Chapter 91-Gamble on system’s favour

Chapter 91: 91-Gamble on system’s favour

The dining room was unusually peaceful. Outside, explosions still echoed across the ocean, and the occasional burst of gunfire reminded anyone listening that a pirate ship was currently being reduced to scrap metal.

Inside the cruise ship, however, the warm lights illuminated a beautifully arranged dining table, and the aroma of freshly prepared food slowly filled the air.

Aymara hummed happily as she moved around the kitchen. She had decided to prepare roasted chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, eggplants, shredded pork, vegetable soup, and a plate of golden-brown bread. For dessert, she planned to make a small batch of chocolate brownies.

After all, she deserved a proper meal. She had died once already. If the apocalypse had taught her anything, it was that she should never postpone enjoying delicious food.

"Nate, go sit down. I’ll bring everything over."

Nathaniel remained by the kitchen entrance, watching her move between the stove and the counter. "You don’t have to do everything yourself, Mara. I can help."

"Absolutely not."

He blinked. "Why?" He didn’t wish to freeload and Aymara was aware that he was a good cook so taking charge of the kitchen duties weren’t a problem for him.

"Because you’re my most esteemed person. I won’t let you do such work when I can do it."

"I’m not injured and i am not precious. I can work."

Aymara slowly turned her head and Nathaniel immediately regretted speaking.

She placed the spoon on the counter and walked toward him, her expression growing dangerously sweet.

"Nathaniel, darling, do you want me to carry you to the infirmary and strap you to a hospital bed?"

His mouth fell open. It was not at the action she indicated taking but the way she called to him. "Darling?"

"Would you prefer sweetheart?" She teased him.

His ears turned red. He looked at her for a very long time. He couldn’t decide where her courage was coming from to tease him so.

Aymara grinned, apparently delighted by the effect of her words. "Good. Now go sit down before I think of something even more embarrassing to call you."

Nathaniel retreated to the dining table without another argument. Unfortunately, his victory was short-lived.

The moment he sat down, a sharp pain stabbed through his chest. His smile faltered, and he pressed his palm against his sternum, waiting for the discomfort to subside. It didn’t.

His breathing grew shallow again. He leaned forward slightly, hoping Aymara wouldn’t notice but Aymara had spent too much of her previous life caring about people to see when they hide their pain behind forced smiles. She knew the signs.

The spoon in her hand stopped moving. "Nathaniel?" She said his name, her lips trembling.

"I’m fine," he said, the pain pressing in his lungs forcing him to be breathless even though he forced a strong front.

She turned off the stove and walked over to him. "Look at me."

He hesitated before raising his eyes. For several seconds, she studied his face. His skin was paler than usual, and a faint sheen of sweat had appeared along his forehead.

Her expression changed. Her eyes immediately moistened. She had been too busy fighting external forces that she hadn’t stopped for a minute to check on him. And Nathaniel, as concerned as he was about her, didn’t let on that something was wrong with him.

"System, scan Nathaniel immediately," she ordered. Her heart clenching tightly.

[Medical scan initiated.]

[Warning: Abnormal cardiac rhythm detected.]

[Warning: Respiratory distress detected.]

[Recommendation: Immediate medical assessment required.]

The warmth vanished from Aymara’s face. "Nate, when did this start?"

He tried to smile. "It’s nothing serious. The ship was shaking, and I probably strained myself. Its fine, don’t get too worried."

"That’s not what I asked."

His gaze dropped to the table. "Earlier. In the control room," he answered her question.

"Earlier?" Her voice rose. "You were struggling to breathe earlier, and you said nothing?"

"I didn’t want to distract you."

Aymara simply stared at him like he was a fool. How can he prioritize her when he was hurting so much? His selflessness towards her was stunning.

Then she pulled out the chair beside his and sat down. She took a deep breath and calmed her anger as tending to him was more important.

"Listen to me carefully, Nathaniel. You are never a distraction," she said. Her words forced him to look up at her. "I don’t care if I’m fighting a thousand monsters, a hundred pirates, or the entire ocean itself. If you’re in pain, you tell me. Do you understand?"

His expression softened. "Mara..."

"No arguing. System, prepare the medical bay and summon the automated medical unit. Monitor his vital signs continuously."

She ordered, the words just flew out of her mouth. She hadn’t heard of receiving a medical unit since the beginning and couldn’t understand why she asked for one. But she gambled on the system’s favour on Nathaniel. The system didn’t disappoint her.

[Command confirmed.]

[Medical bay prepared.]

[Automated medical unit dispatched.]

Aymara stood and helped Nathaniel rise. She didn’t ask where the medical unit came from and just thanked the stars in her heart that the system held Nathaniel’s best interest and for once it served a good purpose.

He tried to protest, but she silenced him with a glare. "One more word, and I’ll carry you."

"You can’t possibly carry me," he said. Even though he was sickly, it didn’t mean that he weighed less. He always kept his weight steady and trained his body as such, Aymara would not be able to carry him easily.

"Would you like to test that theory?" She challenged him.

Nathaniel closed his mouth. He wanted to argue but the sharp pain pressed tight against his ribcage and made him wince.

"Just bear with it a bit. You’ll be fine soon," she comforted him.

Aymara guided him toward the medical bay, supporting most of his weight while pretending not to notice how heavily he leaned against her.

Behind them, the food sat forgotten on the kitchen counter and for the first time since the pirates had appeared, Aymara no longer cared about the burning ship outside.

There was something far more important in front of her and she wasn’t going to lose it.

Twenty minutes later, Aymara stood outside the medical bay with her arms crossed. The automated medical unit had finished its initial examination, but the results had done little to ease her anxiety.

[Preliminary assessment complete.]

[Patient is experiencing significant cardiopulmonary stress.]

[Symptoms: Tightness in the chest. Sharp pains. Shortness of breath]

[Recommendation: Maintain patient under observation.]

[Medicines given: Immunava to regulate his overactive immune system. 1/2 a dose of Fibrolex to slow progression of lung scarring during this episode. 100mg of Pulmarest to him breath more comfortably and reduce inflammation. Nutricore supplements to combat his chronic weakness and weak appetite.]

Aymara stared at the display. She was glad the system provided a medical unit. With how emotional she had become on seeing him hurt, she wouldn’t have been able to run the test even with the instructions whispered in her ear.

"Can you fix him?"

[Additional information required.]

"What information?"

[Patient medical history, previous diagnoses, medications, and baseline vital signs to determine future treatment plan]