Chapter 27: The Benevolent Doctor
In her first life, Primrose had three doctors in the palace. One of them was Silas Hargrove, a kind middle-aged doctor who always spoke to Primrose with a soft, gentle tone.
Whenever Primrose fell ill, he took exceptional care of her, even better than any of the other doctors. He treated her as though she were his own daughter, with a warmth and compassion that made her feel safe and cared for.
On occasion, Primrose would invite Silas for tea in the greenhouse or to take a leisurely stroll around the palace grounds. His company was always a comfort to her.
If she ever spoke of him, the first thing she would mention was that Silas was one of the reasons she chose to endure life in the palace. His kindness had become a warm presence in her lonely, cold world.
As her condition worsened over time, Silas would often come to her room, ensuring she was warm and as comfortable as possible.
The memory of him crying still haunted her.
He had told her, with tears in his eyes, that he couldn’t find the antidote for the poison, apologizing for not detecting it sooner. His sorrow was too hurtful, and it broke her heart to see him so distressed.
That was why, in his life, Primrose hoped that they would never have to part in such a painful way again.
"Greetings, Your Majesty." Silas offered a deep bow as he entered the Queen’s chamber. His face, now lined with a few wrinkles, smiled warmly at Primrose, a kind of smile that always made her heart feel at ease.
"Dr. Hargrove, thank you so much for coming all this way to our kingdom," Primrose said as she rose to greet him. "I can only imagine how uncomfortable the long journey must have been for you."
Primrose couldn’t help but rub the small ache in her backside, remembering the rough ride she’d endured. The path from Azmeria to Noctvaris was anything but smooth, with bumpy roads and sharp rocks that had her gripping the carriage for dear life to avoid toppling forward.