego let the Dean’s words drift in one ear and out the other, his lips curling into a smile. He murmured in a low voice.
“Interesting.”
Life returned to his black eyes for the first time in a while. Diego stared blankly at the hallway where Irene had vanished, rubbing his lips.
“Very interesting.”
* * *
It was no exaggeration to say that a banquet was held at Count Rodri’s estate every week. Contrary to the misconceptions of commoners, these banquets were not merely places for eating and drinking.
It was a place where local noble families gathered to exchange information, scout for marriage partners, and show off their newly purchased clothes and jewelry. Whether or not one was invited to Count Rodri’s banquet was often a measure of their standing.
Moreover, Count Rodri was the master of Therapia. He had a duty to host such events.
But beyond any other reason, Count Rodri simply loved entertainment. Since he did not enjoy hunting or fishing, he had no other interests besides banquets.
Yet, he was particularly excited today. So much so that anyone with eyes could tell.
The reason was obvious. Duke Diego Cassis, the Third Prince and a great noble, was visiting his territory.
It went without saying that the caliber of a banquet depended on the guests of honor, and it was only natural for Count Rodri to hold his head high.
Come to think of it, the food at the banquet was more excellent than usual. No, it wasn’t just the food. It was clear that great care had been put into the flowers decorating the hall, the curtains, the tablecloths, and even the napkins.
To be honest, Therapia was a rural village with nothing to boast about except the Royal Medical College. It had no mines, no merchant ships, and it was not a transportation hub.
The only joy the Count had was when the parents of medical students occasionally attended his banquets to grace them with their presence.
However, no visitor had ever upheld his prestige like Diego. And likely, no one ever would.
Count Rodri looked at Diego, who sat beside him, with a satisfied gaze. Then he looked at the long line forming in front of him.
The lesser nobles of Therapia had to wait until their necks grew long for Count Rodri to introduce them to Diego.
“Your Grace, Duke Diego Cassis, would you like another glass of champagne?”
Count Rodri purposely took his time, testing the patience of the nobles. Knowing this, Diego nodded.
Regardless, he was the guest and Count Rodri was the host. Sometimes, one had to play along with the host’s amusement.
“Thank you.”
“You are most welcome.”
Receiving a glass of champagne from a servant’s tray, Count Rodri handed it to Diego. As Diego brought the glass to his lips, he glanced around.
It was boring enough to make him yawn. Compared to the banquets in the capital, everything here was dreadfully lacking—the scale of the banquet, the interior, the caliber of the attendees.
Nevertheless, Diego did not lose his gentle smile. Having spent his life in the royal family, he was accustomed to such etiquette and skilled at hiding his true thoughts.
Count Rodri introduced the next lady to Diego. She was the daughter of a Viscount. She waited until the introduction was finished, then bowed slightly.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace, Duke Diego Cassis.”
Watching the young lady with bright brown hair, Diego consciously pulled at the corners of his lips.
“A pleasure.”
It was a lighter blonde than that, wasn’t it?
Suddenly, the thought crossed his mind, and his smile deepened. Just as Irene had said, grabbing any student passing by brought an immediate answer.
At first, those who wore strange expressions gave answers with a similar nuance, as if they had rehearsed it.
—Irene Rios? Who is Irene Rios…… Ah, you mean the Ice Doll?
—You mean the Iron Mask. Don’t even get me started; she definitely thinks she’ll die if she touches a human being. Have you seen the gloves the Iron Mask wears? Those are gloves she wears because she doesn’t want to touch people. The funny thing is, she dissects corpses with her bare hands. Of course, everyone dissects corpses with their bare hands, but shouldn’t someone like the Iron Mask wear gloves even for dissections? That means she thinks we are worse than the corpses.
—Huh? Who? Oh, you mean that germaphobe? Yes, she is the top student, of course. A genius who allegedly memorizes an entire book in one reading. I don’t know if it’s true, but still. But what does that matter? Her personality is a piece of shi… Oh, excuse me. Her personality is exactly like that.
—Do you know anything about the ‘Blade’? It would be stranger not to know such a famous figure. I was in the same group as the Blade once. Actually, it’s convenient during anatomy class. She slits the cadavers’ bellies for the group members without hesitation. Her movements are so precise, it’s like she’s a machine. When she cuts open a chest to remove the heart, have you ever seen the Blade’s eyes? I have. They sparkle with such vitality, it’s terrifying……. Ugh, I get chills just thinking about it.
It was surprising that one person could have so many nicknames. And that every single one of them was unpleasant.
*More and more interesting.*
Diego, called the treasure of Divoa and the sun of the kingdom, let out a soft chuckle.
“Oh my.”
A low gasp emerged from in front of him. Only then did Diego remember that he was at a banquet hall, and he looked at the three people before him.
The Baron and his wife were casting respectful gazes toward him. Their daughter was looking at Diego with rapturous eyes, her cheeks flushed bright red.
Unfortunately, it was a look Diego was all too familiar with: envy, adoration, and fervor. What he was not accustomed to was that indifferent gaze of Irene’s.
Diego quickly turned the wheels in his mind and brought up the name of the lady he had pushed to the corner of his thoughts.
“A pleasure to meet you, Miss Leticia Rios.”