When Elias woke, it was to the faint sound of birds chirping outside the small window near his bed. His head throbbed, and his body felt like it had been wrung out and left to dry. For a moment, he wasn't sure where he was or how much time had passed.
The system chimed softly in his mind. "Host, you have been unconscious for approximately eighteen hours."
"Great," Elias croaked, his voice barely above a whisper. "Anything else I should know?"
"Your condition is stable, though your physical health remains below optimal levels. Further rest is recommended."
Before Elias could respond, the door creaked open, and a familiar figure stepped inside. Head Maid Sasha, her usual stern expression softened ever so slightly, carried a tray with a bowl of soup and a piece of bread.
"You're awake," she said briskly, setting the tray on the small table beside his bed. "The doctor says you'll recover, but you'll need to stay in bed for at least another day."
Elias nodded weakly, too tired to argue. As Sasha turned to leave, he hesitated. "The emperor..." he began, his voice barely audible. "Did he... say anything else?"
Sasha paused, her hand on the doorframe. "You should focus on recovering, Elias," she said, her tone unusually cautious. "That's all you need to worry about for now."
And with that, she left, leaving Elias alone with his thoughts and a growing sense of unease
______
Elias drifted in and out of sleep, the fever finally releasing its grip on him. His body still felt weak, but at least he could think clearly again.
Occasionally, muffled sounds—voices raised in argument or hurried footsteps—came from the corridor outside his small room. Every time he tried to get up to investigate, dizziness would force him back down.
The door creaked open more than once, but it wasn't Prince Aedric or anyone familiar. Instead, it was a rotating cast of servants, all of them unfamiliar and curt.
They brought him food, water, and fresh linens, but their behavior was strange. None of them would meet his gaze. Their eyes darted around the room as if looking for something else to focus on, and their hurried movements made it clear they didn't want to linger.
Elias tried to ask a few questions, but the servants only muttered non-answers before scurrying out, leaving him even more confused. He could feel an unspoken tension in the air, but he was too weak to press further.
The following day, a knock at the door preceded the arrival of someone Elias didn't recognize. The man who entered was tall and gaunt, with an air of calm authority. His dark robes, adorned with intricate embroidery that shimmered faintly in the light, gave him the look of a priest rather than a doctor. Yet, Sasha was with him, following closely behind.
"This is the doctor who treated you," Sasha said briskly, gesturing toward the man.
Elias squinted at him, suspicion prickling at the back of his mind. Something about the way the man moved, the symbols on his robes, and even the faint smell of incense reminded him of the temple priests he'd read about in the original story.
"Doctor?" Elias rasped, his voice still weak. "Are you sure? You... you feel more like a priest."
The man's expression didn't falter, but there was the slightest twitch in his fingers, as though he was restraining himself from reacting. Sasha's sharp intake of breath was more noticeable, though.
"Don't be ridiculous," Sasha snapped, her tone harsher than usual. "This is Dr. Rendal, one of the most trusted medical professionals in the palace. He's here to make sure you've recovered."
Elias didn't miss the way her eyes briefly flicked toward the man—Dr. Rendal—as though silently warning him to play along.
"Of course," the man said smoothly, his voice calm and steady. "I am merely a doctor, here to ensure your continued health."
Something about his words felt rehearsed, and Elias's unease only grew. Still, he was in no position to argue. The man approached, examining him with clinical efficiency. He checked Elias's pulse, asked him a few basic questions about his symptoms, and inspected his eyes.
"You're recovering well," the man finally said, stepping back. "With proper rest and nourishment, you'll be back on your feet in no time."
He turned to Sasha. "Ensure he eats properly and avoids strenuous activity for the next few days. That should be enough."
Sasha nodded curtly. "Understood."
The man left without another word, Sasha following close behind. The door shut firmly behind them, but Elias caught the faint sound of their voices just outside.
Elias strained to listen, his curiosity overcoming his exhaustion.
"You shouldn't have said anything more than necessary," the man's voice was low and sharp, unlike the calm tone he'd used inside.
