Chapter 166: Chapter 166: I am protecting myself and my baby

~ Kingdom of Voss ~

The Kingdom of Voss was known for three things: its impenetrable mountain fortresses, its fierce independence, and recently, a miraculous physician who could cure any ailment.

In the grand healing chamber of Voss's royal palace, Raven removed her hands from King Theodore's chest. The elderly monarch's breathing had finally steadied, his color returning after months of treatment.

"It's done, Your Majesty," Raven announced calmly, stepping back. "This was your final treatment. The poison has been completely purged from your system. You're healed."

Annie, standing nearby with her assistant's kit, smiled proudly at her Mistress. She'd been with Raven for the past seven months, helping however she could.

King Theodore sat up slowly, wonder crossing his aged face. "Truly? After all these months of suffering?"

"Truly." Raven began packing her herbs and instruments. "Continue the tonic I prescribed for another week, and you'll feel your strength returning daily."

Annie handed Raven the labeled vials, their routine well-established after months of working together. "The strengthening tonic is already prepared, Your Majesty. Three drops in your morning tea."

"Remarkable." The king studied both women with curious eyes. "You two arrived in my kingdom seven months ago, refugees with nothing but a bag of herbs. You've saved my life, Lady Physician. Name your reward."

Raven's hands paused briefly before continuing their work. "I require no reward, Your Majesty. Your protection and discretion have been payment enough."

The king nodded thoughtfully. "Still hiding from something. Or someone."

Raven didn't answer. She'd been careful during her time in Voss, keeping her head down, treating patients, building her reputation as a skilled healer.

This was everything she'd ever wanted! Respect for her knowledge, the ability to help people, freedom to treat people like she'd studied in secret for years.

And yet, the search for her mother never stopped gnawing at her.

"The Duke of Hastings sent another inquiry," the king continued. "His mother is dying. He's heard rumors of a physician in Voss who performs miracles. He's offered a substantial sum…"

"No." Raven's voice was firm. "I've told you, Your Majesty. I won't go to Belgravia."

Annie shot her Mistress a concerned look but said nothing. They'd had this conversation before, but Raven won't budge.

"Even though you ask about Belgravian records nearly every day?" Theodore's eyebrow raised. “ And you've been trying to find information about a servant named Nessa who worked in their palace for twenty-five years ago?"

Raven's jaw tightened. The king was more observant than she'd given him credit for.

"That's different."

"Is it?" Theodore stood, stronger than he'd been in months. "Lady Physician, I owe you my life. So I'll be honest with you. The Duke of Hastings is powerful, and he's not a man who takes no for an answer. He'll keep asking. Eventually, he might come here himself to retrieve you."

"Then I'll leave Voss before that happens," Raven stated.

"Or," Theodore suggested gently, "you could go on your own terms. Treat his mother. And while you're there, use the Hastings estate to provide you records that I can't access..."

Raven's hands stilled completely. She'd been searching for seven months, piecing together any fragments of information about her mother, but she had not gotten anything.

But going back there meant risking everything. It meant being recognized and being close to King Alaric, the man who'd sold her like property.

"I need time to think," she finally said.

"Of course." Theodore moved toward the door, then paused. "Oh, and Lady Physician? There's someone waiting to see you. She arrived this morning, quite insistent. A Lady Denise from Grok."

Raven's blood ran cold. "No. I won't see her. I won't see anyone from Grok."

"She claims she's blind. That you're her only hope," the king added.

"I don't care if she's dying." Raven's voice turned cold. "I want nothing to do with anyone from that kingdom. Send her away."

Theodore watched her for a long moment. "As you wish. But she's been waiting for hours. She seems... desperate."

He left, and Raven sank onto a chair, her hands trembling.

"Raven?" Annie knelt beside her Mistress, concern filling her voice.

"I won't see her Annie," Raven whispered.

"You don't have to see her," Annie assured her. "We can leave right now if you want. Pack up and disappear."

Raven's hand moved unconsciously to her belly, where a small bump was beginning to show beneath her loose physician's robes. Four months pregnant with a child whose father thought she was nothing.

"Raven, shouldn’t we at least hear what she has to say?" a gentle voice whispered through the room.

Both women looked toward Raven's medical bag, where a soft golden glow emanated.

Amadeus. The World Tree has only recently been recuperating after the injury he suffered while saving her.

"No," Raven whispered back. "I won't give them any opening. Not Liam, not anyone from Grok."

"She's blind, Raven," Amadeus's voice was patient. "You hate seeing people suffer. You're a healer now. A real physician. Isn't this what you always wanted? To help people regardless of their past?"

