The Substitute Healer (BL)-Chapter 42: "Yes, I sent it an hour ago."

Caelum Elarion, twenty-eight years of age, stands as the Crown Prince of the Elarion Empire as the firstborn son of the reigning emperor, the acknowledged heir to the throne, and the elder brother of Prince Cael.

From the moment of his birth, the weight of the empire’s future had been placed upon his shoulders, shaping him into a man molded by duty, restraint, and expectation. Though the emperor remains alive and in good health, ruling with a steady hand, Caelum patiently waits for the day when the crown will finally be passed to him, preparing himself in silence for a destiny he has never once tried to escape.

He is known for his striking appearance with short silver hair that gleams faintly under the sun and piercing red eyes that seem to see through both people and lies alike. Those eyes, often calm and unreadable, carry the sharpness of someone who has learned to observe before acting.

As a swordsman, Caelum is nothing short of exceptional. Years of relentless training have honed his skills to near perfection, earning him respect not only among the royal knights but even among seasoned veterans who have fought countless battles.

His movements are precise, disciplined, and deadly when needed as proof that his strength is not merely inherited by blood, but forged through effort and resolve.

Despite his formidable presence, Caelum is not cold by nature.

Unlike the strained and competitive relationships often seen between royal siblings, his bond with Cael is one of genuine trust and warmth. Cael, as the younger brother, has always looked up to him not just as a prince, but as a role model.

In turn, Caelum takes his role as an elder brother seriously, guiding Cael with patience, protecting him when needed, and doting on him in quiet, subtle ways that only those close to him would notice.

He does not command Cael but teaches him.

He does not overshadow him but supports him.

However, their harmony does not go unnoticed or unchallenged.

Within the empire, various political factions lurk in the shadows, each with their own ambitions, loyalties, and schemes. Some seek to exploit the brothers’ positions, others hope to sow discord between them, believing that division within the royal family could shift the balance of power in their favor.

And Caelum is keenly aware of these undercurrents.

As Crown Prince, he walks a careful line, doing his utmost to maintain equilibrium among the nobles and prevent tensions from erupting into open conflict.

He governs not with recklessness, but with foresight.

Only when matters threaten to escalate beyond control does the emperor himself step in, acting as the final authority between factions and, when necessary, between his sons.

Until that day comes, Caelum continues to shoulder responsibility with quiet strength while training, ruling, and enduring while steadfastly preparing for the moment when the empire will finally rest in his hands.

As one of the most important figures within the palace, Caelum now found himself buried deep in administrative duties. His days were filled with council meetings, reviewing endless reports, approving policies, and maintaining the delicate balance between noble factions.

While he governed from within the palace walls, Cael, his younger brother, was often sent beyond them venturing into the north, taking part in missions, and earning merit through visible achievements.

It was a deliberate arrangement, one meant to strengthen Cael’s standing as the next in line, especially now that Caelum’s betrothed had yet to conceive an heir, a fact the court watched far too closely.

As the days passed, Caelum believed everything was proceeding as it should. He prided himself on his discipline and efficiency, rarely allowing delays in the flow of information. Reports arrived on time, responses were issued promptly, and no major disturbances had reached the capital.

To him, the empire appeared stable as orderly, controlled, and firmly within his grasp.

That illusion shattered during the three hundred and first year of the curse.

What was meant to be a mission centered on spreading relief and strengthening the empire through healing instead descended into chaos. A sudden commotion broke out among the civilians, escalating faster than anyone anticipated.

Panic spread, clashes erupted, and before the healers could fully contain the situation, blood had already been spilled where several civilians were wounded, and some, tragically, lost their lives.

Worse still, the healers themselves were not spared.

One healer, driven by desperation and a sense of responsibility, pushed himself far beyond his limits in an attempt to save as many people as possible.

He continued casting spells even as his body failed him, draining nearly all of his mana in the process. By the time help arrived, he had collapsed, his condition critical.

And now, he was now confined to a bed, his life hanging in the balance as a grim reminder of just how dangerous mana depletion could be. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

When news of the incident finally reached Caelum, it came not as a simple report, but as a stark warning.

For the first time in a long while, something had gone terribly wrong beyond his sight and it was clear that the curse, the people, and the fragile peace of the empire were far more volatile than he had believed.

