"...hereby appoint Lars Gotberg as the personal physician to Asella von Württemfelt."
The appointment ceremony ended quickly.
It wasn't a grand procedure like receiving a noble title, nor did it require proving loyalty like a knighthood ceremony.
All I had to do was take an oath to Asella while a few healers from the Imperial Medical Office observed and recited prayers.
"So you'll be joining us at the Imperial Medical Office from now on. Feel free to ask for any assistance when needed, Healer Gotberg."
As I accepted Falkenhain's offered handshake, I made one correction.
"I'm delighted to be working alongside you in caring for the imperial family's health."
"Haha, excellent. How would you like your title and form of address to be?"
"Title and form of address, you say. Lord Falkenhain, you hold the title of 'The Cross' in the Imperial Medical Office, correct?"
"That's right. It's a position far above ordinary healers, so a title is essential."
"Can I choose anything?"
"Uh..."
Falkenhain looked a bit flustered.
Since we're both personal physicians, our ranks are technically equal.
Because of this, if I were to demand a title like 'Healing King,' he couldn't openly refuse.
Of course, if I actually did that, my head would be swiftly removed for treason—claiming to be a king under the Emperor's rule.
"I'll use the title 'Doctor,' and I'd like to be addressed as 'Teacher.'"
"Doctor? What does that mean?"
"It refers to someone who treats patients through medicine."
"I see. You mentioned being proficient in the field of medicine, Healer Gotberg. I understand. I'll inform the Imperial Medical Office."
Well, I suppose I've received my doctor's license now, in a manner of speaking.
After the ceremony, I decided to check out my office in the Imperial Medical Office.
A personal physician doesn't actually need to be with their assigned royal family member 24 hours a day. Outside of regular hours, we work from our offices in the Medical Office.
We need to stay nearby during sleep hours in case of emergencies, and we accompany them when they leave the palace.
The Imperial Medical Office was located at the southernmost part of the palace grounds, right in front of the walls connected to the Imperial Plaza.
I entered the Medical Office with Tanya and Bruno as my escorts.
"This is certainly different from the marquisate."
The Medical Office building had no religious elements whatsoever.
With its lavish decorations yet large, angular construction, it resembled a university hospital more than a church.
Or it could easily be mistaken for one of the academy buildings, given its imposing appearance.
The palace grounds everywhere use so much red dye that it's almost painful to the eyes.
It's the color symbolizing the current Emperor.
"Your office is on the fourth floor."
"Why is it so high up? Is there no elevator?"
"What's an elevator?"
"This is maddening. Are you saying I have to climb to the fourth floor several times a day? Bruno, find a mage who can use levitation."
"Understood."
Tanya sighed as she watched Bruno immediately bow his head in response to my order.
"Bruno, don't actually bring someone. The teacher needs to build his stamina."
"You're absolutely right."
Bruno promptly agreed with Tanya as well.
What's with him?
"Are you some kind of yes-man who only knows how to agree? Who's your direct superior?"
"I'm not sure myself. Hwang Hee Jeongseung? Is that who you mean?"
Bruno answered seriously with eyes intense enough to shoot down monsters.
I was a fool to trust Boris.
Of course, he would recommend someone this exasperating.
As I was having this ridiculous conversation with the two knights, I could hear passing healers whispering about me.
"Look, that's the personal physician insignia."
"So he's from the rumored Third Princess faction."
"White hair... born with divine power in his bloodline?"
Even though it was evening and work hours were over, the Medical Office was busy around the clock with many healers moving about.
Come to think of it, the Medical Office is also connected to the Imperial Plaza, where they treat ordinary citizens.
It's done in the name of gratitude for the Emperor's grace.
A kind of approval rating policy, you might say.
It also serves to train the skills of the Medical Office healers.
As a personal physician, I won't have to go there myself.
"Even though you outrank them, not a single healer has greeted you."
"That's because we're from different factions. There's no Third Princess faction anywhere in the Medical Office."
All healers in the Medical Office belong under some personal physician.
And personal physicians naturally belong to the faction of their royal family member.
They have to be careful, as speaking with healers from other factions could get them labeled as traitors.
It's certainly a complicated place with all the politics.
But I don't have the energy to worry about the succession battles among the heirs.
I already have my hands full just focusing on Asella.
After all, Asella will become the next Emperor.
Well, preventing that is my goal.
The office was neat and tidy.
There was quite a variety of magical engineering materials prepared, which Asella must have arranged in advance.
'Did she prepare this as soon as she heard my requirements?'
Not only materials but also work tables and tools were provided—items that would take considerable time between ordering and delivery.
