As Irene continued to cut open the wound, Lucas signaled Arlo to find a physician.
Arlo then sprinted out.
Marcy stood silently aside, waiting.
Lucas observed every detail of how Irene performed the surgery. He realized that Marcus did not wake up during the procedure. Still, he had doubts.
For many years, women had no history of becoming physicians. Even if some were talented, they would never be given higher positions. Women were only allowed to work as maids, farmers, and in other jobs considered low-ranking by the king.
Physicians, scholars, tailors, and other high-ranking professions were reserved only for men. For a woman to show talent or ambition in such fields was considered disgraceful by the kingdom. Thus, no one would take a woman seriously, even if she were a genius.
Blood continued to flow from the wound, but Irene calmly continued separating the infected tissue. Lucas frowned at the scene but did not interrupt her this time.
Once she finished removing the infected part, Irene took a sterilized needle and began stitching the wound.
Thirty minutes later…
“It’s done,” Irene said, sounding exhausted.
Hearing that, both Marcy and Lucas approached her.
Lucas couldn’t help but feel amazed.
“Let him rest for a while. He will regain consciousness later,” Irene informed Marcy.
Marcy only nodded, holding her father’s hand in gratitude.
Meanwhile, Irene was busy cleaning the blood from the wound.
“The physician is here!” Arlo burst in, bringing an elderly physician who was out of breath.
“I came… as soon… as I… could,” the physician said, panting.
After finishing the cleaning, Irene approached the old physician.
“I’ve already performed the surgery. The patient’s leg was infected, so I removed the infected tissue. You may inspect it for confirmation. And please check his condition for any improvement. He lost a significant amount of blood,” Irene explained.
Irene then took out a prescription note that she had written and handed it to the old physician.
“Here is the list of what the patient needs for recovery.”
Looking at the list, the old physician was surprised.
“How do you know to prescribe this? Did you have a teacher?” the physician asked.
“Yes, I was taught. Is the prescription correct?”
“Yes, yes, it is. Are you perhaps… Irene?”
“Yes. Do you know me?”
“Hahaha, of course I know you. How could I not know the woman who keeps stealing my customers?” the old physician sneered.
“What?” Irene could not believe what she was hearing.
“Almost everyone in the town comes to you whenever they need treatment, since you don’t charge them. It has almost cost me my fortune. A young woman like you shouldn’t waste her time learning this. Such hard work should be done by men. A proper lady should do light work such as sewing and housework so she can find a good husband. With that, she can easily please him,” the old man said mockingly.
Hearing those words, Irene became infuriated.
“Heh… if men want to do the hard work and expect women to do the light work, then I suppose men should be the ones to get pregnant! Let’s see if you don’t die in labor!”
“You…you dare jest!”
Just as the old physician tried to argue further, Arlo stepped in front of him while Lucas stood before Irene.
“Old physician, I paid you to examine the patient, not to give unsolicited advice. I suggest you focus on your job only,” Lucas said coldly.
Seeing both men’s fierce expressions, the old physician swallowed his anger and returned to focusing on Marcus.
Irene, already annoyed, didn't appreciate their gesture at all, completely ignored both of them as if they were invisible and walked past them.
When Irene finally confirmed Marcus’s condition was stable, she left, with the two men following behind her.
While walking, Irene continued to ignore both of them.
“Are you angry?” Lucas asked.
“No,” Irene replied.
“But you seem angry.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Why were you angry just now? The old physician was only stating facts,” Lucas said.
Irene stopped and turned to face him.
“Yes, I know how the government works here. But that doesn’t give him the right to throw it in my face. I try so hard to live my life as a woman. None of it is easy. It’s not my fault that I happen to be good at what I do. Do you know how hard it is when you cannot be someone who you wanted to be?”
“I don’t think you understand how this works. Women have their duties, and men have theirs. Doing men’s work and drawing attention will not bring you any good. Some people may even accuse you of treason,” Lucas explained.
“I was simply trying to save my friend and help someone in need. I clearly doing the right thing,” Irene stated.
“But doing what women are not supposed to do…that is not the right thing.” Lucas retort back.
Irene realized Lucas would never understand her point of view. She couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
“Then maybe I shouldn’t have saved you. Since it wasn’t the right thing to do,” Irene concluded as she continued walking ahead.
Lucas fell silent for a moment before following her again, with Arlo trailing behind him.
YOU ARE READING
When Beauty Destroys The BL World
RomanceIrene was just a normal girl, waiting for her graduation day to set up her new journey. Her dream is to be a doctor and a good daughter for her single father. But all of that change when she tries to help an old lady from a robber, as she was push d...
