TMRDWMP CH 13

Chapter 13

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The Dull and Gloomy Physician

Monica rolled up the sleeves of her forest-green dress, a garment more suited to a grandmother than a young woman.

The heat left her no choice. She considered the long, heavy skirt before folding the waistline twice and securing it with pins. Exposing her calves made the temperature slightly more bearable. Still, the sweat would not stop.

Fanning herself with one hand, she went to meet Martinel’s physician, a young man named Dr. Meckel. He looked exactly like a doctor of his age should, dull and somewhat gloomy. His round spectacles perched on a slightly hooked nose, and his lips were thin. He was gaunt, with bony fingers and protruding joints. He was precisely the kind of irritable, high-strung doctor Monica had grown used to seeing on the front lines.

“A pleasure to meet you.”

Even his voice matched the impression. It sounded like a particularly grumpy goat had been transformed into a human and taught to speak. Monica flinched instinctively before forcing a polite smile.

“Master Martinel was examined first; he is currently being bathed.”

“Bathed?”

“Yes, I am trialling a new therapy. Mud massage.”

Two maids were busily clearing something inside the washroom attached to Martinel’s room.

“Mud therapy involves coating the body in earth for an extended period. It lowers the core temperature and uses the earth’s natural energy to drive away illness.”

Meckel brushed his sleeves, which were flecked with dried mud. His fingernails, quite unbefitting a young gentleman, were caked with dirt. It suited him, in a strange way. Monica offered an awkward smile.

Mud therapy? 

If mud could chase away illness, the children at the orphanage, who were covered in it daily, wouldn't have died so helplessly of fever. She kept the thought to herself. Offering advice to a highly educated physician would bring her little benefit, and he didn't exactly seem like the type to take criticism well. Instead, she sat quietly in the chair opposite him.

“Oh?”

Meckel’s gaze dropped to Monica’s legs. She pulled them back with a start. In her haste to pin up the dress, the old, crumpled petticoat had shifted, leaving her calf exposed.

“Are you injured?”

Monica froze, but Meckel was a doctor of professional focus. He had deduced the situation just by looking at the blood-stained fabric wrapped around her leg. He opened his medical bag and offered to treat her.

It was a relief to have even a minor scrape seen to by a professional. Monica felt a twinge of guilt for her earlier silent criticisms of his personality.

“I went to the market this morning and someone shoved me. I had a bit of a fall.”

“How dreadful. What a very wicked person.”

As he unwound the fabric from her knee, her scraped palm was also revealed. Meckel pulled her hand closer, took out a brown bottle, and soaked a cotton ball in the liquid. Monica’s eyes sparkled.

“I recognise this.”

“Do you? Ah, quite right. Mrs. Mollet mentioned you served at the front lines.”

The crimson liquid was a disinfectant supplied to the front lines toward the end of the war. It smelled dreadful but did not wash off easily, so nurses called it the red medicine and liked using it. However, it was quite expensive to purchase it in private.

“It is a relatively new medicine. I heard the kingdom could only afford to supply small quantities to the front lines because it was so costly to produce.”

 Meckel’s eyes gleamed, he was much more engaged now that the topic had turned to his profession. Monica chatted happily while offering her palm.

“I was at the hospital in Arvid.”

“Oh, Arvid.”

Although not on the exact front line, Arvid had been a strategic stronghold. Thanks to its fortress-like terrain, it was well-defended and never fell throughout the war. Most high-ranking officials were treated there during the middle of the conflict.

“I’ve heard many stories of the heroes of Arvid. I truly wished to go myself, but...”

Meckel cleared his throat. It was a common story, the more educated and well-to-do a family was, the further their children were kept from the war. Still, judging by the look of shame on his face, it seemed he did feel some embarrassment.

“I heard the green medicine is only available at the very front.”

Monica narrowed her eyes. The green medicine was a sedative given to patients suffering from severe mental trauma. It seemed he wasn't trailing off out of shame for avoiding the war, but rather out of a purely academic obsession with the drug. He was a man who truly loved his job.

“I was curious. I heard it improves the mood significantly.”

