NOVEL WEB Chapter 16
Princess Victoria Carrail of the Britannia Empire was the first princess.
She was the eldest of the three princesses, each having a different mother.
Not only did she rank first, but her maternal relatives also wielded considerable influence in the military. Although her mother had passed away, her two maternal uncles were still serving in the army—both as brigade commanders.
Since the country lacked a division-level structure, these two were among the highest-ranking officers actually commanding troops. They had also played significant roles during the current emperor’s succession war.
Even Princess Victoria herself was a senior military officer.
While it was quite natural for royal family members to have some involvement with the military—after all, even Siena held the honorary title of regimental commander—Victoria was actively serving, not just holding a nominal position.
Of course, as a member of the royal family, she did enjoy certain privileges, but she wasn’t entirely incompetent. Her efforts were well-documented, and she seemed to recognize that military support was her most important asset, thus striving in various ways to enhance it.
‘Still, I didn’t expect to be so easily tricked.’
It would be a lie to say they hadn’t taken the royal family into consideration when sending staff to tour the hospitals.
But while the 3rd princess and her faction may have harbored resentment toward us, they hadn’t anticipated that the 1st princess would fall into the trap first—least of all, that Siena would lose face in the process. Perhaps, in truth, they hadn’t been purposefully targeting her but simply hadn’t given her enough consideration, leading to an apology.
Ultimately, it didn’t matter.
The important thing was that Victoria had become aware of the existence of morphine.
And the fact that she had substantial influence over the military, which inevitably had a significant demand for morphine.
I resolved to establish a supply chain for the military through the 1st princess.
Of course, there were risks, but if we succeeded, this would be the most stable way to distribute morphine. The chances of misuse by non-patient individuals would also be low.
I immediately headed toward the Imperial Military Hospital.
“I would like to meet the hospital director.”
“Hmm, just like that?”
“If the director is too busy, meeting any responsible person will suffice. If speaking with a mere apothecary is inconvenient, I would like to request an audience as a member of the Imperial Court Guard. I serve Her Highness the 2nd Princess, Alan Medoff.”
This was a declaration of my intention to meet with the director, one way or another.
If I were to be dismissed outright, even as a direct retainer of the royal family, that would have been unacceptable.
Eventually, after much delay, the hospital staff led me to the director.
“The director may not have the final decision-making authority.”
But at least he could convey the message to the 1st princess, my intended sponsor.
Trusting in this possibility, I passionately pitched the benefits of morphine, comparing it to willow bark, opium, and poisonous herbs.
I then moved straight to the main point.
“I know I may not seem trustworthy, Director. But what if we tried something else?”
“What…?”
“Instead of opium, use morphine on patients with severe pain. We’ll supply it for free for three days.”
This offer was the plan from the beginning.
“Really? Sir Alan, how could we use medicine that hasn’t been properly verified?”
“Ultimately, morphine is also an opium-based drug.”
“…”
“What’s more, this opium wasn’t cultivated by a random farmer but under the directive of Her Highness Siena, in the main garden of Temseugung. The extraction and initial refining were done by skilled gardeners. No other place in the Empire produces opium on this scale, and none with such a systematic process.”
“But I see…”
“And it’s free. Is there any reason not to accept it?”
“…”
He couldn’t bring himself to say ‘no,’ but neither could he outright agree.
Even the decision to use the drug fell within the director’s discretionary powers, yet he hesitated. That must mean he didn’t have the authority to decide on his own and had to seek approval from someone else—someone I already knew.
“…Please give me some time to consider, Sir Alan.”
With an expression clearly asking me to leave, I graciously complied.
And starting the next day, I began working at the hospital.
“We will supply a four-day, instead of three-day, quantity for free.”
“In addition, I will assist by staying here during this period to guide the medication’s administration. Wouldn’t that alleviate your concerns? And yes, that assistance will also be free.”
“This is not easy for me either, but I will come again tomorrow.”
As this exchange repeated several times, the director’s face became increasingly pale. He probably found dealing with me uncomfortable due to my persistence, yet he also had to consider my connection to Siena. It was possible he perceived the conflict between Princess Victoria and Princess Siena, which had entangled him unintentionally.
A few days later, someone other than the director finally greeted me.
Standing tall, dressed in a dark green combat uniform rather than a flashy dress, a woman with her golden hair neatly tied up greeted me. She stood confidently with hands behind her back.
