Magnus burst into Selene's room, carefully laying her on the bed. He looked at her pale face, and he reached out to check her pulse and breathing. Her breathing was steady, but her pulse felt weaker than normal. Her skin was cool to the touch, which only heightened his concern.
He began pacing back and forth beside the bed, his thoughts racing. Where is that damn physician? His worry for Selene overpowered any sense of calm he usually maintained. Every moment felt like an eternity as he waited.
Meanwhile, across the estate, the Ravencroft family physician had just finished his lunch and was preparing to go back on duty. Just as he was ready to step out Alaric ran in.
"Dr. Kieran! Come, quickly! The young lady has fainted!" he screamed
The Physician's Background (First-Person Narrative)
My name is Dr. Kieran Valmont, the third son of Baron Valmont. Born without a class, my options in life were limited. In a family of six brothers, inheriting anything from our father was out of the question. Each of us sought our own paths, and mine was medicine.
I thought becoming a physician would mean I could get a lot of benefits especially when I treated nobles but it wasn't easy. I tried tirelessly but all of that was in vain since nobles rarely sought medical practitioners when they could hire clerics or priests for quick, magical healing. Most of my early patients were lower nobles or commoners, people who couldn't afford divine intervention.
The field was sparse, which worked in my favor, but my first chance to treat a true noble was a disaster. The man was rude, entitled, and insufferable. In my frustration, I made a reckless decision and gave him the wrong medication, which nearly cost me my license. My family intervened to save my career, but the damage to my reputation was done. Calls from patients dwindled, and I found myself working at a public clinic treating the impoverished.
For a son of nobility, this was a humiliation I bore with silent fury. I couldn't turn to my family again, so I endured the struggle. By 28, I had nothing to my name: no wife, no children, and no home. My younger brother, a successful A-ranked adventurer, owned a mansion and was practically worshipped by his party, three beautiful women vying for his attention.
One night, lying in a shabby inn bed, I contemplated my future—or lack thereof. Was this truly my life? Then came the opportunity I had been waiting for: the Ravencroft family sought a physician. Their previous doctor had retired, and I seized the chance before anyone else could.
Now, I had everything I'd dreamed of, a steady, generous income, a home on the estate, a 2-year-old son, and a lover. But ambition still burned within me. Gaining favor with the Duke or Duchess could elevate me even higher.
When Alaric stormed into my home, I knew this was my chance. Before he could finish explaining the situation, I grabbed my tools and followed him, heart pounding with anticipation.
"This could be it," I thought. "The moment I've been waiting for."
Back in Selene's Room
Magnus stood rigid as Alaric entered with the physician in tow. Dr. Valmont took one look at the unconscious Selene and frowned.
He hesitated, his thoughts betraying him. Are they serious? They want me to treat her?
Magnus' sharp eyes caught the hesitation, and his patience snapped. "Are you going to treat her or not?" he barked.
Dr. Valmont flinched, swallowing his nerves as he approached Selene. Her pale face and fragile form caught his attention, and despite himself, he thought, She's… breathtaking. A fleeting, improper thought crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it, especially under Magnus' intense gaze.
Clearing his throat, he began his examination. He checked her pulse, touched her forehead to gauge her temperature, and noted her steady breathing. After a thorough check, he turned to Magnus.
"Has she started her cycle, yet?"
Magnus blinked, caught off guard by the question. "No," he said flatly.
"Any signs of illness in the past few days? Fever? Lethargy?"
"None. She was perfectly fine before this morning."
"Did she eat anything unusual? Consume anything new?"
"No," Magnus replied curtly, growing impatient.
The physician paused, mulling over the information. Finally, he let out a sigh of relief. "She's fine. There's no illness, no physical ailment. She's simply overwhelmed—mentally stimulated, likely by something distressing."
Magnus frowned. "Mentally stimulated? That's it?"
"Yes, your Grace," Dr. Valmont explained. "She'll recover with rest, but she'll need careful monitoring. When she wakes, ensure she drinks water and eats something light. Avoid discussing anything that could distress her further."
The physician gave Magnus a polite bow. "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
As Dr. Valmont exited, Alaric watched him with suspicion. Something about the man's behavior didn't sit right. He filed the thought away, focusing instead on Magnus, who still hovered protectively over Selene.
"She'll recover," Alaric said quietly, though his gaze lingered on the door. "But there's something… off about that man."
