HIS PHYSICIAN
"What time is the royal supper?" Mallory asked Timothy, who stood beside him under the shade of a tree as they watched the palace maids weed the royal garden.
But Mallory's gaze was fixed onto one person. A girl he thought was almost as perfect as an angel.
Saliah.
"The royal supper will commence this evening, your royal highness," Timothy answered.
Mallory scoffed, "There's no one around; you can call me by my name."
"Right," Timothy chuckled, "what do you plan on doing about Saliah?"
"Wife her," he stated nonchalantly.
"Pardon?" Timothy widened his eyes and instantly blurted out.
Mallory had a small smile on his lips as he watched Saliah, who was laughing and chatting happily with Elaiza.
"I want her to serve me at the supper; inform Nomi."
Timothy nodded and smiled softly as he watched the gentleness of his gaze on Saliah.
"So when's the next blue moon?" Saliah asked Elaiza with curiosity plastered across her face.
"In a week, you only get to request one thing every year, but whether or not you get it depends on your worthiness," Elaiza informed her.
"So you just wish for something and it happens?"
"Request," Elaiza corrected as she wiped the sweat off of her forehead. "You'll see it for yourself next week."
"I still can't believe this is happening," Saliah chuckled with a sigh.
Everything felt so real yet so surreal. Being in the Tayama Kingdom made her feel like she was experiencing a fairytale.
That night, Saliah tucked herself early into bed, her eyes groggy and her body weak from the hard labor she had endured.
She had just closed her eyes when Elaiza walked in with a mischievous smile on her small face.
"Sister Leah! You won't believe what just happened!"
"What now?" Saliah groaned from underneath the covers.
"The royal supper is today; we've been asked to cater for it."
Saliah looked up at Elaiza with utter unbelief. "You're excited about this?"
"Only the chief maid and her favored maids are allowed at the royal supper. It's very rare to get chosen." Elaiza with bright eyes.
"Right." Saliah sighed. "You'd obviously be excited to play maid." She mumbled.
"Pardon?" Elaiza looked over at her, and Saliah instantly shook her head. "It's nothing."
The royal supper was held once every month; everyone that was royalty was to attend it. It was held in a huge hall, decorated with real gold ornaments. The ceiling was covered in gold, and the glass table had diamond crystals in it.
The hall was huge and grand, everything royalty was meant to be.
Saliah and Elaiza stood at the side near a table that had different elegantly cooked meals. Compared to the bland meals meant for maids that were prepared on firewood, the meal was professionally prepared by the best chef in the Tayama Kingdom.
Saliah felt that it was the easiest job ever; after all, all they had to do was serve the royals.
"I heard Isaac will be coming," Elaiza whispered, with a sparkle in her eyes.
"The wizard?"
"Tayat," Elaiza corrected with a sigh.
"You said he had magic and wishing stones." Saliah shrugged.
"Yes, but—"
Before Elaiza could finish, the doors to the hall were pushed open, and in walked a barrage of royal guards, forming a line on both sides to create a pathway.
A tall man in blue garments elegantly walked in with a petite young girl holding onto his arm, a warm smile on their faces.
"The fourth prince," Elaiza whispered, "that's his daughter, Princess Lana."
"Oh, she's a princess alright," Saliah commented as they watched the other two maids pull back the dining chairs for the royals.
"Oh! That's Prince Malcolm," Elaiza whispered with a hint of excitement. Saliah turned to look, her gaze lingering on the mark at the back of his hand.
"He's Prince Mallory's cousin and his biggest enemy, or so they say. The two can never stay in one room without arguing."
"Palace drama, that's interesting," Saliah chuckled. "Why do they hate each other so much?"
"It's an old grudge. Prince Charn almost became the king of Tayama, but he defiled the rules of the Tayama Kingdom." Elaiza explained. "He married the woman that caused the queen's death, so Prince Mallory's father was crowned king instead."
"So Prince Malcolm believes he deserves to be the crowned prince?" Saliah scoffed.
"Yeah. Isn't he handsome?" Elaiza gushed. Saliah watched her friend's love-struck look and rolled her eyes.
At that time, two more men had walked in, and Elaiza instantly introduced them as Malcolm's father, Prince Charn, and Prince Charles, who had no heir.
According to Elaiza, Prince Charles had married once but later divorced his wife for a reason unknown to all.
Finally, the king walked in with two more bodyguards, and on his right was his wife, the queen, and on the left side was Prince Mallory.
Saliah's gaze lingered on that bewitchingly handsome face of his. Everything about him was attractive; his every step and poise were elegant.
