"I didn't expect today's young mages to be so capable," Duke Aurelius remarked, easing the heavy atmosphere in the room.
Wendy, however, still found the environment suffocatingly tense. Thankfully, Carla was with her; otherwise, she would have had no idea how to handle that earlier scene.
Wendy stole a glance at Noel beside her. He wasn't much older than she was, yet he handled negotiations with such practiced composure.
"I've roughly understood the details of the commission," Noel began, "but I would like to confirm the patient's condition personally. It will make treatment much more effective."
As a mage taking on this request, but also as an alchemist, Noel knew he had to maintain control over the direction of this task.
"This…" Duke Aurelius looked troubled. In truth, it had been quite some time since he last saw his wife—not because he was too heartless to face her, but because seeing her in such a state only tore at him more deeply.
My poor wife, why must she suffer under this cruel illness? Duke Aurelius had his suspicions about the cause, but they remained only suspicions.
He had once sworn to himself that if he ever discovered the mastermind or culprit behind this, he would eradicate them and their entire family without mercy.
But as a newly risen noble in the kingdom, many eyed his position greedily. If unsavory rumors spread at a time like this, public sentiment would turn, and his title would be at risk.
He was stuck between a rock and a hard place.
"How about I conduct a private diagnosis myself?" Noel suggested, seeing the duke's hesitation.
"I'm afraid that's not possible," Duke Auréli refused again.
"Why not?"
How was he supposed to treat the patient if he couldn't even see them? This was the first commission he'd encountered like this. So much for special commissions—they really were traps.
In the corner, Wendy trembled, completely lost in the tension of the moment, feeling as if a fight was about to break out.
Carla, on the other hand, found these negotiations quite entertaining, certainly more interesting than the soap operas they saw at the theater.
"Noel, please accept my apologies," Duke Aurelius finally said, dropping his stern demeanor. "It isn't that I don't wish for you to see her, but it's simply too dangerous."
There was clearly something he hadn't disclosed in the commission details.
"Then I can't take this job." Noel prepared to leave, uncaring whether this man was a high-ranking noble or not. This was absurd.
Wendy shrank back further, frightened by how quickly things escalated.
Meanwhile, Carla found this development even more amusing.
"Noel, please, allow me to apologize once more," Duke Aurelius said, his voice softer now, truly showing his concern. "It's not that I don't wish for you to see her; I can at least describe the symptoms to you in detail. That is the best I can offer."
Having the symptoms would allow Noel to make some judgment calls. Although it wasn't ideal, it would be enough for him to prepare medication.
"It began with symptoms akin to a cold," Duke Auréli recounted. "At first, it was only persistent fever."
"But then it turned strange. My wife began to fear light and water. The worst part was her occasional frenzied outbursts, destroying walls and objects."
"If I had to describe it, it was like dealing with a rabid dog."
"Later, her condition worsened further, even eroding her once-elegant figure."
"All her hair fell out, her cheeks became sunken and withered, and her eyes turned an eerie red. She is no longer recognizable."
Duke Aurelius recalled the sight of his wife, on the other side of the door, sunk in despair, while he himself could do nothing outside but suffer in silence.
"And as her condition worsened, she began to exhibit unnatural strength, leaving the room in utter chaos."
"Recently, after these fits, she collapses into a weakened state, often groaning in pain…"
Noel's immediate impression was that this was a highly troublesome condition.
"I don't know if my healing magic will be effective…" Wendy said softly, worry clouding her expression.
She truly was shy and seemed to lack confidence, even though healing magic was already an incredible talent.
"With Wendy here, it's a huge help," Noel said. "I can prepare some strong medicines now. I was initially worried her frail body wouldn't withstand it."
"Really?" Wendy's eyes lit up, nearly jumping with joy before she glanced around, realizing it wasn't the right time for such a reaction.
Carla, however, shot Noel a wary look. Smooth talkers were often the most dangerous.
Noel had no idea he had been silently categorized as a "potential bad guy" in Carla's mind.
"Does this mean you have a way to help her?" Duke Aurelius voice trembled with hope, having exhausted every apothecary in the capital to no avail.
"I believe so," Noel replied confidently.
"But I will need some materials gathered. If you can help with that, I can start preparations today."
"You already have a plan?" Duke Aurelius asked, surprised by the sudden optimism.
"Of course."
Noel's confidence came from having read about a similar condition in the alchemy manuals back in Mondstadt, including potential treatments.
Thankfully, he had read widely enough, or he, too, would have been at a complete loss here.
Noel pulled out a piece of paper and, with a quill, swiftly wrote down a long list of ingredients. Finally, he stamped it with the Mond's Alchemy Workshop seal of certification.
That certification was necessary to protect the formula from being misused for profit by others.
Handing the prescription to Duke Aurelius, who then passed it to the butler, the duke said in a commanding tone:
"Go collect these ingredients immediately. We must hurry."
Sebas, the butler, knew well that if the materials weren't gathered promptly, his position would be on the line. Without delay, he went to arrange the collection.
"Once you have the materials, I'll return to begin treatment," Noel said. "In the meantime, I'd like to look around the capital, if that's acceptable."
"Would you prefer to stay here in my estate? I can arrange accommodations," Duke Auréli offered.
"That won't be necessary," Noel declined quickly.
He wasn't comfortable staying in such a grand estate, where there would undoubtedly be eyes monitoring his every move.
"Um… Duke Aurelius, we also…" Wendy stammered, unable to finish.
Carla stepped in to speak on her behalf.
"Then I won't stop you," the duke replied, but inwardly, he was overjoyed. For the first time, there was hope for his wife's condition.
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