Magnus didn't respond. His full attention remained on Selene, "She better," he muttered under his breath, his fists clenching at his sides.
For now, all they could do was wait.
Selene slowly regained consciousness, her head pounding like a drum. She squinted against the light, trying to make sense of her surroundings. When her vision cleared, two faces were alarmingly close to hers, staring intently.
"Ahh?!" she shouted, her soul almost evacuating from her body. She clutched her chest and screamed, "Who in their right mind leans that close to an unconscious person? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"
Magnus and Alaric immediately stepped back, both apologizing profusely.
"I-It's not what it looks like!" Alaric stammered. "You fainted, and we were just worried—"
Before he could finish, Magnus smacked the back of his head.
"Ow! What was that for?" Alaric yelped, rubbing the sore spot.
Magnus leaned in, his voice low. "What did the physician say about distressing her?"
Realizing his mistake, Alaric slapped a hand over his mouth, his eyes darting nervously toward Selene. She was pale, wide-eyed, and hyperventilating.
Magnus quickly grabbed her hand gently and looked into her eyes. "Selene, calm down. Breathe."
She hesitated, her rapid breaths slowing slightly. Before she could retort, Magnus did something unexpected—he placed a finger on her lips. The simple action stunned her into silence.
He sat on the edge of the bed, speaking softly. "I don't know what it's like to be in your position. I can't imagine how it feels to lose everything. But I do sympathize with you. However, unlike others who've faced what you have, you've been given something quiet rare and that is a second chance."
Selene's lips trembled, tears welling in her eyes. Magnus continued, his tone steady but compassionate. "It may not be the life you envisioned, but it's a life where you can still achieve your dreams. Whatever you want to accomplish in this world, Alaric and I will help you."
A tear rolled down her cheek as she gave a small, shaky nod, a faint smile forming. Magnus returned the smile and gently squeezed her hand.
Magnus smiled faintly. "Good. Now, the physician said you were overstimulated and need rest."
The mention of the physician made Selene's brows furrow. "Physician?" she repeated. Shouldn't a cleric or a priest do that... oh... wait, I'm a 'cursed child'. I guess they didn't want to treat me.
Magnus caught her reaction, mistaking it for something related to her memories of the "game."
"His name is Dr. Kieran Valmont, our personal physician," he said cautiously.
At the name, Selene's eyes snapped wide open. She bolted upright, her voice rising. "YOU LET THAT BASTARD TOUCH ME?!"
Both men froze in shock.
Magnus held out his hands in a calming gesture. "Selene, relax. You'll faint again!"
"RELAX?! HOW CAN I RELAX?!" she screamed. "Did you leave me alone with him?"
"No!" Magnus assured her. "We stayed the whole time. What's going on?"
Selene pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to think through the fog of her pounding headache. Everything's wrong, she thought bitterly.
In the game, Eri had some interactions with Dr. Valmont and learned something disturbing. Through that part, the player will find out that he has a lover and a 7-year-old son with said lover but he is 38 years old and his lover is 19. The story was, that the girl, who was 12 years old at the time, was homeless Dr. Valmont took her home and they both fell in love with each other.
The online gamers weren't stupid, they knew what was going on and he became one of the most hated extra characters in the game
Though Eri learned of the situation, the girl begged her not to interfere, claiming she loved him and was happy. The storyline ended tragically when the girl died from a drug overdose, marking one of Eri's "regret" events.
Selene quickly did the math in her head. The girl was nineteen and that event will happen 5 years later, then that girl must be… 14 years old now.
Her eyes darted to Magnus. "You need to fire him—no, throw him in jail! Right now!"
Magnus frowned, confused by her outburst. "Why?"
Selene's voice cracked as she screamed, "Because he has his filthy hands on a fourteen-year-old girl, that's why!"
Both men made identical expressions of disgust.
Alaric suddenly blurted out, "Wait, that bastard left with a bulge in his pants!"
Silence.
Magnus turned his head slowly toward Alaric, his expression dark and murderous. "Is that true?"
Alaric paled, stepping back nervously. "Y-Yes," he stammered, nodding.
Without a word, Magnus stood, walked to the door, and opened it. He stepped out into the hall, with the aura of a mad dragon ready to incinerate anyone who obstructed his path. Nearby maids walking down the corridor, try their best to merge with the walls when he passed by.
Selene and Alaric exchanged wide-eyed glances before scrambling after him.