235: Were You Missing Me?

Were You Missing Me?

The knight left as soon as he escorted her to her destination. When she reached the room of her patient, she found Lily  still in pain. 

"Lord Physician!" a young kitchen servant hurried into the room not a minute later.

Oriana's arrival caused a small ruckus among the servants because she was personally escorted by a royal knight. This prompted Olivia to come, since she was the closest colleague of the sick Lily. 

Oriana looked at the flustered Olivia. "Can you tell me what she ate yesterday after I left? Also, did she try any food which she had never eaten before?"

After returning to the mansion of Megaris yesterday, Oriana consulted several books yet she could not determine the reason for the woman's pain. 

"She is eating the same meal as us, my lord. No one has any trouble with the meals as we mostly prepare food that we eat in Thevailes."

"No one but her is ill with stomach pain?"

"Yes, my lord. She is the only one suffering like this."

Oriana pondered over the situation. "Maybe she ate a wild berry or a food with native spice during one of her errands." Oriana tried to talk to the patient. "Lily, can you answer me?"

Lily was awake, and hearing her question, she nodded. 

"Have you eaten something different ever since you came to Nefer?"

She shook her head to say no.

"After I treated you yesterday, did you feel better?"

She nodded. 

"Did the pain disappear?"

She shook her head.

"So you mean the pain has reduced?" 

Again, a nod.

After another series of 'yes and no' questions, Oriana concluded. 

"That means pain lessened, but came back in full force today." Oriana checked her stomach for bloating or bruises.  "When did it return?"

Olivia answered in her stead, "This, Lord Physician, I believe the pain came back after I fed her…"

Oriana looked at the young servant. "What did she eat?"

"As you instructed yesterday, I only gave her porridge and water."

"Did you add vegetables, meat or spices to the porridge?"

"I did not, Lord Physician."

"Can you show me the leftovers?"

Olivia felt a little stunned but nodded. "I-I will bring it here!"

"You can take me to the kitchen instead," Oriana insisted. 

Olivia led her way towards the kitchen. When they reached the kitchen, they went towards the stoves but found them empty. Olivia searched through the nearby areas. 

"Oh no, the pot is not here." The servant asked a fellow scullery maid who happened to be returning from outside, "Did you wash the pot with porridge already? It's the small pot on this stove."

"Of course, it's been cleaned already," the scullery maid replied. "It has been hours since meal time is over."

Olivia approached Oriana with an apologetic face.

"Any leftovers?" Oriana asked. 

"I apologize, Lord Physician…please punish me…"

"It's alright. Can you lead me to the infirmary? I need to get a new batch of herbs."

"Y-Yes! Please follow me!"

As Oriana turned around, Olivia and the scullery maid shared a knowing gaze.

It did not take long for them to arrive at the mansion infirmary. Oriana went to the storage area where the most basic herbs were kept. Upon checking, she saw the stock she took yesterday had been replenished. 

"I will strengthen the medicine for pain, but not change the one for infection. We will see how it goes," Oriana said to Olivia. She started preparing the new batch of medicines with the help of the kitchen servant. 

"I don't see Lady Rosetta today," Oriana asked after she finished placing the concoctions inside their bottles. 

"Were you missing me, Orian?"

The sweet voice of the woman came from behind them, causing Oriana to nearly jump in surprise. No one realized when the noble lady entered, but from her smile, it appeared as if she had been watching Oriana work for some time. "Pardon for startling you. I heard you came so I thought to meet you, but you were so engrossed in brewing medicine. I stayed quiet to not disturb you."

Oriana offered her a genuine pleased smile. "How thoughtful of you, Lady Rosetta. I am glad to see you again."

The older woman peered at the leftover plants on the work table. "...turmeric and astragalus root, indeed it may work—ah! Apologies, I can't help but admire your work." 

The fervor in her eyes as she stared at the herbs was almost fanatical. It was hard to deny the fact that Rosetta truly loved the study of herbs. 

"Have you been well, Orian?" she asked. "I heard your master came with you today here."

In response, Oriana simply lowered her head and pressed her lips into a thin line.

Rosetta could not help but sigh. "Seems like he is not pleased that yesterday you came here."

"It was my mistake. Being a new servant, I am ignorant of how things work between royal families, unaware how to interact with people of high status. I merely thought of my duties as a physician and forgot to consider that I am also a servant  of another royalty."

"That shows you have a kind heart," the woman said.

Oriana didn't comment on it and merely took the newly brewed medicine towards Lily's room. When their group entered, Rosetta once again sat on the edge of the servant's bed, caressing her head while whispering words of comfort.

As Oriana laid the bottles on the table, she solemnly explained to Olivia about their dosages. "... it will show results even if you give it to her as you did her previous medicine, alright? I will not be able to return after today, so I suggest you seek another physician if the pain does not go away by tomorrow." 

"But Lord Physician—"

"Seems like your master doesn't treat you that well."

Oriana glanced at the noble lady who spoke with a forced smile. It appeared as if Rosetta had hit a nerve. Oriana quietly lowered her head. "It's not the case, my lady. His Highness treats me the way servants are supposed to be treated."

"Hmm, being a servant of a royal is not easy," Rosetta commented. 

"Not everyone is fortunate to have a kind master like you, Lady Rosetta."

"Pity.  If only I am fortunate enough to have a kind companion like you."

"I will be my fortune, Lady Rosetta."

The woman simply smiled at her while Oriana uncorked one of the bottles. "Please hand me a spoon and a glass of water, Olivia."

Rosetta stepped away as Oriana fed medicine to Lily. Several minutes later, Lily visibly calmed down, as if her pain had been relieved. She closed her teary eyes to drift to a peaceful sleep.0

"Seems like the stronger medicines are effective on her," Rosetta commented. 

"Looks like it," Oriana replied as she observed her patient's steady breathing. 

"What we all failed to do, you are doing it really well. I would be eternally grateful if you can keep treating her till she completely recovers. Of course, only if your master agrees."

Oriana gave Rosetta a look of uncertainty. "I will try to persuade His Highness, but I cannot give my word."

"Shall we have tea? I believe the Crown Prince is busy discussing important matters with His Majesty the King. I will have a servant inform us when the men wrap up their talk."

Oriana didn't reject the invitation, and like last time, she followed Lady Rosetta to her chamber. 

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