When Taeho focused his gaze, the visualization function activated.
A scene appeared before his eyes as though a microscopic world had unfolded.
He began to see countless tiny dots drifting in the air around Latifa. Most were a faint gray.
Those were probably normal resident viruses. Harmless groups of viruses always exist in the human respiratory tract and on the skin. Most coexist in equilibrium with the immune system.
Deeper within Latifa’s body, pale turquoise dots were blinking in a regular rhythm.
Those were likely viruses hiding in her B cells and ganglia. Judging by their color and shape, they did not appear to be active.
Around the bottle of pomegranate juice, however, an entirely different picture unfolded.
“That’s…”
Vivid crimson particles were moving from the pomegranate juice bottle in regular pulses. Like a heartbeat, they repeatedly expanded and contracted in size.
Rema’s voice sounded.
-Highly pathogenic virus detected. RNA replication activity is more than 1,000 times normal.
“Why is it so red?”
-Pathogenic viruses actively attempt to invade the host cell’s DNA. The energy released in that process appears in the infrared spectrum. The deeper the red, the more active the attempt at cellular invasion.
What was even more astonishing was that all those red viruses were arranged in a specific pattern.
-These viruses appear to possess sensors that detect specific HLA markers.
When Latifa opened the bottle cap, the red particles became even more active. They began spreading through the air like living creatures.
“Analyze the movement pattern of those viruses.”
-Interesting. These viruses are operating in a “seek and destroy” mode. They are actively detecting HLA molecules in the air.
When Taeho observed more closely, some of the red viruses were heading toward Ali, while others were approaching him.
But strangely, the viruses that approached him suddenly faded in color and lost activity at the one-meter mark.
Taeho soon guessed the reason.
It was probably because his HLA pattern was not included in the target range of this virus.
To think he was seeing with his own eyes a phenomenon he had only known in theory!
But he could not simply stand there in admiration.
The viruses heading toward Ali had turned an even clearer red, and their activity was increasing sharply.
Around Ali’s body, faint golden dots were colliding with the red viruses and disappearing.
It was Ali’s innate immune response.
NK cells (natural killer cells) and interferons were engaging the virus.
The problem was that the number of red viruses overwhelmingly exceeded the golden immune cells.
‘If this continues, Ali’s immune system will be overwhelmed.’
When Taeho looked back at Latifa, he saw another pattern across her entire body.
Along her blood vessels, tiny silver particles were circulating in a regular rhythm.
“What is that?”
-Antibody complexes. Artificially injected monoclonal antibodies are neutralizing the virus.
So that was why she had no symptoms despite being infected with the virus!
Right now, she was in a kind of “living virus incubator” state.
In other words, she was producing the virus while she herself was being protected.
At that moment, Ali reached toward the juice bottle.
“I’m thirsty. I want to drink the juice first.”
“Then please have just a little first.”
“Prince Ali, wait a moment. Let’s take your temperature before you drink the juice.”
Just as Latifa was about to hand the pomegranate juice to Ali, Taeho swiftly intervened.
Latifa looked momentarily flustered.
“Please give that to me for a moment.”
Taeho naturally took the pomegranate juice bottle.
The entire bottle was covered with microscopic viral particles. It was as though an invisible poison had coated the surface of the bottle.
-Master Taeho, the viral concentration on that container has exceeded the threshold. Immediate isolation is recommended.
Ali looked at Taeho with a puzzled expression.
“Dr. Kang? Why do you look so serious?”
Forcing a smile, Taeho carefully placed the pomegranate juice bottle on the desk.
“It’s nothing, Your Highness.”
But inside, other thoughts were boiling.
‘How many people has Latifa infected? Does she truly not know?’
Latifa’s innocent-looking expression.
The question was whether she was spreading the virus intentionally, or whether she was truly an ignorant victim.
What was certain was that, for Prince Ali’s sake, she could no longer be kept by his side.
Taeho stepped out into the hallway and immediately contacted the security team.
“Team Leader Hamid, please transfer Ms. Latifa to the medical staff isolation area right now.”
“What is the matter?”
“It’s a medical emergency. There is a high possibility she is a virus carrier, and she poses a risk of infecting others.”
Taeho returned to Latifa and said,
“Ms. Latifa, I believe you need to undergo an urgent health examination.”
“Right now? Why so suddenly…”
“It is my medical opinion. We need to check the health status of all staff. And Prince Ali, starting today, the next few days will be a special management period.”
“Then I can’t play with Latifa? Doctor, is Latifa sick too?”
Ali’s eyes widened.
Taeho spoke in a kind but firm tone.
“Only for a few days. Another nanny will come in the meantime.”
Ali looked disappointed, but he nodded.
Thirty minutes later, Latifa was in the medical staff’s dedicated isolation area. On the surface, it looked like an ordinary health examination room, but in reality, it was a perfectly controlled environment.
“Ms. Latifa, we need to conduct a blood test and a few basic examinations.”
Taeho said as he prepared the testing instruments.
“Is it really necessary? I feel fine…”
Latifa clasped her own arm and spoke in an anxious voice.
“Yes, it is essential. In particular, we need to confirm whether you have a viral infection.”
When Taeho emphasized the word virus, Latifa’s face went pale for an instant.
