TFSG 89

Chapter 89

The Terminally Ill Baby Healer Doesn’t Hide Her Genius

Usually, treating an epidemic is not something a single physician can handle alone.
That’s why a mid- or high-level healer usually gets assigned several apprentices or low-level healers to assist them.

‘But all the apprentices or uncertified healers still alive here are hopeless.’

Since Lord Lederic said he had sent for reinforcements, I could only hope they’d arrive quickly.

At my side was only Father—both my uncle and great-uncle had gone off to handle tasks I’d assigned separately.

It was only around sunset that I could finally straighten my back.

‘Ah, I’m exhausted…’

I’d gone around the village, first tending to those on the verge of death, then sorting the patients by condition.

Tomorrow, the full-scale treatment would begin. According to Lord Lederic, the people he’d requested would arrive by then.

Just as he’d promised, things were moving quickly—thankfully.

That evening, while I was organizing medicinal herbs in my room, Uncle appeared.

“Knock, knock. Niece~ Guess who just found out about what happened yesterday?”

“Yesterday?”

Having just returned from his mission, Uncle immediately brought up yesterday’s topic.

“I’m borrowing your dad for a bit, okay?”

Before I could respond, he snatched Father—who had been quietly standing beside me—and dragged him away.

Father actually didn’t want to go, but if I stopped him, those two would probably start fighting again. So I told Father to just go.

“If you two fight, I’m not letting you back in until you leave. I’ll only keep Uncle here.”

“Ah, fine, fine. Promise.”

“…Alright.”

With Father and Uncle gone, my substitute guardian was my other uncle.
But honestly, he was more of a nuisance than help.

“Hey, should I help with that? Want me to wash something for you?”

“Uncle.”

“Huh?”

“I want to eat that bread from the second house we visited earlier.”

“…All of a sudden?”

Still, he stood up with a sigh.

“That household’s older brother knows me well, remember?”

“Sure. Go ahead and bring it back. Hurry up though. You’re so fussy.”

Once Uncle left, I rubbed my ears. Ugh, finally. The nagging never ends.

Now I could breathe again.

That “older brother” he mentioned probably wouldn’t come with him—he’d just show him the way. So it should stay quiet for a while.

I had to get everything that required focus done now.
While I was sorting herbs, I suddenly stood up.

I opened the bag sitting on my bed.

“Raon.”

A pair of white fox ears perked up.
Since yesterday, he hadn’t wanted to come out of the bag, so I’d just let him be.

“It’s okay, you can come out.”

As soon as I lifted him up, the baby fox burrowed into my arms, trembling all over. I could feel his shivering clearly against me.

‘He only trembles like this once he’s out of the bag…’

Was he anxious? Honestly, I was confused too—because of him.

‘So… this kid was born between the Emperor and a woman from the Eastern Continent, and he might be able to become human?’

I still couldn’t fully believe what Sylvester had told me. It wasn’t something that had ever come up in the original story either.

‘But… there is one thing that comes to mind.’

The Crown Prince supposedly had a younger brother—one who had never appeared and was said to have died long ago.

Could that be this Raon?

“Can you… talk?”

“Kyeng?”

“Were you originally human? Is that why I could diagnose and treat you?”

I hadn’t asked yesterday since he’d been too frightened.
The baby fox just stared at me with his golden eyes, then tilted his head.

‘…He really looks like just a fox.’

If I didn’t know my powers worked on him, I wouldn’t have believed it myself.

‘So… beastkin exist in this world too?’

I hugged Raon tightly, thinking maybe I should just cuddle him.
But then—

Thud, thud!

“You can’t go in there!”

“I said, I only need to see the healer for a moment! I was told she’d be here today! Do you know who I am? How long are you planning to make me wait?!”

The voice was familiar.

It was Detlef—the superior of Gilbert. His tone was full of arrogance.

My escort, Brother Gaewon, was blocking him, but he was still just a kid and probably unsure whether he was allowed to use force.

I started toward the door, then froze.

I was still holding Raon!

“The healer is not in her room right now!”

“Don’t lie to me! You insolent brat! Where could she possibly have gone at this hour?!”

Before I knew it, I had run straight to the wardrobe. Inside were spare sheets and blankets.

‘Ugh, I didn’t even think of this. Why now, of all times?’

I dove under a thin blanket, clutching Raon close and holding my breath.

Ba-dump, ba-dump.

My heart was pounding out of control.

Bang!

“I told you, I only want to speak for a moment! Don’t get in my way. Do you even know who I am?!”

Through the crack in the wardrobe door, I could see Detlef forcing his way in.
Beside him stood Gaewon, his expression tight with anger.

Detlef looked surprised to see the empty room.

“What? Where did she go?”

“I told you, the healer stepped out for a moment.”

Maybe I shouldn’t have sent my uncle away after all.

No… if he were here, there’d definitely be a fight. Hitting a royal envoy would be a big problem.

“Hmm… But the lamp’s still lit. Doesn’t that mean she was here just moments ago?”

He took a step forward—straight toward the wardrobe.

Damn it.

“…Can’t get caught. I can’t get caught.”

I whispered under my breath so softly it was barely sound.

“The healer really hates when anyone touches her belongings. You still need her treatment, don’t you, Sir Envoy?”

Gaewon’s calm voice made Detlef stop right in front of the wardrobe.

His hand hovered near the door, then paused.

‘Yes, that’s right. Why are you even opening this?’

Please, just go. Go already!

At that moment, I wished more than anything that I could use magic—turn invisible with Raon, or teleport us away.

“Hmph. Even if I did have something to say, you’re quite the insolent little brat.”

“Yes, I’ll make sure to inform the healer you came by.”

Please, just leave!

I bit my lip anxiously—

‘…Light?’

A faint glow spread before my eyes. I looked down in shock. The light was coming from Raon.

It was soft yet dazzling. As I squinted, Raon wriggled free from my arms.

‘No—if you go out now, we’ll be caught!’

I instinctively grabbed something—his tail, maybe?

But the soft fur changed texture beneath my fingers.

“I want to stay here.”

I couldn’t even hear Detlef anymore. I couldn’t even see his back through the wardrobe crack.

‘What… what’s happening?’

I couldn’t be shocked by Detlef anymore—because something far greater was happening right before me.

I swallowed hard and clamped my hand over my mouth.

In the dim light filtering through the wardrobe, I could barely make out the shape of a boy.

‘Raon…?’

The glow was faint, so I couldn’t see his face clearly. But one thing was certain.

He was about my height—maybe a year or two older.
He blinked his large eyes and looked straight at me.

No matter how you looked at it…
There was no denying it.

The fox had turned into a boy.