Doctor Hailey

—

“Epidemic? What kind of disease?”

“Cholera,” Hailey replied.

Lihael’s eyes filled with curiosity.

“Do you know about the epidemic that spread in the Furetz region ten years ago?”

“The epidemic in Furetz region…?”

Lihael trailed off.

She had studied the history of Imperial medicine diligently. It was a graduation requirement at the Academy.

“Ah, the dehydration disease!”

Lihael exclaimed.

Hailey nodded.

“Yes, the dehydration disease.”

“They said it was the curse of the Thirst Witch in the Haretz region.”

Lihael shook his head.

“It’s common to treat epidemics as witch curses or demon reappearances.”

Her voice was dry.

Epidemics could be treated, depending on the disease.

‘When people get sick, they look for priests, not doctors…’

She sighed inwardly.

“Cholera causes vomiting and diarrhea, draining nutrients and water from the body.”

“So, the dehydration disease is called cholera?”

“…I named it myself.”

Lihael nodded indifferently at Hailey’s words.

“I read the report and met one of the survivors from Furetz. I know the symptoms well. Even when we replenished water, patients kept dying.”

As Lihael’s voice weakened, Hailey nodded.

“Our bodies regulate water and electrolytes, but cholera causes a rapid loss of water. The problem is, electrolytes are lost too, so just drinking water doesn’t help.”

“With diarrhea, water and electrolytes are lost together! The bacteria disrupts the concentration balance, causing continuous vomiting and diarrhea!”

Hailey didn’t bother explaining further.

There were probably documents about cholera.

‘I’ll give it to him later.’

She nodded.

“Yes. Electrolyte replenishment is key. Mixing water, salt, and sugar in specific ratios can save lives in emergencies.”

“Really! Wow, Lady Hailey, you are truly…”

Lihael grabbed her hands with both of his.

“You are truly the pride of our Academy!”

“Th-thank you.”

Hailey nodded, feeling awkward. He was too close.

Seeing his bright eyes, she forced a smile.

“In emergencies, that’s the treatment. The disease usually spreads through contaminated water and contact with patients’ excretions.”

“Not airborne?”

Hailey shook her head.

“No. Contaminated water is the most common cause. If you analyze the Furetz report closely, you’ll see many cases near water sources. I have analyzed data too…”

“Yes! Give me that data. We need to check the water supply in the prison and the entire capital!”

He understands quickly. Hailey smiled broadly.

“Yes.”

“Hailey Salisbury.”

The sudden voice made both Hailey and Lihael turn their heads.

“Kai?”

“Your Highness?”

They said in unison.

—

“Kai, what brings you here?”

Lihael turned to him, still holding Hailey’s hand, making her naturally face the Crown Prince.

Just as she was about to speak,

“How are you? Are you okay?”

Hailey looked up. The Crown Prince was definitely unwell.

Kai’s hand trembled slightly.

Seeing this, Hailey frowned.

Kai’s breathing was visibly erratic and rough.

His eyes seemed to be enduring pain.

Just as she was about to speak,

“Anyway, Kai, you came at the right time. I had something to discuss.”

‘Kai?’

Hailey looked back at Lihael.

He was smiling as usual.

“Professor…”

“Oh, Lady Hailey! This is His Highness, the Crown Prince. He’s not one to care much about formalities, so no need to worry.”

Lihael smiled at her.

“I do care about formalities,” Kai said.

“Pardon?”

“Hailey Salisbury. It’s proper to observe etiquette when meeting the Crown Prince.”

“Th-that is…”

You said not to worry about formalities last time.

She stammered.

Just as she was about to let go of Lihael’s hand and bow,

“But I’ll overlook it this time.”

Kai caught her hand just before she knelt.

“Kai.”

At Lihael’s voice, she turned to him.

His voice was unusually cold, and his smile was gone.

A tense atmosphere spread between the two.

“Your Highness!”

Hailey said.

She gently let go of Kai’s hand and bowed her head.

“I’m sorry.”

“Have all the prisoners been treated?”

Kai asked.

“Yes! Thanks to Your Highness, we first provided oral rehydration to the critical patients, and they all survived. We conducted an overnight survey, but thirty died in the first-class prison.”

Hailey paused to catch her breath.

She clenched her fists to stop them from shaking.

If she had known earlier, maybe they wouldn’t have died.

She swallowed the tears welling up.

No matter how many times she experienced it, she could never get used to patients’ deaths.

She only pretended to be used to it.

“Twelve severe patients are still receiving oral rehydration. We need to survey other prisons and check all water sources in the capital.”

“Water sources in the capital?”

The Crown Prince tilted his head.

“Kai. Dehydration disease, or cholera, is mainly caused by contaminated water. It spreads through water. So we need to check the water and boil it before drinking.”

Lihael explained.

“Yes!”

As expected from Professor Lihael.

He was the best among the Academy professors.

Hailey added.

“Your Highness, by checking the water, we can prevent it from spreading in the capital.”

“You two work well together.”

Kai frowned.

She swallowed hard.

Why is he acting like this? She waited for the Crown Prince’s response, heart pounding.

Kai bit his lip instead of answering. Then, holding his forehead, he started to sway.

“Your Highness!”

Hailey rushed to him, quickly supporting his shoulder.

“Kai!”

Lihael shouted, and she looked at Kai’s face.

He looked terrible. She had sensed something was wrong from the start.

“Your Highness, you need to be examined.”

Hailey then noticed the people who had followed the Crown Prince.

“Go to the prison and bring Nadia!”

“You mean us?”

“Can’t you see His Highness’s condition? What if it’s the epidemic?”

Her voice was sharp.