Chapter 137
The Unapproved Drug
Benjamin took another document from his bag and spread it out before Cedric.
“I checked with the Imperial Health Bureau about this medicine,” he explained, “but no record of it exists — not even anything similar. So, I looked into the list of drugs that were rejected for approval.”
Running his finger along the text, he read aloud:
“Approval for this medication is denied due to insufficient verification of serious side effects, including cardiac arrest, respiratory distress, excessive drowsiness, and loss of consciousness. Production is prohibited until further testing and re-submission.”
While Benjamin read that short paragraph, Cedric’s sharp eyes had already scanned through the rest — a dense list of alarming details that made his expression turn to stone.
Benjamin looked up grimly. “For someone as frail as Madam Pellon, this medicine is extremely dangerous. At worst, it could trigger a heart attack — or she might simply fall asleep and never wake again.”
Both Cedric and Jeremiah went pale. Cedric immediately gathered the papers, stood up, and turned to his mother.
“I’ll have to step out, Mother. We’ll end our tea here for today.”
Before she could reply, he was already out the door, Benjamin hurrying behind him. The tearoom fell silent again, with only Jeremiah left, staring after them in shock.
***
“Is Great-Aunt still asleep?” Harriet asked the maid standing outside Trisha’s bedroom.
“Yes, miss. She’s been sleeping unusually long today.”
It had already been four hours since she’d dozed off — far longer than her usual two or three. For the past few days, her naps had been slowly lengthening, and now she showed no sign of waking.
“Should we wake her up? She needs to eat.”
“We tried last time, when Miss Roxana called her, but she barely opened her eyes and couldn’t eat at all.”
Harriet sighed. “She really has to keep up her strength…”
She glanced anxiously at the closed door, then finally turned to leave — but noise from the entrance hall made her stop. Someone had arrived unexpectedly.
Harriet hurried downstairs, fearing for a moment it might be John again. But instead, the butler Andre was bowing deeply — to none other than Duke Cedric Kailas.
“Your Grace? What brings you here so suddenly?”
Her greeting was polite but confused — until she noticed Benjamin behind him, looking equally grave. The color drained from her face.
Cedric didn’t waste time on pleasantries. He strode up to her and held out the familiar brown bottle.
“Miss Harriet. Was this medicine prescribed by the new physician?”
“Yes… why do you ask?”
“Sir Nelson has something important to tell you about it.”
“Wait — Andre! Please call Roxana. She should hear this too.”
While Andre rushed upstairs, Harriet led Cedric and Benjamin into the drawing room. Sunlight streamed through the open windows, but the air in the room was heavy and cold with tension.
Soon, Roxana entered, her expression stiff — she must have heard from Andre.
“Your Grace,” Harriet said, “this is Miss Roxana Balvenas. She manages most of our household matters and knows Great-Aunt’s condition best.”
“A pleasure to meet you,” Roxana greeted quickly.
Once everyone was seated, Cedric nodded to Benjamin, giving him permission to speak.
Benjamin stepped forward and repeated what he had told Cedric earlier: the drug had been rejected by the Imperial Health Bureau, its production forbidden due to its lethal side effects.
“In short,” he concluded, “while it does ease pain and coughing effectively, it also carries a dangerously high risk of stopping the heart. That’s why it was never approved.”
Harriet and Roxana went white as sheets.
They had both been relieved that the medicine seemed to help. Now the truth hit like a blow — especially for Harriet, who had already been uneasy about Joseph Alden, the new doctor.
Then suddenly, Harriet jumped up. “Andre! Check if my aunt has woken up yet!”
Even Roxana, usually composed, looked alarmed. She stood as if to follow, but before she could, the maid guarding Trisha’s door came running down the stairs, breathless.
“Miss Harriet! Madam won’t wake up!”
“What?” Harriet gasped. “What do you mean?”
“I thought she’d been asleep too long, so I tried shaking her — but no matter how hard I tried, she wouldn’t open her eyes!”
Harriet’s vision went blank with panic.
Roxana grabbed the maid’s arm firmly. “Is she breathing?”
“Yes, but it’s… faint.”
Cedric rose instantly and placed a steadying hand on Harriet’s trembling shoulder.
“Don’t panic,” he said firmly. “I brought Sir Nelson for exactly this reason.”
Only then did Harriet remember — a skilled physician was right beside her.
“Sir Nelson! Please, see her right away!”
“Of course. Miss Roxana, would you guide me to Madam Pellon’s room?”
“Yes, this way!”
They both rushed upstairs, leaving Harriet frozen in place.
It couldn’t be true. Trisha had been perfectly fine that morning — kind, talkative, even nagging her as usual. Harriet had kissed her cheek before she went to rest.
Was that… the last time?
The thought shattered her. Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking — until Cedric’s hand closed gently over them.
“Harriet.”
His calm, deep voice brought her back. She looked up to see him gazing down steadily.
“What should I do? If this happened because we kept giving her that medicine—”
“It didn’t,” Cedric said firmly. “And this isn’t your fault.”
“But still—”
“Don’t waste energy imagining the worst. We need to act, not panic.”
He tightened his hold on her hand.
“Call that new physician — immediately. We’ll question him ourselves about where he got this drug.”
“You’re right. We need Joseph Alden here.”
Regaining focus, Harriet called for her maid, Esther — the one servant she trusted most.
“Miss?”
“Esther, go find Sir Alden right now. Don’t mention the Duke or Sir Nelson — just tell him that Madam Pellon is in critical condition and must be seen at once.”
“Yes, miss!”
“And take a guard with you.”
“Understood!”
Esther’s face was pale, but she didn’t hesitate — she dashed out the door.
Cedric spoke again before Harriet’s thoughts could spiral.
“You’ll come with me to the Imperial Health Bureau. We need to find a safe replacement for her medicine.”
“Shouldn’t Sir Nelson come too?”
“He’ll stay and treat Madam Pellon. I’ll use my imperial connection to get help from the Royal Physicians. Bring her medical journal — they’ll need details.”
“Got it!”
Harriet nodded quickly and ran upstairs. But before leaving, she stopped, turned back to him, and whispered,
“Thank you. Truly.”
Cedric gave a faint smile. “You can thank me after she wakes up. Go.”
She nodded and hurried off.
The once-peaceful Pellon mansion was now filled with tension and dread.
***
At exactly two in the afternoon—when most nobles were enjoying quiet tea — a hired carriage raced down Astaire Street, the lane of luxurious townhouses.
It stopped before a fine mansion. A well-dressed man stepped out, holding a doctor’s bag and wearing an anxious expression.
He rang the bell, and moments later, the servants ushered him inside.
Hearing the commotion, the lady of the house came down to greet him, concern written all over her face.
