From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent (Anthea )

Given the glimpse of hope that his illness might be cured, Kendrick seemed more spirited than he had the day before.

He was bossing the servants around again—asking for snacks, demanding his tea.

Corrin brought in a wooden box and said to the young healer, “Anthea, this is the acupuncture kit you asked for yesterday. Please, check if everything meets your requirements.”

Anthea set down her cup and opened the box to take a look. “The tools are all here; this will do just fine.”

“Dad, is this the healer you said could heal you?” Damian’s voice suddenly filled the room.

Damian had expected a figure of great renown, a veritable miracle worker.

Instead, he saw a mere teenager...

What kind of joke was this? A kid—what could they possibly know about medicine?

Rebecca was the successor to a great healer at least.

His father must be losing his senses! Dismissing a real healer for the trust in a child.

“Show some respect!” Kendrick's voice was stern. “Apologize to the healer right now.”

Damian thought his father was the one who was truly ill.

To be asked to apologize to a child—it was inconceivable!

“Dad, are you sure this kid can cure you? If something goes wrong, who will be held accountable?” Compared to a seasoned healer, Damian naturally wanted to believe in experience over youth.

This child—what was she?

“Silence!” Kendrick interrupted, then turned to Anthea with an apologetic smile. “Please don't mind the nonsense of that rascal. I chose to believe in you, and I will trust you completely! I’ve prepared a waiver already; every procedure has its risks, and should any issues arise during the acupuncture, it won't be on you.”

What does a doctor need most? Trust.

Kendrick didn’t want Anthea to feel pressured. Besides, with his advancing age, he had preemptively drafted a waiver.

“You’re being foolish, Dad!” Damian was livid.

Pointing to the door, Kendrick commanded, “Get out!”

Seeing his father genuinely angry, Damian didn’t dare to protest further. He sighed, “Dad, I just hope you won’t regret this.”

Kendrick ignored Damian and turned back to Anthea. “When can we start the treatment?”

“Right now,” Anthea replied calmly, her demeanor unfazed even by Damian’s skepticism.

“Very well, follow me,” said Kendrick.

Kendrick had been ill for over a year; the family had prepared a sterile room specifically for treatments.

Anthea followed Kendrick’s lead.

The butler, knowing that Sarah might worry while waiting outside, took her to the conservatory to admire the flowers and watch a movie, once again reminding Sarah of the lavish lifestyle of the

wealthy.

In the sterile room, Kendrick lay on the hospital bed as Anthea took a silver needle from the medical kit. “Kendrick, I’m about to start the acupuncture. It won’t hurt much, just try to relax.”

“Alright,” Kendrick nodded.

The first needle pierced the temple.

Anthea held the silver needle, gently twisting it into the hidden vein beneath the skin.

Winter sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Anthea’s focused face, her already fair skin glowing even brighter.

Kendrick felt a sharp pain at his temple, then his eyelids grew heavy, and soon he fell into a deep, sensationless calm.

Before long, Kendrick’s body was covered with silver needles, but that wasn’t enough.

Anthea continued, one needle after another, and under the bright light, the silver turned slowly to black. A thin sheen of sweat appeared on Anthea’s forehead as time ticked away.

When Kendrick awoke, the clock on the wall pointed to 2 PM.

Five hours had passed? He was shocked. Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Just then, Anthea approached, “You’re awake? How do you feel?”

Kendrick sat up, moving his limbs. “I feel...” His arm wasn’t hurting, his head wasn’t spinning—it was a miracle.