The Emperor!
I would be attending the Emperor!
The one who occupied the Eternal Throne!
The Eternal Throne himself!
But…
"Forgive me, Your Holiness, but why am I given the great honor of serving the Emperor directly?"
I asked the Saint.
The long-bearded healer simply let out an exhausted sigh.
"It's simply getting difficult of taking care His Majesty nowadays. No healer in the palace could ever make him follow his health routines. His close servants were brushed off whenever they tried to convince him. Given the dire time we're in, His Majesty can't keep ignoring his health like this."
The Saint explained.
He continued.
"So we planned on having someone new attending the Emperor at all times like a personal servant. But we needed them to be a healer so they would keep reminding His Majesty of his health."
"Can't the more experienced healer in the palace serve that role instead of me?"
"As I said, no healer in this palace could make His Majesty listen to any advice. His Majesty has gotten too acquainted and comfortable with us that he managed to break his promise every time."
"Then how can I produce a different outcome if His Majesty would not listen to anyone?"
I asked again.
"That's why we need someone new, Miss Andal. By having a stranger, a competent stranger, then His Majesty would be less inclined to be disagreeable."
"But am I competent enough to attend His Majesty? I'm just an apprentice. I haven't been appointed by the Temple or certified by any medicine academy."
"Lady Reingand sent me samples of your brew, poultices, and salves. Even detailed description of your treatment. You're definitely qualified to care for His Majesty."
He then produced a paper from his robe which was full with a list of health procedures.
"Besides, all you need to do is follow my instructions I've written here. It is an apprentice's duty to do just that, no?"
"B-but…doesn't it mean I'll have to…scold His Majesty to care for his health?"
"Miss Andal, it is every soul's duty to serve the Eternal Throne. Even if that means reprimanding the Emperor himself, wouldn't you still do it?"
The Saint's words caught me by surprise.
Serving the Eternal Throne.
I guessed it was my life's dream to do just that.
If His Majesty was not taking care his health and I somehow could do something to change that, thus serving the Eternal Throne, then I had to brave myself and step up.
Since the opportunity had presented itself and everyone was believing in me, then there was no true reason to reject.
"I'll do my best, Your Holiness."
I then spent the next hour learning from the Saint all I could about the emperor's health and lifestyle.
His condition. Favorite meals and brews. His supposed health routines listed by the Saint.
The Head Maid also helped in giving me basic etiquettes as well as the proper way of attending the Emperor.
I would have butlers and maids helping me. But it would be up to me to decide what needed to be taken care of regarding His Majesty's wellness.
I tried to absorb as many knowledge as I could before the Emperor returned.
The Saint and the Head Maid said they would teach me more as I worked.
But I would like to have a good knowledge before I meet His Majesty. No. My patient.
"Rachmad! What are you doing here? I thought I pushed our appointment to tomorrow night."
A voice of a heavy man echoed into the sitting room.
I turned around and found the new arrival.
A tall man draped in a splendid dark robe embroidered with golden and silver threads of the symbol of a serpent encircling a radiating throne.
Despite the size of the garment, the man's firm and muscular body made a noticeable impression on the loose fabric.
His mature face creased with faint wrinkles seemed hardened with age and experience. It signified the strong character of the man.
His hair was as dark as his robe. But a distinct silver line of hair encircled the top of his head like a crown. Or perhaps a halo.
It was an appearance unique to one bloodline.
A particular descendant known throughout the empire. Perhaps all of Dunia.
"Your Majesty."
The Saint greeted the man while performing a small bow.
I curtseyed with the Head Maid upon the arrival of this distinct person.
"I'm sorry, Rachmad. But whatever you want me to do will have to wait. I have a meeting with the imperial army generals bringing reports from the regions around the Pratama Rise. I'm just returning to get changed."
The Emperor said while rushing past us, toward the door leading into his bedchamber. A slim butler was following him, likely His Majesty's personal servant.
The Saint spoke up before His Majesty reached the door.
"If you wish to know what happened in the battlefield, Miss Andal can tell you all about it."
The Emperor stopped at his track.
He quickly turned around with a wondering frown.
"Andal… Where have I read that name before?"
"Likely from the scouting report delivered by Lieutenant General Reingand."
The Saint said.
So that was how everyone seemed to know about what I did.
Just how much did Lady Reingand write about me?
"Ah, yes! That brave healer who helped our army. I plan to honor her for her valiant effort. Reingand said she would bring her here, didn't she? Has she arrived in the palace?"
"You are speaking in her presence, Your Majesty."
The Saint said while nodding to me.
The Emperor raised his brows in slight surprise and quickly walked up to me. I could not help but lower myself further.
"Are you truly the woman I'm speaking of?"
"Tania Andal. At your service, Your Majesty."
I replied as humbly as I could.
It took the entirety of me to prevent myself from stumbling upon my words.
"A heroic soul you are, Lady Andal. A woman of wisdom and courage."
His Majesty's words were like songs to my ears.
To be complimented by the Emperor!
"Your Majesty's words greatly honor this humble servant."
"Tell me, Lady Andal, is there anything that you wish? The Eternal Throne is in your favor given your contribution in the Mala region."
The Emperor asked.
While curtseying and bowing my head, I could still spy the Saint shifting his feet.
Time for me to fulfill my role in the palace.
"If Your Majesty would take care of his health, then this humble servant has nothing else to ask for."
The Emperor immediately turned to the Saint, mortified.
"Rachmad, you didn't…"
"Yes, I did, Your Majesty. Meet your new attending physician."
"B-but!"
"I can't always be here to heal you whenever you got sick, Your Majesty. Especially during this dire time. Just so you know, I've also got the entire Serpent's Order to lead and a whole world to heal."
This sight of the Emperor was beyond my imagination.
Seeing this man in his early 40s acting like a toddler afraid of seeing a healer.
Though in this case, His Majesty seemed similar to rascal Evaine back in my village whenever his mother was telling him to go to bed early.
Dear Goddesses!
Did I just compare the Emperor to a 5-year-old mischievous boy?
I best get to working or I would continue thinking rubbish thoughts.
"Your Majesty, if you need to hurry to your meeting with the generals, may I suggest you to at least drink a cup of Blackroot essence before you go? It can't be helped if you must attend to your duties, but please at least take your blood pressure brew first."
I suggested to the Emperor.
Both His Majesty, the Saint, and the Head Maid looked to me in curiosity.
But I ignored their gazes and went on.
"And while Your Majesty is attending the meeting, may the butler serve you with Silver Ginger tea? Since you won't be resting and keep on working, you should at least drink something to calm your nerves and reinvigorate yourself."
I had encountered many patients like His Majesty.
In this sort of case, a healer must approach their patient with compromise.
By easing the patient little by little to the treatment, eventually they would be malleable to accept stronger and stricter procedures, and eventually we could fully implement the entire treatment plan for them.
It was better than them not receiving any treatment at all.
Let us see if the Descendant of Manusha was susceptible to this method.
"Very well, Lady Andal. If you insist, then I can do that much at the very least."
The Emperor said with an agreeing nod.
He turned to his butler and the Saint.
"Horson, prepare a pot of Silver Ginger tea in the war room! Rachmad, hurry give me that disgusting Blackroot medicine before I change into my new robe!"
Seeing the monarch's response to my suggestions, the Saint gave an approving look to me.
Seemed like His Majesty was susceptible after all.