In fact, the Kingdom of Stephan, which was also the hometown of the Empress Dowager, was destroyed by the hands of the current Emperor, Ian’s father.

The Emperor, for some unknown reason, hated the Kingdom of Stephan, which was his mother’s homeland. Even after winning the war and subjugating their land, he continued to persecute those of Stephan origin.

He especially hated the prophets from there. Words related to the Kingdom of Stephan such as ‘prophet’, ‘divine sickness’, and ‘divine country’ were taboo to even mention. Even now, there are bounties on the heads of prophets of Stephan origin.

Grandfather casually mentioned ‘divine sickness’. He must have been thinking idly that it was just a patient’s diagnosis, regardless of what it was called.

Grandfather’s ability to treat patients is unparalleled, but he lacks in other areas like survival skills and social skills. Why else would I, his 10-year-old granddaughter, be managing all aspects of daily life?

As expected, Simons the Head Chamberlain’s demeanor became fierce. With my eyes intact to witness the change in his expression, my blood ran cold. I had cautioned him so much before coming here…

‘The patient’s life is important, but couldn’t you also care about your only granddaughter’s life?’

Even if he couldn’t see, he should be able to sense Simons’ fierce aura. I couldn’t tell if Grandfather was oblivious or fearless. Simons forcibly suppressed his fierce demeanor and asked Grandfather in a low voice.

“As far as I know, men don’t get divine sickness. They say God only speaks through women’s mouths. All known prophets have been women…”

I nodded at his words. Divine sickness was known to only appear in women.

The group of prophets belonging to the Stephan royal court were also all women. Because of this, I heard that at one time the group of prophets was treated like the Emperor’s harem.

“Head Chamberlain, you also suspected what the Crown Prince’s illness was. That’s why you tried to keep it a secret, didn’t you?”

At Grandfather’s words, the Head Chamberlain nodded with a solemn face.

‘What? He knew what the illness was but still called healers for examinations?’

I turned to look at the Head Chamberlain with a puzzled expression. Having suppressed his fierce demeanor, he leaned back in a nearby chair with a tired face and said:

“I’ve lived long enough to have picked up a few things. I once served the Empress Dowager. Thinking there were no male prophets… I dismissed it as an old man’s needless worry…”

He rubbed his wrinkled face with his withered hand.

“I had hoped it wasn’t so…”

He had seemed vigorous when he brought Grandfather and me here, but in an instant his expression changed to that of someone who had received their death sentence.

“It’s rare, but male prophets have existed.”

“I’ve never heard of them.”

“Of course not. Usually male prophets show symptoms in infancy and die by childhood, so they never become known to the world.”

“Oh, dear God…”

‘Oh, dear God…’

I too called upon a God I don’t usually believe in. Of course, I couldn’t bring myself to say it out loud, only in my heart.

It was horrifying to think that this young, delicate, and beautiful Crown Prince would die without living long, and the thought that Grandfather and I might be buried right next to him when he’s laid to rest terrified me.

‘Even if the Head Chamberlain leaves us alone, His Majesty the Emperor will personally behead us.’

For reasons unknown, the Emperor persecuted and executed prophets of Stephan origin. Would such a person want the world to know that his firstborn son was dying in the agony of a prophet?

He would want to silence everyone who knows this secret. Since ancient times, the most effective method of preventing leaks has been to kill those who know.

‘Grandfather might die a good death at his age, but I’m only 10 years old. It’s too unfair to die like this!’

“Is there really no way at all? No treatment method?”

Simons, who had been sitting lifelessly as if about to die any moment, suddenly stood up, grabbed Grandfather’s collar, and shook him while asking. In truth, I wanted to ask Grandfather too.

If most male prophets die in childhood, then the child lying in bed now doesn’t have much time left. Do we really have to just watch this child die?

“Grandfather, think hard! You said you could cure any disease if you knew the name! Are you going to let this young child die like this?”

