Villain, Let Me Touch You! - Chapter 9
I’m glad I trusted my abilities then. His described symptoms at that time were all lies, a blatant attempt to push me away.
I discerned the real symptoms from the fake ones precisely. Upon this revelation, he accepted me as his personal physician.
Helios went to the Empress and told her that he wanted to make me a member of the Crown Prince’s court. Though the Empress seemed surprised, she readily arranged for my transfer.
Initially, the Empress wanted me in Helios’s service so she could use me as a spy. However, after my shift to Helios’s service, I ignored her. A few times she contacted me with threats, but I ignored those as well. She was understandably angry, but not directly harmful.
Later, I discovered Helios had negotiated with the Empress or something of the sort. Six months had passed since I had transmigrated. I was still his personal physician.
That didn’t mean Helios trusted me completely. He remained skeptical and was cranky as ever.
“The diagnosis is accurate, but the medicine seems utterly ineffective. Are you using the medication properly?”
I removed my hand from his thigh and placed it on his brow. If anything had changed, it was how naturally he accepted my touch. He shook his head and pulled my hand away. He didn’t slap my hand away nervously like he used to.
“Your Highness, getting irritated gives you a headache. It’s been a while since you had a day without a headache, so smile and enjoy it.”
Helios smirked arrogantly. “You’re good at finding the painful spots, but why can’t you cure it?”
It was frustrating for me, too. I could find out exactly what was wrong with Helios even when he collapsed without a word. I could even see that he was having nightmares.
But that was it.
Treatment had to rely on conventional medicine. Unfortunately, there was no medicine to cure Helios. Even the best medication could only do so much to alleviate his symptoms.
“If I could make you well just by touching you, I’d be a God, not a doctor,” I replied sullenly as I gingerly picked up the medicine bottle and stood up.
On a day like today, when his condition seemed better than usual, there was something crucial I had to do.
“Your Highness, it’s time for a walk.”
I extended my hand to Helios. He stared at my outstretched hand, then reluctantly pulled himself to his feet.
A sense of pride surged within me. I had struggled so much for the past six months just to get him to walk alongside me.
“Your Highness, do you remember? You told me you were cutting my salary on the day I first suggested going out for a walk.”
“I don’t remember.”
“You may not remember that, but how about this? Do you recall the day you threatened to fire me when I changed your diet to be more meat-centric?”
“I’ve always liked meat. I wouldn’t have done that.”
“Of course, you wouldn’t have done that. But surely you remember this. The day you collapsed due to illness, you clutched my hand and pleaded, choking with tears: ‘Rienna, please don’t leave. If you go, I won’t survive.'”
“That’s not true. The first two are true, but not the last one.”
I chuckled. “Quite a memory you have there.”
Helios flinched. He glared at me, lips pursed as if he wanted to say something quite harsh. Yet, Helios was a man of grace. Since the day he realized my worth as a physician, he never treated me disrespectfully. Although, he wasn’t exactly kind either.
He pulled his hand away and briskly started walking ahead. A brisk pace is good for one’s health. I often found myself trailing behind him.
Our Highness is in a bad mood.
“Your Highness, let’s go together! I’ll stop talking about the past, Your Highness!”
Now, Helios seemed almost normal at first glance. His health had improved, and he slept much better than before. However, returning to his normal routine was a challenge. He still occasionally collapsed unexpectedly, unable to get up for days at a time.
Each time he would have a fever of nearly 40 degrees, his barely recovered stamina would deteriorate again. The good news is that since I took over his care, he’s collapsed less often, and his fever tended to subside more swiftly.
People gathered and spoke in hushed tones: “It’s all thanks to Rienna. She’s a true blessing.”
Honestly, I also believe it’s partly my doing. I helped him build up his physical strength with good food, moderate exercise, and deep sleep to aid his battle against the illness. Thanks to this, there was some effect from the medication.
Although the cause of his illness was still unknown, it wasn’t unreasonable to think that he’s getting better, even if it wasn’t that noticeable. In fact, just by glimpsing his robust figure striding ahead, one could assume he was fully recovered. His sturdy physique, powerful gait, and the way he strode forward spoke volumes.
Helios turned back and frowned. “Rienna, are you coming or not? If you don’t, I’ll leave you behind.”
A face glowing with color.
I believed that recovery was just around the corner.
Until that day arrived.