He escorted his father to the seat at the head of the table and sat beside him after a light bow to the rest of the royals.
All the royals had arrived, but there was one empty seat. Just as they were about to inquire about it, another figure arrived. His cold face was perfectly chiseled, his stance intimidating.
He walked up to the king and bowed in respect before sitting next to Prince Mallory.
Saliah and Elaiza immediately rushed to start serving them their meals.
As she placed a plate in front of Prince Malcom, she felt a gaze locked onto her. She looked up and instantly locked eyes with Isaac.
She froze, not knowing what to do.
His gaze was cold, but there was a trace of familiarity in his eyes. The more she looked at him, the more familiar he was to her. But she was certain she had never seen the man before.
"What exactly is the meaning of this?" The fourth prince asked with a frown.
The king, with a calm expression, answered as he looked at Isaac, "It is a gathering between families; surely you would understand why Isaac is here."
The royals exchanged complicated looks, the air filled with tension.
"Your Majesty—"
"It's only right that Isaac attends the dinner; after all, he's like family," Prince Charles interjected sincerely.
Isaac glanced at Prince Charles expressionlessly before looking at the king.
Saliah took a set of golden spoons, placing one on each plate that sat in front of the royals.
When she got to Mallory's seat, he deliberately brushed her finger, making her involuntarily blush.
"How's the search for his cure going?" The queen suddenly asked.
"I believe we should look for someone else. For how long are we going to wait for this 'cure'?" Prince Charn sourly complained before Isaac could answer.
"Your majesty, the cure has already arrived." Isaac ignored the prince and responded to the queen.
Malcom scoffed almost immediately but said nothing. He looked up at Mallory, who was lost in thought, his gaze fixed onto something behind him.
Malcom looked back, and his eyes flickered with instant interest.
When he saw his cousin still looking at the maid, he secretly smirked but said nothing.
"Well? What is this cure?" The king abruptly stood and asked expectantly, but he stumbled backwards when he felt a sharp pain in his chest.
Saliah instinctively reached out to support the king, preventing him from falling.
The second that her skin came into contact with his, the king felt a surge of energy flowing into his body, cold and refreshing. He felt it flowing from his arm to all parts of his body, and for the first time in years, he felt energetic.
"These servants are getting more daring by the day. How dare you, a lowly pathogen, touch the king?!" The fourth prince chided.
Saliah instantly let go of the king's arm, and he felt the flow of energy halt.
"My apologies, I didn't mean to—"
"Whether you meant to or not, you must be aware of the palace rules, are you not?" The fourth prince continued to scold. "Do you think you're worthy of coming in contact with the king?!"
"That's enough, Uncle," Mallory spoke coldly with a frown.
"This matter has nothing to do with you, Mallory," Malcolm warned. Mallory scoffed and was about to respond when Isaac, who had been sitting quietly, stood up.
He was not a royal, but his every glance and gesture was full of elegance and poise. His presence alone is commanding.
"How does His Majesty feel now?" He asked.
"What sort of questions do you think you're asking?" The fourth prince echoed, his face displaying his disapproval.
The king only lifted his palm, and they stopped talking. Under everyone's shocked gazes, a relaxed smile hung on his lips as he answered, "I feel quite fine now. Was what just happened part of your plan?"
"Yes, your majesty." He bowed slightly with a smile. "Allow me to introduce you to your physician, Saliah." He added.
Saliah, who had been standing timidly behind Mallory's seat, looked up at Isaac in utter shock. When their eyes met, she felt a sense of familiarity that confused her all the more.
"You must really be desperate to solidify your position, Isaac." Prince Charn chuckled.
The king glared at Prince Charn, making him break out in a cold sweat. He then looked at Saliah with warmth. He did not know who the poor girl was, but he felt safe with her, surprisingly safe.
"Understood. Bring her to the royal study after supper." The king spoke after a while, his eyes still on Saliah, who looked confused and lost.
"No—no, you c—can't do that. What exactly—"
Before she could finish her sentence, she felt her jaw tighten and her mouth too heavy to move.
"I have a meeting to attend, your Majesty; please excuse me." He stated, his hands behind his back as he fearlessly faced the king.
Saliah widened her eyes and looked at Isaac, panic slowly creeping in.
"Very well, Isaac." The king nodded with approval.
"Follow me," Isaac ordered Saliah after bowing slightly to the king, barely sparing her a glance as he turned around to walk out of the dining hall.
Saliah tried to talk but couldn't move her mouth. Seeing the confused faces of most royals and the encouraging look on Elaiza's face, she bowed slightly with respect before rushing out of the dining hall to catch up to Isaac.