An hour later, Taeho entered Mansour’s office holding a medical report summarizing Latifa’s blood test results.
With a grave expression, Taeho opened his mouth.
“Your Highness, there is something I must urgently tell you.”
“This incident is highly likely to be the work of an insider, not an external intrusion.”
Mansour’s expression stiffened.
“An insider… Do you have grounds for saying that?”
“After analyzing the characteristics of the virus, I found that this is an extremely sophisticated biological weapon. It was adjusted to match each prince’s genetic characteristics, and that would be impossible without advanced biotechnology knowledge and detailed medical information on the princes.”
“So you are saying there is someone you suspect?”
“Yes. Prince Ali’s nanny, Latifa.”
For a moment, the office fell silent.
“Latifa? Dr. Kang, you must be mistaken. There is no way Latifa would do such a thing.”
“Latifa entered the palace eight months ago, and the princes began falling ill six months ago. Considering the preparation period, it matches perfectly.”
“But the reason we hired Latifa in the first place was that Ali’s original nanny fell ill and could no longer work. Are you saying even that was intentional? Dr. Kang, do not recklessly suspect my people.”
Mansour seemed to trust Latifa quite deeply.
A trust that went beyond the relationship between employer and employee.
Taeho’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
“There is separate, decisive evidence.”
“What is it?”
“After analyzing Latifa’s blood, we found that she is currently infected with the virus but has no symptoms. Her body is continuously producing the virus, yet she herself is being protected by special antibodies.”
“That cannot be…”
“This virus was designed to attack only specific genetic markers. Ordinary people are not infected. It targets only the royal bloodline.”
Even as Mansour looked at the blood test results Taeho handed him, his expression showed disbelief.
“Then are you saying Latifa did it deliberately?”
“If you investigate the financial transaction records of Latifa’s family, you will likely find evidence.”
Mansour squeezed his eyes shut and spoke as if groaning.
“Latifa is the daughter of an old friend of mine. Her father passed away last year. I have watched Latifa since she was young… I cannot believe that child tried to harm my son. And do you know how fond Ali is of Latifa?”
Taeho drew the line.
“The medical evidence is clear. But this is as far as I go. The rest is a matter Your Highness must handle personally. As a doctor, I can only provide the medical facts.”
“…I understand. Thank you, Dr. Kang.”
Mansour nodded.
All this time, they had searched the royal family’s interior so thoroughly to find a spy, but they had never suspected Latifa. It was because he had trusted Latifa like his own daughter. If not for Dr. Kang Taeho, even if his sons had died one after another, he would never have suspected her to the end.
Feeling gratitude toward Dr. Kang and betrayal toward Latifa at the same time, he clenched his fists tightly.
***
Taeho was checking his watch in the VIP lounge of Abu Dhabi International Airport.
‘He should be arriving by now…’
“Director!”
A familiar voice rang out. When he turned around, Gihwan was standing there with a large bag.
“Mr. Gihwan! You must have had a hard time coming all the way here.”
Taeho greeted him warmly.
“You called for me, Director. How could I not come? I’d go to the ends of the earth if I had to. But it really is hot here.”
These days, Gihwan always wore a bright expression and was positive about everything.
It was thanks to Sophie.
“Were you able to make the immunotherapy agents?”
“It was possible because the viral analysis data you sent me was so accurate, Director.”
Seong Gihwan opened a special refrigerated bag and showed him.
“These are individually customized immune enhancers. I optimized them by HLA marker and adjusted the dosage by age group.”
“What components are they made of?”
“The base is a humanized monoclonal antibody cocktail. To that, I added an IL-15 superagonist to activate NK cells, as well as an siRNA complex to inhibit viral replication. Also…”
Taeho listened to Gihwan’s explanation in admiration.
To think he had produced customized treatments this quickly.
He truly lived up to his reputation as the foremost expert in immunology.
An hour later, Taeho arrived at the palace medical wing with Gihwan.
“Wow, this facility is incredible. I think it’s even better than university hospitals back home.”
Gihwan marveled as he looked at the state-of-the-art MRI equipment, robotic operating rooms, and sterile ward.
“The UAE royal family’s investment in medicine is truly remarkable. That’s why they can handle complex cases like this.”
Taeho answered, though his expression darkened.
“But there’s still one mountain left to climb.”
“What mountain?”
“Convincing the royal medical team. When the princes’ lives were hanging by a thread, I was given full authority, but the situation is different now.”
“How is it different?”
“What I’m trying to do now is strengthen the princes’ antibodies by boosting their immunity so they won’t fall victim to the same attack again. It’s closer to prevention than treatment.”
Seong Gihwan nodded as if he understood.
“From the royal medical team’s perspective, it could look like we’re giving an experimental treatment to healthy people.”
“Exactly. Moreover, no matter how exceptional the treatment you made is, it’s still an experimental treatment that hasn’t gone through clinical trials yet. And Dr. Abdullah in particular is extremely conservative.”
“Dr. Abdullah?”
“He’s the royal family’s chief immunologist. He has twenty years of experience and graduated from Harvard Medical School. He’s someone who places great importance on principles.”
Gihwan looked worried.
“Then they might reject the treatment we brought?”
Taeho stopped in front of the conference room door and said,
“We’ll have to persuade them somehow.”