Left alone, Nigel took a deep breath and gave a nod to the attendant waiting by the door. The servant went to inform the king, received permission, and returned. Only then did Nigel step inside the room.
“I greet Your Majesty the King.”
“Come in. Make yourself comfortable.”
King Roderick, whose expression was warm and approachable, welcomed Nigel with a friendly air. As the servant offered tea, the king leisurely examined him.
“I meant to send the second prince, but I heard the first one went instead.”
“Yes, His Highness the First Prince guided me.”
“You must’ve had a rough time.”
“Not at all.”
“He’s a damn troublemaker, isn’t he?”
Instead of responding, Nigel lowered his gaze politely. He wasn’t foolish enough to openly admit how difficult it had been.
Roderick’s eyes slowly swept over Nigel in silence, fingers twitching slightly on the armrest. Though it wasn’t a direct comparison, the way he scrutinized Nigel reminded him a lot of Esian. Like father, like son.
“Nigel Grau Montstein.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Look at me.”
The king’s voice rumbled with weight. If Nigel were truly just a twelve- or thirteen-year-old boy, he might’ve burst into tears under the sheer pressure.
But of course, Nigel wasn’t really a child. Unflinching, he raised his eyes and looked directly into the king’s. There was a flicker of something new in Roderick’s previously indifferent gaze.
“I heard the details from the Duke of Magnus. Can you really heal that useless leg?”
“Yes, I can.”
“If this is just bluster, you’d best be prepared. Even if you are the Duke’s beloved son.”
“It’s true.”
“Can you prove it now? I’ll summon someone with a minor wound.”
Nigel calmly shook his head. He could heal small injuries with recovery magic, but wasting MP on something so trivial wasn’t worth it.
“It’s not a power that can be used lightly. When I heal someone, there’s always a price I have to pay.”
“What kind of price?”
“I won’t know until after I use it.”
Explaining something like a “random status ailment” was far too vague and complicated. Roderick frowned slightly, displeased by the ambiguity.
“Vague words to inflate your value—that’s the oldest trick in a conman’s book.”
His voice dropped even lower, and for a moment, it felt like he might summon the guards to throw Nigel out. Nigel clicked his tongue internally but remained composed. Eventually, Roderick seemed satisfied and withdrew his suspicious gaze.
“But your eyes are too clear for a liar. Fine. I’ll believe you.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Roderick pulled a cord to summon the attendant and ordered him to fetch Countess Diaramin. Not long after, the countess entered, limping in with the help of a cane.
Ceres Diaramin wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, but she was known for her intellect, upright character, and gentle demeanor. Today, however, she looked quite irritable. The carriage accident must’ve made her rather sharp.
So that’s why the king warned me in advance. If I failed after hyping up my ability, Ceres would be even more upset.
Though her official title was consort, Ceres was practically the queen in all but name. After losing his queen, King Roderick had grown close to Ceres, who had also lost her husband around the same time. Though they hadn’t remarried, Nigel knew they’d stayed together until death.
“Your Majesty. Is this the boy?”
“Yes.”
“He looks like a child. I heard he’s the Herald of God.”
Her voice was calm, but laced with a faint note of skepticism. Roderick merely shrugged.
“He’s been declared as such by the High Priest. For now, trust him. Please, have a seat.”
“Yes…”
Moving slowly, Ceres sat across from Nigel. She’d been tense upon entering, but her expression softened slightly at the sight of the young boy.
“It must be your first time at the palace. Are you nervous?”
“Yes, a little. But I’m okay.”
Rather than claiming he was fine, Nigel chose to appear slightly awkward. As expected, this approach worked better on the emotionally vulnerable Ceres.
“Should I expose my leg?”
“No, it’s fine as is.”
“Alright then. I’ll be in your care.”
Her voice had grown much gentler.
Hearing that tone, Nigel began the healing.
As he activated the skill, his HP and MP dropped sharply, and strength drained from his body. Light of healing began to form in his hands, drawing on his vitality. A radiant glow spread softly through the room.
The drifting light gradually settled on Ceres’s leg. At first, she simply watched in fascination, but soon her eyes widened in shock. Her hand gripped the folds of her dress tightly.
Finally, when only 1 HP and 1 MP remained, the light vanished completely. Exhausted, Nigel pulled his hands away. The healing was done.
In the silence that followed, Ceres cautiously moved her leg.
Though it hadn’t been used for quite some time and lacked strength, it definitely moved. Astonishment and joy lit up both Ceres and Roderick’s faces.
“I-It moved!”
“Ceres!”
Roderick, who had been watching anxiously, broke into a radiant smile and rushed over to her.
Though Nigel had approached this purely as a calculated move, seeing their genuine joy filled him with quiet satisfaction. He wanted to offer his congratulations, but… strangely, he couldn’t speak. Something felt off—and then, a system message blocked his view.
<system: You have been afflicted with the status effect ‘Hemoptysis’.>
Oh, for fuck’s sake.
