Chapter 89: Ch 89. Exchange the Prize!

Selena saw her four other husbands arrive. Each of them approached with a smile, as did Dorven, who also arrived with several of his men carrying a chest.

"What are you doing?" Selena asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing—I just brought some treasures as a thank-you for leaving the treasures I prepared last night," said Dorven with a relaxed expression.

Selena raised her eyebrows, while the other three did the same. They carried several trays filled with gold nuggets and gems, which they set down there.

"What a coincidence that you’re here—Selena has already prepared some ointment for you," said Stevan as he handed the ointment to Dorven.

The man deftly caught it, glaring at Stevan with a slightly annoyed expression but then gently turning to Selena, who stood silently watching their antics.

"Ointment? What’s the ointment for?" asked Vylen with a puzzled look, then turned to Selena, seeking an answer.

"His skin blistered from the treatment last night, so he needs the ointment for that," replied Stoner, then sat down in one of the chairs and poured water into Selena’s cup.

"How could it blister? What exactly happened during the treatment? Didn’t you two just make love last night?" asked Jhon, also curious and suspicious.

"No, they didn’t do that. Dorven underwent a different treatment method, which involved boiling himself in holy fire. That’s why parts of Dorven’s body blistered from the heat, and he needs ointment for that," said Stoner, looking at Selena, who had raised her eyebrows.

"How do you know? I don’t think we’ve discussed that with you guys yet," said Selena, her eyebrows raised.

"That’s right, because I went to the Lion King’s palace earlier. At first, I wanted to hold him accountable for keeping you from waking up this morning, but then he explained what happened last night," said Stoner, then took a snack that Stevan had brought.

The man ate it casually, and it was clear he was quite hungry; there was also an aura of enjoyment radiating from him, which made Selena quite suspicious of his behavior.

"How did you find a cure or a way to treat your curse when, all this time, we’ve known the only way to cure it is with the help of an extinction healer?" John asked, a look of disbelief on his face.

"I’m surprised too, but actually, this doesn’t cure it 100%. It’s only about 60% effective if it works, and the risks are far greater than with the treatment Selena has prepared." Dorven let out a heavy sigh. "For now, it can be considered a success, but I’m not fully healed yet. I’ll still need treatment from her later, but for now, I’m fine."

Selena watched Jhon and Vylen, who were silent, while Stevan and Stoner ate and watched her.

"In that case, try searching the entire palace and your own territories. Who knows—maybe there’s a way to cure you without having to make love to me," Selena said, causing them to look at her.

"I’m sure this curse can’t possibly have no other cure. It’s possible there’s something secret about it, and this is a scandal. You’d have to sacrifice your futures and your partners just to marry a woman you don’t love," said Selena, her expression serious.

"I’ve already done that, and I really never found anything in the palace or in my territory. It’s also impossible for it to be hidden somewhere else," Stoner said, causing Selena to look at him.

"Are you absolutely sure?"

"Of course. This isn’t a simple matter. I’ve even asked the Moon Goddess for guidance several times, and there are truly no signs that I can be cured in any other way."

"Besides, not everyone’s situation is the same as Dorven’s. We’re all different; our problems are different, and surely the ways to treat us are different too. This isn’t a simple matter—it’s impossible for the solution to be hidden to the point of endangering our lives," said Jhon, prompting Vylen to nod in agreement.

"True, but you could say I don’t need to be cured by making love to Selena. The antidote inside me was actually created by Briella; now I’ve recovered sufficiently and I no longer feel any pain inside me at all," Vylen chimed in.

They all fell silent, as did Selena, who understood everything better than they did. It seemed it really couldn’t be generalized—they each had their own problems and illnesses, so their healing techniques were also different.

"Actually, I’ve been thinking about something," said Selena, causing them to look at her.

"Something? Just say it; we’ll listen."

Selena was silent for a moment. "But it doesn’t seem like the right time, and I’m worried too. It’s just that I have absolutely no intention of doing so, so it’s hard for me to express what I’m actually thinking," Selena said, causing Vylen, Jhon, Stevan, Stoner, and Dorven to all furrow their brows.

What did Selena mean? What was this woman thinking about and wanting to talk about? Why did it seem so strange and like something difficult to express?

Seeing how curious they all were, Selena finally sighed. "Never mind—it’s not something worth doing," Selena said.

"Is there something serious you want to talk to us about?" Stoner asked, his tone showing no intention of pressuring her.

"Just say it—even if it’s bitter, for the sake of each other’s well-being, we’ll definitely listen and work with you to find a solution," Stevan said, causing Selena to sigh and shake her head.

"It’s nothing; I don’t want to talk about it." Selena looked at the food and picked one up. "The point is, if you really want to get better, wait a few more days. I’ll go see Number 3 and invite you guys to do it."

Stevan swallowed hard. "Selena, I’m fine for now. I mean, if you still want to rest and regain your strength after staying up all night treating the lion king, you don’t have to push yourself. I can wait longer—especially now that my territory is relatively safe after I defeated the Green Traitor," Stevan explained at length.

Selena looked at him, then smiled and calmly said, "I’ve already told you—you need to find a way to treat yourselves first using something hands-on, something different. That way, you won’t have to have sex with me, which would only make you feel uncomfortable," she said, leaning back and folding her arms across her chest.

Her face looked flat, as if she were offended, which threw them into a panic.

"Selena, if Stevan doesn’t want to do it with you, I’m willing to switch to number 3," said Jhon, looking at Selena with a hopeful expression. "It’s up to you whether you want to do it or not—you’re not facing any threats at all if you don’t have sex with him, right? Just leave it to me; I’ll do it with you without ever thinking or saying those words."

Vylen nodded, as did Stoner. They looked very united, while when Selena looked at the other two—Dorven and Stevan—they appeared slightly panicked.

"I really have no intention of refusing; later, I plan to search your entire palace and territory. Since I’ve never done this before, it might take quite a while. "You can go ahead of the others—I don’t mind at all," said Stevan.

Vylen, Jhon, and Stoner looked at him as if he were an idiot. Then they glanced up at Dorven, who was also nodding in agreement.

"What’s going on with you guys? Do you realize Selena rarely offers an opportunity like this, and you’re just throwing it away?" said Vylen, looking confused by the situation.

"That’s right—this is the only way we can break free from this Curse. How much longer do you plan to suffer under it?" said Jhon, joining in the bewilderment at the two men’s behavior.

Meanwhile, Stoner didn’t seem to care at all; he was pouring himself some water and drinking it while looking for more food to take from the table. His behavior briefly piqued Selena’s curiosity and made her wonder what this man’s true intentions were, but then she turned her attention back to the other two.

"Before the healer’s extinction was reversed, I used to be the one who was always eager to do it. But now it’s quite different—I’m actually too shy to even think about it."

"Making love to Selena—it does sound very appealing, but I’ve truly become quite shy about it. I don’t understand why I’m refusing her either, but let me look into it first—maybe there’s a way to make it work. That way, I won’t have to feel guilty," said Stevan, causing them to stare at him in bewilderment once more.

"Then what about your reason, Dorven? Are you also hesitant, which is why you’re siding with the Dragon King?" asked Jhon, looking at him seriously.

"Not really, but I’ve already made up my mind and made an agreement with Selena. I won’t deny that I truly need the final stage of healing—making love—to truly stabilize my emotions.

"But after that, Selena and I will act like we always have—we’ve even promised to call each other ’big brother’ and ’little sister.’ So for now, I won’t force her to have sex if she doesn’t want to," Dorven said with a smile.