Chapter 156
Chapter 156
Now, you need to pay the medical fee, dont you? Raciels smile shone brightly.
In this world, every action must come with a price. Labor demands fair compensation. Numerous part-time jobs must receive an appropriate hourly wage. Even plucking a white hair from Dads head should fetch one hundred won per strand such is the way of the world!
But free medical treatment?
That was out of the question.
Especially from an elf like this one, I must definitely take payment! Raciel nodded vehemently to himself.
In fact, while operating the Star Palace Oriental Medicine Clinic, he had never once accepted a medical fee in the form of money. The reason was to allow anyone, regardless of wealth or status, to come and receive treatment without a burden. Indeed, he had reaped considerable benefits from this practice.
But now the situation was different.
From now on, I have to cough up quite a lot of money to this elf as compensation for the damage of burning the forest. But just giving that away feels like too much of a loss.
That was the situation.
It hurt.
It felt like being unfairly charged. It was frustrating. He would wake up tossing and turning several times, and sometimes the pain was so severe it felt like being held down by a heavy weight. He couldnt stand it!
How hard I worked for that money! He had earned it by diligently selling Minotaur Clear Heart Pill. It was the money he had earned after selling all the treasures of the Star Palace. He didnt want to give away such hard-earned money so helplessly.
That was why.
Surely not, Lady Sylvia? You didnt think the treatment was free, did you? Right?
Gulp.
Sylvias Adams apple moved silently. She nearly let slip the honest answer that was about to come out and had to restrain herself at the last moment.
Free I thought it was.
She had thought so.
Raciel Adria Magentano. The crown prince of the empire. She had done her own background check on the perpetrator who had burned the forest in Anbouaz. Naturally, she was well aware that the medical fees at the Star Palace Oriental Medicine Clinic he operated were free.
Thats why it was unfair.
In the end, she couldnt hold back and retorted.
I heard it was free?
Who said?
People?
What people?
The many who received treatment here
That was true. It really was. She was certain of it. Yet now, why was the crown prince saying something unexpected like asking for a medical fee? She didnt understand.
Then why are you trying to charge me a fee? Isnt that unfair?
She asked sincerely.
Raciel retorted as if spouting nonsense through beatboxing.
Unfair? Im making a reasonable request, arent I?
Reasonable? This is?
Yes.
Whats reasonable about it?
You didnt fill out a medical registration receipt, did you, Lady Sylvia?
What?
Didnt you hear? The medical registration receipt. You didnt fill it out, did you?
Oh, yes
So you have to pay the medical fee.
Why!
Sylvia wanted to scream. Bringing up a medical registration receipt out of nowhere, she couldnt fathom the connection between not filling it out and having to pay a medical fee that others didnt.
But as she listened to Raciels calm response, she felt like her head was being gently pounded with a mallet.
Theres a clause on the medical registration receipt. It states that medical fees at the Star Palace Oriental Medicine Clinic are free.
Flap!
Raciel countered, producing a piece of paper. It was the medical registration receipt for the Star Palace Oriental Medicine Clinic. He pointed to a spot at the bottom of the receipt.
Here. You have good eyes, so you can see it, right?
It says free, doesnt it?
So the person who fills out this receipt can get treatment for free, you understand?
But you didnt fill it out, did you?
So its not free, is it?
Sylvia wanted to cry.
Isnt this exploitation? Or a deception? She wanted to argue. If possible, she wanted to smack that smiling princes face back and forth thirty times.
But she couldnt.
Click
Before she knew it, she was surrounded on all sides. Demian, the man with black hair who always stayed by the Crown Princes side, along with the royal guards and special duty forces. And even a giant minotaur. They were all encircling her with stern looks.
In other words, this situation seemed more like a shakedown than anything else!
Are you saying youll force the money out of me?
Ah, tsk tsk. Why do you phrase it like that? I provided high-quality medical services, so isnt it only fair that I receive the corresponding medical fee?
Dont tell me. Were you planning to skip out on paying the medical fee? Wow, I didnt peg you as that kind of person.
No, I
You came to seek compensation for the forest that was burned, didnt you? How did I react at that time? Did I resist? Did I object? No, right?
Well, thats
What do you mean by thats what? I cooperatively and honestly answered all your pressing questions without any excuses. I also earnestly treated a lung parasite infection that you were unaware of. And this is the thanks I get?
No, I mean, I!
Will you pay the medical fee?
How much is it?
100,000 magen.
Absurd!
You dont have that kind of money, do you?
Of course not!
This is extortion. It truly is extortion.
But Raciel remained composed. Realizing the importance of the health insurance system anew, he cornered Sylvia into the trap he had set.
So, how much do you have?
Dont tell me.
You dont have a single penny?
Sylvias face turned beet red. As expected. The smile on Raciels lips turned into that of a hunter. However, he concealed his smile while pretending innocence.
Ah, that would be a problem. You see, the sumac tree I used to feed Urus was quite expensive to import.
Plus, the tools and equipment used to dry, grind, and bake the minotaur dung can no longer be used for anything else. The cost of those tools and facilities is quite substantial.
But, but still!
But what?
This is the Crown Princes private residence, isnt it?
So?
Doesnt the money come from the imperial treasury anyway?
Not really.
What?
