I HURT… PAPA BOSS?

[WAIT… Marcus is a common name.]

Neoma decided not to jump to conclusions easily, but it was already too late. She had already opened her big mouth, and Paige Avery looked like she was waiting for an explanation. "My father has a Healing Sage named Marcus. But Lord Marcus doesn't have a surname, so I'm not sure if he's the one you're looking for."

And if she was going to be savage– er, honest, she'd say there was a huge possibility that the Marcus Paige Avery was looking for was already dead.

"The Marcus I know doesn't have a surname, too," Paige Avery said, her face suddenly looking hopeful. "He was disowned by his family after he chose to pursue his dream of becoming a Healing Sage instead of running their merchant guild. I don't know how it is today. But back in my day, being a doctor or a Healing Sage was frowned upon by the nobility."

"Time has indeed changed," she said. "Today, being a doctor or a Healing Sage is a noble profession."