Chương 15: 1.15 A Doctor's Prescription
Simone empathizes with his mother, so he gave the duchess reassuring rubs by her arm to somehow ease her worries. Duchess Mirae fondly pecked her second son by the cheek, touched by Simone's sweetness. As she tried to calm down, her other sons finally appeared.
"Lord Lumierre," she exclaimed in surprise as she approached the figure behind Calix and Nero.
"What is he doing here?" Simone spoke at the same time.
The Monrell heir, along with the two Lanchaster knights, bowed in her presence. "I greet the Second Duchess and the Rose of Cruxire," he addressed politely.
So he can greet like a normal person, Nero thought to himself.
"Don't mind him, mother," Calix stepped between them. "How's father?" he asked.
The four went inside the duke's chamber. Calix was the last one to go in as he had to give instructions to Sir Azra and Dame Kiesha. He gave one threatening look to the Monrell heir, challenging his movements. Lumierre, thank goodness, complied and behaved accordingly as he was led to the side of the duke's bedroom wall, where a lounge resides.
Nero's gaze lingered on his father's frail form. His eyes were shut but twitching. Even as he lay in his bed, the duke was clearly in pain. Sweat trickled down his brow, and he breathed slowly through his mouth. Nero deduced that his father had a fever. He finds himself right when the doctor answered his mother.
"Valentina, how is he?" Duchess Mirae inquired.
Valentina was the woman in her mid-60s and donned a pristine white coat. She was the Lanchaster's family doctor. Not only that, Dr. Valentina was actually Duchess Mirae and Duke Veron's senior back in the academy. The duchess once helped the doctor and in return, Dr. Valentina vowed to give her services to the rose of the empire.
A young man handed the physician a folder. Dr. Valentina skimmed the file in hand. "Your Highness, the Duke has a fever," Dr. Valentina declared after reviewing the information gathered. She then adjusted her glasses.
"Valentina?" Duchess Mirae inquired warily, noticing the doctor's frown.
Dr. Valentina exhaled a sigh. "The problem is, we don't know what's causing it; we ran some tests but determined no infection and deficiency."
Duchess Mirae appeared to be in tears. She walked over to the duke's bed and sat quietly so as not to disturb her husband's sleep. Her hand moved slowly to caress the duke's face. Nero quietly pondered the doctor's words. If a fever isn't caused by any organic disease, then it must have developed psychologically. The novel was set similarly to a medieval time so mental illness weren't discovered yet.
Nero exhaled a sigh. It will take some time to persuade everyone of such an illness because it was historically attributed to supernatural theories. Nero was already the prophesied cursed child. If the Lanchaster duke was said to be possessed by a demon, the imperial family might be willing to behead them all.
"Don't worry, Your Highness; fortunately, His Highness is exuding symptoms of a typical fever. If you'll allow us, we'll return tomorrow and examine him again," Dr. Valentina said.
"Of course, Valentina. Thank you," Duchess Mirae said and sniffled.
Dr. Valentina gave way when Simone and Calix went to their mother to check on both of their parents. Nero, on the other hand, remained where he was.
When the physician and her attendant noticed the Lanchaster's youngest lord looking at them, they became stiff. While the assistant trembled and averted his gaze, Dr. Valentina kept a wary eye on Nero. Nero raised his brow at her, which must have surprised the doctor because her eyes widened.
They both awkwardly bowed down to Nero before dismissing themselves but Nero intervened just as the assistant was about to open the door. "Wait," he said and faced the two.
"Yes, My Lord?" Dr. Valentina carefully replied. She was even shielding her trembling assistance.
Nero disregarded such caution. "What are your prescriptions?" he inquired.
Dr. Valentina was taken a back at the question and she stammered when she replied. "Well, that is," a cough, "I was told to give the prescriptions to Butler Zerlon."
"No need," Nero replied and approached the two. "I'll be handling those."
"M-my Lord?"
"Shall we talk outside?" He beckoned the two to quietly follow him to the hallway.
Nero knew the Monrell heir was nearby, so he directed the two in opposite directions. They stepped outside onto the terrace. Dr. Valentina and her assistant stood there watching Nero lean back on the ledge. For a brief moment, they were transfixed by the way his long white hair danced with the gentle sigh of the wind.
"Do not administer any medications to him."
There was a pin drop of silence as the two realized what he was saying. Dr. Valentina could feel her heart pounding in her chest. It was so loud that it rang in her ears. She cursed in her head. Was the cursed child already acting out? Was he beginning to fulfill the remainder of the prophecy?
"That's unethical, My Lord," said Dr. Valentina solemnly.
"So is providing incorrect medical interventions," Nero responded calmly. "Father is not physically ill. Rather, he is mentally unwell."
"My Lord, you are uneducated on this subject," Dr. Valentina pointed out harshly. In fact, the cursed child was denied general education for a long time. No one wanted to be in the same room with him to teach. It got worse when stories about how he tortured servants spread throughout the empire.
Also, mentally unwell? Dr. Valentina and the assistant almost scoffed. The patient was showing physical symptoms, why would it be caused by a mental state?
"I see why you think I'm not," Nero said, unconcerned. "All right, then, let's make a deal: I prove to you that I'm not ignorant, and you listen to my words."
Dr. Valentina was self-assured. "I accept, My Lord. But only if you-"
"Not if, but when."
Dr. Valentina was irritated, but she wouldn't lie if she said she wasn't intrigued. Not only was the young lord behaving regally, but she was also curious as to how genuine his confidence was. A servant had served them a unique yet familiar beverage while they were inspecting the duke. It was tea, but it was ice cold. When she inquired, she was told that the young lord was the one who concocted such refreshments.
"How will you demonstrate your worth then, My Lord?"
"Simple. I'll ask you questions."
The assistant mumbled. "Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?"
Nero let out a small smile when Dr. Valentina didn't object. He moved away from the ledge then lifted a finger.
"First question," he started.
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HunterLeen
HunterLeen since my notifications sucks and i just got notified about the power stones this novel has been receiving, let me give you all a virtual bow for your support *insert bow of gratitude*
also, thanks for the comments! It's nice to see your thoughts about this :D
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