Before Curtis could get a word out, Niki approached from the side, his voice tinged with an undercurrent of excitement. “Show me that prescription again, will you?”


    While Mirabe had been jotting down the list of ingredients, Niki had instinctively moved closer to peer over her shoulder, absorbing each item she listed. Every ingredient she penned down sent a jolt of shock through him, and by the time she had finished, his mind was blown to smithereens. It took him a moment toe back to his senses, and then he couldn’t wait to double–check the prescription.


    Wyatt nced at Niki, whose mood had swung from gloomy to positively electric, and without hesitation, Wyatt passed the prescription back to him.


    Niki scrutinized the list of ingredients once <b>more</b><b>, </b>and only after a thorough examination did he finally confirm that the recipe was indeed a long–lost ancient remedy. Trembling, he handed the piece of paper back to Wyatt.


    “Niki?” Curtis called out, noticing that Niki’s hands were shaking rather severely.


    Niki looked up at Curtis. “The prescription is sound.” He spared the technicalities, knowing they were beyond the others.


    At that, disbelief painted Curtis‘ face, “Are you telling me this can treat James?”


    “It might not cure himpletely, but it should stop his condition from deteriorating further.” Niki exined slowly, pausing to nce at Mirabe with a hint of admiration. “The younger generation really does surpass the older one. Mirabe’s medical knowledge might just exceed my own.”


    He remembered how he had once considered taking the young girl as his apprentice and now felt quite embarrassed.


    Hearing this, Wyatt burst out, “I’ll go get the ingredients right now.” He clutched the prescription and hurried towards the exit of the vi.


    Niki made his way over to Mirabe.


    Curtis, who remained where he was, had a conflicted expression. He instinctively looked toward Mirabe<b>, </b>reflecting on his earlier behavior and his prejudices against her. Before even meeting her in person, he believed she wasn’t someone fit for polite society and even med her for the rpse of his master’s old ailment. Suddenly, his cheeks felt hot with shame.


    Niki took a seat on the sofa across from Mirabe, and noticing the extinguished Incense of Calm nearby, he asked, puzzled, “Why can’t we burn this incense?”


    Her expression was indifferent as she responded, “The incense contains musk, which only exacerbates the turmoil in his blood and energy.” After a brief pause, she nced at James. “Hence the coughing up of blood.”


    Curtis, who had just approached, overheard this and thought about his previous attitude, his


    face reddening once again.


    “I never considered that,” Niki admitted with a wry smile. “It’s fortunate you arrived when you did, or I might have made a grave mistake.” He had <b>been </b>the one to instruct the lighting of the


    incense.


    “It’s no trouble. The problem isn’t severe,” Mirabe replied nonchntly, waving a hand dismissively. She then turned to James with a raised eyebrow, “You didn’t take the medicine I gave youst time, did you?” Her question sounded rhetorical,ced with certainty.


    James coughed again, the sickly pallor of his face lending him a fragile beauty. Once he caught his breath, he murmured, “Hmm?” The next second, he remembered the medicine she’d given him after dropping her off at the airport.


    “I forgot,” he admitted.


    Mirabe’s smile held a trace of amusement, so that’s why very time she saw him, he seemed to be getting worse.


    Ufortable under her gaze, James turned to Curtis andmanded, “Go to the drawer of my bedside table. There’s a ceramic jar in there.”


    Curtis nodded respectfully and dashed upstairs, moving as swiftly as his legs could carry him.