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However, Sebastian offered nothing further. Instead, he turned back to the beginning and read through the treatment records again.
Desmond and Robert tensed, worried that he would disapprove of the medication that had been administered. Several of the treatments had been experimental, not the conventional prescriptions. They had been desperate to find something, anything, that might work. But the results had been discouraging. Finally, it was Rafael who broke the silence.
“Sebastian, what do you think?” he asked, his voice tight with tension.
Without realizing it, he had seated himself at the edge of the bed, his broad frame instinctively positioned as if to shield the king. It was an unconscious gesture, one he hadn’t considered whether or not was appropriate.
Salvador did not rebuke him. On the contrary, he felt a rare warmth settle in his chest.
Sebastian closed the records and set them aside. “The previous treatments have helped slow the disease’s progression. But with this illness, deterioration is inevitable. When I say it’s worsening, I mean the lung condition is starting to spread to other areas. It’s already showing signs of spreading, and it’s happening very quickly. If I had been called earlier, there might have been more hope.”
His final words struck everyone like ice water poured over their heads, leaving them chilled to the bone. Salvador’s eyes darkened briefly with disappointment, but he quickly composed himself.
“Mr. Dalton, just speak plainly. How much time do I have?” he asked, his expression as warm and serene as ever.
Sebastian didn’t answer right away. His mind was already calculating which combination of medicines could be used to treat the condition.
However, Salvador mistook his hesitation for reluctance and forced a weak smile. “Speak freely. Three months? Five months? I can bear it.”
Sebastian deliberated for a moment before raising his gaze to meet the king’s directly. “If I use my own methods you may have a year. But if I apply Jonah’s formula-along with the cases he documented and the treatment methods he devised-then, conservatively, you could have three.”
A flicker of light sparked in Salvador’s eyes, but it quickly dimmed. He knew exactly who Jonah was.
When Sigmund had fallen gravely ill,
Salvador, as the crown prince, had remained by his bedside day and night. He had witnessed firsthand how Jonah, a famed physician from outside the palace, had been summoned in a desperate attempt to save the ailing king.
But Sigmund had condemned him as a fraud.
The mention of Jonah’s name made Desmond falter as well. He remembered it clearly. Back then, he was not head physician yet and hadn’t overseen Sigmund’s treatment directly. However, he had been present during the medical discussions.
Jonah had consulted with them, and it had been evident that he was extraordinarily knowledgeable, well-versed in medicinal theory, and experienced in treating co illnesses. His prescriptions had even shown signs of stabilizing no
Sigmund’s condition. But the disease was a beast, relentless and merciless.
A physician was not a god. He could not perform true miracles.
Jonah had died unjustly. His reputation had been too great, his name too revered. Sigmund had pinned all his hopes on him, and when he had ultimately failed to save the king, Sigmund’s rage had sealed his fate of death by execution.
Now, Salvador faced an impossible choice.
If he accepted Jonah’s treatment method, he would be acknowledging that his father had wrongfully condemned the man. If he refused, then the three months left to him-perhaps even less-would be his final days.
But in truth, it was no choice at all.
Salvador gave his answer without hesitation: “I trust you and Healer Claude, Healer Dalton.”
The words nearly brought tears to Sebastian’s eyes.
Jonah should never have been burdened with the label of a quack.
Regaining his composure, Sebastian said, “I must reside in the palace. It would be best if I stayed within Dawnspire Palace. If you have concerns, you may assign men to watch over me, Your Majesty.” The room went utterly still.
Sebastian’s request was nothing short of outrageous.
Dawnspire Palace was the king’s own residence. Though its outer halls could accommodate guests, no one would dare make such a request. Who would even dream of having such an honor?
Yet before anyone could react, Sebastian went further, adding, “If you cannot allow it, then I ask that you move to Arcane Sanctum, Your Majesty. You will need me close at all times.”
Salvador remained silent for a moment before giving his orders, commanding that the side hall be prepared for Sebastian. Physicians from the Royal Medical Department were assigned to serve him, while Kevin and Galen were tasked with protecting him and accompanying him wherever he went.
Salvador knew that Kevin was Violet’s apprentice, so by putting him in charge of Sebastian’s protection, the king was offering a layer of reassurance to the physician. But Salvador himself also needed reassurance, which was why he sent Galen as well.
He also issued a royal edict: the entire Royal Medical Department was to follow Sebastian’s orders as law. It was an extraordinary amount of authority to grant, but in truth, Salvador’s intent was clear-he wanted all medicines to come from the department’s stock.
Sebastian didn’t concern himself with such matters. So long as his instructions were carried out, he was satisfied.
Yet, Salvador’s selection of Kevin and Galen spoke volumes. He did not even trust his own harem.
Their fates were now bound together. If Sebastian died, Salvador would die. If Sebastian lived, Salvador would at least have three more years.
Three years.
It was not much time, but it was enough to set many things in order.
Once Sebastian’s living arrangements were settled, they gathered in the royal bedchamber to discuss the treatment plan. Every physician from the Royal Medical Department was present, standing like eager students around Sebastian, listening intently.
“The first priority is pain relief. If the pain is not controlled, then living is nothing but suffering,” he stated.
What Sebastian did not say-though they all understood-was that unchecked pain would make it impossible for the king to govern. In such a state, survival would be nothing more than a slow, agonizing decline.
Salvador’s expression tightened. struck deep.
long since reached his limit, those words
Sebastian continued, “There are two methods for pain relief. Given His Majesty’s condition, we must use both in tandem-one through medicine, the other through needle treatment to numb the pain. That is why I must stay in the palace. Needle treatment alone cannot suppress the pain for long. The effect will wear off after four hours and must be reapplied.”
He opened his medicine chest and retrieved a small vial, passing it to Desmond. “This is a pain-relieving pill infused with Lunarthorn Root, Starflower Essence, and Nightshade Amber. The Royal Medical Department likely has a similar medicine, but I have enhanced it with additional ingredients. I call it the Tranquil Pill. Verify it as you will.”
Desmond accepted the vial with both hands and poured out a single pill. He considered dissolving it in water to examine its properties. However, knowing the value of Sebastian’s medicines, he merely lifted it to his nose for a cautious sniff. Before he could say anything, Sebastian spoke again, saying, “Take one. It will help with your chronic headaches as well.”
Desmond froze for a moment. “You know I suffer from headaches?”
Sebastian glanced at him. “Since I entered, you’ve pressed your temple several times. Your complexion also gives it away.”
Desmond couldn’t help but feel admiration. Diagnosing through sight alone was the sign of a true master physician.
Without hesitation, he swallowed a pill, using the opportunity to test the medicine himself. The Royal Medical Department had headache remedies, but they were only mildly effective. But within 15 minutes of taking the Tranquil Pill, the pain in his temples eased significantly. Stunned, he quickly acknowledged its remarkable effect.
“Pain varies in severity. For you, this medicine works wonders. But for His
Majesty, it will only dull the pain, not eliminate it entirely. Needle treatment must be used alongside it to truly relieve the suffering,” Sebastian replied, reaching into his medicine chest and retrieving a needle kit.