I Became a Plague Doctor in a Romance Fantasy Novel

Ep. 52. Happy birthday, Princess (2)

Ep. 52. Happy birthday, Princess (2)

The academy hallway just before sunset.

The Princess seemed to be in a very good mood today. I don’t know why. She wasted most of her birthday waiting alone.

“What were you doing?”

“I went to a port city called Imentia. Apparently, there were a few patients with multiple illnesses at once, and the people who were dispatched thought it was the Black Death.”

“The Black Death? How scary.”

Everyone reacted like that, which is why Ementia got shut down so fast.

The brain loves to assume the worst. Maybe it’s a natural reaction, in a way.

“It wasn’t the black plague.”

“That’s a relief.”

Mint looked at me.

“Still, I’m glad you could come today. I’d be a little depressed if you’d come after my birthday was completely over.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It doesn’t matter now that you’re here… There’s still a lot of the day left. You seem pretty down today, teacher?”

“You don’t need to worry about me.”

There wasn’t much left. At most, the sun would set in 30 minutes. I wonder if there’ll even be a place open near the Academy.

Somehow, we managed to find one place that was open.

Judging by the lack of customers, it looks like they’re closing soon. Whatever…

Mint doesn’t know the world is a scary place. Usually, the world should be afraid of Mint.

“Please, go in first, Your Highness.”

“Okay.”

Mint went inside the restaurant first, and I scratched my head in front of the reception, looking flustered. How the hell do I explain this?

“I’m sorry. The Princess is a little ill-mannered. And it’s also her birthday late today.”

“Ah, it’s alright if we close a little late.”

There’s no way it’s alright. Back when I was on call at the hospital, there were days I got pissed off even when I saved people and stayed late after my shift. What do I do about this.

I rummaged in my pocket and pulled out a few bills. The waiter waved his hand, dismissing it.

“It’s a tip. Share it.”

“Uh…”

The waiter hesitated a bit, but eventually took the tip. I looked over at Mint who was settling into a seat across the restaurant.

The bill is on you, Mint.

Anyway, that problem’s solved.

Mint had picked a decent window seat. I walked to the other side of the restaurant and sat down across from her. Mint was staring blankly at me.

“Why are you over there?”

“What do you mean?”

“Never mind.”

Mint got up and moved to sit next to me. It was a little awkward, but… it’s Mint’s birthday today.

I should go along with it, just for today.

“What did Her Highness do today?”

“Nothing special, really. Had classes in the morning, lazed around a bit, and then waited for my tutor from the evening.”

“You got your congratulations, right?”

“Huh? I got them until I was sick of it. Enough letters to make four books. There were quite a few people who came to the academy too.”

“That’s good.”

“What’s good about it?”

“It means there are lots of people who want to congratulate Her Highness. Doesn’t that mean you’re popular?”

“I don’t know about that.”

“You said something similar last time, didn’t you? Worrying about how the Princess doesn’t have people around her. If there are a lot of people, some of them will be good, right?”

“Maybe…I really don’t have many ‘my’ people.”

That was surprisingly insightful.

It’s a possibility, but isn’t that better than nothing at all? More than that, Mint actually thinks, huh? That’s a relief.

“Still, today was pretty successful. Got congratulated by some people, and the teacher came back right on time, too?”

“Yeah.”

A brief silence.

Mint stared at the Academy building visible through the window. The Academy was starting to light up, one by one, in the twilight.

Guess a lot of people are staying up all night. Students studying, graduate students experimenting…

They’re gonna have a hard time. Good thing my grad student, Istina, went home safely today.

“What did you order?”

“A little bit of everything.”

Mint didn’t explain any more specifically. She was just staring into the distance.

“Teacher, are you going to drink?”

“No. I have work early tomorrow. More than that, is the Princess even old enough to drink?”

“You’re joking, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Teacher, do you have someone you like or anything?”

“No, not really.”

“Really? That’s surprising. I thought you’d be popular, teacher….”

As if. After Istina, I can’t even get a graduate student, popularity can go freeze to death.

Mint glanced at me sideways.

“You’re busy, aren’t you? Things you have to do, things you want to do, and even things you want to achieve. You’ve got a lot on your plate to think about.”

“Yeah, I guess. You always had a lot going on.”

“Yeah, well. I have no plans for the time being.”

