158 STANDING ALONE

"Sure, my son. What is it?" Queen Rose smiled at him. 

"Can we postpone this marriage talk even just for a month? And don't assure Lady Thana of anything for the meantime? This is really not my priority right now. I promise I will arrange it myself after the land has returned to its peaceful state."

Queen Rose paused for a few seconds before answering. 

"I understand. I just hope you won't back out from our family's agreement with Lady Thana. We have been good friends with their family for decades."

Raigon didn't respond about that. But he bowed and bid his farewell since the Queen was already at her Royal Chamber.

He walked back to his own and thought about his predicament.

"How could I get married in this mess?"

Raigon shook his head. He could not remember what the Queen was like before he got into an accident.

But he clearly recalled her giving instruction to him to always care for the people's needs. She always emphasized it as she guided him back to his state-of-mind as the Royal Crowned Prince. 

"Or is it because of Lord Vigo's cunning deceptions? Why would he be here with Lady Thana if not to persuade Queen Mother?"

Raigon gritted his teeth as he glanced toward the Royal Gates. Then he continued walking towards his own Chamber.

Even though he couldn't remember Lord Vigo at once after he was awoken from his comatose state, his visit to him has proven his ill intentions against him.

He was the one who reminded him that Terra has no trust in him as the next King. 

And it is the reason why he was uncomfortable exercising his authority even with the situation at hand.

"Your Highness."

The royal servants who were at the door of his Chamber greeted him.

But Raigon was oblivious to them as he walked straight toward the bath area.

He removed his outer garment and dipped down into the warm waters.

"Any mistake I could make would add up to their distrust of the current royal family especially that the King is sick. If both the citizens and the royal military that is led by Lord Vigo would unite, they could lead a rebellion and overthrow the royal family from our position."

Raigon drew in a deep breath and washed his face.

"How could this have happened to Terra? Where did all these started? This isn't how Terra is supposed to be."

As they oriented him, they told him that Terra experienced nothing but peace and tranquility for centuries, except during that one Great Bloodbath that happened fifteen years ago when intruders came to Terra.

After he got out of the waters and dressed himself, he went to check on the letter that the prisoner gave to Lady Asha.

There were only three letters written on it. L, i and M. 

"What does this even mean?"

Raigon shook his head. "I better take a breather now. Tomorrow is another day."

He took a glance at the ornamental bracelet that Lady Asha gave to him one last time and then slept for the night.

The next morning, he immediately readied himself to go to the Royal Council's Meeting headed by Queen Rose as the King is still sick.

"Greetings, your Highness." They all greeted him in unison.

Raigon eyed on them one by one.

'Who among here was also criticizing me behind my back?'

It was hard to know as all of them were all smiling at him and seemingly pleased that he was at that meeting.

Raigon bowed to them as he seated himself on the Prince's throne. 

It was Queen Rose's idea to have him at the Council's Meeting today so he could further elaborate the development on the cure of the disease.

Raigon didn't waste any more time. As soon as the disease outbreak was opened up, he stood up and reported the positive development on Xianghai Province.

"The disease was caused by a bacteria found in the water. As soon as the waters were boiled and the food properly cleansed and prepared, the patients' health showed signs of improvement. Additional to this, we have found a mixture that could rehydrate them quickly to replenish the lost liquid from their bodies. They were now stable and recovering and exhibiting less symptoms of the disease."

"I thereby suggest to the Council to send the physicians back to their provinces and apply the same technique. Since this is a rare case in Terra and we have a few physicians that would cater to their needs, I humbly request to send volunteers as well."

The Royal Council, made up of the elders from different sectors of the land, listened to him attentively. But most of them were still apprehensive even with the good news that he brought.

"Is that all there is to it? We have heard that it is fatal. Aren't we sending them to their death if we send our healthy people there?" One of them commented.

"I agree! How about we provide an area where those who haven't contracted the disease could evacuate?"

Raigon's jaw clenched as he was losing control.

'Do I really need to get the approval of these people before I could release a command? Is this really the way they do things here?'

Raigon glanced at his Queen Mother, who nodded to him as if she was answering his question. 

Raigon drew in a deep breath to keep calm before answering.

"What will we do with the sick then? And how are we going to feed all those evacuees? Yes, it is life-threatening but not incurable. In fact, there are already patients who have recovered from extreme dehydration and could now get up from their beds." 

Raigon answered in as respectful way as possible. 

"Are you certain, your Highness? Our citizens in the province could have only reported that so that their family members who have left would come back."

Raigon narrowed his eyes but still answered in a composed manner. 

"Yes, I am. I am at the exact room where they are and even helped in treating them."

The Royal Council's eyes widened as they were horrified at his answer, including the Queen Mother. 

***********************************

Stand up for what you believe in

Even if it means standing alone.