TTPB 25

Chapter 25

– Because I’ll Be by Your Side

“Plague! Everyone’s going to be infected!”

The child kept repeating his frantic words.

“What do you mean, plague? What are you saying, boy?”
“Even the heavens are heartless. How could disasters strike one after another…”

Fear spread, throwing the relief shelter into confusion. To those already weary in body and spirit, the news of a plague felt like the collapse of the world itself.

“A contagious disease?”

Rose’s expression turned grave. If they failed to respond quickly, it could spread like wildfire and devastate the capital.

“Sir Savas, there is something you should hear.”

Arsen, having received a report from the knights, approached Savas.

“It seems an epidemic has broken out at the Petros Temple.”
“So it’s come at last.”
“You expected this?”
“Floods, monsoons—after that, plague always follows.”
“The situation seems severe. Priests, worshippers, and villagers nearby are all suffering the same symptoms. High fever, abdominal pain, and more than ten have already died.”

Savas narrowed his eyes and questioned the boy.

“Child, what happened to those who fell ill?”
“They… they died so quickly! Even while I was on my way here, more were gone!”
“Did they vomit everything they ate and have watery diarrhea?”
“Yes—yes, that’s it! And then they died not long after!”

Aere soothed the sobbing boy, glancing at Savas with worried eyes.

“Do you know what disease this is?”
“Of course I do.”
“Then please, go to the temple at once and devise a countermeasure.”
“The problem is, I only have one body. If I leave, who will look after this place?”

Injured people were still being brought into the shelter. If Savas left for the temple, the hard-won order here would collapse into chaos again.

“Flooding rivers… summer… watery diarrhea?”

A thought struck Rose. She recalled the name of a disease she had only ever heard about in books.

“Isn’t this… cholera?”

Known to spread through contaminated water, it caused diarrhea, vomiting, high fever, and death from dehydration in a short span of time. In modern times with clean water systems it was nearly eradicated. Almost certain, Rose’s eyes met Savas’s. One eyebrow twitched before he questioned her sharply.

“You. You know this disease, don’t you?”
“Yes. I think I read about it in a book once.”
“Good. Then you’re useful. Do you know how to treat it?”
“A little.”

He scribbled something on paper and handed it to her. It contained instructions for remedies and countermeasures.

“Fortunate that you know. Can you follow this?”

Rose nodded firmly.

“I’ll stay here. You go to the temple and handle it. Do exactly as written.”

Arsen immediately stepped forward, frowning deeply.

“You would send Her Highness into the very heart of the epidemic?”
“Why not? If I can go, why can’t she?”
“…Forgive me if I offended you. I only meant that you would be more skilled in controlling the situation.”
“Enough excuses. Tch, I see—old men like me can die early, but not her, eh?”
“…”

Savas clicked his tongue in annoyance.

“Don’t worry. This plague won’t spread if you boil water and wash hands properly. If she follows my instructions, she’ll handle it even easier than here.”

He wasn’t wrong. Treating a single defined illness might be simpler than dealing with the unpredictable chaos at the shelter. Still, perhaps worried about sending her alone, Savas gave another stern reminder.

“Always cover your nose and mouth with a clean cloth.”

Rose gripped the paper tightly. At last—she had a task only she could do. The first mission Savas had entrusted to her.

“I’ll succeed no matter what.”

“We’ll need knights to ride to the palace. I’ve listed supplies—salt, sugar, and other necessities. Deliver them to the temple as quickly as possible. Bring back extra for the shelter as well.”

Arsen flipped quickly through the supply list, realizing it was long, and began selecting knights to dispatch. Savas tapped his arm with his staff, forcing him to look up at the old man’s sly grin.

“Move fast, or your princess will be in danger.”

The Remigis Knights split into two groups: one remained at the shelter, the other departed for Petros Temple. Arsen delegated full command of the shelter to Hagen and accompanied the Third Princess. Rose descended from the carriage with chosen physicians.

“Father Gosma! Bishop! Tai is back!”

The boy pushed open the rickety door, and a stench wafted through the cloths covering their faces.

“Ugh…”

Rose fought to keep her composure. Tai brought over a weary priest.

“I am Rose de Calonne.”
“Blessings of the fairies be upon you. I am Gosma, Bishop of Petros Temple.”

