Contracting syphilis was considered a profound disgrace in later generations, a scandal that tarnished the family’s name, but in this era, it was not that way at all.
Of course, mentioning it publicly would still draw looks of disdain, but those who actually contracted the disease were many, from artists to nobles, and even the imperial family was not immune.
After all, in an era before antibiotics were widespread, syphilis was like a shadow looming over the entire European high society; it was never absent from the court scandals of the late nineteenth to early twentieth centuries.
But didn’t the father have a son who was filial to a fault?
After sinking a massive amount of capital, penicillin finally yielded quite considerable results.
Although it hadn’t reached the stage of true mass production, clinical trials had advanced to a fairly deep stage.
Even in the Western world of the twenty-first century, clinical trials could be conducted in various ways if one wished, let alone in this era where almost no one could stop them.
To put it bluntly, one only had to go to some remote rural village and offer a bit of money to recruit a group of people for drug trials.
Side effects?
Responsibility?
Such things simply didn’t exist in this era.
As long as some pocket money was handed out, the matter would be settled.
But then again, they were royalty after all, and had to maintain a certain level of decency and dignity.
Karl didn’t care how others did it, but if he followed suit and acted recklessly, the dignity of the imperial family would be completely lost.
So, if side effects occurred, he would take responsibility for the treatment and provide an additional, non-negligible amount of compensation.
Having reached this level, Karl considered his character to be even more noble than many of the clergy who wore divine robes.
After all, this was something he could have completely avoided doing.
In short, through these efforts, clinical trials had accumulated enough experience to finally be used for his father’s treatment.
Fortunately, there were no side effects, and the results were surprisingly good.
His father’s skin, which had once become hideous to behold, was gradually regaining its vitality.
This almost brought a certain someone to tears on the spot.
Three years, and then another three years.
During those days, those researchers who only swallowed money without producing results chirped in his ear like birds every day about insufficient budgets and lack of time—do you know how hard it was for him to endure!?
But now, large-scale production was finally within sight.
“Even though you are my son, you truly make me proud.”
His father, freed from the torment of syphilis, looked more refreshed than ever and pulled Karl into a hug. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
Good, as long as the family is happy, that’s enough.
His father is only human; he should surely exercise a bit more restraint now, right?
“I was so worried I couldn’t sleep.
Please be more careful in the future.”
“Hahaha, don’t worry.
If I get it, I get it!”
…What?
“As a father, I only need to believe in my son!”
His father grinned and turned to leave Augarten Palace again.
…Fuck.
Is this right?
Isn’t it said that after a major illness, one’s life should change?
He just got cured and he’s already running out to mess around again?
“Pfft.”
Who?
Who’s laughing?
Karl turned to look and saw Empress Elisabeth mocking him with an expression that saw through everything.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Am I not allowed to laugh?”
“No.
This is my home, laughing out loud is prohibited.”
“Nonsense, this place was given by my husband.
That wasn’t wrong.
Since it’s Habsburg property—
Then in a sense, it will all be mine in the future.
When I become Emperor, I’ll definitely drive the Empress away.
Should I learn from that short French emperor and exile her to a small island?
That Corsican-born emperor ended his life that way.
But before that, I still need to make full use of her where I can.
Karl and the Empress were going somewhere.
“Great-Grandmother.”
…
“Great-Grandmother, I’m calling you.”
…
Heh, she’s deliberately pretending not to hear now, isn’t she?
“I have a place I want to go to with you, Great-Grandmother.”
The Empress, who had been ignoring Karl, clearly twitched her ears.
“A place you want to go?
Well, if you really want to go, I suppose I could accompany you.”
Tsk, what a tsundere old lady.
But for now, he really needed her, so he could only endure it.
“Yes, I want to go with you, Great-Grandmother.”
“Didn’t I tell you not to call me grandmother?”
“In any case, you’ll go with me, right?”
“Where to?”
See, it was much simpler than imagined.