# Chapter 41
“Olivia, how about we go eat over there?”
When I arrived at the restaurant with Becky and she saw Gallerhead, she poked me in the side.
Gallerhead seemed to notice me too, and approached with a slight smile.
“Shall we start eating now?”
“Yes, shall we eat together?”
Members of one section usually eat together.
Galerhead works in the medical corps. It is true that he often works alone, but since he is affiliated with the First Crown Prince's medical corps, it is not strange for him to eat with us.
“We're not the kind of people who don't understand the atmosphere!”
Ecla said, then pushed my shoulder lightly.
“Enjoy your special atmosphere together”
“Yes?”
Wait, that's not what I wanted.
In the blink of an eye, everyone around us withdrew, leaving only me and Galerhead in an embarrassed atmosphere.
"Olivia. Shall we eat?"
“Ah, yes. Let's eat.”
A short period of silence passed, mixed with the sound of moving dishes.
Hmm—
What conversation should I have with Galerhead to make sure he's the hero without it seeming surprising?
While I was silent and deep in thought, he was the one who started talking first.
“Olivia, what are you doing this weekend?”
"The weekend? I don't have any special plans yet."
“Ah, good.”
He smiled brightly, then awkwardly fiddled with the skin on his neck.
“Actually, I bought a house in the Umfa area. As the completion ceremony approaches, my family will be coming to the capital... Coincidentally, it will also be my little sister's birthday. She is a girl, and I don't know very well what a suitable gift for girls is...”
His white gloves were moving endlessly on the table shyly.
"So...Olivia. Will you go with me to pick out the gift?"
Yes.
Even if I am completely ignorant in matters of love, I can realize that the gift is not the real reason.
His cheeks, which were completely red, clearly showed his shyness.
“You said earlier that your family moved south during the Civil War, right? Okay! We’ll go and buy a gift together this weekend.”
"Really? Good. I was afraid you'd say no."
He seemed really nervous, as only after I agreed did he let out a long breath that he had been holding.
Even the sound of his breathing was a little shaky, which was nice.
“In fact, house prices in the capital are extremely high. So I didn’t even dare to think about returning to live here. But I was able to get a good job, and thanks to you the mortgage system was established, so I can own a house without a heavy burden. I am really grateful to you.”
“How can this be hers? It’s mine.”
A cold voice interjected between our warm conversation.
“Your Highness?”
Dante was standing next to him, looking a little tired.
As for Edmund, he placed his tray on the table next to my seat with a loud “thuck” and sat down immediately.
“The chair… isn’t occupied, is it?”
Even if he was busy, Edmund would forcefully make a place for him.
While Edmund sat next to me, Dante also sat next to Galerhead with some confusion.
Maybe the meeting didn't go well.
His features were full of worry.
“How was the meeting?”
“Of course, there was strong objection from the Empress’s entourage.”
“So he failed?”
It's an excellent project.
Edmund replied with a short snort.
“Let them object as they please. His Majesty the Emperor ordered its implementation, so what will they do?”
“We decided to prepare a detailed draft law and present it at the next meeting.”
Dante quickly added.
Aha, so my job now is to prepare the legal draft.
“We'll have to get a little busy then.”
“But fortunately the reconstruction work in Umfa is in its final stage. They say the indigenous people will return next week.”
“His Majesty the Emperor will also witness the ceremony, right?”
His Majesty the Emperor attaches great importance to coexistence with Voglich, so it is natural for him to attend this opening.
It is a good opportunity for Edmund to get extra points.
“It was said that the landscaping work is also finished, and the buildings are complete, so we should go and have a look soon.”
I was sorry I couldn't continue with the landscaping at the end because of my bullet wound...
But still, this is the first project I've taken on myself, so I have a great attachment to it.
“Let's go together.”
Edmund said in a low voice, staring at his tray.
"Yes?"
“There is no need for us to go separately. Come with me. His Majesty the Emperor will also go, so naturally I will be the one to confirm the details.”
correct.
If he's going to go anyway, I don't have to deal with it separately.
And it's an opportunity for me too.
"good!"
Just as I was about to respond, a refreshing voice came from behind me.
"I was thinking of going to have a look too. Since we're all going, that's perfect!"
Eclat had finished her meal and sat next to Edmund with a bright smile.
“When are we going?”
“Uh...I'm not sure yet.”
Since the celebration is next week, we have to go this week for one last checkup.
What is my schedule this week?
“This weekend.”
Edmund said and immediately stood up.
As for Dante, who had not finished eating yet, he quickly drank his soup and followed him.
Wait...this weekend?
I had agreed with Galerheid to go out that day.
“It's okay for me.”
Gallerhead sensed my confusion and smiled first.
But the disappointment was clear on his face.
“I will speak with Your Highness again!”
“No need, Olivia. Your Highness is not one to change the work schedule due to an employee’s personal circumstances.”
correct.
If he was a person who took emotions into account, he wouldn't have asked me to work on the weekend in the first place.
Doesn't he know that employees only work five days?
“So…Gallerhead. Shall we change our date?”
“Is this allowed? It is clear that you will be busy preparing the legal draft... I do not want to burden you.”
What a wonderful man.
I closed my fist excitedly.
“I'll finish the work as soon as I can. Let's change the date!”
***
After postponing the appointment with Galerheid, I returned to the office.
I had to review the minutes of the meeting that Dante had arranged and decide what I was going to do.
The first thing to do is the medical care system!
It must be determined which diseases will be covered by the Imperial Palace, and how much the cost will be covered.
In this era, diseases such as cancer, brain, or heart could not be diagnosed or treated at all.
According to the information I have gathered, the common cause of death among common people and strangers is the common cold.
The treatment is simple, just drinking boiled “Agreshman” herb, but many people do not have the means to afford it.
Because buying daily food is more important to them than buying a medicinal herb.
Compared to Korea where I used to live, the situation is pretty miserable.
There are also broken bones, cuts and scrapes for workers and farmers.
Enteritis for children, and pneumonia for the elderly.
We will support these first.
We cannot support all diseases from the beginning.
“Hmm.”
“Is there anything difficult for you?”
Because people often do not go to the doctor believing there is no benefit, it is difficult to know the true infection rate.
“I'm thinking how much we should raise taxes if we want to cover 70% of the cost of treatment.”
“Taxes, then.”
“If we increase it too much, the nobles will object... If it increases too little, the health insurance system will fail from the beginning.”
Even the emperor's nobles would not accept a sudden increase in taxes.
The Emperor could enforce the decision by force, but that would create hostilities later, especially towards Edmund.
The money issue requires caution.
“I told you before, let them refuse if they want.”
Edmund said as he flipped through the documents I had prepared earlier.
“I will enforce this with my strength and ability.”
Although governance requires some prestige, it is not based on force alone.
“Ah...”
Anyway, I have to focus on the Medicare system.
The success of this project is what will bring Edmund closer to the throne...and also to my heart.
“What is the meaning of this sigh?”
"nothing."
Maybe start the hospitals first before taxes.
When something gets complicated, it's best to start with the easier steps.
I will use the Empress's entertainment expenses: fifty thousand cranes.
I will build five hospitals that can receive patients.
I place small clinics in multiple areas. These can be established without the need for new construction, and thus we save money.
The problem is where to build hospitals.
I opened the map of the empire in front of me.