|I'M THE OP VILLAINESS| {Yuri}

CHAPTER 30『SICK』

The exitee of the Imperial Quarters, whose mannerisms and pace signified his dignified personality and exemplary aristocratic occupation, lined up in front of me, his skeletal, yet stable hands removing the two lens that rested on his ears, the lens covering his eyes.

Lips that trembled and hands that were shaking were apparent. The ceremonial, but equally important in a battle tyrian purple capes and black armour, was visibly hanging onto their skin, the fabric and cover torn, the sight of wear marking its surface.

"How is she?" The cold, atmospheric air coming straight out of their lungs was slowly ascending further up their noses, breaths that with each beat of their heart, only managed to grow stronger and faster. The dry air of the East was wearing them down, second by second, minute by minute, their hands growing paler and paler.

"Upon performing a thorough examination, I have come to the realization that things, as they are, are still vague."

His words hang in the air, the glowing eyes reflecting their pathos like a kindle off from a nearby pit of fire, lit up in an attempt to heat themselves.

"We called you to give us an answer, not to provide us with more questions to ask, Theophilus."

The man stayed there frozen in fear, a gulp forming on his neck, before sending it down forcefully down his throat. Straightening his posture was all he could do at the moment: overtaken by fear, he closed his eyes, apologetically looking downwards.

"...she'll live."

"...but?" Further pushed a person amongst the hundreds, outside in the frozen desert.

"...but I don't think she can ever fight again. Her lungs are full of phlegm. Sputum. I doubt if she can ever walk properly again."

The person on the vanguard turned around, the two other figures next to him breathing a sign of relief, and even chuckling together.

"Alright, you shirkers, back to your posts! It's just the flu." Said a girl to her officers, who relayed it to the rest of the army, that began to light up in jubilation and cheers.

"Wh-what are you all saying? She narrowly escaped the verge of death! She has pneumonia, and it may well develop into a sepsi-!"

"What? That all? Phew, and here I thought she was cursed by a God or something..." said a girl whose black hair was now resting on her shoulders, from her usual ponytail when it comes to battles and military operations.

"...yeah, I tried that. Didn't work..."said a redhead, whispering in the darkness.

"Hm? Come again, Octavia?"

"Nothing, nothing..."

A more serious, confident girl next to them, walked to the Imperial Doctor, who was trembling from the cold, his eyes centering around the overjoyed army that was waiting to bear the news of a most unfortunate incident.

"...so, she didn't pull an 'Alexander' in the end?" The same black-haired girl from before, blurted out.

"Be quiet, Miss Lannes. Her Highness won't tolerate this insolence."said the girl who stood in front. Another shadowy figure popped right next to her, facing the middle-aged man.

"Can we see her?"

"Under the circumstances that I'm describing, no, Miss Taliesyn, you cannot!"

"Artemisia, talk some sense to him."said Aurelia, elbowing her friend next to her, who glanced at her in annoyance, clicking her tongue.

"I'm not a doctor, Aurelia...!"

"Well, obviously, you're a magician!"

"Yes, I know, that is what I'm telling you. I am not a doc-!"