His hollow eyes and emaciated frame showed he had been fevered for days. Behind him trailed other sickly monks.

“Forgive our appearance.”
“It’s fine. All the infected are quarantined inside, yes?”
“Yes, they are all here.”

Deeper inside, patients lay lined up on the floor, clearly suffering severe dehydration.

“From now on, all water must be boiled before drinking. Prepare two cauldrons—one for disinfecting, one for mixing salt and sugar into drinking water. The proportions must match what’s written here exactly.”

Rose glanced down—the floor was filthy.

“And this floor must be cleaned thoroughly. Any new waste must be washed away immediately. Do not throw used water out—keep it in one place.”
“Just leave it gathered? The air will become foul!”
“No. Unless you touch it directly, it won’t worsen the disease. If you do touch waste, wash immediately in disinfected water!”

She lifted a wooden cup high for all to see.

“When the prepared water cools, drink one cup slowly over one minute. That’s all.”
“Just drink? No medicine?”

Disappointed murmurs rose. They doubted the words of a young princess.

“This method comes directly from Master Savas, royal apothecary of Calonne. If you restore fluids, you’ll soon be able to stand again.”

People exchanged uncertain glances.

“Come—those who can move, start cleaning. I’ll help.”
“Please, Your Highness, let us handle the menial work. You should care for the patients.”

Arsen caught her arm as she picked up a broom, his eyes steely.

“Please. You must not do such filthy work.”
“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t dirty. But I can’t just stand by.”
“No one would dare blame you.”
“It’s not about others. It’s about what I can accept.”

Though nausea rose in her throat, Rose forced herself to sweep and flung open the temple doors for air. Arsen watched her, conflicted—such a noble-born woman lowering herself so readily. He shook off the thought and ordered knights to help clean.

By the time they finished, the boiled water had cooled. Rose disinfected her hands and stirred the prepared solution. Luckily, the supplies had arrived in time, with plenty of salt and sugar. She poured a cup and gently trickled it into the lips of a dying worshipper.

“Will this truly cure them?” a priest asked doubtfully.

“If their condition doesn’t improve by nightfall, then I’ll admit I was wrong.”
“Father, you can trust her. She saved me too!”

Tai tugged on the priest’s sleeve, defending Rose. She smiled at the boy’s earnest eyes, and his cheeks flushed red.

“Tai, are you feeling better?”
“Yes! No fever anymore—I’m fine.”

Thanks to early treatment, he had avoided infection.

“Will you help me?”
“Can I really?”

She pointed to the priests.

“Just carry cups of water to patients who can’t sit up. That alone is a huge help.”
“Yes! I’ll do it. The priests are like family to me. I want to help.”

His little hands clutched the cup and he ran to the patients. By nightfall, those who drank the solution began regaining strength. Witnessing recovery, the others eagerly drank too.

“We are awed by Your Highness’s wisdom.”
“Forgive us for doubting.”

The cured worshippers bowed again and again.

“Now that you’re well, help the others! Let’s drive this plague away!”

Their shouts echoed with renewed vigor. The plague that had already claimed many lives began to subside. At its center stood Princess Rose—once scorned as a foolish royal, now praised as a saint.

“She’s incredible! Not even disease frightens her!”

Hearing the excited voice, Arsen looked down. It was the same boy who had once been held in Rose’s arms for treatment.

“Of course. Her Highness embodies the nobility of Calonne.”
“How can I ever repay her?”

Arsen replied stiffly without thinking.

“Her Highness did not act expecting your gratitude.”
“Still—I want to give thanks.”
“Once the plague is contained, Her Highness will return to the palace.”

At this, Tai’s face crumpled.

“She’s leaving? No! I wanted to stay with her longer…”

Seeing the boy’s tears, Arsen regretted sounding so harsh. He softened his tone.

“If you grow up strong, that will be the best thanks.”
“How do I do that?”
“Eat well, train, and make yourself strong.”

The boy pressed his lips together, mulling it over, then asked as though certain of the answer:

“Strong like you, sir knight? Then I can defeat plagues and evil too?”

A faint smile tugged at Arsen’s lips. Such a tiny thing, already so earnest.

“If I am your goal, you’ll need to work very hard.”
“Aw… but I don’t want it to take long. I want to help Her Highness soon.”

The boy whined, and Arsen gently ruffled his hair.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be by Her Highness’s side.”