Chapter 134: A Certain Unvirtuous Someone
「The Imperial Palace.」
Unlike the scene with Cillian Forrest, the atmosphere in the Imperial Palace was extremely grave.
Even though it was nighttime, the entire Imperial Palace remained brightly lit.
Inside the Imperial Palace’s medical bay, various instruments flickered nonstop. Before them stood several of the Royal Family’s dedicated Medical Masters.
Their eyes were glued to the instrument displays, and they were all holding their breath.
Finally, with a soft DING, the data on the instruments stabilized, settling within a normal range.
The Medical Master’s eyes instantly lit up. He turned to the man standing behind him and exclaimed, "Your Majesty, the Little Prince’s Spiritual Sea has stabilized!"
In the past, whenever the Little Prince’s Disorder Period started, it would last for over a week at a minimum. The turmoil in his Spiritual Sea would be incredibly severe, and because of his high Level, the pain he endured was immense, not to mention the constant relapses.
This time, however, was different. After just one afternoon, right as the Disorder Period was beginning, the turmoil in his Spiritual Sea completely vanished, all thanks to the soothing from that Healer-class individual.
In fact, the turmoil within his Spiritual Sea was completely gone!
Not just suppressed—completely gone!
In other words, the agonizing Disorder Period that had always been so unbearable was, this time, simply... over!
A flicker of light crossed the man’s eyes as well, born of the relief that his child would no longer have to suffer the pain of this Disorder Period.
However, the man suppressed his emotions.
"And the toxin?"
As the words left his mouth, he didn’t even realize how thick his voice was with tension.
The Emperor, a man who stood at the pinnacle of the Empire’s power and had always been known for his decisive judgment, invariably maintained a calm and composed demeanor.
Yet this very man was now nervous.
He was terrified of hearing a disappointing answer.
"According to the current test results, the Little Prince’s Spiritual Sea is fine." The Medical Master stared at the data, finding it hard to believe himself.
"The toxin," the Medical Master said, enunciating each word, "is... purged!"
The Starbug toxin had been present in the Little Prince’s Spiritual Sea for years, continuously damaging it.
They themselves had battled the Starbug toxin on countless occasions, devising innumerable methods over the years, but all to no avail.
Aside from suppressing it with spiritual power, it was impossible to purge.
That was why, when they heard the toxin in the Little Prince’s Spiritual Sea had been purged, they couldn’t believe it at first.
But now, the test results were laid out right before their eyes.
The Little Prince’s Spiritual Sea was now, without a doubt, perfectly healthy.
Even his physical condition was flawless—he couldn’t be healthier.
"Your Majesty, the Little Prince has recovered!" the Medical Master said, his voice thick with emotion.
Hearing this, the man’s tightly clenched fists slowly relaxed, and the joy in his eyes could no longer be concealed. "Good, good, good!"
He said it three times, his elation clear for all to see.
"Attendant! Bring out my Top-grade Purple Crystal Stones and have them sent to Sophie Wexler."
He recalled Cillian Forrest mentioning that Sophie Wexler could absorb energy from Crystal Stones, but because her Level was too high, ordinary ones were no longer effective for her.
Top-grade crystal stones were few in number, and most of them were stored in the Imperial Palace, making them a perfect gift for her.
"I remember the Merfolk gifted us a Mermaid Pearl some time ago. Include that as well."
Girls, he reasoned, tended to like shiny things. He had no use for them, so she might as well have them all.
"Also, my personal dagger. Send that to her as well."
The dagger was a Level 3S weapon. While not exceptionally valuable in his eyes, its compact size made it an excellent gift for self-defense.
After saying all this, he paused to think for a moment. "Is this too little?"
’I don’t even know what Sophie Wexler likes. I should have asked Cillian Forrest more about her preferences back then.’
The adjutant standing beside him was left dumbfounded.
’Your Majesty, you call this not enough? Those top-grade crystal stones alone are priceless—you can’t buy them even if you have the money!’
’Not to mention the Mermaid Pearl—it’s the only one in the entire Empire!’
’And that dagger! The materials it’s made from were acquired through incredible hardship in another Star System!’
’Any single one of these items would be fought over tooth and nail if it were to appear on the market.’
And yet, the Emperor still felt it wasn’t enough.
’No matter how precious these items are, how could they possibly be more precious than my child’s life?’
’Sophie Wexler didn’t just save Shawn Thorne; she saved the future of the entire Empire.’
’Compared to that, what I’m giving her is far too little.’
"As for the rest... have someone select more items. Things that girls would like. And remember," he added, not forgetting to emphasize, "select plenty."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
「The next morning.」
Sophie Wexler woke up in that bed once again. Unlike the day before, she felt completely at ease today.
’Habit really is a powerful thing,’ she thought. ’It’s only been one night, and I’m already used to this.’
’It’s just a bed. So I slept in it. What’s the big deal?’
Having rationalized it, she walked out of the room, her expression perfectly composed.
The moment she stepped out the door, she saw Cillian Forrest not far away, and she stopped dead in her tracks.
The man was wearing a very loose set of sleepwear with a V-neck collar. Perhaps because he had just woken up, the top buttons were undone.
With every movement, she could catch a faint glimpse of his broad chest and the subtle swell of his muscles.
To describe his appearance with a phrase from the entertainment industry on Aethel, it would be: being a total thirst trap.
It wasn’t the first time Sophie Wexler had seen his physique.
She had applied medicine for him before, and had even accidentally touched him on another occasion.
’She knew just how incredible the physique beneath those tantalizingly loose clothes was—perfectly proportioned, exuding a uniquely masculine power.’
But all those previous times were due to specific circumstances. This time, however...
Sophie Wexler couldn’t help but steal another glance.
She sighed internally. ’He’s so... sexy.’
Especially with that neck ring he wore, which made him look even more sensual and dangerous.
For a moment, countless scenes from the novels she’d read flashed through Sophie Wexler’s mind.
That neck ring...
A second later, realizing where her thoughts were heading, Sophie Wexler immediately shook her head.
She patted her cheeks firmly. "Sophie Wexler, what are you thinking!"
"Why are you hitting yourself?" a voice drifted over, tinged with faint amusement.
Sophie Wexler looked up to see Cillian Forrest standing nearby, a smile playing on his lips as he watched her.
Even though she had only been thinking it, Sophie Wexler suddenly felt as if she’d been caught red-handed.
"N-nothing," Sophie Wexler stammered, her gaze uncontrollably drifting past the man’s neck again as she subtly bit her lip.
She thought she had concealed it well, but in truth, he had noticed her every move.
A barely perceptible smile touched Cillian Forrest’s eyes.
"Um, why are you home today?" Sophie Wexler asked, searching for a new topic to cover up her earlier behavior.
’That’s right,’ she thought. ’Based on what happened yesterday, he should have been long gone. Even back on Karath, he was often gone by the time I woke up. Why is he still here?’
Cillian Forrest replied, "I’m taking the day off."
Sophie Wexler: "Oh."
After that single exchange, Sophie Wexler was about to make a run for it when Cillian Forrest beckoned to her. "Come here."
Sophie Wexler: ’???’ ’What for?’
"There’s something for you."
Sophie Wexler: "? Something for me?"