“I’m going to the infirmary. Now is the time when the people need us most.” The unusual request at the worst of times for her had left the maids entirely bewildered, but Lalaya assuaged their fears with a bright, beautiful smile. “I’m nothing like my mother and father, but pathetic as I am, I am still a princess. I should be able to give the people a little hope, right?”
While the other maids struggled to find a way to turn her request down, Carrie stepped forward and responded to Lalaya’s strong will with an elegant bow. “Very well. If that is what you wish.”
“It is. Thank you.” Encouraged by the support from Carrie, her closest ally since she had been a little girl, Lalaya gave a satisfied smile before turning to the rest of the maids. “If you are afraid of getting sick, stay here. I know coming with me will be risking your life, so I won’t force any of you. There is plenty you can do to help without coming into direct contact with the sick. So do whatever you can.”
At that, the conflicted maids finally started to move. One began to help prepare for Lalaya’s outing. Another arranged for the materials they would need. One by one, they all moved to action, bringing another satisfied smile to the princess’s face. She then got to work herself.
Lalaya visited the infirmary, stopping at each of the beds she passed to hold the hands of the person suffering there, wiping the sweat from their brows herself. She would hold hands even with those covered in thick red lines, people whose families were too scared to touch them anymore. She spoke softly and encouragingly to them. So many people who had been worn down and crushed by the disease found relief and comfort at her visit.
They could see the sweat on her own brow, feel the tremor in her hands, hear the sound of her coughing when she couldn’t quite keep it back. They understood she was sick just like them. But even though she must have been suffering just like they were, her gentle smile didn’t so much as crack as she tried to lift their spirits.
It was never “You can do it.” It was always “We can do it.”
There were no known ways of treating the afflicted. Lost in despair, all these people could do was wait for death to take them. But Lalaya’s words ignited a fresh light of hope within them. In the castle, the king was using every ounce of his position and privilege to try to find a cure for his people. With Lalaya here, they could believe that. Her presence alongside them was all the proof the people needed.
And then, the hope that had seemed so agonizingly distant appeared right in front of them—in platinum blonde hair and jade eyes.
“At the king’s request, the People of the Forest have come to distribute some medicine. We will attend to each of you in order, so please stay in your beds.”
The stranger standing in the door stole the attention of everyone in the room, patients and doctors alike. Her words were beyond belief.
“You...brought medicine?” Lalaya, having just stepped into the room herself, was just as shocked as everyone else. “You can cure us?”
Everyone in the room watched with bated breath as Lalaya walked over to the new arrival.
“Yes, of course,” the woman replied, nodding with a slight bow, but otherwise showing no sign of fear before the princess. “I will take over leadership of this facility for the time being. My name is Miranda. I have brought the medicine.”
As Lalaya looked at the woman, thinking idly that her eyes looked so much like Misha’s, she noticed a tear streaking down her own face.
And the next moment, a cheer went up around the room.
“However, the amount of medicine I have with me is rather limited.” Miranda’s next words brought silence back to the room. Lalaya frowned. “There is more coming, but it requires herbs from a distant land, so we cannot be sure when it will arrive. As such, please respect the order I set out for receiving treatment.”
A murmur went through the crowd.
“Very well.” Lalaya was the first to respond, wiping the tears from her face with a slow nod. “Please save as many people as you can, Lady Miranda.” And then she bowed.
The sight of a princess bowing to an apothecary with no fame or status made multiple people across the room gulp. However, Lalaya didn’t feel the slightest shame in her actions. It was only natural to thank someone who was here to save the lives of her precious people.
“Miss Apothecary, can I make a request?” one of the patients spoke up, breaking the silence that had settled over the room. “I am sure you have your own plans, but could you treat Lady Lalaya first?”
The request set the room to buzzing. Lalaya’s eyes went wide at the unexpected request.
“I am still doing fine.” She shook her head vehemently. “There are many people who need the medicine more than I do. Please help them first.”
“No! Lady Lalaya has to be first!”
“Please, Miss Apothecary, help Lady Lalaya!”
“We beg of you!”
The voices of the other patients drowned out her objections.
“If Lady Lalaya doesn’t get any of the medicine, then neither do we!”
“Please, Miss Apothecary!”
More of the patients spoke up, wheezing and hoarse. Even the family that had come to help tend to the sick looked at Miranda pleadingly. Lalaya looked out over the room, stunned.
“Lady Lalaya is our hope!”
“She means too much to us! We can’t afford to lose her!”
Patients who couldn’t even move a few minutes ago were now forcing themselves up in their beds, chanting her name between agonized coughs.
Is this what you meant by our love coming back to us, mother...? Tears trailed down Lalaya’s face once more.
Miranda clapped her hands loudly, silencing the chorus of the sick. “Very well, I have heard your requests. Please calm down.” As quiet returned to the room, Miranda turned to Lalaya with a smile, producing a handkerchief to wipe away the girl’s tears. “Please come with me. It appears I won’t be able to get anything done unless I start with you.” And then she gently placed her hand on Lalaya’s back, urging her forward. “What selfless people. They must love you very much.”
“Yes. They’re...wonderful.” Lalaya managed a small nod, her legs still trembling as she let Miranda guide her away.