“You used the Terin herb, didn’t you?”
“W-What? How did you know that?!”
The Terin herb—an herb created by artificially imbuing divine power into a specific plant. When consumed, it helps the human body better accept divine energy.
However, the process of creating it is extremely complex and costly, making it almost nonexistent in general markets.
“It was my mistake not to consider that possibility, as it’s such a rare herb only obtainable through the Regalis Order.”
Facing the stiffened personal physician, Sabina continued coldly.
“There’s no better herb than Terin when undergoing divine healing. However, due to its properties, it rejects both mana and aura.”
“L-Lady Sabina…”
“Aura and mana have similar properties since they form a ‘heart,’ but divine power is entirely different.”
The doctor flinched, his shoulders tightening.
Sabina’s calm voice pierced like a needle.
“Physical injuries can be healed by divine power. But symptoms related to aura can’t be resolved that way—in fact, divine power acts as a poison in those cases.”
“……”
“And you, a physician trained directly by the Regalis Order, surely knew that.”
Sabina twisted her lips into a sharp smirk as she stared at the doctor, who dared not speak.
“In that case, prescribing Terin must’ve been intentional, knowing full well its properties.”
“I-I… I mean…”
The doctor tried to offer a hasty excuse, but Sabina cut him off mid-sentence.
Her cold red eyes locked on him.
“You may dislike me, but to sabotage Adrian’s treatment deliberately…”
Her piercing gaze was filled with fury and disdain.
As a fellow healer—someone who saves lives—she simply couldn’t understand it.
“What if Adrian had truly been harmed because of you?”
“T-That’s impossible!”
The doctor suddenly raised his voice, nearly shouting.
“From what I learned, Terin is a restorative herb!”
Sabina calmly stared at him, as if daring him to continue.
The doctor stammered on.
“Even if it seems painful on the surface, that’s just part of detoxification! It purifies a body tainted by mana, so that divine healing can follow…”
He suddenly swallowed hard and fell silent.
But it was too late.
The very words he’d blurted out had become proof of his guilt—an admission that he had, indeed, used Terin.
Sabina pressed on, presenting irrefutable evidence.
“We also completed a full analysis of the supplement you previously prescribed to Adrian.”
“…The supplement?”
The doctor’s face drained of color.
Sabina’s smile deepened, turning into a clear sneer.
“You used many beneficial ingredients, but Terin was among them.”
“L-Lady Sabina!”
The doctor raised his voice in panic, desperate to stop her.
But Sabina wasn’t fazed.
“To be more precise, the ingredients were chosen to maximize Terin’s effects.”
She then glanced sideways at Duke Valencia.
“What are your thoughts on this, Duke?”
“……”
The Duke, who had remained quietly observing until now, was silent for a long moment.
His heavy, quiet gaze turned toward the doctor.
The physician didn’t dare move a muscle, staring back in terror.
That moment of silence felt like an eternity.
Then, the Duke’s voice rang out, sharp as a blade.
“So, you prescribed it… knowing all of this?”
“I-I…!”
The doctor tried to explain himself again, but the Duke didn’t give him the chance.
His cold voice followed.
“Upon investigation, there’s evidence you colluded with the supply wagon manager.”
“W-What?! That’s not—!”
The doctor could barely breathe, trembling with fear.
But the Duke wasn’t done.
“I let it slide—because of your ties to the Order.”
“My lord…”
“But sabotaging Adrian’s treatment?”
For the first time, anger laced the Duke’s previously calm voice.
His glare turned vicious, like a shard of broken glass, aimed directly at the doctor.
“You threatened the life of a Valencia family member?”
“I-I…!”
Then, the Duke thundered.
“Is no one out there?! Seize him and bind him at once!”
The attendants rushed in as if they had been waiting for the order.
Strong men grabbed the physician’s arms, and he began thrashing in panic.
“L-Let me go! I am a member of the Holy Order!!”
“B-Brother?!”
Adrian’s eyes widened in shock.
After all, the physician was affiliated with the Regalis Order—dragging him away like that was…
“He endangered the Second Young Master. Lock him up. No contact with anyone.”
But Duke Valencia was firm—unyielding, with not a sliver of hesitation.
The attendants dragged the doctor out of the bedroom.
Through the door left ajar, the man’s desperate screams echoed.
“My lord! I swear I’m innocent! I—!”
But the Duke ignored it completely.
Even Adrian, the direct victim, glanced at the Duke with some unease.
“Brother… Are you sure about this?”
“Of course.”
The Duke nodded without hesitation.
“Our ties to the Order are important—but not more than your life.”
“…Brother.”
“So.”
The Duke’s gaze sharpened like a blade.
“I will make the Order take full responsibility for this.”
Sabina, listening from the side, couldn’t hide her surprise.
She hadn’t expected the Duke to actually cut ties with a doctor directly connected to the Regalis Order.
‘Adrian is truly loved.’
That realization warmed her heart—and yet, made it ache a little.
She had heard stories of Adrian, a hero of the Regalis Order, who had traveled the empire doing countless good deeds.
He was beloved by all.
Could someone like her really stand by his side?
Even now, she was still being called a witch and shunned.
And worse—Sabina carried a secret she was hiding from everyone.
If that secret ever came to light… she couldn’t even be sure Adrian would still smile at her.
‘Honestly, what am I thinking?’
Sabina gave herself a bitter smile—just as the Duke spoke to her.
“Miss Sabina.”
“Ah—yes.”
She straightened herself without thinking.
The Duke continued calmly.
“I’ve
heard you suffered greatly at the hands of some of my household.”
“…That’s…”
“I’d like to apologize for that.”
The Duke lowered his head respectfully.
Sabina’s eyes widened in surprise.
“M-My lord?”
—
