Chapter 14

Alarmed, Cassian took a closer look at Thiago, only to find that he had a rosy complexion and seemed quite spirited. He didn't look anything like someone who was about to die.

"Please don't joke around like that, Lord Drakeford," Cassian quickly said. "You seem perfectly fine to me."

"It wasn't a joke. I'm really on the verge of death," Thiago responded with a solemn expression.

"I'm just a newly graduated doctor who's still an intern. Even if you are indeed suffering from a serious condition, I won't be able to treat you!"

Cassian was sorely regretting his decision. He wouldn't have come here if he'd known he'd run into something like that. Thiago was a prominent figure in the criminal underworld! If he did a poor job of treating Thiago, he could very well lose his life.

"I'm confident you can treat my condition," Thiago said.

Smiling weakly, Cassian said, "Perhaps you won't believe me, but I don't even have faith in myself."

"You're a young man, Cassian, and young men should have faith in themselves," Thiago remarked with a chuckle. "Do you know why I sought you out?"

Cassian shook his head. That felt peculiar to him as well. Why did Thiago ask for a nobody like him when he could've gotten any number of the most illustrious medical experts around?

Could it be… That he wasn't right in the head?

As if he'd read Cassian's mind, Thiago asked with a smirk, "Do you think I've lost my mind?"

"I would never."

"Truth be told, I sought you out because when we met yesterday, you asked if I was suffering from any kind of ailment. Do you still remember that?"

"I do."

Cassian desperately wanted to slap himself right now. If he'd known things would turn out like this, he never would've been such a blabbermouth yesterday.

"I spent nine years visiting all the most famous doctors, and not a single one could tell that I had a medical condition," Thiago said. "And yet, despite only seeing me briefly, you were able to detect that I was unwell. That's why I think you can treat me."

With a grimace, Cassian said, "To be honest with you, Lord Drakeford, what I said yesterday was just a passing remark…"

"The fact that even with just a passing remark, you were able to tell that I have an ailment, proves you are an exceptionally skillful doctor."

There was nothing exceptional about Cassian! If he were that great, would he have been demoted to become a nursing assistant?

Cassian had made up his mind. He mustn't even attempt to treat Thiago. Thiago wasn't an ordinary patient. If anything went wrong, he wouldn't live to see the next day.

While he dreamed of being the most incredible doctor in the world, that meant he had to stay alive! What was the point of having lofty dreams if he couldn't keep his head on his shoulders?

Thus, with this in mind, Cassian said, "You think too highly of me, Lord Drakeford. I'm only a medical intern. Just today, I was reassigned to the position of nursing assistant. For all I know, I might be kicked out of the hospital in a couple of days. I really can't help you with your condition. You should find another doctor!"

"Are you… rejecting me?" Thiago asked, his smile slowly fading.

Cassian remained silent, which was his way of tacitly acknowledging that Thiago was right.

"Do you know what happened to those who have rejected me?"

"What happened to them?"

"Tell him, Claude."

Looking at Cassian, Claude answered, "All of those who rejected Lord Drakeford were tossed into the river by me to feed the fishes."

Cassian gasped. Turning pale with fear, he cried out, "Don't scare me, Lord Drakeford! I'm a bit of a coward."

"I'm not trying to scare you. It's been many years since someone had the gall to reject me," Thiago commented. With his back toward Cassian, he continued, "I invited you over because I think you have what it takes to treat me.

"If you rid me of my ailment, I can give you all the wealth and glory you desire. You'll be able to lord over Rivershire if you so desire. But if you fail to treat me…"

Thiago's voice abruptly trailed off.

"If I fail, will you kill me?" Cassian asked nervously.

"Are you afraid of death?" Thiago asked.

"I am."

Cassian figured everyone would be afraid of death.

"Since you're afraid of dying, you should do your best to treat me, for I'm afraid of dying, too."

Hearing that, Cassian knew he couldn't back out of it now. He had to treat Thiago, or otherwise, he was a goner.

"Let me check on your condition first," Cassian said.

"Does this mean you agree to treat me?" Thiago asked.

Was that question even necessary?

Cassian dared not refuse, not when refusing meant death. For the first time ever, being a doctor felt like a high-risk job to him.

Chortling, Thiago asked, "Did I scare you, Cassian?"

"No," Cassian said, stubbornly putting up a brave front.

Still laughing, Thiago asked, "Claude didn't lie to you. He did toss all the ones who last rejected me into the river, but none of them were doctors."

Cassian felt as though he had been tricked.

"I only kill those who deserve to die," Thiago said. "Doctors treat people and save lives. Killing them would be a grievous sin."

"I'll be honest with you, Lord Drakeford. I don't know a thing about your condition, so I don't know if I can treat you," Cassian said.

"If you fail to treat me even after you've tried your best, Cassian, I won't blame you," Thiago assured him with a smile. "It only means that my time is up."

"Well, I'll check on you now."

"Alright!" Thiago said before taking a seat. "What do you need me to do?"

"Just do as I say," Cassian replied before scrutinizing Thiago's face.

When he saw Thiago yesterday, his gut instinct told him that Thiago was gravely ill, but since Thiago denied it, he didn't look any closer.

After staring intently for a while, Cassian began frowning.

Thiago had a rosy complexion and a spirited gaze. From his face alone, he didn't seem like a patient. In fact, he looked as though he was healthier than the average person.

Silently noting how strange that was, Cassian said, "Please give me your right hand, Lord Drakeford."

Thiago held his right hand out.

As soon as Cassian felt Thiago's pulse, he grew alarmed. It was almost as if he'd pressed his fingers against a block of ice.

Thiago's entire arm felt shockingly cold—as if it'd been kept in a freezer for hours on end. It was the kind of cold that seeped right to the bones. Even Cassian couldn't resist shivering. He began to pity Thiago. Who knew how Thiago had put up with this all these years?

Closing his eyes, Cassian began to analyze Thiago's pulse. To his surprise, Thiago's pulse was calm and steady with no sign of illness.

Frowning once more, he said, "Give me your left hand, Lord Drakeford."

Thiago extended his left hand, and Cassian found it to be exactly opposite to his right hand. Thiago's left hand was scorching hot. It felt like a piece of charcoal that was still blazing with fire. Once again, Cassian checked the pulse. Strangely, it was just as calm.

Cassian couldn't detect anything unusual from the pulse. How could this be?

"Have you found anything yet, Cassian?" Thiago asked pleasantly.

"Let me think," Cassian said with a frown. He spent ten minutes pondering in silence before he suddenly said, "I figured it out."

"What did you figure out?" Thiago asked eagerly.

"You're gravely ill. You'll die in less than seven days!"