The Imperial Healing Chambers occupied an entire wing of the palace, their white marble walls inscribed with ancient runes of preservation and recovery.
As Mikhail approached, flanked by two of the Empress's personal guards, he could feel the magic humming in the air - layer upon layer of protective enchantments built up over centuries.
Head Healer Victoria met him at the entrance, her silver-streaked hair bound in the traditional healer's knots. "Your Highness," she bowed slightly. "We've been expecting you. Please remember, your father's condition is... delicate. You must maintain absolute calm to avoid disturbing the healing matrices."
[System Alert: Divine Insight activating...]
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Name: Victoria Ashworth
Title: Head Imperial Healer
Loyalty: Empress Camilla
Notes:
- Recently promoted after predecessor's unexpected retirement.
- Maintains direct communication channel with Empress.
- Oversees team of 12 healers, 8 loyal to Empress.
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"Of course," Mikhail replied, letting anxiety colour his voice. "I just... I need to see him."
Victoria's expression softened with practised sympathy. "This way, Your Highness. Remember, no sudden movements or strong emotions. The Emperor's recovery is at a crucial stage."
They passed through several chambers, each one thrumming with increasingly powerful preservation spells.
Mikhail noted the positions of the other healers - all carefully arranged to appear busy while maintaining clear sightlines to him.
Finally, they reached the Emperor's private chamber. Through the crystalline barrier, Mikhail could see his father's still form lying on an enchanted bed, surrounded by pulsing magical matrices that monitored every aspect of his condition.
"You may enter," Victoria said softly. "We'll be right here if you need anything."
Mikhail stepped through the barrier, feeling it tingle against his skin as it analysed him for any harmful intent. Inside, the air was thick with healing magic, making it slightly difficult to breathe.
[System Alert: Divine Insight activated]
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Subject: Emperor Tiberius Ironforge
Status: Critical but stable
Condition Analysis:
- Multiple organ systems under magical suppression.
- Neural pathways showing signs of targeted degradation.
- Traces of crystallised mana in bloodstream.
- Temporal anomalies detected in cellular structure.
.
Poison Analysis:
- Compound appears incomplete.
- Primary components:
* Dreamshade extract (degraded)
* Crystallised dragon's breath
* Temporal binding agent (extremely harmful to Subject)
* Unknown catalytic element
.
Notes:
- Subject's natural resistance significantly higher than poison's effect.
- Evidence of multiple failed attempts to increase potency of poison through healing matrix.
- Temporal binding preventing standard purification techniques and also causing Subject's natural healing functions to fail - extreme aura suppression.
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Mikhail moved closer to the bed, his mind racing as he processed the information.
The poison was indeed rushed, but more importantly, his father was fighting it - and with remarkable success.
"Father," he whispered, carefully monitoring the healers' positions through his peripheral vision. "I'm here."
The Emperor's face was pale but peaceful, as if he were merely sleeping. But Mikhail could see the subtle signs of struggle - the slight tension around his eyes, the way his fingers occasionally twitched as if gripping his sword.
[System Alert: Additional analysis available...]
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Healing Matrix Configuration:
- Standard recovery protocols active but subtly altered.
- Secondary matrix designed to appear supportive while actually hampering recovery.
- Tertiary systems maintaining appearance of critical condition.
- Evidence of tampering in monitoring crystals.
.
Key Observation: Subject's actual condition significantly better than displayed readings suggest.
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Mikhail's eyes narrowed slightly as he processed this information. The healers weren't just monitoring his father - they were actively maintaining his weakened state while making it appear natural. Worse than that, they were heightening the poison's potency.
Just then a soft pain began to build at the back of Mikhail's mind.
"Your Highness," Victoria called softly from the barrier. "Try speaking to him. Some healers believe patients can hear even in this condition."
A test, Mikhail realised. They wanted to observe his interaction, gauge his reactions. He reached out to take his father's hand, careful to maintain the appearance of an emotional young son. But this strange, unexpected, pain in his head was growing steadily.
"Father, I..." he let his voice crack slightly. "I'm trying to make you proud. The council position, managing the Draconus situation... I'm doing my best to serve the empire as you taught me."
"I think that's enough for today, Your Highness. We need to perform the evening purification rituals."
As Mikhail reluctantly withdrew, his head felt as though it was about to explode from the pain that had now totally spread throughout his mind.
[System Alert: Host is being affected by connection established between healing matrix tampering and ritual chalice enchantments.]
[Warning: Multiple observers recording Host's reactions]
"Thank you," he said to Victoria, letting tears well in his eyes. "For taking such good care of him."
The Head Healer's smile was perfect, practised. "It's our sacred duty, Your Highness. We'll notify you of any changes in his condition."
As Mikhail left the healing chambers, his mind was working overtime. The poison hadn't failed - but it had been rushed and improperly prepared.
His father was conscious, fighting back with remarkable strength.
The guards escorted him back through the palace corridors, but Mikhail barely noticed them as his vision was blurring.