Elysium: Desired by the Cold-hearted Princess [GL]-Chapter 57: She’s the Suspect

Seraphina's Pov

The doctor's fingers gently probed my wrist, but even that light touch made me flinch. Pain radiated through my arm, and my wrist felt useless, like it wasn't even a part of my body anymore.

I couldn't imagine holding anything as light as a pen, let alone attempting to use my hand for anything meaningful.

The doctor looked up at me. "Has anyone looked at this before now? Did anyone treat the scratches or the injury in any way?" she asked.

I hesitated, the memory of what had happened flashing vividly in my mind. Electra had been the first to notice my injury, and she'd said something about the injury being poisoned, and before I could even argue or understand what she meant, she had poured some vile-smelling liquid over the scratches.

The sting had been unbearable, and I remembered the tears that had formed in my eyes as the substance burned into my skin.

When she tried to make me drink another bitter liquid, I had refused, terrified of what it could be, but that's when Irina stepped in, forcefully holding my mouth open as Electra poured the concoction down my throat.

The taste had been revolting, like swallowing something sour and metallic at the same time. I didn't know what it was, and Electra hadn't bothered to explain. She only gave me her usual smirk, like she was enjoying my discomfort.

I nodded slowly, trying to process my thoughts. "Yes, someone treated it," I said hesitantly. "Electra Vale... she said the scratches were poisoned. She poured something on it, and then she made me drink... something else. I don't know what it was."

The doctor's expression shifted to one of mild surprise. "Poison?" she murmured, more to herself than to me. She leaned closer to examine the scratches. After a moment of silence, she nodded. "Well, it looks like the scratches did carry toxins, most likely from the snake venom, and that's why they turned dark so quickly."

I stiffened at the mention of Yuna's name, and my heart twisted painfully in my chest. I didn't want to think about her for now.

The doctor continued. "The venom can be quite damaging if left untreated. It attacks the soft tissue and can spread through the bloodstream, causing more harm as it goes. Thankfully, the antidote used seems to have neutralized most of the poison."

"Antidote?" I repeated, the word catching my attention.

She nodded again. "Yes. From the looks of it, the princess must have used a snake venom antidote. It's quite effective against this kind of toxin, especially if applied quickly."

I stared at her, stunned. An antidote. Had Electra really used an antidote?

"Does that mean..." I trailed off, unsure of what I wanted to ask.

The doctor gave me a small smile, as though she understood my confusion. "It means you're lucky someone treated you quickly. The venom hasn't done any permanent damage, though your wrist will need time to heal. I'll prescribe some medication for the pain and swelling, and we'll keep an eye on it for the next few days."

I nodded, still trying to process everything.

How had Electra known to carry a snake venom antidote in the middle of the night? It didn't make any sense. Yuna's outburst had been so sudden, so unexpected, yet Electra had been prepared and was carrying around an antidote as though she'd anticipated it.

The realization that she might be responsible for the mess gnawed at me, and no matter how much I tried to push it aside, I still felt uneasy.

Yura's words earlier had only added to my confusion. When she came out of hiding after Yuna was taken away by the school authorities, she explained that Yuna had been reacting to something—a smell or substance—that must have triggered her.

According to Yura, she'd stayed away from the hall on purpose because she couldn't afford to risk having the same reaction.

The thought of both sisters publicly losing control at the same time sent shivers down my spine, but it also raised a more disturbing question: had someone deliberately triggered Yuna?

The bandages around my wrists were snug but not too tight as the school doctor finished wrapping them. She stepped back and gave me a look that was both sympathetic and stern.

"You're done now," she said, her voice calm. "You need to avoid any strenuous activity with your hands. No heavy lifting, no writing in class—nothing that could strain your wrists further. If you don't take this seriously, you'll risk making it worse, and that could mean a cast."

I nodded in understanding. "Thank you," I said quietly. My voice sounded hollow to my ears, like it wasn't mine at all, and the doctor gave me a small smile, patted my shoulder, and walked away, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

After the doctor left the room, I sat on the edge of the hospital bed, debating whether to leave or stay a little longer, and deciding I couldn't stay here any longer, I headed to the small mirror in the room.

The reflection staring back at me was far from comforting. My red hair was a total mess, resembling more of a bird's nest than anything remotely presentable.

My eyes looked hollow, shadowed from the exhaustion and stress of the past few days, but it was the mark on my face, the still-healing wound from Electra's arrow, that drew my attention. The faint, jagged line taunted me, and the thought that it might leave a permanent scar made my stomach churn.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair in an attempt to tame it, though it was a futile effort. Deciding I couldn't do anything about it, I turned and left the room, only to halt abruptly as soon as I stepped into the hallway.

Leaning against the wall just outside the door was Roxana. She wasn't exactly hard to recognize, with her sharp features and the perpetual scowl that seemed permanently etched on her face.

The moment her eyes landed on me, I knew she wasn't here by coincidence, and my heart sank.

"Follow me," she ordered, her voice cold and devoid of patience.

I stared at her for a moment, the instinct to run flickering briefly in my mind. I knew exactly what this meant: Electra wanted to see me. After everything that had happened on the field and suspecting her for Yuna's condition, I wasn't sure I could face her again so soon without digging my grave even more by going off again.

I crossed my arms, feigning defiance even though my insides were turning with unease.

"And what if I say no?" I challenged, though my voice lacked conviction.

Roxana's lips curled into a scoff, and she tilted her head as if amused by my question. "If you know what's good for you," she said slowly, her tone dripping with menace, "you'll follow me quietly. Otherwise…" She trailed off, glancing pointedly at my bandaged wrists, "That won't be the only part of your body needing bandages."

Her threat was enough to send a chill down my spine, and I clenched my fists at my sides, feeling both frustrated and powerless. What choice did I have?

With a resigned sigh, I nodded and stepped forward to follow her like she wanted.