
After receiving an engagement invitation from Miria and Gibson, Andressa wasted a moment of his mind filled with complexity. He thought about who could be his partner later when attending the engagement event. Andressa just remembered that she had no close male acquaintance with her other than Lorcan.
At this time Andressa diverts his mind by busying himself to take care of the patients who are constantly arriving. In fact, now he began to be overwhelmed because the number of patients many times more than the healer.
“Nona, may I speak for a moment? Sorry in advance, are you free now?”
When Andressa was tired, one of the male healers named Bosley met Andressa in his room.
“I happen to be in leisure. What do you want to talk about?” andressa's question focuses on Bosley's arrival.
“Do you not intend to recruit more healers? Clinics are very overwhelmed with patients. How good it is to have the healer's recruitment back, miss. If necessary, we should also recruit physician assistants. The assistant will later help ease the work of the healer. Basically, they only work as the right hand healer and help treat patients by changing infusion or other fluids,” said Bosley.
There is nothing wrong with Bosley. To be honest, Andressa was also thinking about that. He did have plans to open a new healer recruitment. This clinic needs more doctors.
“Assistant healer huh? Means it's the same as nurse.” Andressa muttered and said again, “Alright, let's do that. We will be hiring healers and assistant healers within one week from now on. Please share the leaflets to the wider community and do not forget to paste one leaflet on the announcement board of the capital square.”
Bosley smiled widely while nodding his head.
“I will instantly carry out as you command, Miss. Then, excuse me.”
Bosley hurriedly left Andressa's room. He was happy because after the new healer, his work would be a little lighter. It is only natural that Bosley feels empowered by his work because each healer currently handles more than twenty patients with different conditions every day.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Today I plan to check the clinic's finances. How much is the income this month?”
Andressa checked the financial books. Her sweet smile flashed for a moment looking at the amount of money coming in this month.
“Gosh! This month is truly amazing! If it continues like this, maybe I can open a clinic branch in another area. I am very happy because I no longer need to bother to think about money,” said Andressa jumping pleasure.
Then Andressa stopped jumping for joy. He immediately kept back his financial books and stepped out of the room.
“Currently healer break hours. I have to meet them and tell them about this happy news.”
Meanwhile, the healers were stretching their muscles in the resting room. They looked lethargic and not excited at all. Maybe this is the effect of fatigue that plagues their bodies.
“I've been getting less sleep lately. We always have emergency patients late at night.”
“Yes, sometimes we are forced to do surgery in the middle of the night. I wonder, why does Miss Andressa never look tired in the least? He always worked day and night non-stop. Looks like his stamina continues to be replenished every minute.”
“That's because Miss Andressa really likes her job. At least we are grateful because he never paid us a low wage. Not the same as the clinic where we worked before that pays us as good as they just.”
In the middle of their chat, Andressa came without knocking on the door first. They were very surprised because Andressa interrupted just like that, not the same as usual.
“What's up, Miss? Could we get another emergency patient?” They are worried that their rest time will be disrupted.
“No, it's not so. I have good news for all of you. Tonight let's close faster and I'll treat you to the restaurant,” Andressa said.
“You mean, tonight we're going to go eat together? No tasks or anything?”
Andressa.
“Yes, nothing. You guys I'm free to assign. I understand you are tired and tired of our current job. However, take it easy, I plan to recruit new healers and healer assistants. So, please hold on a little while longer then let's party tonight!”
The sound of cries of joy as well as relief spread to Andressa's hearing. They're so happy to hear that. Fatigue all over the body suddenly disappeared unceremoniously.
“Pesta! Let's party!”
Andressa just smiled at the doorstep witnessing this simple happiness. He also felt a sense of happiness in the hearts of his subordinates.
***
Meanwhile, at the same time in the imperial palace, Lorcan was holding an important meeting with the nobles in the meeting room. Their discussion this time was related to Andressa.
“Nona Andressa has contributed a lot to the problems that have plagued the empire lately. I think he should have received a big prize as he should have,”, Marquess Gencio said.
“True, Your Majesty, I also agree with Marquess Gencio. The budget of the palace was also a lot of excess, even the imperial losses had been settled by Miss Andressa. Not only that, he also saved my son who was on the verge of death,” Baron Yerland said.
“Although I have helped renovate his clinic, it has not been how much with his services to Emilian. Please consider this one more time, Your Highness.” Viscount Kaidan added.
Count Wain at that time also agreed. However, Andressa has a great contribution in handling the case of fire that befell his inn.
Lorcan let out a long breath. Currently the influential nobles were all on Andressa's side. The influence of the girl was not playful, she brought together nobles who had never interacted with each other even once.
“What should I give to Andressa? He would have refused if he had been given a gift. Do you have any suggestions?” Lorcan asked the nobles, hoping they could give him a proper proposal.
“Why do you bother thinking about this, Your Majesty? After all, it was his duty as a healer to help the wounded. I don't think you need to give gifts or rewards to those commoners.”
The atmosphere of the meeting room turned heated when Duke Fidel made a sound. He and a number of other nobles looked unhappy when Lorcan planned to give Andressa a reward worth paying for Andressa's services.
“What did you say, Duke? The awarding or giving of a gift to someone who is meritorious to the empire is not a mistake. Not looking at him as a commoner nor a noble, if he did something big, then the imperial party was obliged to retaliate against him.” Count Wain raised his voice, flashed an emotion that was sticking out of him.
Duke Fidel smiled obliquely. It was as if he was underestimating what Count Wain had said to him.
“That Duke Fidel said doesn't hurt. My Glory Clinic has always produced achievements that benefit Emilian. However, I have never asked for a gift or award from You, Your Majesty,” chirped Count Ewald – father Miria.