"So... have you discovered who was behind this?" the Crown Prince asked, his fingers lightly brushing his temple as he regarded the knight standing before him.

The knight remained in a dignified stance, hands clasped behind his back, though the tension in his posture was impossible to hide.

Marcus Colden, Vice-Captain of the Imperial Knights and personally tasked with investigating the incident, flinched at the prince’s piercing gaze.

He then swallowed hard, steadying himself before meeting Caelum’s red eyes.

"As per the investigation and the evidence we’ve gathered, it appears... it came from the opposite faction, Your Highness," Marcus replied carefully. "They seem... quite determined to stir conflict between you and His Highness."

Caelum let out a short, sharp laugh, almost amused despite the seriousness of the report. "Hah... them again? Persistent, aren’t they? Trying to provoke a war between me and my brother. Truly, I fail to understand. My position as the next emperor is already secure. Why create trouble now? It’s not as though Cael and I have a poor relationship."

Marcus shifted slightly, sensing the weight behind the prince’s words. "Your Highness... will you not be punishing them? Some of the families of the deceased have requested that the culprits be hanged. However, whatever decision you make as heir, we will carry it out without question."

Caelum’s gaze drifted toward the window, the sunlight catching in the sharp angles of his silver hair. "Hmph... to punish them now would give them exactly what they want. I refuse to feed their schemes. Let them squirm in their own plots while I continue to prepare for the throne. But mark my words, Marcus... if they overstep again, there will be no mercy."

"Yes, Your Highness," Marcus replied firmly, bowing his head slightly. Even standing in the palace, beneath the eyes of the heir, the vice-captain felt the full weight of his prince’s authority and the calm, calculated danger that came with it.

"Anyway," Caelum continued, his tone crisp and commanding, "make sure the families of the deceased are properly compensated. As for those responsible, drag them to the dungeon and assign them to community service until I decide otherwise. And the healer—ensure he receives proper recompense as well. Hah... so much for today."

"I understand, Your Highness," Marcus replied, bowing slightly.

After confirming the orders and Marcus left, Caelum reached for the next set of reports, intending to review the situation in the northern provinces and the events at the northern temple. He had just begun scanning the first page when a soft, unexpected knock echoed through the chamber.

"Did you forget som—oh, dear? What brings you here?" he asked, glancing toward the door with a mixture of curiosity and mild surprise.

"Hmm... is this not a good time?" a gentle voice replied from the doorway.

"Oh no, it’s perfectly fine. Come in... and sit," Caelum said, gesturing toward the chair opposite him.

Stepping lightly into the room was his betrothed, her presence immediately softening the stern atmosphere of the chamber.

For a moment, the weight of reports, responsibilities, and the palace’s unending schemes seemed to fade.

It was rare for her to appear unannounced, and yet, there she was reminding Caelum that even a crown prince’s life held small moments of warmth amid the endless duties.

Meanwhile, back in the north encampment.

"Have you already sent letters to brother, Sylas?" Lyric asked while wiping his sword.

They had just returned from subjugating a pack of Frostfang Wargs that had appeared out of nowhere or perhaps had been lying in wait for them.

"Yes, I sent it an hour ago."

"Damn those dogs! I almost lost my left hand!" Lyric exclaimed, now being tended to by Arctelle, who smiled ear to ear as Lyric had approached him first for healing.

"Right, I don’t know what’s happening, but they’ve been surprisingly persistent lately. There were even flocks of Shard Ravens. Good thing we brought some archers damn, they’re a projectile style threat, and without them, we’d be dead meat by now."

"They’re moving dangerously now, of all days."

They were deep in conversation when Arctelle lowered his hand and chimed in. "My lord, it’s done, but please don’t overwork yourself. For now, you have to rest. It’s healed, but rest is still needed."

Sylas and Lyric stared at him.

Arctelle felt so happy and proud he wanted to run back to Irlian and brag. "Fine, alright. Thanks, you can go now." Lyric flailed his hands dismissively, leaving Arctelle disappointed.

As he stepped out of the tent, he overheard them talking about the person he hated most.

"Damn, it’s still quite numb. I wonder how that guy Soren’s healing feels. Did you not hear that even His Highness bragged about it? Well, I won’t lose anything if I try it once, yes?"