156 BREAKTHROUGH

'What are you doing? Do you want to pound on my battered heart all the more?'

Zoe screamed inside her head as she shut her eyes.

But she couldn't blame him. He was not here when these people cursed her to her face and accused her of being a quack.

Still, she has no idea what he was planning to do.

'What is this strategy? How could this help me decide? Does he think I am brave enough to still treat them even if they don't trust me?'

These were the thoughts that were going on inside her conscious mind when Raigon's hand, that were previously holding her arm, landed on her shoulders.

He gently pushed her forward and whispered to her ear. "Open your eyes."

She felt like her heart would just be broken again so she drew in a deep breath before opening them. 

As she did so, she was taken aback at the result. All but one were raising their hands. It was one of the young physicians. 

But the rest, including Erin, Azra and the people who have beige clothes that were left behind, were all shooting their hands up.

Even those who were still vomiting at that moment.

Raigon again leaned down to Zoe and murmured to her ear.

"Here is my last question. Wherever you go, there will be people like us who are going to need you and put our faith in you. Will you just ran away every time?"

"Like us?" Zoe unconsciously uttered, still facing the crowd and her back on Raigon.

Raigon went from her back to her front. Zoe tilted her face up and stared at his face. He was intently looking at her with those smoldering eyes of his.

And this time, she could see determination and tenacity in them.

"Yes. I need you, Lady Asha. I am going to fight for Xianhai. For Terra. Just like them, I also trust you and need you beside me. Please stay with us."

He took hold of her hands and held them firmly. 

Zoe gazed at him as she felt the sincerity in his voice. 

Those words and the people's raised hands were like double edged swords that slashed every doubt and self-curses she was inflicting on herself. 

As they were in this position, the royal physician who didn't raise his hand jumped up from the bed and ran away. 

Raigon and Zoe were distracted by him. They thought he would leave and the rest will follow after them. 

But he came back while shouting. "I just peed! I peed! My stomach is also calm now. I'm recovering!"

Zoe's face lit up as she remembered telling them that one sign that they were already passing the stage of death is when they could already pee.

To add to their surprise, those who left a while ago started coming back again one by one, claiming the same thing.

"The mixture was effective! We apologized for doubting you, Lady Asha. Please treat us again!"

They were kneeling down to her as they were crying for joy that they were finally getting better and they were not going to die.

"See. I know you can make this happen." Raigon smiled and continued to encourage her.

Zoe flashed her warm smile at them and bowed. "I apologized for breaking down like this. I will do my best to help you in whatever way I can."

The people clapped their hands in joyous relief. Erin run to her and hugged her. "Finally, you're back on track."

Zoe smiled as all her self-doubts where washed away.

She could have easily collected herself amidst this chaos if only she didn't have haunting memories of people dying because of her. Or so she thought. 

First was her parents who she pleaded to have a vacation in this island, which led them to to their death.

And then Raigon, who risked his life just to save her.

But she has to break through all these deep rooted beliefs before she could make a decision to stay.

Zoe pivoted to Raigon and bowed to him. "Thank you, your Highness."

Raigon nodded and bowed back to her.

"Thank 'you'." He replied emphasizing the word 'you.'

Her decision also strengthened him to hold on and do his best to save their people from the devastating effect of the disease.

Zoe wiped her hands. "Now let's get back to business. Who among here are still having difficulty in urinating, please raise your hand."

Almost half of the people raised their hand. Zoe immediately checked on them. The others went back on feeding them and caring for them.

"Thank God there were people here who genuinely care for us that we could lean on."

One of the people uttered and were agreed upon by the others. 

It took them until evening before things finally settle down to a calm atmosphere.

Raigon excused himself so he could report back to the Royal Council the improvement on their intervention. 

He could now persuade the other physicians to go back their own provinces. No matter what they think about him, there are two different locations that have proven its effectivity already. One in the dungeons and one in Xianghai.

They could personally check themselves to prove its true.

"I will be back." He promised Zoe. 

Zoe bowed back but before he left, he gave something in his hand.

"What is this?"

"It is a letter from the patient that we first treated in the dungeons. I think you must see it for yourself, sire."

"And what about this?"

He lifted a piece of ornamental bracelet in front of Zoe.

Zoe's face reddened as she looked sideways.

"I-I know you have more extravagant jewelries than this, your Highness. It's just a simple thank you gift for helping me out there. You can just toss it aside or -"

She wasn't even finished talking when Raigon wore it in his right arm and bowed to her.

"Thank you, milady. I will go now. Please take care of yourself while I'm gone."

He bowed to her and took off leaving Zoe tightening her lips to hide a satisfied smile.

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Breaking old beliefs and forming new ones is hard

But it is worth it in the end.