"I handled it," Sasha replied, her voice equally tense. "But if you want me to ensure this doesn't fall apart, you'd better keep your end of the deal."
The man scoffed. "You're the one risking everything by letting him live in the palace at all. If anyone finds out—"
"No one will find out," Sasha interrupted, her voice cold. "As long as you and the other servants keep your mouths shut. And if any of them think about speaking out, remind them of what will happen if they ruin this plan."
There was a long silence before the man replied. "Fine. But don't forget who's really in control here."
Elias heard their footsteps retreating down the corridor, leaving him alone with a million questions swirling in his mind.
"Plan? What plan?" he thought, his hands clenching weakly at the blanket. Something was going on, something that involved him—and likely tied to the cryptic hints about his "status" and the unusual treatment he'd been receiving.
But what was it? And why were they so determined to keep him alive but in the dark?
The system chimed in his mind. "Host, it is recommended that you focus on recovery. The current situation is beyond your authority to investigate."
Elias scowled. "Of course it is. You're just as useless as always."
The system didn't respond, leaving Elias alone with his racing thoughts and a growing sense of unease. Whatever was happening, he had a sinking feeling that it was far bigger than him—and that it wasn't going to end well.
______
Elias sat up in bed, the words he'd overheard still ringing in his ears. The conversation between Sasha and the so-called "doctor" wasn't something he could just ignore. His instincts told him that it was connected to the cryptic hints he'd received about his standing in the palace—and the peculiar treatment he'd been receiving.
He threw off the blanket and swung his legs over the side of the bed, ignoring the lingering dizziness as he stood up. Whatever this "plan" was, he needed to figure it out before he became a pawn in a dangerous game he didn't understand.
But just as he reached for the door, it swung open. Standing there, her hands on her hips and her gaze sharp as ever, was Sasha.
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked, her tone brisk but with a touch of warning.
Elias froze, his hand hovering near the door handle. "Uh… I thought I'd get some fresh air."
Sasha's eyes narrowed, and Elias knew she didn't buy his excuse for a second. She stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
"You'll stay in this room until you've fully recovered," she said firmly. "And you'd better recover soon. The busy season is upon us, and Prince Aedric's birthday celebration is less than a month away. Everyone in the palace will be working day and night to prepare, and we'll need all hands on deck—including yours."
Elias blinked, her words catching him off guard. "Prince Aedric's birthday?"
"Yes," Sasha said, crossing her arms. "A grand affair, as always. Nobles from across the kingdom will be in attendance. That means the prince will need you at your best—no fainting, no sickness, no mistakes. Understood?"
Elias nodded slowly, though his mind was racing. If what he overheard earlier was any indication, there was more happening behind the scenes than just party planning. And with so many important figures coming to the palace, the stakes were bound to be even higher.
Sasha studied him for a moment, her sharp gaze softening just slightly. "You've done well so far, Elias," she said, her tone quieter. "But don't get complacent. There's a lot riding on your ability to stay in the prince's good graces."
Elias nodded again, this time more seriously. "I understand."
"Good." Sasha straightened and opened the door. "Rest up. You'll need your strength."
She left without another word, the door clicking shut behind her.
Elias sat back down on the bed, his earlier determination to investigate dampened by Sasha's reminder of his responsibilities.
The idea of prying into things he wasn't supposed to know suddenly seemed much riskier. After all, Sasha's warning about staying in the prince's good graces wasn't just advice—it was survival.
The system's voice chimed in his head. "Host, it is recommended that you prioritize your recovery and preparation for upcoming duties. Pursuing unnecessary risks may jeopardize your mission."
Elias groaned. "You're really great at telling me things I already know, aren't you?"
The system didn't respond, which somehow made it even more irritating.
With a sigh, Elias leaned back against the headboard. For now, he'd let himself recover and focus on the immediate challenge: surviving Prince Aedric's birthday preparations.
But he made a mental note to stay alert—because whatever Sasha and
the "doctor" were hiding, it was bound to reveal itself eventually. And when it did, Elias would be ready. Or so he hoped.
___
Please give me Power Stones