Annie watched the internal struggle play across her Mistress's face. "He has a point," she said softly. "You've been working so hard to become a real physician. To honor your mother's memories. Can you turn away someone in need just because of where they're from?"

"Yes," Raven said firmly. "I can. Because it's not just about me anymore." She touched her belly. "I have to protect this baby. And anyone from Grok is a threat."

"Then let me see her," Annie offered. "I'll assess her condition. If it's a trap, we'll know immediately. If it's genuine... well, at least you'll have all the information before deciding."

Raven looked at her friend, who'd left everything behind to follow Raven into exile. She'd spent seven months working as a physician's assistant when she could have been doing anything else.

"You don't have to do that," Raven said.

"I know." Annie stood, determination in her eyes. "But I want to. You've been training me. Let me put that knowledge to use."

Before Raven could protest further, Annie was already heading for the door.

"Annie, wait…"

But she was gone.

Raven sat alone in the healing chamber, surrounded by the tools of her trade. Herb jars lined the shelves, each one labeled in her handwriting.

This was her dream realized. She was a respected physician. People came to her for healing, not because she was a servant or a worthless queen, but because she had knowledge and skill.

And now someone from her past was threatening to destroy this fragile peace.

"You can't run forever," Amadeus gently said, manifesting slightly, a small wooden figure sitting on the edge of the desk, barely the size of her hand.

"I'm not running," Raven argued. "I'm protecting myself and my baby."

"By hiding? By pretending the past doesn't exist?" Amadeus's wooden features somehow managed to look sympathetic. "Raven, you've been searching for information about your mother for seven months. Every physician you've treated, you've asked about Belgravia. Every traveler who's come through, you've questioned about King Alaric's court. You're already confronting the past. Why not face it directly?"

"Because I'm scared," Raven admitted, her voice breaking. "I'm terrified that if I engage with anyone from Grok, Liam will find me. And I'm not ready. I don't know if I'll ever be ready."

The door opened, and Annie returned, her expression troubled.

"Well?" Raven asked.

"She's really blind," Annie reported.

Raven's healer's instinct stirred despite her reluctance. "Sudden onset blindness? What are the other symptoms?"

"Severe headaches, sensitivity to light before the blindness sets in.”

“ Is it very bad?”

“ Yes. She needs you, Raven.”

“ Alright, I will see her,” Raven agrees.

Ten minutes later, Raven watched as Annie guided a frail woman into the healing chamber. Lady Denise was barely recognizable from the elegant noblewoman Raven remembered.

Her eyes were completely clouded white. Her face was gaunt, her hands trembling as she clutched Annie's arm for support. She looked like she'd aged a decade in seven months.

"Lady Denise," Raven said coolly, keeping her voice professional. "I understand you're seeking treatment."

Denise's head turned toward her voice. "Queen Bella? Is that truly you?"

"It's Physician Raven now," she corrected. "Please, sit."

Annie helped Denise to a chair, then positioned herself protectively near Raven.

"I can't believe it's really you," Denise breathed. "I've been searching... I heard rumors of a physician in Voss, but I never imagined..."

"What do you want?" Raven asked bluntly. "Why are you really here?"

"I'm going blind," Denise said simply. "Or rather, I've already gone blind. The physicians in Grok say there's nothing they can do. I came to Voss because I heard of a miracle worker. I didn't know it was you until I heard your voice through the door just now."

“ Okay, I will treat you but in exchange, I want something from you,” Raven replied coldly.

“ Anything, I will do anything as long as I gain my sight again,” Lady Denise cries desperately.

“ I want news on Grok sent to me every seven days. Can you do that?”

“ But…”

“ If you can't do it, then forget about your sight!” Raven said coldly. Annie gasped seeing how cruel Raven looked at that moment.

“ I will do it. I promise… I will do it.”

“ You have made the right choice.” Raven stood up and walked towards the shelves with the herbal vials. She picked three of them and placed them in her hands.

“ In every tea you drink, put a drop, and thereafter the vials are finished, you will regain your sight, but you come back to me for another three vials to clearly regain your sight. If not, you will go blind again and I won't treat you. Do you understand?”

“ Yes, my Queen. Thank you, thank you,” Lady Denise falls on her face, thanking Raven over and over again.

“ I am no queen and I am not helping you because you deserve it. I am only helping you because there's something I can gain.”

Lady Denise nodded. Raven waved her hands and she was being led away by Annie again. Raven's next words stop her.

“ If Liam ever finds out I am in Voss, I will make sure, you are not only blind.”