Queen of the Scalpel - Chapter 18 - The Unfair Bet

Chapter 18: The Unfair Bet

Elise sneaked glances at his face. Her heart used to beat like crazy when she was this close to him, but now she didn’t feel anything. It was like looking at your divorced ex-husband. ‘Well, a lot of time has passed. And it’s not like we parted on good terms.’ She remembered her last moment. He was looking at her like he hated her, and the guillotine fell on her head. At that unforgettable feeling, Elise touched her neck. But it was them.

“What are you thinking?”

“N-Nothing.”

She let out an awkward smile. ‘This is uncomfortable. I want to return to the residence.’ Everything had happened because of her. ‘He’s a victim, in a way. Since he had to spend all that time with me.’ Was that why? Looking at him, she felt as if her thoughts were knotted up. She was uncomfortable, but also sorry at the same time. ‘I won’t see him for personal reasons anymore anyway.’ She thought of the bet with the Emperor. To prove her worth as a doctor. ‘The Emperor set it up so that I’d give up but…’ She internally shook her head. She was never going to give up. Never. ‘And I’m going to with this bet. For sure.’

It wasn’t easy, even for her, to become a doctor in 6 months. Since this wasn’t Earth. There would definitely be limits on what a young noble lady could do. ‘But it doesn’t matter.’ She believed in her knowledge and skills. She was going to jump over whatever hurdle came her way. And at that moment, the prince looked her way.

“Elise.”

“Yes?”

“Do you have something to say to me?”

“No.”

Elise quickly shook her head. She had probably been staring at him too blatantly.

“If you have something to say, you can say it.”

He spoke in a hard voice.

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking of the old times.”

“Old times?”

“Yes.”

Elise left it at that. The prince frowned, and looked forward again. At his familiar attitude, she felt an urge. It was something that she wanted to say a long time ago. ‘Would it be okay to say it?’ She hesitated. But not for long. Since she wasn’t going to see him for personal reasons anymore.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes?”

“May I say something?”

“Go ahead.”

Elise stopped walking.

“I’m sorry.”

“…?”

“I’m sorry for everything. Truly.”

When she was living on Earth…she had thought of him from time to time. Amongst the many feelings she had for him, she was always sorry towards him. ‘Since he would’ve been unhappy because of me as well.’

Yes, she was unhappy in her past life, but he probably felt the same. Since he had to live with a woman he didn’t like. And spend all those unhappy times together. ‘If it was with a woman he loved, wouldn’t it have been different.’ She accepted his cold demeanor, but to the one he truly loved, he might not act that way. So, she wanted to genuinely apologize towards him.

“What are you so sorry about?”

“Everything.”

“……”

He had an unreadable expression. Elise quickly added on to what she said.

“I annoyed you ever since we were young. And because of my immaturity, talk about the engagement you didn’t want began between our family. At the word ‘engagement,’ he frowned.

“I’m sorry.”

But it was then. He looked directly into her eyes.

“Who said that?”

“Pardon?”

“Who said it was an engagement I didn’t want?”

Elise had a confused face. What did that mean?

“You don’t like me.”

“……”

“Anyway, I’ll be responsible for this engagement and end it so no harm goes your way. Sorry I didn’t even consider your feelings.”

The Crown Prince didn’t answer and turned away. He began to walk away. He didn’t seem to be in a good mood, but Elise didn’t notice. Running after him, Elise thought, ‘If it wasn’t for me, he would’ve met a better lady and had his happily ever after.’ She wished him a happy future. ‘This life will be different. Let’s live our lives happily this time.’

Although they were under the same sky, she wouldn’t get in his path. His destination didn’t include her, and hers didn’t include him.

‘Be blessed. Lover of my past life.’