The Doctor Cured The Villainess And Ran Away-Chapter 77: Collateral of the Body (2)

Even under the flawless sunlight, it felt like I was stumbling through storm clouds.

Understandable, since Asella was shooting daggers at me from across the tea table.

The person I was supposed to be talking to was the noble lady, Freda, but she hadn’t sat across from me—she’d dragged her chair right up next to mine.

Too close, woman.

Freda sniffled delicately and said,

“I still can’t forget how you saved my father’s life. He’s such a wonderful man. I can’t even imagine how I would’ve gone on without him.”

She’d do just fine without the Duke.

In the future, Freda inherited her father’s title and ruled the West as Grand Duke.

While the Duke had lost influence after Asella’s coronation, Freda had gotten along well with Emperor Asella and rebuilt the duchy’s power.

I hadn’t dealt with Freda directly in the previous timeline, so I didn’t know her well.

Only vaguely heard of her as “the Mad Dog of the West.”

“I wanted to thank you right away, but both you and Her Highness had such major things going on that day. I had to leave the palace before we could meet. I’m just so happy we finally did.”

She smiled sweetly, like a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

To me, it tasted like muddy water.

[No. 077 : Avatar of Jealousy 92% → 94%]

There it goes again.

I glanced over—her golden mana was flaring so hard, it looked ready to consume her entire sclera.

The Avatar of Jealousy bad ending triggers if I betray Asella... or so I believe.

Maybe she instinctively sensed that Freda was a powerhouse and felt threatened.

It had been the same when Heike’s faction offered to recruit me.

I suppose it’s understandable she thinks I might be tempted by the ducal house.

Moonlight Palace may be imperial property, but it had been run by Camilla until recently, so it lacked real substance.

Only now, with power transferred to Asella, was it starting to gain momentum.

Two thousand gold coins was a staggering sum—something even a royal physician like me would have to work a lifetime to earn—but it was also the most Asella could offer.

Meanwhile, the duchy casually tossed out ten thousand.

No interest, no contract.

And now, apparently, they were aiming for me directly.

The ducal house clearly understood that my medicine and techniques were the core of this project. This could be bait to lure me away.

Of course Asella might feel threatened.

But does she really think I’d betray her over money?

I didn’t know what was truly in her heart, but if that was it... ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) I’d be a little disappointed.

I’ve shown her plenty of loyalty.

Still, it’s a shame to just turn down the ducal money outright.

Neria had said it was important to build a strong foundation for the factory. She was right.

Without funds, construction would grind to a halt.

I decided to talk to Freda directly.

“Lady Freda, if you mean what happened at the palace banquet, your sentiment was more than enough. Please, don’t let it weigh on you.”

“How could I wash my hands of it with just words? I’m a woman of principle, you know?”

“I understand. I was honored to be able to help someone as admirable as the Duke. But the generosity your house has already shown is more than sufficient.”

“Oh dear, now that sounds a little cold. Are you drawing a line with me, Doctor?”

Freda’s eyes narrowed.

Why? Because if I don’t, Asella’s going to kill me.

Though that wasn’t the only reason.

Without a written contract, the ducal house could later use this initial investment to interfere in our family’s business. That’d be a persistent headache.

I had two choices.

One: draft a proper contract with them.

Two: return the 10,000 gold and pretend none of it ever happened.

The second option wasn’t feasible right now, and it could damage relations with the duchy. Best avoided.

So what I needed was documentation.

I smiled lightly and said,

“Draw a line? Not at all. I just worry that your generous gift might end up being a burden.”

“Hehe, that much gold is just a proper donation. Don’t worry about it.”

“It’s an enormous sum. Just in case, why not write up a receipt or declaration of terms ahead of time?”

Freda’s expression cooled slightly.

She wasn’t stupid—she understood what I was really saying.

A written document meant I intended to repay the ten thousand gold.

And someone like Freda could easily read between the lines: it also meant don’t meddle further in our business.

“Doctor, I know a way we wouldn’t need such a silly piece of paper.”

Then Freda offered a third option.

She gently placed her hand over mine on the table.

“Hah, what are you—”

I didn’t even need to turn around. Asella’s fury was radiating so hot it could melt steel.

Freda purred softly,

“If the ducal and marquis households were bound by blood, we wouldn’t need documentation for little things like money or business, would we?”

Clatter!

Asella shoved back her chair and shot to her feet.

Freda looked at her with open amusement, stifling giggles.

[No. 077 : Avatar of Jealousy 94% → 98%]

We were approaching the limit.

I had to defuse this somehow.

“Oh, I didn’t know Lady Freda had a younger brother. But my sister Neria is still too young to be matched.”

“Really now, Doctor? You’re still going to pretend not to know?”

Freda leaned in under my gaze, looking up at me.

Her deep neckline cast shadow over her cleavage, making it impossible to ignore.

