In the VIP treatment room of Geumsan Samcheok Hospital, Taeho was explaining to Prince Faisal while preparing an IV line.
"Rashid, we will begin immunomodulatory therapy now. This immunomodulator will normalize your excessively activated immune system. It will lower your IL-17 and TNF-alpha levels to block the chronic inflammatory response."
Taeho inserted the intravenous needle.
A transparent liquid began slowly entering the vein.
"I will adjust the infusion rate to fifty milliliters per hour. If it is too fast, immunosuppressive side effects or allergic reactions may occur."
The medicine dripped down steadily.
A deep furrow formed between the brows of Faisal, who had been lying down with his eyes closed.
Amira, who had been watching from the side, asked anxiously.
"How is my brother's condition now?"
"His pulse and blood pressure are stable, and compared to the initial blood test results, he is responding within the expected range. It is a good sign."
As Taeho spoke while checking the monitor, Amira let out a breath of relief. Knowing full well how much pain Faisal endured on a daily basis, Amira was always cautious, always sensitive.
Taeho opened his mouth while adjusting the drug concentration.
"After Your Highness suffered the accident fifteen years ago, the King greatly increased investments in the bio-industry."
"It was for my treatment. At the time of the accident, I was diagnosed with an incurable condition, so the King tried by every means to cure me."
Taeho continued while checking the ECG electrodes attached to Faisal's arm.
"However, I have found that a considerable number of biotech companies in which the UAE has invested over the past fifteen years are actually connected to a single fund."
Amira said with a surprised expression.
"What does that mean?"
"Have you heard of the Nova Fund?"
Faisal opened his eyes and nodded.
"I know it as a fund for new drug development."
"Then have you also heard the name Project Prometheus?"
"No, I have not heard of that."
"Recently, a new viral variant appeared in Brittany, France. That virus was man-made, and we found out that the name Project Prometheus lies behind it. Moreover, the virus discovered in Rashid's body was also considerably similar to the virus found in Brittany."
"Then does that mean my illness is also a disease someone intentionally created?"
"That is my opinion."
Faisal and Amira both stared at Taeho with blank, bewildered expressions.
To think someone would dare attack Sheikh Faisal bin Zayed Al Nahyan with a virus!
But the shock did not end there.
Taeho opened his mouth again.
"The problem is that the Nova Fund, into which Sheikh Zayed, the King of the United Arab Emirates, has invested an enormous sum over the past fifteen years, is connected to Project Prometheus."
"What?"
"What did you say!"
Faisal bolted upright from where he lay.
Amira was also so startled that her face turned pale.
Faisal spoke in a trembling voice.
"Then are you saying that the money the King invested for my treatment has instead gone to them?"
"Unfortunately, a considerable portion of it has. They appear to be normal bio companies on the surface, but we suspect they are actually front companies for Prometheus."
"Ibn al Kalb, you bastards!"
Faisal's face hardened stiffly.
It was Faisal, who rarely uttered curses. Amira, surprised by the intense reaction, spoke.
"Then we have been completely deceived for fifteen years. Are they still using UAE funds even now?"
"We suspect that is the case. But there is something they did not anticipate. That Prince Faisal would survive and uncover the truth."
"We must inform the UAE government of this immediately and block the flow of funds."
After speaking with a determined expression, Faisal suddenly began to break into a cold sweat.
"Ugh... I am suddenly dizzy and nauseated."
Taeho immediately checked the monitor.
"It seems to be a mild hypersensitive reaction to the immunomodulator. I will reduce the infusion rate and add an antiemetic. It is a common occurrence, so please do not worry."
Taeho spoke while administering medicine with quick hand movements.
"However, regarding Prometheus, I am also tracking them personally, but I have not yet been able to identify their true nature or their objectives. Other than that they are an organization with much to hide. It would be good to keep that clearly in mind when withdrawing investments from the UAE as well."
"Let us move cautiously."
Faisal nodded.
***
That evening, the Medical Affairs Conference Room of Geumsan Samcheok Hospital.
Taeho displayed Faisal's medical records on the monitor and requested a multidisciplinary consultation from each department.
"First, Chief Bak Hyeonu."
Bak Hyeonu, Chief of Internal Medicine, raised his head.
"Yes, Director."
"Please conduct an internal medicine evaluation of Rashid's systemic inflammatory state. In particular, I think we will need ESR, CRP, rheumatoid factor, and autoantibody tests."
"Understood. I will also proceed with an HLA-B27 test to differentiate between ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis."
This time, Taeho looked at I Gudo, a specialist in radiology.
"Doctor I, please assist with the image interpretation of the sacroiliac and spinal joints. Let us re-examine the existing MRI findings and consider a CT or additional MRI if necessary."
"Yes, I will accurately assess the progression stage of sacroiliitis and any bony changes. I will also conduct a joint function assessment."
Jeong Yuna, a specialist in family medicine, was also assigned a role.
"Doctor Jeong, please evaluate Rashid's overall health status and lifestyle habits. The impact of chronic pain on daily life as well."
"Yes, I will measure the pain scale and quality of life index."
After the Medical Affairs meeting ended, Taeho separately called Gim Dohyeon and I Chaerin.