“Hey. Am I pretty?”

“Huh?”

“Am I pretty?”

“Your Highness, you need to have a bit more respect for your subordinates. I know you’re comfortable and all, but that doesn’t mean you can just—”

“Answer.”

“Ah. Yes. You’re pretty.”

“How much?”

“Very much?”

“Out of all the people you’ve ever seen, is there anyone prettier than me?”

“I don’t think so.”

Mint chuckled a bit, then sighed.

“Fishing for compliments, much?”

“It’s not hard to praise you but… what do I say. It’s kind of a shame that the princess is in a mental state where she needs that.”

The princess furrowed her brow slightly at those words.

“What?”

“You’re a princess, Your Highness. Is there any reason for you to demonstrate that you need praise from *me* to fill up your self-esteem?”

Was that too harsh?

I checked Mint’s expression. Mint blinked, looking rather hurt.

“Rude.”

“My apologies.”

“You, the teacher, are always in your lab, and all you do is torment Istina. Are you going to lecture me on my personality like that?”

“Uh… I hope Your Highness grows up to be a better adult than I am. And Istina is doing her graduate student work because she wants to.”

“Uh huh. Sure.”

Mint didn’t believe me.

“So. You don’t want to praise me?”

“It’s not that. What do I say, it doesn’t feel like a very healthy hobby.”

“I guess not… Getting little compliments by tormenting the teacher wasn’t good, huh.”

“Yeah. Exactly.”

Still, I’m glad she seemed to realize that.

“Then, now, praise me for real.”

“Huh?”

Was she trying to be funny? I met the princess’s eyes, but Mint was just staring blankly back at me with wide eyes again.

“I don’t want to.”

“You said it wasn’t hard?”

“It’s hard now that I’m actually trying.”

“Uh……”

Mint placed her hand on my shoulder.

I moved away from Mint.

“About what we were saying earlier… the prettiest, kindest, smartest, cutest person in the world-”

Footsteps, and then a clearing of the throat. Mint and I turned our heads. A waiter was awkwardly waiting next to our table.

“Oh, is the food…here?”

We were in trouble.

The waiter put down the food, trailed off, and then turned back without saying anything. He did glance at me out of the corner of his eye, though.

I pressed my temples. What am I going to do with our silly princess?

“Please be a little careful, Princess.”

“Okay.”

Mint was looking up at me, her eyes filled with anticipation. I sighed. Right, I had decided to go along with it for just one day.

“Princess, you are the prettiest in the world.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Princess, you are smart, talented in magic, and have a warm side too. But-”

Mint wasn’t listening to me after that. She just covered half of her mouth and smirked. Again, I regretted my word choice.

Did I play along too much? She’s going to get spoiled.

Mint put down her spoon and wiped her mouth.

“I didn’t think you’d go along with this so well, teacher. It exceeded my expectations.”

“I’m already regretting it a little.”

It’s just one day. It’s her birthday, couldn’t I at least play along? Mint is a person too, after all.

“It’s already gotten dark.”

“Let’s go soon. This restaurant has to close sometime too.”

Mint shook out her clothes and slowly got up. I followed behind her.

“Did you enjoy your meal today?”

The waiter asked Mint.

She’d only taken a bite of most things, so most of it was left over. But Mint nodded.

“Didn’t you say closing time was over?”

“Ah, we’re alright.”

“I’m in a good mood, so here’s a tip. Share it.”

“Oh, thank you very much.”

Mint took out a few bills from her wallet and handed them to the waiter. The waiter barely suppressed a smile as he took the money.

Hit the jackpot, those guys. They got two tips.

“Teacher, let’s go now.”

Well, everyone got a happy ending anyway.

Money is nothing to the princess. I made eye contact with the waiter, and the waiter awkwardly scratched his head and smiled.

Life throws you a bone sometimes, right?

I followed Mint out onto the street.

“What are you gonna do now, Teacher?”

“Gotta go home.”

I was basically on duty yesterday too. No choice, I have to get some sleep today.

“Shall I escort the Princess?”

“Do that.”

The Princess scampered ahead, spun around once, and then came back to my side. A crescent moon hung in the sky…

“Will I see you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, you can come. I have to be in the lab all day tomorrow, getting ready for the conference.”

Mint nodded slowly.