Unless she had started preparing from the moment I accepted the test, these things couldn't possibly be here.
It seems she intended to make me her personal physician from the beginning.
Creepy.
The hair on my arms stood on end.
"I'll have to live up to her expectations."
I estimated that by working through the night, I could make enough tools with the prepared materials for tomorrow's use.
***
The next morning at dawn.
My duties as personal physician began.
Feeling refreshed after waking up, I immediately popped a candy into my mouth.
Ah, precious sugar for the brain and energy recovery.
It's now an essential part of my daily routine.
As I left my room with my tools, the head lady-in-waiting was waiting.
Her name was Lucy, if I recall correctly?
"Doctor Gotberg. From now on, please be ready 20 minutes earlier."
"Is the Princess ready?"
"No. She'll need another 30 minutes."
Then I came out plenty early.
How annoying.
"The Princess is beginning her daily routine."
A little later, a maid came out of Asella's room to report.
Now it's my turn.
I entered Asella's room carrying my doctor's bag.
Her room was as spacious as the living room of a decent mansion.
The bed area was hidden behind curtains.
She sat at a table with a bored expression, looking at me through her long eyelashes.
"It's a bright and clear morning. Did you sleep well last night?"
As I sat down across from her and asked, she answered in a sharp voice.
"No different than usual. Young Lord, do you plan to ask me such boring questions every morning?"
"Since you're my responsibility, Princess, it's only natural that I check your condition daily. And my title is 'Teacher.'"
"So?"
"Just... that's what it is."
I couldn't argue further as Asella stared at me intensely.
"There's only one person in this world I consider a teacher. I'll continue calling you Young Lord, so get used to it."
"Of course, whatever the Princess wishes."
"You're my personal physician, but you're also my betrothed, right? So this title isn't inappropriate."
"Hmm."
Logically speaking, she's right.
How annoying.
This Princess is good at magic, good at politics, and intelligent too.
Or perhaps she's good at everything because she's intelligent.
'I'd like to teach her a lesson.'
I'd better not let this disrespectful thought show.
I decided to quickly get on with what I needed to do.
As I took out the necessary tools from my doctor's bag, I made casual conversation.
"When you mention your teacher, do you mean the Court Grand Mage, the Sage?"
"You're well-informed. He is a famous mage, after all."
She has one magic teacher.
He's such an eccentric old man that even the imperial family rarely bothers him.
I already knew this, but it was simple conversation to help relax the patient.
"I'll measure your blood pressure first."
I wrapped a pad around her arm and pressed the pump to add air pressure.
The blood pressure monitor wasn't difficult to make. Knowing the principles, I was able to create it quickly.
"Is that a medical tool?"
"Yes. The speed at which blood flows through your body is important. It's the most basic indicator for measuring health."
"Hmm."
The dress Asella was wearing was thin enough that I could measure her blood pressure without issue.
"Blood contains a lot of information. It's not an exaggeration to say that it can tell us about all the diseases a person has."
"I'm not sick."
"We can't be sure. Some people die suddenly without any warning signs. There are diseases without pain. Moreover, Princess, you have a Talent."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"There might be illnesses that developed as a price for it. As your personal physician, I intend to fully understand your condition."
Asella lifted her chin and looked at me coldly.
She seemed somewhat offended.
"Young Lord, you speak as if you know a lot about Talents and their prices."
"I'm merely making educated guesses based on knowledge."
Asella continued to stare at me throughout the blood pressure measurement.
It was as if she was trying to pierce through my head to read my thoughts.
"Could it be that you also..."
"All done. Your blood pressure is quite low compared to the average. Orthostatic hypotension... Do you ever feel dizzy when getting up after lying down?"
"Hmm... slightly."
"I'll make a note of it. As I mentioned, analyzing blood is the quickest way to identify diseases."
"...And?"
Asella tilted her head slightly.
I took out the next tool from my bag.
"I'd like to take a small sample of your blood, Princess."
It was a syringe.
For a CBC test. I prepared the needle part and two glass tubes that could be attached separately.
I made the needle myself by grinding iron to reduce its diameter, but I enhanced its properties with alchemy. There are no hygiene issues.
The tubes are made of glass but also reinforced with alchemy to prevent breaking.
I lowered the internal pressure as much as possible so that blood would be drawn in just by connecting them.
"...What is that?"
Asella's reaction to the syringe was strange.
As if she had just spotted some mythical monster, she kept her neck stiffly upright while her pupils trembled.
Her gaze, turned pale blue, was fixed on my hand, not knowing what to do.
This doesn't suit you, Princess.
Surely you can't be afraid of a mere needle.