Chapter 68

｡･:*:･ﾟ★ Translated by Bree ｡･:*:･ﾟ☆

Recalling Jed’s suggestion of turning the red herb into pills, it made even less sense.

‘He wasn’t blessed with sudden genius. He couldn’t have just coincidentally aced the exams…’

I stopped as I reached a realization.

There was only one way Jed could have passed the entrance exam ahead of Becky.

As I finished my thoughts, the tension between the sisters deepened, although Becky remained stoically calm compared to Sukia’s frustration.

“Let’s talk about this again, sister. If we discuss it with our parents…”

“It’s a settled matter, Sukia. Let it go.”

“Sister!”

“You need to get back to your job. Lady Peregrine might need you.”

Becky cut Sukia off firmly, signaling she didn’t want to continue the discussion.

“…”

Sukia bit her lip in frustration.

“Fine. If that’s how you feel, I won’t argue.”

“…”

“But sister, one day you’ll regret this.”

Sukia left with those prophetic words, leaving Becky to watch her go with a heavy sigh.

“…”

She ran her hand over her well-worn notebook, the same one she had been clutching tightly. The years of use were evident in its worn cover and pages.

‘Wait a minute…’

Something about that notebook looked familiar.

Since it was old, it lacked a cover, exposing the first page.

Written on it was a creed for medical practitioners, a vow similar to the one made by doctors and nurses in my previous life.

But in this world, there were no oaths for medical professionals before they started their practice.

Then I remembered that such a vow was introduced by a character later in the original story.

‘That character was Jed.’

As the doctor who cured the plague with the original heroine, Jed drew a lot of attention.

When asked how he managed to cure the disease, Jed claimed it was the result of consistent research from a young age.

‘He said the answers were written in a notebook he had studied since childhood.’

Jed’s declaration became widely accepted and eventually was established as a standard code for medical practitioners.

Because it was similar to the oath taken by medical professionals in my past life, I remembered this scene vividly.

Yet, seeing that creed in Becky’s notebook…

It was clear what this meant. Becky didn’t just give up the academy; she gave up all her research and studies too.

‘She handed over everything she worked on.’

If she had gone to the academy instead of Jed…

She should have been the one to cure the plague.

Realizing this, I froze momentarily.

Jed, who was solely focused on success and money.

Becky, who concentrated on the essence of medical care despite giving up everything.

It was clear who deserved to be a doctor.

“Your Highness,” I said, my eyes fixed on Becky, “Do you know how the academy entrance exams are conducted?”

Luciel paused, then answered gently.

“Different academies have different formats, but typically, the answers are written on a test paper.”

“Then they must write their names on the test papers, correct? To ensure their answers aren’t credited to someone else.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

Luciel’s eyes widened in realization.

“Lady Peregrine, you don’t mean…”

“Yes, I think that’s exactly what happened.”

I nodded lightly.

Finally, I felt the puzzle pieces falling into place.

At that moment, Becky stood up.

Without hesitation, I approached her.

“Becky,” I called softly.

She looked up in surprise.

“Lady Peregrine…”

I smiled gently.

“Could I have a moment of your time?”

She hesitated, glancing around nervously.

“It won’t take long,” I assured her.

Seeing my sincere expression, Becky finally nodded.

“Of course, My Lady.”

We found a quiet spot to talk, away from prying eyes and ears.

“Becky, I overheard your conversation with Sukia,” I began gently.

Her face turned pale, but I continued.

“I understand you’re letting Jed go to the academy because of your parents’ wishes. But it’s clear you have the skills and the passion for medicine.”

Becky looked down, clutching her notebook tightly.

“I… I don’t want to cause trouble for my family,” she whispered.

“I know. But sometimes, doing what’s right can seem like causing trouble.”

She glanced up at me, tears welling in her eyes.

“I’m willing to help you, Becky. You deserve this opportunity.”

“But how…?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“I have a plan,” I said with a reassuring smile. “First, we need to confirm what we suspect about the entrance exams. Then, we’ll take it from there.”

Becky nodded slowly, hope flickering in her eyes.

I placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

“Let’s make sure the right person gets the chance they deserve.”

With a newfound determination, I knew we could set things right.

“Ah, Lady Peregrine.”

Becky swiftly masked the shadow that had crossed her face.

“Sukia was here just a moment ago. It seems you two missed each other.”

“No, I came to see you, Becky.”

“Me…?”

“Yes.”

I smiled warmly and pointed to the notebook she was holding.

“Becky, would you sell me that notebook?”

“This notebook?”

“Yes. It would take me too long to memorize all those herbs, and I can’t keep bothering you. I’d like to buy your knowledge at a high price. It’s a rare opportunity for me.”

“Ah…”

Becky’s face clouded.

“I’m sorry, but that might be difficult… The notes are all jumbled and the notebook is very old…”

“I don’t mind.”

“But I do!”

Becky forced a smile.

“It’s too dirty to give to a noble like you.”

“I see. Understood.”

