Both attendants settled onto the inner edge of the right-hand couch, positioning themselves close to the prince. The woman in the green dress stood and offered a respectful glance toward the Prince. "May I approach the doctor, Your Highness?" she asked, her eyes shifting toward Benjamin.

Doctor? Charles thought, but he masked his surprise. He folded his arms across his chest and gave a slow, stiff nod.

The woman walked around the table to the left side of the room. As she drew near, Benjamin stood up to give her space, sitting back down only after she had settled beside him.

"How are you, Doc? I'm surprised to see you here," she whispered, her face lighting up with a genuine, excited smile.

"I'm surprised myself," Benjamin chuckled, awkwardly rubbing the back of his neck. He had no idea how he'd ever explain this situation. "I'm doing well, thanks for asking. How are you, Anna?"

"I'm good, thanks to you! It feels like forever since I've seen you," Anna said playfully as she clung to his left arm. "I wish you'd visit us more often. You're still coming next week, right?"

"I wish Madam River would call me over more often, too," Benjamin replied with a gentle, reassuring smile. "But you know you can all come see me whenever you want."

"I always mean to, but we get so unexpectedly busy."

"I understand. Just come by whenever you can."

"Thank you, Doc. You really are the best," she beamed. She stood, offering him one last smile and bowing to him once more before returning to her seat by the prince.

The Prince watched the silent warm exchange with a growing curiosity. He wondered how they knew each other and what they had said in those hushed tones.
 
"So, you're a doctor?" Charles finally spoke.

Benjamin hesitated, the silence stretching uncomfortably. He didn't want to say anything that might lead to trouble for Madam Wagner.

Seeing Benjamin's hesitation, Anna couldn't contain herself. "Please forgive my intrusion, Your Highness. Yes, he is a doctor. Truly the best around. He's kind, patient, and gentle," she spoke calmly, her eyes shining with genuine admiration. 

"And he's just so handsome, too. Everyone at my house wants to marry him," Anna added with excitement. When she had realized she had said too much, she immediately covered her mouth and looked down in embarrassment.

Benjamin's eyes widened. 

"Anna," Benjamin chuckled, embarrassed and concerned at the same time. "You shouldn't talk so informally to His Highness. It's not polite," he reprimanded her gently. 

Benjamin stood up and offered a deep, apologetic bow towards Charles. "Please forgive her, Your Highness. She is still young and lacks discretion." 

"My deepest apologies, Your Highness," Anna said calmly and bowed deeply. "Please forgive me, Your Highness." 

Keeping her head lowered, Anna stole a glance back at Benjamin and offered a small, sheepish smile. Benjamin simply shook his head in a silent, exasperated sigh, yet the warmth of the moment caught up to him and he couldn't stop a fond smile of his own from forming. 

To Benjamin's surprise, the Prince did not admonish her. Instead, he calmly shifted his gaze towards the two women and said, "Please excuse us. I'd like to speak with the doctor alone."

Both women rose instantly, offering one final bow before making their exit. Just before she reached the door, Anna lowered her head one last time toward Benjamin and cast a quick, bright smile.

A doctor? Was there some kind of mistake? Lan said he paid double for this man. What kind of trouble is Lan stirring up now? Charles was puzzled.

Determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, Charles leaned forward slightly, his eyes narrowing with a sharp, interrogative focus, and he proceeded to question the doctor. 

"If you're a doctor, can you please explain how you've ended up in this situation?"

Benjamin kept his head lowered, his gaze fixed on the floor as he spoke with a calm, quiet resolve.

"Please let me explain, Your Highness," he began. "But... I ask for one condition. Promise me that if you feel the need to punish anyone for this, you will only punish me. If you can give me your word, I will tell you everything, Your Highness."

How brazen, Charles thought, and smirked. "Sure, you have my word."

Benjamin settled back into his seat and recounted the chaotic events of the evening.
 
"I see," Charles said once the story concluded. "I don't see why anyone should be punished."

"That's good to know. Thank you, Your Highness," Benjamin replied, a genuine look of relief washing over his face.

"What's your name?"

"It's Benjamin, Your Highness."

