148 AGE GAP

"Who is this young man that is ordering us around?" 

They narrowed their eyes on him, as they assessed him from head to foot.

Since they are from the provinces, they have no idea what the Crown Prince looked like.

The local physicians who were around recognized him even with a disguise as it is not the first time that he visited the Infirmary.

"It is the Crowned Prince!"

Then they scurried to make a line and bowed to him, including Azra.

The provincial physicians' jaws dropped at their disrespect for Terra's destined King.

They also went in line in front of the local physicians putting Raigon in their middle and bowed to him. 

"What is the condition in the provinces?" 

He furiously asked them, showing his displeasure in their presence at the Royal Infirmary.

"T-the disease is not that contagious, your Highness. It is controlled by the young physicians that volunteered to stay there to gain more experience."

One of them managed to stutter out, hoping that he could calm the raging ruler.

But it seemed like he was not yet finished with them as he ranted on.

"How about the sewage and the wells? Are they properly taken care of?"

The provincial physicians furrowed their brows at him. 

"What do you mean, sire?"

Raigon closed his eyes and froze for a few seconds so he could control himself.

"What do you think is the cause of this disease?"

All physicians looked at each other as if they were asking the same thing.

"Well, some said it is the will of God. There are also rumors that an intruder is defiling the land."

"And how about you?"

Raigon prodded them to continue on, expecting that even just one would answer what Lady Asha said about it.

"We have thought about checking out our food and water supplies. Though we have doubts because our rivers have been supplying us the same resources for centuries. Not unless there is really an outsider in the land who wants to wreak havoc in our city."

Raigon nodded. "You have a point. We need to find that intruder as soon as possible. However, have you given instructions to them on how to properly clean their food and water?"

They all shook their heads.

"We weren't able to, sire. We were still confirming it as the source of the disease when Duke Andras called our attention to leave our province as soon as possible so we can attend to the affluent families of Terra."

"Why? Has it gotten to the Capital already?!"

"Not yet, our beloved Crown Prince."

An old man who looked like one of the royal families entered the scene and answered on behalf of the physicians.

Raigon was taken aback and furrowed his brows.

He couldn't remember who he was.

Seeing how perplexed the Crown Prince, he made a formal greeting to him.

"Acknowledging the presence of Duke Andras."

Raigon's eyebrow shot up as he heard his name.

'So he is my father's brother. I wonder why they are so different.'

Still he bowed to show his respect. Everyone did so as well.

Duke Andras waved his hand as a sign that he wanted everybody to stand up.

"But we should be ready in case it happened. We wouldn't want our families to get sick, don't you think so?"

Duke Andras sneered as he put Raigon in a hot spot.

Raigon wouldn't back down as he expressed his opinion.

"Of course, my lord. Families are our number one priority. That is why we must take care of those who are in the provinces. Since they are also our family members. We are all descendants of our forefathers, aren't we?"

Duke Andras cleared his throat. "Don't get yourself too worked up, my dear nephew. The young and nimble physicians are there and they have everything under control. Besides you are still new and inexperienced to involve yourself in these matters. Just listen to your uncle and let the adults handle this one."

He answered Raigon which is agreed upon by the older physicians as they nodded to each other in unison.

Raigon gritted his teeth but he couldn't say anything more. It is a taboo in the land to speak negatively to those who are older no matter how high his or her authority is.

"Excuse me everyone." He bowed to them as he resolved to just check on the situation in the province.

He didn't want to let anyone know that he was planning to deal with this situation first hand. It still wasn't confirmed if it was a natural or manmade disaster.

As he was leaving, he overheard some physicians talking to themselves.

"I agree with Duke Andras. He does not have enough experience yet to make big decisions such as where to allocate human resources or not."

A painful tightness crept in his throat as he perceived their remarks. But he has no time to lose. 

He tried to talk to them so they could see how they are needed in the provinces. But with Duke Andras, the King's brother on their side, it seemed he was unsuccessful.

"I hope they were right that everything is under control. Still, I must check to see if it is true."

He recalled Lady Asha said that they might die from severe dehydration. 

"I must get there at once."

Raigon quickly went to the royal stable and got a horse. 

He commanded Azra who was also following him.

"Kindly fetch Lady Asha's assistant and meet me at the gates."

Azra bowed to him and immediately obliged.

At the speed of light, he went back to the dungeons.

He didn't know if it was Lady Asha's effective medical treatment or their quick management of the issue.

The prisoners were still bedridden. But they weren't as chaotic last night.

He drew in a deep breath and finally smiled.

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We cannot always change the future for the younger generation.

But we can help the younger generation make good decisions for a better future.