145 A SERVANT LEADER

Zoe picked up the cup that Raigon gave her and immediately gave it to the dehydrated prisoner.

Like lightning, Raigon poured out the mixtures on the empty cups and distributed them on the servants so they could feed the prisoners. 

Before each one of them does so Zoe tied a piece of cloth on their faces and gave them instructions.

"Do not remove them as long as you're treating these people. Always wash your hands before leaving each one to go to the other."

The servants bowed to her and fulfilled their tasks.

Zoe then faced Raigon and addressed him.

"We can handle this, your Highness. You could take a rest now."

But it seemed like Raigon had no plan of leaving just yet.

"Come with me."

Raigon walked away to a place that is far away for the prisoners to hear. Zoe followed after him.

When Raigon was sure that nobody could hear them, he grilled Zoe for information regarding the disease.

"Do you have an idea of what this sickness is? This is my first time to see a case like this where it quickly spread to many people at once."

Zoe couldn't tell about it from experience because it might not have happened to Terra before. But she did remember encountering such an incident when she worked as a volunteer to a medical mission in one of their rural provinces.

"I-I have read about it in books."

Raigon continued to probe her. He was perhaps concerned how it would affect everyone in these dungeons. 

"Is it deadly? Can it be treated? How long can one recover if he acquires it?"

Zoe tried to recall from her memory bank what she has learned about it.

"It can be treated, sire, with rehydration. The symptoms should be alleviated within 1-3 days and the bacteria completely gone in two weeks, the most. However, it should be treated immediately or a sick person could die of severe dehydration."

Raigon nodded after a few seconds of pondering. "I understand. We have no time to lose."

He was about to go back and get the jar to be filled up with the solution when Zoe stopped her. 

"Sire, you can ask the guards to do that. You can rest in your royal chamber now. Everything will be fine in the morning."

Zoe spoke out though her thoughts are different from the words that she used. 

'Please rest. Your body has not recovered completely yet from the gunshot wounds and you are still taking up medicines. You might fall ill at this rate.'

But she could not say so. She doesn't know if the people in Terra have an idea that the Crown Prince experienced such a tragedy or they would have been living in fear right now. Perhaps the royal family have covered up the incident to protect the people from irrational fear.

It would be ridiculous if she would open it up. 

Raigon put down the jar and explained his actions away to pacify her anxiety.

"I'm fine, thank you. The royal guards that are on duty today must have drank and eaten from the same source. They also need medical attention. I told the guards that have transported the man to the hospital to call on additional forces to come here. But for now, let us work on this together."

'Together. I like the sound of that.' Zoe secretly smiled to herself.

She pulled out a piece of white cloth to put on Raigon. 

"Your Highness. This will protect you from acquiring the disease."

She made a curtsy bow before proceeding.

Being a few inches taller than her, he slightly bent down so she could put the mask properly on him. 

Zoe went to his back and put the white cloth in front of his face. She was about to encircle it around his head when he muttered.

"I think you are just covering my eyes."

Zoe scurried in front of Raigon and apologized. 

"Oh, no. I am sorry, your Highness. I will do it properly this time."

She went in front of Raigon and lifted the white cloth and carefully checked if it would cover his eyes.

As she did so, she noticed him staring at her with that desirous look again. 

'Or do his eyes really just look that way and I'm the one who's giving malicious thoughts?'

She gulped and her fingers that were solid now started to tremble. 

Raigon lifted his hands and put it on Zoe's, helding them firmly.

Then he lifted the cloth using her hands and put it around his head, making her elbows rest on his shoulders as she did so.

"Put the knot firmly." Raigon commanded her with her face just a few inches away from his. 

'Thank God for the mask.' He balled up his fists as he didn't know if he could stop himself from pressing his lips on that lovely luscious lips of hers with their proximity.

He closed his eyes so he would not forget. "She has a fiance. And the people need us."

With both of them determined to think about the welfare of the people, it didn't take them long before they came back to their duties.

Zoe was checking each patient's condition as the servants fed those who are critically ill. And Raigon was going back and forth to get the solution from the kitchen. 

He also helped in carrying the patients to their bed or when the male prisoners need to go to the comfort room.

The additional workforce also came which made the situation more under control. 

After visiting the last patient, Zoe glanced at Raigon. 

He was sprawled on the floor with his back on the wall. One of his legs was stretched and the other was curved up so he could rest his arms. 

With the looks of him, anybody will not have mistaken him for a Crowned Prince as he panted for breath after working so hard.

Zoe approached him and bowed down to him.

"I think we are out of the woods now, your Highness."

Raigon glanced around and saw that the patients who were now on their bed were resting comfortably and the servants were already cleaning up.

He stood up from his sitting position and bowed to Zoe.

"You did a good job, Lady Asha. You could finally sleep now. I will ask the royal guards to take you to your cell."

He was about to leave to make a thorough check on the situation when Zoe made a formal bow to him. All the royal guards and the servants who have seen her imitated her as well.

Raigon bowed back to them.

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A great leader

Is first a servant.