“Your Highness?”
It was Princess Victoria, the most significant sponsor of the Imperial Military Hospital and the Empire’s first princess.
**
In a way, it was a situation where a mere knight had tried to sell medicine and provoked the first princess in the process.
As I hesitated, unsure of how to proceed, Princess Victoria spoke first, still with her hands behind her back.
“Sir Alan, I have heard about you.”
“How do you know my name?”
“One of my advisors, Baron Balderin, told me. He mentioned that among Lady Siena’s attendants, there was someone who claimed to be a distant relative of yours. You had once given this person a small gift, but Siena caught wind of it and punished you for it.”
“…”
“Moreover, I heard that you personally enforced the punishment. Is that true?”
She referred to the attendant I had accidentally beaten on our first meeting.
At the time, I had tried my best not to harm him and eventually managed to keep him alive—but hitting him was undeniable, so I couldn’t complain. I also understood why Victoria might hold such disdain towards me.
“Such incidents have been frequent, and I do not find meeting you particularly pleasant.”
“…”
“Do you understand the motive behind my words?”
I thought I understood. If I had any sense of propriety, I would have left by now—her stern expression implied that further conversation might be fruitless.
But I had no intention of backing down, so I started strategizing.
‘This woman refers to a mere baron as an advisor, and instead of bringing a bodyguard, she only brought a lieutenant, likely her adjutant.’
I started to get a better understanding of her.
She appeared to genuinely respect her subordinates. Unlike Siena, who acted on impulse, she seemed to care a great deal about her reputation—judging by her visit to the military hospital alone.
This allowed me to roughly estimate her mindset.
“Your Highness, I understand your reluctance. In fact, that is precisely why I’ve come.”
“What?”
“I assume you are aware. Recently, Lady Siena treated Her Majesty the Empress. I assisted Lady Siena, employing my limited knowledge of pharmacology.”
“What do you wish to say?”
Victoria still maintained her emotionless demeanor. Sensing her indifference, I took a deep breath and lowered my gaze.
“May I speak frankly without fear of punishment?”
“Of course.”
“Truth be told, I believed this incident would significantly elevate Lady Siena’s status. More specifically, I anticipated a steady stream of nobles visiting Temseugung.”
“A fanciful expectation. Reputations don’t shift overnight.”
“I’ve realized that as well. Lady Siena is still avoided by many. It’s largely due to my own faults.”
When Victoria heard this, she almost replied, “How is that your responsibility…” then closed her mouth.
I could see her deep in thought.
She probably didn’t want to chastise someone who, despite their flaws, earnestly worked to improve their lord’s reputation—even someone who took undue blame.
I decided not to miss this brief moment of hesitation.
“The reason I’m so insistent on supplying medicine to the military hospital is exactly because of that.”
“…”
“All patients here are soldiers. Most are enlisted men, junior officers, or officers from humble families. Contributing to lessening their suffering would surely benefit Lady Siena, would it not?”
“So that’s why you proposed the free supply. While I understand your heart, that alone won’t be enough.”
“But I must try. Please grant me the opportunity!”
Saying this, I dropped to one knee and bowed deeply.
It wasn’t exactly a proper court gesture, but I wanted to express my earnestness.
It seemed to me that Victoria wouldn’t disregard such sincerity.
‘By now, rejecting me must be quite difficult.’
How much time passed in the silence?
“Very well, Sir Alan.”
“Your Highness…?”
“I agree.”
Finally, a breakthrough.
“Are you truly willing to help me?”
She nodded slightly, her expression softening slightly, acknowledging my genuineness.
“Discuss the details with the director. …I’ll give him a heads up.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Victoria diverted her gaze as if acknowledging gratitude wasn’t necessary. Then she briefly told the stunned director, “He’s put in a lot of effort, hasn’t he?” before leaving—a display of her influence.
I remained kneeling until she was far enough, recognizing that I still needed to show deference.
…
“Thank you for your patience. I apologize for any inconvenience.”
After Princess Victoria departed, I provided the hospital staff with detailed guidance on morphine administration and supplied a small quantity.
60 grams—a modest start, best for both sides.
“The first supply, as mentioned before, is free. Official transactions can begin once the efficacy is proven.”
Considering all the persuasion, this free supply was a small price.
I didn’t feel resentful.
After all, negotiating from a weaker position was something I was willing to do—this would be my first and last time in such a position.