"Doctor Gim and Doctor I, please monitor for side effects once treatment begins."
"What side effects are expected?"
Gim Dohyeon asked.
"In the case of TNF-alpha inhibitors, the risk of infection increases, and though rare, serious allergic reactions may appear. You must also watch for liver dysfunction or cytopenia."
This time, I Chaerin asked.
"What will the monitoring cycle be?"
"In the early stages of treatment, blood tests will be conducted twice a week; once stabilized, once a week. And if there are any signs of infection, report them immediately."
"Yes, understood."
"Yes!"
Gim Dohyeon and I Chaerin answered simultaneously.
Taeho noticed that the atmosphere between them had subtly changed.
It was not as hostile as before, yet there was something distant, something awkward.
Movements that showed they were extremely conscious of each other, yet trying their utmost not to reveal it.
What the? If they are this tense, they'll struggle to last long working in the ER...
Taeho checked the date on his phone.
Good. One week from now, those two won't be able to act like that even if they want to.
Taeho turned around with a slight smile.
***
The third day since treatment had begun in earnest.
When Taeho opened the hospital room door for morning rounds, Amira was waking Faisal.
"Rashid, how are you? Did you sleep well through the night?"
Faisal slowly turned his head.
An expression of disbelief.
"Doctor Gang. It is strange."
"What is strange?"
A furrow formed between Taeho's brows.
"I did not wake up once last night. I slept deeply."
Amira was deeply moved listening from the side at Faisal's words.
"Ya Akhi, is it true?"
"Yes, Ya Ukhti. I even dreamed."
Faisal got up from the bed and stretched. It was a natural movement, not the cautious motion he usually made.
"This is truly amazing. To think my body could feel this light..."
"How were your mornings usually?"
"From the moment I woke, my entire body was stiff and ached. Especially my waist and pelvic area. But today..."
Faisal twisted his waist left and right.
"It does not hurt at all. Since the accident, not a single day passed without pain while sleeping..."
Faisal's voice trembled.
"Because I frequently woke from the pain, I suffered from chronic fatigue and my concentration declined. So I could not even carry out official duties properly. But last night was different. I lay down at ten and did not wake once until seven in the morning. I slept a full nine hours straight!"
Faisal took a breath while looking at the scenery outside the window.
"I do not know how to describe this feeling... Haah. I feel as though I could immediately mount a horse and gallop across the desert."
"That is a relief. Rashid, deep sleep is the most important indicator of recovery."
"Is that true?"
Amira opened her eyes wide.
"Yes. Only by sleeping deeply can the immune system normalize and inflammation decrease. The virtuous cycle has now begun."
Taeho smiled.
Faisal took a deep breath.
"Even this morning air feels sweet. I never knew how precious a morning without fatigue could be."
"I am truly relieved. Ya Akhi!"
Tears welled up in Amira's large eyes.
That evening.
As Taeho was walking down the corridor to leave work, he discovered someone sitting on a long chair near the nurses' station.
It was Amira.
She was hugging her knees to her chest, gazing at the nightscape outside the window. Long, black hair cascaded down over her shoulders.
Taeho cautiously approached.
"Amira? What are you doing here at this late hour?"
Amira started and turned her head. The corners of her eyes were slightly swollen.
"Ah, Doctor Gang. Is it not permitted for me to be here?"
"Not at all. But why not rest comfortably in the patient room?"
Taeho sat in the seat next to her.
The night scenery visible through the corridor window was serene and peaceful.
"I could not sleep."
Amira spoke while looking out the window again.
"My brother is sleeping deeply for the first time in fifteen years, yet I cannot fall asleep."
"You must be worried."
"Yes. Honestly, I am afraid."
Amira's voice grew smaller.
"I am afraid that after improving like this, he might get worse again. Over fifteen years, I have nursed hope countless times only to be disappointed."
Taeho looked at her profile. The moonlight and corridor lights mysteriously illuminated her exotic features.
"Every time my brother was in pain, I felt helpless. I am not a doctor, and there was nothing I could do. There was nothing I could do but watch from the side."
"The bond between you two is truly special."
Taeho suddenly felt envious.
Was this what it meant to have a brother or sister?
To have someone who shared your pain when you were hurting and struggling.
For Taeho, who had lived all alone since childhood, it was an emotion he could never feel in his lifetime.
"I can feel how much you love your brother. That heart will be a great strength to him."
Amira turned her head to look at Taeho. Curiosity rose in her eyes.
"In Korea, family members do not stay in the hospital like this, do they?"
"Why do you think so?"
"I heard the private caregiver system is well established. That family members do not need to look after patients personally."
Taeho smiled and shook his head.
"That is not the case. The desire to protect a loved one is the same in every country. It is not as if Your Highness stays by your brother's side because you cannot hire a caregiver."
"I see."
Amira's expression softened.
Silence flowed for a moment. The footsteps of a night-shift nurse could be heard from afar.
"Do you have family, Doctor Gang?"
"I am alone now."
Amira discovered loneliness on Taeho's smiling face.
So even someone who seemed so perfect had his own pain.
Amira's heart gave a sharp pang.