The Secretary of the Northern Grand Duchess Has Run Away

Chapter 92

Chapter 92:  The Empress's Test (4)While I was out alone in the streets of Haman,

the atmosphere in the Imperial Palace wasn’t particularly pleasant.

That was because the palace was crowded with imperial retainers close to Archduke Eric.

Most of the retainers had paid their respects to the Northern Grand Duke’s daughter who had appeared in person.

Moreover, they praised her success in Old Luton and her beauty, trying to maintain a close relationship with her.

However, since she hadn’t yet revealed any concrete plan to revive Haman...

the spotlight, for now, had been secured by Tobang.

“Is it true that Artist Descent is really coming to the Imperial Palace, Lord Tobang?”

“To think the Archduke had kept him so carefully hidden… and now, we’ll finally get to see his work!”

Tobang’s move was to borrow the Haman City Hall.

He used the enormous network that he and Eric’s family possessed to win over the mayor of Haman.

While saving on venue costs, he poured a large sum into promotion and marketing.

“He even threw money on top of Roger’s methods.”

Echina stood alone with her arms crossed, looking displeased at the situation from the corridor of the detached palace.

Then, as if suppressing the intense mana of someone on the verge of becoming a high-ranking expert, she bit her lip.

“Should I just mobilize everything too?”

She also had more than enough connections.

On top of that, thanks to her excellent fencing reputation at the academy, she had considerable ties to the knights.

If she put her mind to it, she could mobilize thousands to Haman.

However, Echina decided to wait for now.

Because there was one man who said he would remain unshaken even in the face of Tobang’s overwhelming offensive and would prepare his own card.

And that patience was soon rewarded.

“Your Grace, I’m sorry to have kept you waiting.”

She approached as soon as she saw me arrive in the corridor.

Perhaps because I had walked quickly, her silk-like, sleek black hair swayed lightly.

“So, what did you go and prepare?”

With her hands behind her back, she bent slightly at the waist.

Then tilted her head from side to side, as if trying to guess just how amazing the thing I brought was.

She looked like a black cat checking on a fox that had returned to its territory.

“I didn’t really prepare anything.”

“What’s this then?”

Like a proper knight, Echina sharply pointed to the paper bag in my hand with a piercing gaze.

And with her sharp nose, she caught the faint scent of meat.

“I bought it on the street, thinking you might be hungry. You didn’t eat breakfast, did you?”

“Uh... I didn’t, but how did you know?”

I knew she often skipped breakfast to keep her body light for sparring.

“Then, shall we go in? I thought it would be nice to talk over a meal.”

“To where? The imperial physician’s room?”

Echina asked with round eyes.

Just this once, the sharp eyes of the Grand Duke’s house looked endearingly soft.

“Yes. I’m guessing he hasn’t eaten either.”

I had read it before in the imperial physician’s autobiography.

He, too, had skipped meals every day while caring for his patients.

That habit had continued into his sixties, and now he was known for always skipping breakfast.

“What is he thinking…”

Echina let out a short sigh.

Then, clutching the Luton Sword hanging at her waist, she followed behind me.

“Did the physician agree to meet us?”

“Of course. Do you know who asked him?”

Echina pointed toward the physician’s private consultation room at the end of the corridor.

Sure enough, the place was quite large—there were even patient rooms attached on either side.

The door to the consultation room was wide.

Moreover, it was always open, firmly wedged so it wouldn’t close.

A clear sign that any patient was welcome to enter freely.

Just this habit alone showed what a compassionate doctor he was.

Before we knew it, it was already afternoon, and the noontime sunlight poured into the consultation room.

At the warm desk inside the office sat a middle-aged man.

“You must be Lady Echina, the Grand Duke’s daughter.”

The physician, Mikhail, who had neatly trimmed white hair and was clean-shaven, greeted us.

“I heard you wanted to see me, so I’ve been waiting.”

“Yes, it’s been a while, Sir Mikhail.”

Echina’s expression remained as cold as ever.

However, having served her for a long time, I could tell by the subtle softness in her voice that the doctor before her was a truly kind man.hing doesn’t prove that you understand the people’s lives and hardships.”

The physician let out a short sigh, looking slightly disappointed.

But upon hearing what I said next, he raised his eyebrows, apparently surprised.

“That’s right. I spent a long time talking with Miss Remy, the restaurant owner, and the warehouse foremen.”

As though he’d just heard a name he never expected to come from my mouth.

“Did you say Miss Remy?”

“Yes. She owns the restaurant next to the warehouse. She was very kind.”

I gave an awkward smile, like a young man trying to sound modest.

“Though, she insisted that pasta must have cream, and ended up giving me a food bomb full of affection.”

“Haha, Haman folk take great pride in their cuisine. Say the wrong thing, and you might get food-assaulted.”

Mikhail’s expression began to brighten once more.

And beside him, Echina let out a short breath as her gentle eyes blinked slowly.

“Well now, to know the restaurant lady’s nickname… You must’ve really done your homework on the lives of Haman’s citizens.”

“This whole campaign may have started from Her Majesty the Empress’s command, but ultimately, it’s for the people.”

Only then did Mikhail seem to truly acknowledge me, as he removed his monocle.

As he wiped the lens, he returned to his gentle grandfatherly demeanor.

“Very well, Roger. I feel reassured now.”

Sir Mikhail, the physician who had been knighted for his medical achievements.

He rose slightly from his chair.

Then, taking the napkin I had handed him, he pulled out his pen.

“I’ll support the campaign too.”

The Empire’s top physician was now joining the campaign.

At those words, a spring-like warmth bloomed on Echina’s face as she listened silently nearby.

“Is that true, Sir Mikhail?”

“Yes, Your Grace. Campaigns with such a good cause deserve even more support.”

The physician began writing a phrase on the napkin with elegant handwriting—

as if he were writing down treatment notes for a patient.

“Even a light breakfast provides a solid start to the day.”

The moment the legendary doctor who once saved the world left his signature on the promotional illustration I had drawn—

I bowed my head in gratitude.

Hiding my sly smile like a conniving courtier.

And it seemed Echina was starting to catch on to that expression of mine, as she gazed at the back of my head with a curious look in her eyes.

“If you ever need an interview, just let me know.”

“Funny you should say that—I’m currently preparing a collaboration with Gold Morning.”

Lifting my head, I rubbed my hands together with a bright-eyed grin.

“If you could offer just a few words there, the public would trust us even more—”