He had no time to react. That suffocating sensation in his throat burst forth as a mouthful of thick, dark blood.
It didn’t actually hurt—after all, it was just the ‘Hemoptysis’ status effect. But with his stamina already drained, the blood loss brought a sudden wave of dizziness. He faintly heard Roderick and Ceres screaming in panic.
He didn’t have the energy to say, I’m fine. It’s nothing.
I hope Inas doesn’t freak out or get angry… That was the last thought Nigel had before he lost consciousness.
***
Even while unconscious, Nigel faintly felt hands moving him. The anxious voices and concerned murmurs made him wonder if he’d gone too far this time.
Still, he’d cleared his debt with the king. Passing out after draining his stamina and puking blood wasn’t the worst outcome. Not a total loss.
Not really.
“Nigel.”
If only Inas’s voice hadn’t called his name like he was about to die—so desperately it tore at the heart.
What a ridiculous man. The same guy who could kill Nigel without hesitation now looked ready to cry because Nigel was in danger.
No time to laugh. No time to comfort him. Nigel came to much later.
“…”
He barely managed to pry open his eyelids, which felt glued shut. His body was limp and unresponsive.
“You’re awake?”
A gentle female voice came from beside him. It was Leona, his personal physician. Nigel tried to call her name, but his throat was dry and cracked.
“I’ll get you some water.”
Someone lifted his upper body. Nigel immediately recognized the hands—Inas.
“…”
Their eyes met, but Inas said nothing. It wasn’t because others were watching—he just looked… furious.
Well, he had every right to be. Feeling awkward, Nigel quietly let himself be helped. Inas held a cup to his lips. A sip of water brought him back to life.
“How long was I out?”
“Four days.”
“Four days…?”
Leona frowned at his shock.
“You vomited blood.”
“It wasn’t a big deal.”
“Not a big deal? The Duke and Taren are both on their way here.”
“What? Father and… him? Why?”
He nearly said my brother, but stopped himself. Although they were legally siblings now, it didn’t feel natural to call him that just yet.
“Of course they’d be worried. Although I’m not sure why Taren had to come.”
From Leona’s perspective, ‘Taren’—Inas’s fake identity—was just a man who’d stolen Nigel’s rightful place. Her displeasure was obvious.
“They’re coming on horseback, so they’ll be here soon.”
“They didn’t need to come.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Just rest. I’ll prepare your medicine.”
Leona stood. Naturally, Nigel assumed Inas would stay behind. But Inas rose too, his expression still ice cold. Leona, surprised, glanced at him.
“You’re not staying, Idenbach?”
“If I stay, I’ll only make the young master uncomfortable. I have work to do.”
“…I see.”
Leona gave Nigel a sympathetic look, as if to say, Make up with him. Then she left.
Inas stared at Nigel like he wanted to kill someone.
“Take care of yourself, Nigel. Don’t make me feel like murdering everyone around you.”
He turned and left before Nigel could stop him.
…He’s really mad.
It was the first time Inas had ever turned his back like that. Rather than being angry, Nigel just felt guilty. He’d missed the weekend they were supposed to hang out. Sure, they could go another time—but it still weighed on his mind.
Nigel sighed as he stared at the empty room. This time, it was undeniably his fault.
Not long after, Leona’s bitter medicine arrived. The smell alone was horrifying. Shuddering, Nigel forced it down.
***
His body was perfectly fine, but the unexplained hemoptysis had shaken Leona. Nigel had to play the role of a gravely ill patient, confined to bed.
At regular intervals, Leona sent up his medicine. Nigel drank it without protest, even though he hated it.
On the night after the first full day he’d been awake…
Danil came with the sixth dose. At first, Leona had fussed over him, but realizing Nigel wasn’t in serious danger, she eventually sent Danil alone.
“Here, young master.”
“Thanks.”
Nigel accepted the medicine, wrinkling his nose at the awful smell. Danil flinched and shrank back, startled.
What the hell is wrong with this kid?
Nigel stared at him, puzzled. Danil fidgeted nervously. Just as Nigel was about to drink the medicine—
The door flew open. Heavy footsteps approached the bedroom.
Inas.
“Inas.”
Was he finally over his anger? But his expression was grim—too grim.
Inas strode over, snatched the medicine from Nigel, and shoved it toward Danil with menace.
“Drink it.”
Before Nigel could even ask what was going on, Danil turned as pale as a ghost. As if he’d just been caught red-handed.
“….”
Nigel’s face hardened as he checked the medicine.
Rayva’s Elixir (Poison)
An elixir made by grinding rare Rayva fruit, known for its detoxifying properties. Rayva only grows in the deserts of the Kingdom of Garten and is extremely valuable. Its preparation is complex and requires expert skill. However, this elixir has been contaminated with Tijet poison, a venom obtained only from the deep-sea fish Tijet. While extremely rare, Tijet poison neutralizes most antidotes and cannot be detected by conventional means.
Value: ?
