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Sophie’s worry didn’t ease, because it was exactly due to Oliver’s unreliability that they had to take this risk. But the decision had been made, so hesitation could no longer be afforded.
“Alright. Tomorrow, take the pill at a good moment at the Supreme Court,” she said, still concerned. Rafael looked into her eyes, his gaze soft and full of tenderness. “Yeah. Don’t worry.”
The next day, he tucked the half pill of poison into his pocket and went to the Supreme Court. At lunchtime, he dined with Matthew and even invited Randall to join them, casually asking about his work at the Supreme Court.
Randall had been feeling uneasy these past few days. Though he had made his choice, with his dad now rebelling and besieging Valken, he couldn’t help but wonder if innocent lives would be lost. He also worried about how deeply this situation would affect him.
Now that Rafael was speaking to him kindly, Randall’s anxiety was somewhat soothed. If the prince still cared about his well-being, it seemed that his position was secure for the time being, and perhaps he wouldn’t be caught up too deeply in the storm.
But what of the people of Valken?
Unable to shake his concern for them, Randall asked hesitantly, “Your Highness, do you think the people of Valken will suffer because of my dad’s rebellion?”
Rafael looked at him in surprise.
How could such a question even be asked?
Matthew’s expression tightened. He wanted to say that throughout history, it was always the common people who suffered in the aftermath of treason. But feeling like it was pointless to explain, the words stalled in his throat.
If someone didn’t think with their heart, they wouldn’t ask a question like that.
Randall quickly realized the foolishness of his question. Perhaps, in his subconscious mind, he had believed that Yuvan’s rebellion would be easily contained and that nothing too catastrophic would come of it. That must be why he had asked such a naive question.
Not wanting to embarrass him further, Matthew simply replied, “Yes.”
Randall awkwardly muttered an acknowledgment and seemed to shrink back into himself, his mood visibly dropping.
After lunch, they had a cup of coffee. While the other two were distracted, Rafael quietly took the pill. At first, he didn’t feel any immediate discomfort, so he assumed the effects wouldn’t kick in so quickly. Turning to Randall, he asked about Tiberius, who was still imprisoned.
“Nothing out of the ordinary, Your Highness,” Randall replied. “Except for asking every day when he’ll be released, there’s nothing strange.”
Matthew snorted. “He wants out? Ridiculous.”
Rafael tapped his fingers on the table, his mind racing. “His Majesty hasn’t disposed of him yet. He’s probably keeping him alive to intimidate the rebels. Better to placate him for now, lest he tries to starve himself again-“
Before he could finish his thought, a sharp pain suddenly gripped his chest. It felt as though something was surging violently through his veins, and he felt a pressure he couldn’t contain.
Blood spilled from his lips as he collapsed to the floor.
“Your Highness!” Matthew shouted, leaping forward just in time to catch Rafael’s falling body.
In Salvador’s study, one of the royal physicians, Robert Lester, bowed respectfully as he reported on Rafael’s condition.
Two hours earlier, Matthew had arrived at the Royal Medical Department, bearing the Hell Monarch’s emblem. He reported that Rafael had suddenly collapsed at the Supreme Court after vomiting blood. As the incident was sudden, it was soon reported to Salvador.
“Your Majesty, my diagnosis suggests that it was a sudden heart ailment. The situation was rather grave. When I arrived, Prince Rafael had already fainted, and it took some time before he regained consciousness after needle treatment. However, he was unable to move and had to be taken back to his estate by carriage.’
“Why would he have a sudden heart issue? He never mentioned suffering from heart problems before,” Salvador said, furrowing his brow.
Despite his concern, there was a sense of wariness. After all, they were brothers by blood-caution was a natural instinct, but it was mostly precautionary.
“Mr. York told me that His Highness has not been resting properly since his return from his trip away. He had bouts of coughing and complained of a heaviness in his chest, though he didn’t pay it much attention. I suspect that an untreated cold invaded his heart, which caused the heart ailment,” Robert explained. Salvador recalled Rafael’s previous report from Lunvale, where he and the others had spent several days in the mountains, enduring freezing nights with limited fire for warmth. It was entirely possible that Rafael had caught a severe chill during that time.
But questions still lingered in Salvador’s mind.
“If it was simply a cold, how did it not worsen over time? The symptoms should have escalated. Why did they remain so mild that they were ignored?” he asked.
Robert bowed lower. “Your Majesty, according to Mr. York, His Highness has been too busy to rest since returning to the capital. I believe that the strain on his body has been growing due to other worries, which His Highness may have ignored.”
After a pause, Robert continued, “Also, this illness affects people differently. Some with strong constitutions may not show obvious symptoms, but the illness could already be harming their lungs and heart. His Highness likely falls into that category.”
Salvador, who wasn’t well-versed in medical theory, focused on a simpler question, asking, “Is he better now?”
“His Highness is stable now, but will need a period of rest. The most important thing is that he cannot overexert himself.”
Salvador sighed in relief. “As long as it’s not life-threatening, that’s a relief.”
Just as he raised his hand to dismiss Robert, his expression shifted slightly. “Were you the one who escorted him back to Hell Monarch Estate? What was Lady Sophie’s reaction, and how did the people at the estate respond?”
Robert pondered for a moment before replying, “When His Highness was sent back to the estate, Lady Sophie wasn’t there. She only arrived later, after a messenger was sent for her. As for the others at the estate, they were in a state of panic.
“Mr. York’s face was ashen, and he immediately sent someone to fetch Mr. Dalton. However, he couldn’t be reached as he had already left the capital with his apprentice for a medical visit.”
“Was Lady Sophie there when you left?” Salvador asked.
“Yes, she was there. Upon hearing that His Highness had suffered a sudden heart ailment, she burst into tears,” Robert replied truthfully.
“She cried?”
Salvador was taken aback, his mind flashing with the image of Sophie’s usually strong and determined face.
She had cried?
“Indeed, Your Majesty. Seeing her tears…. It really broke my heart too,” Robert said, sighing.
Salvador’s eyes darkened, his mind a swirl of thoughts. It took a long moment for him to dismiss Robert. Once the physician had taken his leave, Salvador’s gaze turned toward Derek, who stood nearby with a look of concern.
“Tomorrow morning, go to the estate with Mr. Lester. Bring some of the finest medicinal herbs with you,” Salvador instructed.
“Understood, Your Majesty.” Derek nodded without hesitation.
Salvador’s tone shifted, becoming more deliberate as he added, “And make sure the queen dowager doesn’t find out. We don’t want her to worry.”
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Derek affirmed.
As Derek left to carry out his orders, Salvador summoned Galen and said, “Find out if Mr. Dalton has truly left the capital. See if it’s true that he’s gone out on a medical visit.”
Not long after, Galen returned and reported, “Your Majesty, it’s true. Mr. Dalton and his apprentice left yesterday to attend to a medical matter and to gather materials for making Snowdrop Pills.”
Salvador nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on his face. “Do not mention to anyone that I had you investigate Mr. Dalton’s whereabouts.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”