162 ENCOURAGED

Raigon narrated the events that took place in the Royal Council. 

"I told them the medical physiology of the disease just as you said and the intervention that was needed to survive from it. I also suggested sending the royal physicians back to the provinces with additional volunteers!"

"Additional volunteers! That's a good idea! Good job, sire!" 

Zoe blurted out in between her munches. She was now delving on the sweet and sour shrimps. 

"Actually I am having doubts about it. The Royal Council thinks we should not allow the healthy ones to be contracted with the disease. I'm having doubts that if they get sick, they will start blaming me for it."

Zoe nodded as she finished off. "I understand your concern, sire. There are consequences in every decision that we make, whether good or bad. And you do need to be responsible for both."

Raigon drew in a deep breath. "If you were in my place, what would you have done?"

Zoe paused as she thought about it. 

"Being the ruler of a country is very hard. You have to consider everyone's welfare. I think the disease really needs to be dealt with. Or else, every citizen from all ends of Terra will be affected by it. Some people may have the need to sacrifice for the greater good. So I agree with you, your Highness."

She continued to express her thoughts. "I also like the idea of volunteers. You were not imposing on them but appealing to their hearts for their patriotism for our land. Also in that way, they couldn't blame you if things go haywire because they gave their lives in their own accord."

Raigon bobbed his head as he was all ears to Lady Asha. As he did so, he also had other thoughts in mind.

'When I'm already the King, I want to converse with my Queen like Lady Asha and I are doing right now. Can Lady Thana and I do this too?'

He contemplated as he listened to Lady Asha speak her mind as he remembered the Queen asking him if she could find someone greater than Lady Thana.

Raigon decided to open his doubts and thoughts to her as he crossed his arms.

"Do you think there will be people who will volunteer to treat the ill? The disease is contagious and fatal."

Zoe continued to voice out her opinion. "I think so, sire. Just like how the healthy ones in Xianghais agreed on volunteering to help us. I believe the unity of Terra being independent for centuries have engraved the spirit of camaraderie to each and everyone."

Zoe remembered the story that Terra was living independently for years.

"But I also think it would be wise to post the statistics of people getting healed on the public markets. This will give them the confidence that they were doing right. And the volunteers' families will not worry too."

"You could also hand out papers to every household with instructions on how to prevent the disease from entering into their houses. And also how to care if there are family members who got one. The intervention is not that difficult to do after all."

Zoe remembered that an epidemic occured before at an area where she was scheduled for medical mission. The government has provided those information then, but they were through social media and television.

Raigon rubbed his chin as he agreed with what she was saying.

"Yes, I could do that. The people will also be less anxious and will be confident that we will win against this invisible war."

"That is true, your Highness." Zoe put her fist on her chest. "I'm with you, your Highness. We will win this war! Let's do a high-five after I washed my hands." 

"High-five?" Raigon's forehead scrunched up.

Zoe gulped before answering. "It's what you do when you agree with something. Wait, I'll do it now. I'm done eating anyway."

She stood up and washed herself with the cleansing items that Raigon also brought with him.

Afterward, she swiveled back and beamed as she skipped back toward Raigon.

A snicker went out of Raigon as he looked at Lady Asha in her childish state.

"She must really be in a good mood right now."

Zoe lifted her hand. "Raise your hand like this, sire." 

Raigon raised his hand awkwardly. "Like this?"

Zoe clamped her lips to prevent her chuckle at his appearance at the moment. 

He was formally seated as a true royal that he is. But he was doing a casual thing as he raised his hand for a high-five.

Zoe clamped her hand with his and grinned. "High-five!"

"H-high five!"

"That's it, your Highness.You just did it." She twinkled at him. "I think you did a good job out there, your Highness. You can do it. You can lead our land back to its peaceful state again." 

Raigon drew in a deep breath. 'It feels good knowing that someone believes in me.'

"Thank you, Lady Asha." He bowed down to her. "That is highly appreciated."

"That's at least I can do with all your good favor towards me, your Highness."

Raigon's eyebrows furrowed in feign disappointment.

"You mean you're only doing this to return the favor?"

Zoe was already cleaning the place when she glanced up at Raigon. 

"Uhm, a little. But more so, because with the kindness that you showed each of us, I believe that you will be a good King of Terra."

She responded and gave him a confident smile.

Raigon gulped as he heard those encouraging words. He closed his eyes and took in a lungful of air as he held his strings from running towards her and showering her with affection.

His liking her was boiling up and he couldn't control it any longer. But he has to, because she has a fiance.

"By the way, how is your fiance? Is it alright for him that you are here and volunteering to do this?"

Zoe froze on her tracks and gave Raigon a longing look, which made Raigon lean back and stare at her.

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Keep encouraging. Because your words may be the only pillar of strength for someone who is pulling themselves up to stand again and lean on.