Alexander placed Serena gently on the bed in his chambers. His expression was unreadable, but the tension in his jaw and the tightness around his eyes revealed the depth of his worry. Without wasting a second, he called for the royal physician. The man arrived almost immediately, breathless from how quickly he had been summoned.
He entered the room quietly and bowed before approaching the bed. With steady hands, he reached for Serena's wrist, checking her pulse carefully.
For several long minutes, the physician worked in silence. He examined Serena's breathing, her eyes, her heartbeat, and the strange discoloration forming beneath her skin. Alexander and Arthur stood nearby, unmoving, watching his every movement with heavy anticipation.
Finally, the physician let out a slow, defeated sigh.
He turned to the king. "Your Majesty… I am sorry to say this, but I cannot diagnose her. Nor can I treat her."
Alexander's eyes darkened immediately.
