NOVEL NEXT chapter 44
“Are you feeling a bit more composed now?”
After applying the final bandage to my wounds, the steward removed his hand and asked. Every breath still stabbed at my chest, but I didn’t want to worry him. I sniffled and forced a small smile.
“Yes, thank you, Steward. I’m a bit better.”
He gently pinched my nose, then picked up his medicine box and rose.
“From now on, act more rationally. You nearly got yourself killed.”
“Yes… I’m sorry, Steward. I caused trouble.”
He shook his head.
“I’m a foreigner, so it’ll be just a few days’ detention at worst. Besides, the crown prince is in a bind without me…”
I remembered how he’d said he’d come to study the royal physiology. Was his research on rare alphas? When I asked, he nodded.
“There isn’t much research on rare alphas. As I said before, they usually hold wealth and power—no one volunteers their own body for experiments. So most study remains theoretical, and when drugs or treatments are tested, the subject ends up being the researcher himself. It does yield valuable samples, though.”
I hesitated, then asked,
“So, does that mean something’s wrong with Kamar?”
“He’s Crown Prince Asgire, Yohan.”
He corrected me and continued.
“There’s no proof his name is Kamar. So don’t call him that. He is Crown Prince Asgire. For now.”
He emphasized that once more, then softened his tone.
“I understand how you feel, but try to be more detached.”
“…You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Over my bowed head I heard his sigh.
“You’re apologizing again. You don’t need to bow ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) so deeply for something this small. Just say you understand.”
“I….”
I caught myself about to apologize again when our eyes met. I stopped and said instead,
“Understood.”
“Good.”
He nodded, then clapped his hands as if to refocus.
“I’m starting my research now. You can play with Rikal or spend your time as you like. If you get hungry, let me know—I’ll fetch you something.”
“Um, excuse me.”
I called after him as he turned. He looked back.
“Is there anything I can do to help? I mean, since I’m here as your assistant, it seems odd to sit idle…”
He paused, then nodded as if realizing.
“Ah, you’re right. It would look odd if someone spotted you doing nothing.”
I’d meant to say lying would trouble me, but he was pointing out being caught idling would be worse. Afraid to refuse his kindness, I murmured,
“You’re right.”
He snapped his fingers, glanced around, and then looked back at me.
“All right, take these.”
“Pardon?”
I reached out, and he took a pill from the bottle, placing it firmly in my hand.
I didn’t doubt him, but he cautioned me not to trust anyone blindly.
“There are countless people who betray trust. Don’t ever trust anyone.”
Having warned me once more, he set the pill in my palm. I nodded and put it to my lips. He handed me a glass of water with a sigh.
“You said you understood… Fine. Now come here.”
I complied, and he opened a door set into the wall. Inside the small room stood a bed, a folding chair, and a table. Puzzled, I looked up, and he said casually,
“This is my bedroom. I’ll request another room for you later—use this for now.”
“I’m not sleepy at all.”
“You will be. You took a sleeping pill.”
I flushed in surprise, and he smiled.
“I told you to confirm before taking it, didn’t I?”
I hesitated, and he continued as if it were nothing,
“You’re quite injured. Rest first. Helping me can wait until you recover. Understood? But—never mind.”
He added sternly,
“If you insist on helping me in this state, I’d be violating labor laws. I’m American, so I must abide by American law.”
I laughed at the excuse, grateful for an effort to make me rest. Involuntarily, a small cry of pain slipped out as I shifted, and he sighed.
“There you go. Your mouth’s a mess, your face all bruised—I worry about you even breathing. At least you’re moving, so no broken bones, but your muscles will ache terribly. Sleep now; we’ll assess you again tomorrow.”
“Please lie down,” he urged, pulling my hand. Once I lay on the bed, he tucked the covers up to my chin. The mattress was impossibly soft and comforting. Drifting in the unfamiliar plush softness, I murmured in a half-dream,
“This bed is wonderful….”
He nodded.
“It’s a new material developed by NASA. Feels like lying on a cloud.”
His voice faded into a lullaby as I sank into sleep.
“Ugh….”
I woke with a groan. Every cough shook me painfully. My chest throbbed, and my whole body ached—each movement drew a moan. Turning caused a grimace, and I opened my eyes with effort. The steward’s face appeared in my blurry vision.
“You all right, Yohan? I heard you moan.”
He scanned my body, then met my eyes.
“You seem in a lot of pain, so I brought painkillers. Take some.”
“Thank you….”
I managed a thanks and swallowed the medicine with water. The steward, having watched silently, spoke.
“I’m worried one of your ribs might be broken. I brought a wheelchair and X-ray device—let’s take some images.”
He hurried me into the wheelchair and we moved into the hallway, where music drifted and people bustled this way and that.
“It’s almost time for dinner.”
He said. I caught a faint sweet scent, and he noticed.
“Looks like many royals will dine together. Such gatherings are rare.”
Just then a passing attendant recognized the steward.
“Doctor, what brings you here? Who is this?”
Used to the question, the steward replied mechanically,
“This is my assistant who accompanied me—Yohan.”
“I see. Will he join today’s dinner?”
“No, I won’t attend. Crowds of nobles make me uncomfortable.”
“How unfortunate. Shall we have dinner brought to your rooms as usual?”
“Yes, two portions today, please. And something the cat can eat—my assistant brought a cat.”
I wondered if that was too much, but the attendant smiled.
“Certainly. Chicken breast would be suitable?”
I looked at him and replied, “Yes, thank you.”
“I’ll arrange meals for both of you plus the cat’s food. Is that acceptable?”
It was more than acceptable; I thanked him again. He bowed and left. After he’d gone, I turned to the steward.
“I can stay here alone—please go eat.”
Since he was researching royal physiology, he’d benefit from mingling. But he shook his head.
“I’m not just here for today… I prefer being alone.”
Seeing his disinterest, I fell silent. After X-rays, he said,
“Luckily, nothing’s broken, but there are hairline cracks. It’ll hurt for some time. Ribs heal on their own—be careful, and don’t strain yourself.”
“Thank you.”
Though capable of walking, he insisted I stay in the wheelchair.
“It’d be embarrassing to wheel around an empty chair. Sit.”
It made sense, so I complied. As we retraced our path, we met the same attendant.
“Doctor.”
He smiled awkwardly.
“I’m glad I found you. I was sent to fetch you.”
“For me? What for?”
The steward asked, and the attendant answered immediately.
“His Highness the Crown Prince has personally invited you to dinner. You must attend. And bring your assistant.”
My heart leapt; the steward’s surprised voice followed.
“Yohan too? Why?”
“I’m not certain, but since you’re his assistant, he may wish to introduce you.”
“Really….”
He sounded bewildered, but the attendant was firm.
“It’s the Crown Prince’s command. Please attend—there’s attire prepared in the lab. And your assistant too.”
Despite his firm tone, he smiled gently and departed. The steward cursed under his breath.
“That damned brat—does he think an order covers everything? Yohan needs to rest, and he has no idea why you ended up like this….”
I looked at him apologetically.
“I’m all right, Steward. The medicine keeps the pain manageable.”
“I’ll handle things—stay in your room.”
He said, and I shook my head quickly.
“Really, I’m fine. And… I want to see Asgire Prince too.”
I added softly, and he sighed deeply. We rode the long corridor in silence. The hour of the crown prince’s dinner invitation drew ever nearer.
Happy New Year.
I wanted to say this in the last installment, but it felt out of place, so I add it here during this brief hiatus.
I sincerely apologize for the repeated delays and for the mid-series overhaul.
I’ve fallen short. I promise to be more careful moving forward.
Thank you for reading.