The Crown Prince of France - Chapter 29

Chapter 29: Instantly Turned Admirer

Joseph looked at the pitiable girl before him and shook his head slightly, his heart filled with emotion.

He recalled reading in a book by Maugham about the monk Lewis of this era, who once said: “I detest, pity, and scorn all women writers. They should hold embroidery needles in their hands, not pens. Only embroidery needles are tools they can truly master.”

Until the 18th century, women’s status remained extraordinarily low. Even in France, the birthplace of the Enlightenment, women were prohibited from professions such as writing, medicine, and law. They couldn’t even own bank accounts, as society kept them firmly confined within the household.

As someone from the 21st century, Joseph naturally found such views unacceptable. However, the dozen or so people around him looked at Perna with peculiar expressions, as though a woman aspiring to learn surgery was an outright scandal.

Even Kessold gave a resigned smile, one that reminded him of a mischievous child causing trouble—because Perna’s determination to study surgery reminded him of his rebellious sister, who once insisted on studying law.

But that smile only made Perna feel even more upset.

She had endured enough of men’s mocking and disdainful smiles! For a fleeting moment, she had imagined that the Crown Prince—praised by Professor Lagrange for his knowledge in medicine—might hold progressive views. However, the attitude displayed by his captain of the guards instantly shattered her fragile hope.

The Crown Prince probably shares their sentiments, doesn’t he? Perna tilted her head back, struggling to hold back her tears, only to see the Crown Prince walking toward her with an encouraging voice:

“Anatomy is the foundation of medicine. I wholeheartedly support your efforts in this field. Keep it up!”

Perna froze in place, her clear green eyes brimming with disbelief. “Your Highness?”

Joseph picked up the scalpel from the ground and laughed heartily:

“Someone as idealistic and courageous as you is bound to become a great doctor one day.”

“But I…” Perna stammered, unable to believe that the Crown Prince was genuinely supportive. “I—I am a woman. Your Highness, do you think women can be doctors?”

“Of course,” Joseph replied, handing the scalpel back to her and nodding. “A doctor is merely a profession, one that women can absolutely excel in. If one day I were gravely ill—oh, I mean hypothetically—saving my life could very well depend on Dr. Perna.”

“If I ever have the chance, I’d even push for legislation allowing women to work in the medical field.”

“Oh, Your Highness! For heaven’s sake, please tell me you truly believe that. You’re not mocking me, are you?” she asked, her voice trembling with emotion.

“Of course not,” Joseph nodded sincerely.

Perna’s heart suddenly raced wildly. Even someone as noble as the Crown Prince supported her dreams—what was there left to fear? Could her ambitions really come true?
“No one has ever said anything like that to me before.”

She stared at the Crown Prince in a daze. It felt like a dream. Everything around her seemed to fade away, leaving only him, shining like an angel from a Raphael painting, radiating beauty and sanctity.

Suddenly, she covered her face, softly weeping to release the bitterness of the past and the joy of the moment.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” she sobbed.

“Why are you crying all of a sudden?” Joseph patted her shoulder, ready to console her further, when his stomach inconveniently let out a loud growl.

Perna blinked and then couldn’t help but laugh softly, asking, “Your Highness, did you come to the kitchen for a midnight snack?”

Joseph looked around awkwardly and replied, “I’m a little hungry, but it seems the chefs are nowhere to be found. I’ve come for nothing.”

“The chefs… might be unloading tomorrow’s supplies,” she suggested hesitantly.

Joseph knew with near certainty that the chefs were napping somewhere, but he didn’t expose their absence. After all, he himself had stolen naps during late shifts before.

“If you don’t want to wait…” Perna hesitated, her cheeks flushing as she spoke timidly, “perhaps I could make something for you?”

She looked at him nervously, fearing ridicule.

“Wonderful!” Joseph agreed readily. “Thank you.”

Luckily, the palace kitchen fires were never extinguished, and the ingredients were all prepared in advance. Perna changed out of her dissection apron, washed her hands meticulously, and began working at the stove.

In less than 20 minutes, a plate of fragrant red wine-braised foie gras and a bowl of beet and tomato soup were set on the chef’s small tea table.

Kessold, ever diligent, sampled everything to ensure safety before stepping aside again.

Joseph, already famished, was drawn in by the aroma, his appetite immediately piqued.

He picked up his utensils, about to dig in, when he noticed Perna standing nervously nearby. He beckoned her over and said, “Come join me.”

She waved her hands frantically. “Thank you, Your Highness, but I’ll pass. Please try it and see if it suits your taste.”

Joseph looked at the three-person portion of foie gras, pulled her into a seat without hesitation, and divided the food onto two plates, saying:

“How could you put in so much effort and then just stand by and watch me eat? Besides, I can’t let France’s first female doctor go hungry.”

Perna’s face flushed instantly as she lowered her head and picked up a fork in silence.

Joseph took a bite of the golden foie gras paired with a slice of black truffle. The rich, unique flavor spread through his mouth, tempered by the truffle to avoid greasiness. He closed his eyes in enjoyment.

Swallowing a large piece, he praised, “This is amazing. If you ever decide not to be a doctor, you could easily become a great chef!”

“Really?” Perna’s eyes sparkled with delight. “I learned it casually from Monsieur Valéan.”

Joseph cut another piece of foie gras, held it up, and said, “As thanks for your cooking, I’ve decided to give you a gift.”

“No, no, Your Highness. I’m just glad you enjoyed the food. How could I accept anything from you?”

Joseph laughed. “Don’t be modest. The attire you wore during dissection practice earlier was cumbersome. I’ll have a tailor make you a specialized doctor’s uniform. Oh, it might even be adopted nationwide in the future—think of it as helping me test it out.”

Perna’s face turned red to her ears as she lowered her head, murmuring softly, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

…

The next morning, Perna, as usual, brought her medical kit to conduct the Crown Prince’s routine examination after he woke.

But unlike before, she hadn’t applied her usual dull powder to her face, nor had she painted her lips. Her complexion appeared delicate and smooth, exuding a healthy and natural beauty.

She approached Joseph, placed the medical kit down, curtsied, and asked, “Your Highness, does your throat still hurt?”

“Much better, just a little.”

“Any coughing?”

“Occasionally, but it’s rare now.”

“Phlegm?”

“A little.”

She carefully noted everything down, but when her gaze lifted, she caught sight of Joseph’s sharp, handsome features, and her heart skipped a beat. A thought flashed through her mind: The Crown Prince is so handsome. Why hadn’t I noticed before?

Her face instantly turned crimson.

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