I pretended to back off, noting the relief on Becky’s face.

“But Becky, I have another question.”

I seized the opportunity to continue.

“Jed mentioned making pills from the red herb and selling them as a supplement for everyone.”

“What? That’s…!”

Becky’s face was painted with shock.

“The red herb is beneficial, but it can cause heat in the body if taken improperly…”

“Exactly. That’s what I thought too.”

I smiled.

“But Jed didn’t seem to know that. Isn’t it strange that someone capable of beating you to the academy doesn’t know something so basic?”

“That’s…”

Becky stammered, looking flustered.

“Maybe he was just excited because the Lord of the Magic Tower visited. Jed likes to share what he learns.”

“I see. But Becky, let me ask you one more thing.”

I hardened my expression.

“You can’t give me that notebook because you have to give it to Jed, right?”

“…!”

Becky’s eyes widened.

Her reaction confirmed my suspicion. Becky had given all her knowledge to Jed.

That notebook contained not only her research but also methods to combat future epidemics.

In the original story, Jed was hailed as a genius, so the notebook’s contents were undoubtedly powerful.

Their parents were too poor to send more than one child to the academy.

Knowing this, Becky had decided to help Jed.

“Becky, you took the entrance exam under Jed’s name, didn’t you?”

Becky’s silence was deafening.

“The answer sheets are submitted together, graded, and the scores are assigned to the names. There’s no way to tell who actually took the test.”

Becky lowered her head, confirming my suspicion.

She had gone to such lengths because their parents wanted Jed, not her, to attend the academy.

“Becky, you deserve to be at the academy just as much, if not more, than Jed,” I said softly. “Your knowledge and dedication are evident. You shouldn’t have to give up your dreams for someone else.”

“But I don’t want to cause trouble for my family,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

“I understand,” I said gently. “But sometimes, doing what’s right can seem like causing trouble.”

Her eyes met mine, filled with unshed tears.

“I’m willing to help you, Becky. You deserve this opportunity.”

“But how…?” she asked, barely audible.

“I have a plan,” I said, offering a reassuring smile. “First, we need to confirm what we suspect about the entrance exams. Then, we’ll take it from there.”

Becky nodded slowly, a flicker of hope in her eyes.

“Let’s make sure the right person gets the chance they deserve.”

With renewed determination, I knew we could set things right.

When I finished my judgment and looked at her with a calm face, Becky forced a stiff smile and said,

“I-I don’t understand what you mean. Why are you saying that…?”

Her face showed signs of confusion. It was clear that she wanted to avoid this situation.

“Becky, don’t you want to go to the academy?”

“O-Of course, I want to go too. But I can’t…”

Her voice gradually trailed off.

“Even if I go… it won’t help the family.”

I wanted to say something out of frustration but held my tongue again.

I seemed to understand what she was worried about.

Even if she entered the academy ahead of Jed, her parents’ resentment would continue to haunt her.

Moreover, Becky was not the type to abandon such parents.

She would probably be tormented and anxious even if she entered the academy.

‘Because I felt the same way.’

Even though I was sick of my grandmother’s nagging.

When I went to a good place, I felt uneasy thinking I was alone, and when I ate something delicious, I felt uncomfortable thinking I couldn’t share it.

‘It’s one of the chronic diseases daughters suffer from.’

Knowing that, I couldn’t hastily persuade her to reconsider. That would be forcing her.

“I understand. I know what you’re thinking, Becky.”

“…”

“But shouldn’t the person checking the patient’s condition be a doctor?”

“…!”

“That qualification isn’t something someone can give you. Not even if you use this notebook and hand over the opportunity to Jed.”

In the original story, Jed helped eradicate the epidemic. That is an undeniable fact.

‘But what if Becky’s notebook didn’t exist.’

And what if Jed caused a medical accident.

Who would take responsibility for that patient?

Becky’s eyes trembled finely as if she understood my point.

“Why… why are you telling me this?”

I gazed at her gently.

The reason I was angry about Becky’s situation was that it reminded me of my past self.

‘And the reason I’m telling her this is…’

Because it’s something I really wanted to hear back then.

Even just a trivial word like “Do what you want,” but all I received were accusations of selfishness.

I don’t care now, but when I faced someone forced to make a similar choice, my body moved on its own.

But I couldn’t explain everything.

“Who knows.”

So I lightly shrugged my shoulders.

If the infamous Peregrine princess dislikes something, what more reason do I need?

“Let’s just say I don’t like the idea of someone like that receiving future praise.”

“Future praise…?”

“Yes, something like that.”

I continued with a sly smile.

“I understand Becky’s thoughts. But now that I know, I won’t back down quietly.”

“…What? No way?”

Becky flinched and hugged the notebook tightly.

…She seemed to think I would forcibly take the notebook from her.

‘Well, that would be a villainous move.’

But.

It wouldn’t be cool. So I don’t do uncool things like forcing something.

‘So…’

I should at least move the board.

With my thoughts concluded, I smiled widely. The most chilling face I could muster.