Perhaps you dont know our Emperor well, but he is excessively interested in fostering independence in his heirs. This private residence doesnt receive a single penny from the imperial coffers for its operation.
Then how does this place operate?
Operate? I sell medicine and do business to keep it running. But youre trying to eat up the cost of the sumac tree and the equipment and not pay the medical fee.
No, its not that I wont pay.
You said you dont have the money.
Well, thats
Whats the difference between that and outright refusal?
I didnt mean it like that.
Then what did you mean?
Isnt there another way I can pay the medical fee without money?
.
Bingo.
Raciel barely suppressed the urge to do a backflip and drop some beatbox. Maintaining a calm expression as if it was nothing, he spoke.
Well, there is a way, um, yes.
There is?
Yes. Its not something dangerous, dirty, or humiliating, of course.
What is it?
Hmm, well. You know about the daily banquets being held at the Second Princes palace these days, right?
Yeah. I know.
Would you be able to attend one of those banquets?
What?
Sylvia blinked in surprise. To be asked to attend a banquet of the human imperial family was an unexpected request.
Whats this about?
A thick broth of suspicion stewed in her gaze as she looked at Raciel. It was unexpected but not an unpleasant request, which made her suspicious. It seemed to her that the Crown Prince had some ulterior motive.
Attend the banquet and what do I have to do?
Just attending is enough.
Just attend?
Yes.
.
Theres really no other meaning to it. Just by being present, you will benefit me greatly.
Benefit?
Yes.
What kind of benefit?
Lets just say that your presence will make the banquet shine even more.
Raciel added with a polite tone.
Thats how human banquets are.
.
Sylvia pondered for a moment. Just being present didnt seem so bad. Standing around didnt seem like a big deal. Although an unusual and somewhat whimsical request, it appeared to be a no-loss situation for her. In fact, it seemed to be an easier task than she thought.
It might feel a bit awkward and burdensome to show myself in front of so many humans but I can handle that much. Its far better than paying an amount I cant afford for the medical fee.
She had finished her calculations.
She made her decision.
Alright. I accept your request.
Youve made a wise decision. Then, I shall send you the dress for the banquet this afternoon.
Mission accomplished.
Raciel beamed with satisfaction.
Observing him, all the guards and special duty soldiers quietly marveled at their Crown Prince. Despite his tough and cunning demeanor earlier, he appeared quite impressive. It seemed as though he never intended to actually collect the medical fee but used it as a pretext to smoothly invite the elf to the banquet.
Who would have thought he could create an opportunity to get closer to an elf so seamlessly?
An elf attending a human, let alone an imperial banquet? Has that ever happened before? Or has such a request ever been accepted?
Hes very skilled. Id like to learn from him.
They all admired him.
And they were filled with anticipation.
How would the Crown Prince win over the heart of the elf he had invited to the banquet today? Perhaps the Magentano imperial family would witness the unprecedented rise of an elf empress.
While each contemplated their thoughts, the day passed by, marked by misunderstandings.
Time passed swiftly.
It was now evening.
At the Second Princes palace, a grand banquet proceeded as usual. The 50 princesses and noble ladies invited from various countries engaged in their elegant competition, displaying their charm.
The exchange of wine glasses and smiles.
Melodious music and delectable desserts.
The ladies cheeks were slightly flushed from the fragrant intoxication of the evening. It was at this moment that Raciel, who had been silently observing from a corner until now, made his move. He ascended to the stage of the banquet hall. Outside the awareness of most, he subtly signaled with his eyes.
.
Upon receiving his gaze, the servants of the Second Princes palace sprang into action. They brought in a long table and arranged it on the stage of the banquet hall. But that wasnt all. They neatly stacked a row of luxurious boxes on the table. All these tasks were executed efficiently and without disruption.
As a result, the dancing and conversations in the banquet hall came to a halt. Soon, everyones attention shifted to the table with its elaborately designed boxes and then to Raciel. At that moment, Raciel addressed the assembly with composure.
Ahem, I would like to express my gratitude in the name of Crown Prince Raciel Adria Magentano for gracing this occasion with your presence today, cough cough! Furthermore, I have organized this special gathering to offer you a wonderful privilege and opportunity.
Murmurs rippled through the crowd
Everyone nodded and turned their gaze toward the Crown Prince, while some internally pondered the curious intentions of the seemingly unassuming Crown Prince. Privilege and opportunity? What was the significance of the stacked boxes on the table?
Their curiosity grew.
Their interest was piqued.
A self-satisfied smile spread across Raciels lips.
Therefore, I present to you, for the very first time, a groundbreaking weight management miracle, the Slim diet elixir, which I have recently developed.
Ba-bam!
In response to Raciels signal, the band blared a grand trumpet fanfare. The curtain behind the stage where Raciel stood was abruptly drawn back. Unveiled behind the parted curtain was the promotional model for the day, an elf named Sylvia, showcasing her well-proportioned figure.
All eyes were now fixed on her!
Sylvia gritted her teeth, attempting to maintain a forced smile.
Crown Prince when you said to attend the banquet and stand there is this what you had in mind?
Thus, the intensive marketing of The Slim, a product soon to be celebrated as a miraculous diet elixir made from concentrated Vesparos queen bee extract, took the banquet hall by surprise.
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