I wanted to add that I too was too young to die. If the Crown Prince dies, it was clear that we would be quietly disposed of by that Head Chamberlain.

Three lives hung in Grandfather’s hands. A blind pharmacist and a young apprentice pharmacist who could be easily eliminated at any time, and a Crown Prince whose life could end at any moment.

“It’s not that there’s no method at all.”

At Grandfather’s words, I felt as if I had come back from the dead. My legs gave out and I plopped down on the Crown Prince’s bed. I knew it was disloyal behavior, but I was too drained to mind my manners.

“It’s not a complete cure, but…”

“But?”

“It’s said that prophets suffer pain like punishment for stealing glimpses of God’s plans. If we use medicine to suppress the prophetic ability, it should reduce the pain and extend the lifespan.”

“That’s good. We don’t care about prophetic abilities. It’s better without them. So hurry and make the medicine. No, just tell me how to make it.”

The Head Chamberlain’s words sounded like he meant to take our lives along with the medicine-making method, now that our business was done. What a bandit! I glared at the Head Chamberlain with blazing eyes.

Grandfather answered Simons in an indifferent voice.

“The preparation method is complex. Even with the same ingredients, the effectiveness varies greatly depending on the mixing ratios, extraction methods, temperature during preparation, and method of administration. No matter how detailed instructions I write, could you properly make the medicine from that? It needs to be taken for a lifetime, and the dosage and method will change as the Crown Prince grows.”

Fortunately, Grandfather didn’t readily hand over the preparation method.

Although Grandfather lacks social skills and is oblivious, he seemed to understand that our lives are hanging by a thread right now.

When Grandfather didn’t easily reveal the preparation method, Simons spoke in a grave voice.

“Hmm… I see. It can’t be helped. You must absolutely keep silent about what happened in this room today.”

He expounded several times on the importance of secrecy. It was a warning that he would surely hold us responsible if the story leaked out. Simply put, it meant he would take our lives. He’d probably obtain the preparation method through torture if necessary.

“Wait a minute! This is too much.”

I jumped up and blocked his path, speaking. Simons glared at me fiercely. I glared back, not backing down, but I couldn’t hide my trembling legs.

“What do you mean it’s too much? Are you saying you won’t keep the secret?”

Simons didn’t say it out loud, but he seemed to be thinking, ‘It doesn’t matter if I dispose of one useless girl as long as I have the blind pharmacist.’ I swallowed hard from the tension.

“Jane…”

The Crown Prince, who had momentarily lost consciousness, regained his senses and called my name.

As if he were my shield, I quickly approached him and sat close to the bedside. He held my hand tightly.

Though I was the one who said I would protect him, somehow it felt like he was protecting me. Feeling the warmth of his hand transmitted to my palm, I gathered courage once again and spoke.

“I don’t mean we won’t keep the secret. It’s just unreasonable to hold only us responsible if the secret leaks. My grandfather and I will keep the secret, but there are many workers in the palace and other healers have visited, so who knows where the secret might leak from?”

Of course, they don’t know exactly what the Crown Prince’s illness is, but they will remember in detail that the Crown Prince suffered from an unusual illness and its symptoms.

“There’s no need to worry about that. There’s no one who can speak about this matter now. We are the only ones who know the secret. Even His Majesty the Emperor doesn’t know about this.”

His words didn’t ease my mind at all. It was as I had expected, but it meant that everyone who knew about the Crown Prince’s illness would never be able to speak again.

If Grandfather didn’t know how to prepare the medicine, we would have been in the same situation. No, even now, if Grandfather is deemed unnecessary, we might be disposed of to keep this secret. My shoulders trembled with fear.

“Jane…”

Perhaps sensing my fear through my fingertips, Ian called my name while gripping my hand tightly. It was as if he was reassuring me that as long as he was here, no one could harm me.

It was an interesting situation. Ian, the Crown Prince, was the cause of this life-threatening situation, yet he was also the one comforting me now.