The Extinction Healer of the Beast Husbands

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Jhon opened his eyes, still wincing from time to time. He saw Selena approaching, lifting a cup from the tray held by the Fox Servant.

"Who gave you permission to come in?" Jhon asked, his face set in a stiff expression.

Selena smiled coldly. "My instinct as a Healer of Extinction told me you’d die tonight if I didn’t come. What a hassle," Selena replied, sounding bored.

Jhon swallowed hard, clutching his chest, which was growing increasingly painful as a burning sensation continued to sear his heart.

He looked at the woman—she appeared resolute and strong, as if she’d never feared anything. This made him try to compose himself, then he sat up with Sovel’s help, who immediately supported him.

"Your Majesty, why did you lock yourself away when you were actually sick? Why did you keep it a secret from us? If we’d known, we would’ve found a cure," said Sovel, his voice trembling as if he were holding back tears and fear.

Jhon was still clutching his chest, trying to look strong even though his teeth were chattering as he endured the pain. His gaze toward Selena wasn’t as intense as before; he realized that her arrival seemed to bring a sense of coolness that was slowly calming him down.

It was as if she had done something, even though Selena hadn’t done a thing.

"Do you still want to live or not?" Selena asked expressionlessly. "You knew you were sick, yet you just stayed silent. You were hoping I’d come to you like this, weren’t you?!"

Jhon swallowed hard, torn between enduring the pain and not knowing how to speak. He lowered his gaze slightly, feeling ashamed or hesitant under Selena’s piercing stare.

"Your Highness, is there any way to save the King?" Sovel asked with a pleading look. "Please save our King—let me be the one to beg you this time."

Selena snorted softly, holding out the cup as she saw another side of John—one that began to look like a helpless little bird in her eyes. If this man died, her coming here would have been completely in vain, so this time, let’s just say Selena was giving him a chance.

"Drink it. This water has a calming effect that fire fears. At least it can make you feel better for now, but the effect only lasts two days."

Sovel carefully took the cup, then helped Jhon drink its contents. Jhon, who had previously been very arrogant and had no intention of apologizing, now seemed compliant and drank it without saying much.

Selena simply watched him, then looked around the room and snorted.

"This room is too stuffy; there’s only one window, and that makes for poor air circulation. If you want a more comfortable and spacious place, you should clear out some of the stuff in here. That would stabilize the air circulation and allow more fresh air to come in through this enlarged window," said Selena, causing Sovel to look at her.

"Does that have anything to do with the pain the King is experiencing, Your Highness?" he asked, making Selena smile wryly.

The animals here really are still quite foolish; they don’t even know what to do when it comes to taking care of themselves and their own health.

"Of course. You’ve been suffering from that pain for years but don’t understand what you need. I don’t know how you managed to become the King of a rare species like the Phoenix," Selena grumbled, glancing at Jhon, who appeared to be trying to steady his breathing.

As he felt his chest grow very cold and cool, with the heat beginning to fade, Jhon looked at Selena, who stood with her hands on her hips, surveying his room once more.

"Don’t use the fireplace at night anymore. The heat radiates into your body, and that can stir the fire within you. Besides, that fire is already hot enough, and you’ve been experiencing it almost every night—why do you need a fire to help you sleep? Isn’t the fire burning near your heart hot enough?"

Jhon fell silent, watching Selena stand before him with an aura of freedom and confidence that could no longer be suppressed.

This woman seemed completely transformed; she used to be so easily flustered and fearful. But now she had become incredibly graceful, yet unhesitating in commanding anyone by her side.

"I’ll do as you say. After this, I’ll call a servant to rearrange the King’s room," said Sovel, bowing politely to Selena, who immediately snorted.

She looked at Jhon, who remained silent, but this time with a better expression and a lighter heart now that the pain and heat in his chest had subsided.

The man appeared to be slumped limply, utterly weak, like a newborn baby.

Tsk!

"Your Highness, is there—"

"You can’t speak, huh? I just found out you’re mute," Selena snapped sharply, her gaze looking offended when Jhon finally lifted his head. "You’re such a rude, inconsiderate man. I’m talking to you for your own good, and yet you just keep being arrogant and inconsiderate."

"I didn’t realize that was a problem," Jhon said, trying to steady his slightly trembling voice after Selena’s outburst. "I also didn’t know what to do when this illness flared up. I didn’t tell any of them—and even if I had, what could I have done? You’re the one who can heal me, but I’m well aware that you probably hate me. That’s why I didn’t dare ask for your help."

Selena clicked her tongue in annoyance, folding her arms across her chest with a bored expression. "It’s good that you remember I hate you," she said, silencing Jhon.

After that, Selena turned her attention back to his loomy room—though luxurious, its design was incredibly boring. As the King of Phoenix, Jhon Nix seemed to have no idea how to enjoy life.

It’s truly ridiculous...

"I know you’re arrogant—I’ve read books and watched dramas often enough to know that the leader and members of the Phoenix group are indeed quite arrogant and act all tough because they’re the most legendary of all rare animals. "You’re annoying, and I’m not surprised. But don’t die just as I’ve risen to become the Healer of Extinction—that’d be like dragging me into your grave with you!" Selena said firmly, turning to face him.

"I have no intention of dying tonight," Jhon replied, his head still slightly bowed as he felt too ashamed to look directly at Selena’s face and eyes. "I’ve made it through several nights without your help, and I’m still alive the next morning."

"That’s a good thing—it means you don’t need me. So just enjoy your own pain once this effect wears off in two days," Selena said, then walked away from the bed.

Jhon Nix watched her in silence, his face somber and his mind set on stopping her. But the breakdown of their relationship was partly his fault too; it was only natural that Selena hated him, and he didn’t have the courage to try to persuade her.

He felt too stiff even to simply apologize or say thank you; this made Jhon clasp his chest—which had once been in terrible pain but was now feeling much better—and then look at Sovel.

"Take the Queen home and thank her for me."

Sovel, realizing what had happened, immediately jumped up and hurried after Selena, while Jhon could only sit there silently like a fool on his bed.

He stared at the cup again, feeling utterly foolish and wicked, but thankfully, Selena was still willing to save him today.

"She has truly risen as the Healer of Extinction... I’m such an idiot," he muttered, then took a deep breath.

***

"No need to walk me home—just take care of your King. He’s too stubborn and arrogant; don’t let him end up killing himself because he feels humiliated after accepting a drink from me," said Selena, her tone emotionless yet sharply sarcastic.

Sovel nodded politely. "Thank you very much for your help, Your Highness. You went out of your way to come here in the middle of the night; I’m truly grateful," he said, bowing respectfully.

"No need to thank me—arrogant men never say thank you," Selena retorted, waving her hand dismissively. "Go serve him, and while you’re at it, teach him some manners. Just because he’s the King doesn’t mean he’s better than me."

"Understood."

Sovel wanted to say something, but Selena had already walked away, followed by the fox servant. He could only swallow hard and watch her leave with a grateful expression.

"Lord, His Majesty the King is summoning you to his chambers."

Sovel turned to one of his subordinates. He took a slow breath before walking toward Jhon’s chambers.