Doctor Hailey

Even at night, the Crown Prince didn’t look well.

He looked so sick that she wasn’t even distracted by his good looks.

She had missed something preventable.

“Is there a place nearby where His Highness can rest?”

Hailey asked.

“There is a place where the guards rest during their watch.”

“Please, lead the way.”

Two guards nodded at her quick reply.

“Your Highness, can you walk?”

Seeing the Crown Prince’s pale face, she bit her lip.

Dragging someone so ill around until dawn. How irresponsible for a doctor.

Hailey, watching Kai silently, raised her hand to touch his face.

“…My Lady.”

Startled more than Kai, Hailey quickly pulled her hand away.

“Your face is so red. It feels warm too.”

“I can walk,” Kai stammered.

“I’ll support him,” Lihael said, stepping between her and the Crown Prince, gently pushing her aside.

“Oh, okay!”

Kai walked much better with Lihael’s support than with her weaker assistance.

“Kai, are you alright?” Lihael asked.

‘Kai…’

She repeated the Crown Prince’s name in her mind. So, his name is Kai.

“Your Highness!”

A man in the court’s official uniform rushed over, panting.

“Why are you walking so fast!”

“David!”

Lihael’s voice was firm.

“How can you leave Kai unattended?”

“Professor!”

David’s eyes darted around before his expression hardened.

“Your Highness!”

“It’s fine. Don’t blame David. I should sit down for a bit,” Kai said.

Hailey kept glancing back.

“Wait a moment.”

Everyone stopped at her words.

A guard and Nadia were approaching from afar.

They’ve arrived. Hailey smiled brightly, welcoming Nadia.

“Nadia. Do you have the stethoscope?”

“You mean this?”

As expected.

Without being told, Nadia had brought the stethoscope.

“The Crown Prince is sick?”

“Mind your manners when addressing His Highness!”

David scolded, but Nadia ignored him.

“I’ll go back to tend to the patients. Should I give oral rehydration to those who aren’t critical?”

“Yes. Give it to all suspected epidemic patients. The amount I prepared should be enough. I’ll return soon to teach you how to make more.”

“Alright.”

Nadia nodded.

“Let’s go back.”

She turned back towards the prison without hesitation. The guard who came with her followed in a daze.

Hailey chuckled.

Nadia was quick-witted and unafraid, even in front of the Crown Prince.

“Let’s hurry.”

Holding the wooden stethoscope, Hailey quickened her pace.

Lihael smiled warmly, and Kai walked without a word.

His two guards silently followed.

David watched her with a frown, but Hailey ignored him.

A small building soon came into view.

“That’s where the guards rest during their watch.”

It was a small, single-story building, with nothing special inside.

There was an old bed, just a place to rest for a while.

“Your Highness, please sit over there.”

Hailey said.

As the Crown Prince sat on the bed, she approached.

She took a deep breath. It wasn’t her first time examining a patient.

Was it because he was the most noble person in the Empire?

“What are you doing now?”

David asked.

“Everyone step outside. And David.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“Go outside. You’re too noisy.”

“But, Your Highness! We don’t know what she might do to you…”

“This is Lady Hailey Salisbury.”

Hailey made eye contact with David and smiled.

“What’s the matter?”

“No… My apologies, My Lady. I didn’t recognize you.”

She gave a light smile.

“It’s fine. But I need to examine His Highness. Please step outside. Actually! Your name is David, right?”

David nodded vigorously.

“Great. David, can you help me for a moment?”

“Yes, My Lady! Just say the word.”

Seeing David’s brightened expression, Hailey smiled and approached the Crown Prince.

“Please, lift his upper garment.”

David’s eyes widened.

Kai also looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“I need to listen to his heart and lungs. This stethoscope isn’t very good, so I need to place it directly on his skin.”

A modern stethoscope could work through clothes, but this one probably wouldn’t.

But it was better than nothing.

She couldn’t put her ear directly on his chest.

‘Maybe that would be better?’

She briefly considered it but shook her head.

There were so many medical tools she needed.

Meeting Hetos in the prison meant she would soon have fewer worries.

“Why are you all staring at me?”

Kai, David, and even Professor Lihael were all silently watching her.

She shrugged and looked at Kai.

“You need to lift it above his navel.”

Yet, they remained still, staring at her.

She finally moved towards the Crown Prince.

Then she reached out to his hem.

Kai jumped up, startled.

Hailey’s eyes widened. Why did he stand up suddenly?

His breathing grew rough, and his cheeks turned red. She quickly stood up.

Was he getting a fever?

“Your Highness, are you okay?”

She reached out to touch his forehead.

Then,

“How dare you!”

The Crown Prince’s voice trembled with anger.