The Royal Mark-Chapter 360: No Cure

Hera went home to work in her laboratory to find out what kind of poison Milda gave Elsa and create an antidote. She didn’t sleep and kept researching and testing the whole night. Spending time as a doctor in Novus, Nathan was able to help her with her research.

They took turns in testing samples in the lab. Hera would read her grandmother’s notes whenever Nathan asked her to rest. Not only that she’s trying to find an antidote for her daughter. She’s also trying to find Chris a cure. She wanted to save them both.

It was already dawn when they came up with the answer and decided to go back right away to the castle with both good and bad news.

"Where is King Christopher?" Hera asked the chamberlain who welcomed them upon their arrival.

"His Majesty is in his quarters, still sleeping, Your Highness," the chamberlain replied after bowing low.

"Let’s let him rest. He fought hard in Kurzen even though he had no control of his wolf. It will not make a difference if we tell him the news now," Nathan suggested to Hera and she accepted.

"Please have a servant call us once everyone is awake, I have an announcement to make. Gather everyone later in the drawing room after you get permission from King Tyrion and Queen Ydril," Hera told the chamberlain before going to her room with Nathan.

She quickly fell asleep when she lay on the bed to rest, while Nathan stood by the window looking at the vast land of Qiryn. From there, he could see the Tree of Life from afar. "I hope you have something better to offer us. Don’t disappoint me..." he whispered before leaving the room, letting Hera sleep in peace.

When the sun had fully risen, everyone gathered in the drawing room as Hera had requested. Nathan woke Hera, and together they made their way to the drawing room, their hearts heavy with the weight of their discovery. Each step they took felt like sinking into quicksand, with no hope of turning back.

Chris looked up as they entered, his eyes filled with hope and dread. "What have you found?" he asked urgently.

Hera took a deep breath. "It’s not a poison, Chris. It’s a potion that drains the victim’s life force and transfers it to the giver. Milda must have cast the spell beforehand, and the potion is keeping it active. She’s using Elsa and your unborn child’s life to sustain herself and remain young forever.

I believe this is the same method the evil witch queen used to stay young for hundreds of years. Milda chose Elsa and your child because of the powerful life force they possess."

Chris’s face paled. "So, does it mean that the spell will stop once she stops taking the potion? And if not, is there any way to stop it?"

Hera sighed and shook her head. "Technically, the spell had stopped the moment she stopped taking it but the effect to her body and magic did not. It continues to drain their life. She will get weaker and weaker day by day until she loses her life. We are not sure if she could last until she delivers your baby."

Chris stood up and shook his head. "No, no, no. I won’t accept her living just to give birth. I want her to return to her normal life. What about the water from the Moonwell? Can it heal her?"

Before Hera could respond, Queen Ydril interjected, "I’ve already given my approval for that. Marina should be arriving soon with the water. Hera and our elven healers can try using it on Elsa. I can’t guarantee it will help, but there’s no harm in trying."

Chris felt desperate and hopeless. If the water in the Moonwell will not work, he doesn’t know what to do anymore.

King Tyrion stood up and told everyone, "Let’s all eat while waiting for Marina. We all need food to have the strength to face the day."

Everyone stood up including Chris but Hera gently pulled his arm and gestured for him to stay. Hera locked the door of the drawing room as soon as everyone left.

"We can put Elsa into the Tree of Life. It requires a sacrifice, and we can’t risk her unborn baby, so I want you to go in with her. Think of something that you could offer to the goddess that will please her and if there’s none, tell the goddess that I am willing to give back the life that she gave me to save my daughter," Hera uttered with a shaky voice and welling eyes.

Chris was shocked at what he heard. He knows that a mother’s love is boundless but he does not expect Hera to exchange her life with Elsa using the tree of life. What he expected was for Hera to find a cure and not end her life.

He stood in front of her speechless and Hera saw the shock in his eyes. She moved closer and begged, "Please Christopher, I know Nathan would do the same for our daughter. Everything that’s happening to her is our fault. Please I beg you, help us save our daughter," Hera burst out in tears and slumped on the floor. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Chris caught her in time and embraced her tightly, "I would offer my life to the goddess first in exchange for hers before I offer yours. I cannot live a single day knowing that my children’s grandmother is gone because of me."

"No, Christopher, you don’t understand. The goddess will not accept your life as a sacrifice," Hera gasped, her eyes widened and quickly covered her mouth.

’Oh no! I shouldn’t have said it that way!’ she scolded herself.

Chris frowned, he let go of Hera and asked, "What do you mean, the goddess won’t accept my life in exchange for Elsa’s?"

Hera closed her eyes and breathed in deeply as she tried to gather her thoughts, wanting to say the right words this time. "I-I’m sorry Christopher. The goddess will not accept a life that is about to end."