Meckel carefully removed the makeshift bandage from her knee. As the poorly wrapped fabric came away, it revealed a knee that had been thoroughly scraped against the ground. Meckel winced.

“Even that rascal Master Martinel hasn't managed an injury quite this bad.”

Monica hunched her shoulders in embarrassment but glanced at the discarded scrap of cloth. Meckel soaked more cotton in the red medicine and began to disinfect her knee. Monica reached out and grabbed the dirty scrap of fabric. Meckel waved his hand dismissively.

“Leave it. Let the maids clear it.”

“Oh, it's fine. I can take care of it.”

Monica replied awkwardly, rolling the cloth into a ball and tucking it into her pocket. She doubted that rude man would ever want his torn shirt sleeve back, but for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to throw it away. Regardless of Monica's reaction, Mekel began talking even more enthusiastically about the green medicine while treating her wounds.

“A university colleague of mine volunteered for the front. We weren't close, so it was difficult to ask, but when I finally queried him about the recipe for the green medicine, but he told me the nurses handled everything. How shameful for a doctor…”

Shameful for a doctor indeed. It was a bit much for someone who had never stepped foot on a battlefield to say, but she chose to change the subject.

“What exactly should I be doing for Master Martinel?”

“Ah, the young master.”

Fortunately, Meckel didn't notice the shift in topic.

“Fresh air and moderate exercise are best. He should walk twice a day.”

“I see.”

“And you must be kind to him.”

Monica blinked. Was that all? Meckel gave a little smirk.

“I mean you should let him have whatever he wants.”

“Whatever he wants?”

“Young Master Martinel has a frail constitution but a very high temperature. Children naturally have high body temperatures, but his is unusually high. For a child like him, anger is a poison.”

“I understand.”

“If anger builds up, his fever will spike, and his brain will... melt.”

T/N: More like his brain will melt from being spoiled too much.

Meckel tapped his temple for emphasis. He continued with instructions on what to do if the boy developed a high fever, telling her to send for him immediately, cool the body, and administer medicine. Monica nodded along. By the time he was finished, both of her knees were neatly wrapped in clean bandages.

“There. Leave your palm alone for today. Wash it with water tomorrow morning and reapply the disinfectant. This bottle is a gift.”

“Oh, thank you!”

Meckel handed her the small bottle of red medicine. As Monica beamed, Meckel smiled back.

“Your name?”

“I'm Monica.”

“This is for you to use, Monica, and to keep on hand in case Master Martinel injures himself.”

In no case he would just give away such expensive medicine. After all, there’s no such thing as a free lunch.

“Teacher!”

Martinel came running out. He was a remarkably spirited boy, despite the doctor's warnings.

“When did you get here?”

He was quite the sociable one, speaking to Monica before she could even greet him.

“Have you had lunch, Teacher? I thought we were eating together today, but I was surprised when you didn't come. What’s that? Are you hurt?”

Monica blinked a few times before managing to answer his last question.

“I had a little fall this morning while I was out.”

“Wow! Look at that!”

Martinel clapped his hands and looked at Meckel.

“I thought you said adults don't fall down?”

Meckel wrinkled his nose. Monica instinctively looked away. The doctor had clearly lied to the boy, who was desperate to grow up, by telling him adults never tripped.

Really, Doctor... why tell a lie that is so easily disproven?

Meckel was not about to blame Monica for exposing his lie. He closed his medical bag and took his leave, leaving Monica alone with the boy.

“Teacher, what shall we play?”

“Now, Young Master Martinel.”

Monica smiled and pulled out a book she had prepared.

“Believe it or not, I am also your governess.”

Martinel’s face, previously full of excitement, twisted into a pout. Monica kept smiling.

I'd love to just play with you too.

But that was the reality of being an adult. Even if you fall in the morning, you have to work in the afternoon. Martinel whined, crumpling his lovely light-blue jacket. Remembering Meckel’s warning about letting the boy have his way, Monica didn't intend to push him too hard, but the boy was surprisingly mature.

In the end, she successfully coaxed him into his seat to begin his lessons.

Chapter 12

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Chapter 14