The Kingdom of Stefan, which was also the hometown of the Empress Dowager, was destroyed by the current Emperor, who is Ian’s father.
For some unknown reason, the Emperor harbored a deep hatred for Stefan, his mother’s homeland. Even after winning the war and subjugating its lands, he continued to persecute those from Stefan relentlessly.
He especially despised the prophets from Stefan. Terms such as ‘prophet,’ ‘divine illness,’ and ‘divine nation’ related to Stefan were considered taboo. Even now, there is a bounty on the heads of prophets from Stefan.
Grandfather casually mentioned the ‘divine illness.’ He likely thought of it merely as a medical term, without grasping the larger implications.
Grandfather’s ability to treat patients was unparalleled, but he lacked survival skills and social awareness. It’s telling that his ten-year-old granddaughter, me, had to manage our daily lives.
As expected, Steward Simmons became fierce. My blood ran cold as I watched his expression change, grateful I could see it.
‘I told him before we came here to be more cautious…’
Even though Grandfather was blind, he should have sensed Simmons’ menacing aura. It was hard to tell if Grandfather was oblivious or fearless. Simmons suppressed his anger and asked in a low voice,
“As far as I know, men do not suffer from the divine illness. They say God speaks only through women. All known prophets were female…”
I nodded at his words. The divine illness was known to manifest only in women.
The prophet group in the Stefan royal palace was also entirely female. I heard that, at one time, they were treated like the Emperor’s harem because of this.
“You suspected what illness the Crown Prince had, didn’t you? That’s why you wanted to keep it a secret.”
At Grandfather’s words, Simmons nodded with a heavy expression.
‘So he knew what the illness was and still called for healers to examine him?’
I looked at Simmons in confusion. The fierce aura had subsided as he sat wearily in a nearby chair.
“I have lived long and heard many things. I once served the Empress Dowager. I thought it was just an old man’s needless worry, but…”
He rubbed his wrinkled face with a trembling hand.
“I hoped it wasn’t true…”
When he brought us here, he seemed so resolute, but now he looked like a man with a death sentence.
“It’s rare, but there have been male prophets.”
“I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“That’s because symptoms usually appear in infancy, and they often die in childhood, so the world doesn’t know about them.”
“Oh, God…”
‘Oh, God…’
I silently called out to a God I didn’t usually believe in. The thought that this young and beautiful Crown Prince would die soon was horrifying, and the thought that Grandfather and I might be buried next to him was terrifying.
‘Even if Simmons lets us go, the Emperor will have our heads.’
For some unknown reason, the Emperor eradicated Stefan prophets. Would he want the world to know his eldest son was dying in prophetic agony?
He’d want to silence everyone who knew. Historically, the most effective way to prevent leaks was to kill.
‘Grandfather might be ready to die, but I’m only ten years old. It’s too unfair to die now!’
“Is there no way to treat it? No cure?”
Simmons, who had seemed so weak moments ago, jumped up and grabbed Grandfather by the collar, shaking him. I also wanted to ask Grandfather the same question.
If most male prophets died in childhood, then the boy lying in bed didn’t have much time left. Did we really have to just watch him die?
“Grandfather, think! You always said you could cure any illness if you knew what it was! Are you going to let this child die?”
I wanted to add that I, too, was a valuable young life. If the Crown Prince died, Simmons would surely dispose of us quietly.
Three lives hung on Grandfather’s hands: a blind pharmacist, a young apprentice, and a dying Crown Prince.
“There is a way, but…”
“But?”
“Prophets are said to suffer because they see God’s plans. If we use medicine to suppress the prophetic abilities, the pain will lessen, and their lifespan will extend.”
“That’s great. I don’t care about prophetic abilities. It’s better without them. Just make the medicine. No, tell me how to make it.”
Simmons’ words sounded like he wanted to take the recipe and our lives. What a bandit! I glared at Simmons.
Grandfather replied calmly.
“The recipe is complex. Even with the same ingredients, the proportions, extraction methods, temperature, and administration methods significantly affect the medicine’s efficacy. Do you think you can make it properly just by reading my instructions? The Crown Prince will need to take it for life, and the dosage will change as he grows.”
Fortunately, Grandfather didn’t give up the recipe easily.
Despite his lack of social skills and awareness, Grandfather seemed to understand that our lives were on the line.
Seeing Grandfather’s reluctance, Simmons spoke in a heavy voice.
“Very well. What happened here today must remain absolutely confidential.”
He stressed the importance of secrecy several times. If word got out, he would hold us accountable. In other words, he’d kill us. They’d torture the recipe out of Grandfather if necessary.
“Wait! That’s not fair.”
I stood up and blocked his way. Simmons glared at me. I glared back, but my legs trembled.
“What do you mean, not fair? Are you saying you won’t keep the secret?”
He didn’t say it out loud, but his eyes seemed to say, ‘I can deal with a useless girl like you as long as I have the blind pharmacist.’ I swallowed nervously.
“Jane…”
The Crown Prince, who had fainted, called my name.
I quickly moved to his side and sat close to the bed. He held my hand tightly.
I promised to protect him, but it felt like he was protecting me. His warmth gave me the courage to speak again.
“I’m not saying I won’t keep the secret. But it’s unfair to hold us accountable if the secret gets out. We will keep the secret, but there are many people in the palace and other healers have been here. Who knows where the secret might leak from?”
They might not know the exact illness, but they’d remember the Crown Prince’s unusual condition.
“Don’t worry about that. No one who can talk about it is alive. Only we know the secret. Even the Emperor doesn’t know.”
Despite his words, I couldn’t feel at ease. It meant that anyone who knew the Crown Prince’s illness was silenced.
If Grandfather didn’t know the recipe, we’d be in the same situation. Even now, if Grandfather became unnecessary, we’d be disposed of to keep the secret. My shoulders trembled with fear.
“Jane…”
Maybe Ian felt my fear through our hands. He held my hand tightly and called my name, as if to reassure me that no one could harm me while he was here.
It was ironic. The Crown Prince, the cause of this threat, was also the one comforting me.