Of course, I understood what she really meant.

She wanted to tie me to the ducal house through a political marriage, then claim my medical expertise as their own.

Even knowing full well I was engaged to Asella, she had no hesitation about picking a fight with an imperial princess.

Now I see why she was called the Mad Dog.

“Lady Freda, you’d better think very carefully about what you say next.”

Asella said in a low voice.

Freda, who’d been half-dismissive of her till now, answered provocatively.

“Why are you so worked up, Your Highness? It’s not like I’m hitting on someone who’s taken. Everyone knows Doctor Gotberg and the Third Princess are only engaged for business reasons.”

“...What?”

“I’m not lying, am I? Ask around. People even say Your Highness spread rumors that the Doctor was a scoundrel just to keep other girls away.”

Freda Schwarzschweik, indeed.

The woman destined to rule a duchy was just as fierce as Asella.

Asella might have a higher formal rank, but in social terms, the two were effectively equals.

And she didn’t flinch at all before Asella—she acted exactly as she pleased.

In the future, the two of them would even share drinks... but this first encounter was already a disaster.

And I was the one getting crushed between these two titans.

“So you’ve chosen war, Schwarzschweik.”

“If you keep getting mad like that, it’ll ruin your skin. Men don’t like that, you know?”

“Don’t worry. You’ll never have the chance to see my flawless skin.”

Mana swirled visibly in Asella’s eyes.

She’d reached her limit. Looked like she was ready to cast a spell right then and there.

Just as I stood to intervene—

“Hh-hheh-choo!”

Asella sneezed.

She sniffled, her face turning red in embarrassment for showing weakness in front of an enemy.

Guess the air’s getting cold again.

It was that season already—especially up north.

I took off my coat and draped it over her shoulders.

“You’ve been out in the chill too long. You’ll catch a cold. Let’s head inside.”

“I’m not done with this temptress yet.”

“Your Highness, what about your physician’s orders?”

“...Fine.”

Asella glared daggers at Freda but grudgingly gave in.

I rubbed her arm to help her warm up a bit, and she finally calmed down.

For some reason, Freda also seemed to have lost her smugness.

“Hmph. The imperial princess must be so delicate she can’t even handle this light chill. What’ll you do if you always need your doctor around? Maybe try working out a bit?”

Freda crossed her long, shapely legs the opposite way, flaunting them.

Still provoking to the end. And it was me who’d end up dealing with Asella’s stress later.

Though Freda herself lived in a much hotter region.

But Asella didn’t lash out as I expected. Instead, she let out a leisurely scoff.

“You think you can seduce the Doctor with just that?”

“That? Compared to Your Highness, I’d say...”

“See you later. We’ll find out who wins.”

Asella lifted her chin and strode toward the terrace.

I motioned to Freda to stop provoking her and followed after Asella.

As we walked the corridor, Asella spoke.

“Doctor, do you think that plump girl is prettier than me?”

Huh.

Of all the things we could talk about right now, that was what she led with?

So she really couldn’t tolerate even a scratch to her pride in her looks.

Sure, Freda was more feminine for now, but I knew well what Asella would become.

“Of course not, Your Highness. You hold a beauty unmatched under the heavens. None could ever compare.”

“Hmph. Of course.”

She seemed moderately satisfied with my answer.

“Freda has a good head for business. She’s probably eyeing our pharmaceutical factory and wants in. I figured she might use the Duke’s initial investment to start interfering, so I planned to pin it down with documents.”

To that, Asella parted her lips in slight surprise.

“Wait—you didn’t know what I meant?”

“I knew. I’m just surprised you’re even more of a fool than I thought.”

“Excuse me?”

“Hmm... then how did you interpret Freda’s proposal for a marriage alliance?”

“She said it was a business arrangement. That’s what I assumed she meant.”

“You didn’t even consider accepting?”

“I have Your Highness. Why would I?”

I’ve got enough trouble already—why add more?

Even if she offered a hundred thousand gold, I’d still decline.

“Hmph. H-hmph.”

Hearing that, Asella pressed her lips together like she was trying to hold back a smile.

[No. 077 : Avatar of Jealousy 98% → 22%]

Thankfully, the probability dropped a fair bit.

Still not back to normal, but at least it didn’t explode.

Let’s count it as a win.

“That girl is stubborn. She’s going to be a pain. Honestly, I’d like to hold her accountable for meddling in the early stages of our business.”

“Then let’s make her pay.”

“You have a plan?”

“Who do you think I am?”

Asella grinned devilishly and pulled out a notebook and quill from her sleeve.

“You carry a notebook?”

“Yup. Yours looked handy.”

She began writing in it.

“What are you doing?”

“Tattling to her dad.”

...Huh?

“You mean His Majesty? Over this?”

“Nope.”

Asella chuckled, clearly in a better mood now.

“To her dad.”