Upon receiving the news about the increased of people dying from the disease, it becomes a worrisome to the council. This news are not yet make public. For they still need to investigate about the causes of the disease.
Nickolai hearing the report becoming worried about Lucas condition there.
Things become more critical, when the daughter of Earl Gordon caught the disease whilst travelling back home.
Earl Gordon desperately send his daughter to the capital to receive treatment.
Michael become worried, for he hasn't yet find anything nor information about this disease. Lucas also seems to be unreachable due to these problems.
All of the old and experience physician beside him couldn't conduct any cure.
In the palace, Irene is massaging the Queen legs, due to leg cramps. When she first offers to help the Queen by massages, everyone was shocked. The queen refused her back then.
But when Irene offered to do it so many times, the Queen finally agreed for she had been suffering from it for so long.
Irene had grown to care of the Queen. The queen had been nothing but kind to her.
In the novel, the Queen was described as a power hungry woman that only wants to have a successor and gain power to the throne.
However here, meeting the Queen herself. Irene didn't see nor feel any inferiority between them. The queen was kind and loving to her. Being treated as such, makes Irene feel like she's truly her niece.
"How do you feel now, your majesty?" Irene put down the Queen legs carefully.
"It seems to be alright now." The queen said.
"That's good to know. I have made you some medicine for you to drink. It help to relieve and ease your sore muscle leg. And also you should eat less food that has sugar, salt and fatty meat." Irene remind.
"Alright, alright...I will. Irene, how about you pay more attention to your husband than worrying about me?" The queen said.
Irene chuckle hearing that.
"Do you now feel annoyed by me, your majesty?" Irene teased.
"You child....you know that not what I meant." The queen reprimanded her.
"Alright, I'm just joking. Beside, my relationship with His highness are good. You don't have to worry." Irene said.
"If you don't want me to worry, start making progress with the crown prince. How can you make a successor, if you stay in the different places? It ridiculous."
Irene could only listen and nods her head hearing the Queen frustration.
"Alright, your majesty. How about we take a stroll at the garden? It helps the muscles." Irene tried to change the subject.
"No, I need to go at the sanatarium. To visit the Earl's sick daughter." The queen refused and told her the reason.
"Sanatarium? What sickness?" Irene grew curious.
"I'm not sure. The disease hasn't been made public yet." The queen then gets up from the chair with the help of the maids.
"Can I come?" Irene asked.
The queen looks surprised.
"Are you sure? Won't you feel bothered being around sick people?" The queen asked for confirmation.
"Yes, I'm sure. And I want to go to see her too." Irene said.
"Alright then." The queen finally agreed.
After informing Gulten, to tell the crown prince about her whereabouts, Irene follows the Queen into the carriage.
Their on the way to the sanatarium. Irene watches the outside scenery while they passes by the town. This is her first outing after being married.
Finally they arrived at the destination. All the physician came to welcome them including Michael.
"Welcome, your majesty and...your Highness." The head of the physician seems to be surprised to see Irene. The same as other.
"Yes, I brought my niece to come accompany me. I hope it not trouble at all." The queen said.
"Of course not, your majesty. Let's go inside." The head of the physician then invited them in.
Irene looks around as they get in. Seeing the inside of the sanatarium is like watching an actual remote time places.
A woman came towards them as she bow down her head to greet them.
"Your majesty, and your highness...thank you for coming here...to see my daughter." It is the Countess Walma, the Earl's wife.
"Tell me anything you need, I will give you my full support." The queen said.
"Thank you, your majesty." Countess Walma shed tears. Seemingly worried sick about her daughter.
Before they enter the room, they were given masks to wear.
In that room, it can be seen a frail young girl lies down on the bed with a curtain between them. Two men are checking her condition. Seeing that there's people coming in, they stop and emerge behind the curtains.
"Let me introduce them, my finest apprentices. Bront and Thomas." The head of physician introduced the two young fine man.
They were wearing masks as they bow their head towards them.
"How is she?" The queen asks.
"Right now, she's stabilise. But the fever hasn't subsided yet." One of the man said.
As they were talking, Irene took a peek of the girl condition behind the curtains. She can see the girl pale face, and her wet disheveled clothes. Seems like they try to cool down the poor girl high temperature. Looking around the facility, Irene can see that here, are lack of equipment. And this world probably are not advanced, the same in her world for this kind of era.
"Pardon me, what is your diagnosis of the patient?" Irene couldn't help her curiosity.
Everyone turn to look at her.
"Err...we're not sure yet. We haven't finalised our diagnosis of what causes her sickness." One of the apprentices answered.
"What were her symptoms? Beside the fever." Irene questioned further.
"She's been coughing a lot. And she seem to be having trouble breathing, probably because of the flu. She said that she always feels tired and chest pain."
Hearing that, might seems to be a mild and normal fever. But Irene can't be sure if it just a fever.
"Have you checked her body?" Irene asks again.
"Wha...what?" The apprentices was shocked with her questions.
"Her body? Her entire body? Did you do the physical examination? To see anything wrong or sign?"
"I...I...." The apprentices seem to be caught out guard with her questions.
"What an absurd!" Countess Walma who listens to the conversation suddenly burst out.
Everyone was surprised with the crown princess's questions that all of them unintentionally focused on and paid attention to her. But then her question began to sound out of line, and Countess Walma couldn't help but lash out. While Irene was too immersed in her diagnosis to notice her surroundings.
"Are you suggesting a man, a stranger to look upon my daughter body? Someone who is not family nor her husband?!" Countess Walma confronted her in anger.
"No, I merely suggesting..." Irene was confused with her sudden aggression.
"I knew you had bad intention! It isn't enough you ruin your own reputation, now you trying to ruin my innocent daughter reputation!" Countess Walma accuses Irene.
"Countess, my niece means well." The Queen tries to defend Irene.
"How is this means well, your highness?!" Countess Walma expresses her displeasure.
"Countess, may I remind you, you're are talking to me, your Queen, and my niece is the crown princess. Calm yourself." The queen had to show authorisation, when Countess Walma couldn't control her temper.
Hearing that, Countess Walma came to realise her action. To behave such manners towards the royal, is a big crime.
"Forgive me, your majesty....your highness. For I have committed a crime to behave such way." Countess Walma beg for forgiveness as she bow down her head.
"I will not hindered you for this matter. Considering your situation. But I know that the crown princess indeed cross the line to suggested such as that." The queen then turn to Irene. Looking at the queen, she knew that she had to apologize for her action that is considered disgraceful.
"I apologise for my outspoken words, Countess. I didn't mean to offend you."
"Yes, your highness. I understand." Countess Walma reply. Though dissatisfied, she could only relented.