Charles tilted his head, his purple eyes fixed on him. "You didn't give me your surname."

"My full name is Benjamin Nystrom, Your Highness."

"And where did you study?" Charles leaned back, crossing his legs. "How long has it been since you've been licensed and working?"

"I've been licensed and working for about six years now. A little over six years, actually."

Charles's expression showed indifference, but he was skeptical. That doesn't seem possible. He looks far too young. There's no way he's been a practicing doctor for six years. I'll just have to expose him. It wouldn't be the first time someone has tried to get close to me with such lies.

"Well, then," Charles said, reaching for one of the small vials on the table. He held up the medicine bottle. "Do you know what this is? I want you to administer this to me."

He watched Benjamin closely for any sign of hesitation or panic. "I was going to do this tomorrow with my doctors, but since you're here, why not do it now? I'll have my guards bring in the proper medical equipment for you to work with."

At least no one is in trouble, Benjamin thought, exhaling a breath he felt like he'd been holding for an hour. Giving an injection is simple enough. But if only Anna hadn't spoken up... he would have never known. I'm supposed to be keeping a low profile. And now, of all people, I've managed to get tangled up with the Prince of Isadora.

Benjamin sat hunched over on the edge of the couch, his elbows dug into his thighs. He pressed his thumbs against his temples, massaging the throbbing tension there as he tried to process the mess he was in. When he heard Charles returning, Benjamin took a long, steadying breath, straightened his back and smoothed his expression, and put on his calm clinical composure.

I need to get out of here as soon as possible, Benjamin thought, his mind racing through an escape plan. I'll quickly administer this shot, then excuse myself to the bathroom and find a secluded place to wait for the others.

He reached out and snatched the small vial from the table. He rotated the bottle between his fingers, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the medical label.

Charles returned and reclaimed his seat.

"Anything troubling you, Doctor?" he asked, a faint, challenging smirk dancing on his lips.

I've got him now, Charles thought. If he messes up, he's in a world of trouble.

Benjamin stood up and bowed his head in a show of formal respect. "Please pardon me for my insolence, but may I speak truthfully, Your Highness?"

"Sure," Charles replied dismissively.

"Based on the chemical compounds in this serum," Benjamin began, "I can see that this is used to ease and suppress an alpha's pheromones. It's a formula specifically designed for use during a rut."

Charles nodded. "Yes, you're right. So?"

"Well, this serum is exceptionally potent," Benjamin continued, his voice taking on the steady, authoritative cadence of a doctor. "It targets the specific glands responsible for your pheromones. It releases chemicals that bind to the receptors signaling the release and then immobilizes them. It also constricts the ducts that release pheromones from the glands."

Benjamin's brows furrowed with genuine concern. "I've mostly seen this serum used for extreme emergencies. Long-term use can cause significant damage to your internal organs due to the buildup of toxins from unreleased pheromones. Eventually, it will end up damaging your pheromone glands and reproductive organs. If the glands are compromised, you will eventually lose the ability to control your pheromones."

He met Charles's purple eyes with a stern gaze. "Of course, this only happens with chronic use. So, I must ask, are you using this regularly, or is this an emergency, Your Highness? Because unless this is an emergency, I will not administer this."

From the looks of it, I know he's using it regularly, Benjamin thought. Right now, he doesn't show any of the physical symptoms of an impending rut. He isn't in urgent need of any pheromone inhibitors. 

He peeked at the table, subtly counting the vials. There were four. 

Charles was surprised. So he is a doctor. And it seems a competent one at that. How interesting.

The Prince's own doctors had offered vague warnings about the serum being strong, but they had never cared to explain in detail why. Yet, the man who showed up as an attendant had given him an explanation with startling clarity.

Charles noticed the shift in Benjamin's demeanor. The timid, blushing man who had been hiding his face just minutes ago had vanished. In his place stood a man with who spoke with the weight of authority, his voice steady and his eyes sharp with confidence.
Charles remained quiet for a moment. 

I should have kept my mouth shut, Benjamin thought. But first and foremost, I am a doctor. It is my responsibility to put my patient's well-being above all else. Well, if the Prince decides to kill me for this, it wouldn't be the worst way to go.