“One time. Do you both think Miss Andressa's services are just treating patients? He actually restored the condition of Selion territory! In fact, your own clinic cannot cope with that dangerous outbreak. What's more, your clinic has been reaping a lot of negative news lately.”
The Baron of Yerland who harbored the heartache of Count Ewald bestowed his frustration. He defended Count Wain while trying to fight against the man's arrogance.
Count Ewald's countenance turned sour. He did not accept what Baron Jerland said to him. Now inside the meeting room were two opposing noble camps. This situation was already common whenever there was a meeting in the palace.
“Baron, how presumptuous is your mouth—”
“Enough! Stop this useless debate of yours.”
Lorcan was eventually forced to mediate them. If he allowed them to continue fighting, then the worst possibility would be to shake the entire palace.
They locked each other's mouths. If Lorcan had already raised his voice, then they could no longer continue the debate. It was terrifying when Lorcan was furious.
“Whatever you say, I will still give Andressa a gift. He deserves it. The budget of the palace remains a lot, I will use the budget of the palace. Even though you guys are against it, I still give him a gift even if I have to use my personal funds,” continued Lorcan decided.
Duke Fidel and Count Ewald were very upset. They could not stop Lorcan's intentions. Now Lorcan was even blatantly against them.
“What gift do you want to give to Miss Andressa?”
The question from Marquess Gencio made Lorcan forced to think hard.
“You guys think I should give you what?” Once again Lorcan asked for their opinion.
“What if you give Miss Andressa a title of nobility and fiefdom?” the Viscount Kaidan.
“Can't! Why not just give him the money? Commoners just need money. Giving him a title would only make him arrogant.” Duke Fidel strongly opposed the proposal.
“It is precisely if Miss Andressa is given her own title and territory, then she can protect herself using her peerage.” Viscount Kaidan was not willing to lose.
Lorcan nodded. There is also a truth to what Viscount Kaidan said just now that Andressa needed a noble title in order to defend himself and save his job as a healer.
“I agree. Let's give Andressa the title of nobility and fiefdom. This has been decided, none of you can not interfere with the contest,” Lorcan said out loud.
“But, Your Honor, what if he abuses his title? Not infrequently commoners are given the title of ends instead oppress many people.” Count Ewald still hasn't given up.
“I'm sure Andressa won't do such a thing. She's a good girl, I know for sure because I know her well enough. So, your worries are free.” Lorcan rose from where he sat. “You understand? This is the final decision. I do not accept opposition from you. I don't like it, I don't care. Then, now please get out of the room. The meeting is finished here only.”
Lorcan's expression worsened. He harbored a great anger in his chest when he heard Duke Fidel and Count Ewald trying to bring Andressa down before him. Unfortunately, however, he was not affected at all.
‘I have to hold back for a while. There were many suspicious things in the palace and among the nobles. Until I managed to find him, I as well as possible should not act rashly, Lorcan's inner’ passed by retreating.
On the next morning, Lorcan was visibly bewildered alone at his desk. Jason, who had just arrived, was also surprised to see Lorcan's strange behavior.
“What makes you riled up, Your Majesty?” Finally, Jason asked the Emperor.
Lorcan glanced towards Jason.
“Something's weighing on my head. You know what Andressa's personality is, right? I plan to give him titles and fiefdoms. But the girl must have rejected it. How can he not refuse me an award and a gift?”
Allegedly, Lorcan must have been thinking about Andressa. Nothing but Andressa could make him this confused.
“Why don't you just make an official letter? You just need to make it without telling Miss Andressa so that later she will not be able to refuse awards and gifts from you,” Jason said.
Lorcan's face immediately beamed. He gained enlightenment indirectly from Jason.
“Oh, right! You're right too ... Official letter huh? You seem very smart. All right, I'll make an official letter for him. Maybe this is better because Andressa does not like to be invited officially to the palace.”
Then Lorcan immediately moved to write an official letter of title along with a number of territories for Andressa. However, not long after, a knight approached Lorcan to give a report.
“Your Majesty, I brought a report. This morning the prison prisoner you took a few days ago was found dead. Upon investigation, they all died after swallowing the poison pill.”
Lorcan paused his activities for a moment. He was very surprised to hear the report.
“You mean they killed themselves? I'll go alone to see it.”
Lorcan moved from his seat. Rushing his steps down the palace hallway towards the dungeon.
The prisoners who died were the enemy who was captured by Andressa. They refused to make a sound when Lorcan tried to interrogate him. No matter how severe the torture Lorcan was, they still refused to acknowledge who gave them the order. As a result, Lorcan left them in jail suffering in quite serious injuries. So now they decided to commit suicide rather than suffer in prison forever.
Arriving at the prison, Lorcan pecked as he watched how their bodies looked. Their bodies were slowly eroded and barely recognizable. The terrible conditions of the corpses made the knights reluctant to approach him. Moreover, the foul aroma released from their bodies was very attractive to the sense of smell.
“Your Majesty, it seems that their leader is stronger than I imagined. They are more afraid of their own leaders than facing death, ” whispered Jason.
“You're right. I can't underestimate the mastermind of all this. I have to do something before it's too late. For now, I should call Andressa to the palace and let her do an examination of the bodies of these corpses.”
***
Reports of the deaths of enemy prisoners spread to Andressa's hearing. Without a second thought, the girl went straight to the palace. He was curious about the condition of the bodies of the prisoners.
Andressa was forced to leave the clinic at the arrival of many patients. He should put this matter first because it concerns his survival in this world.
It didn't take long for Andressa to reach the palace. There he was greeted by Lorcan. The man led Andressa's way to the dungeon.
“Did the prison entrance guard knights previously not notice any signs of intrusion?” ask Andressa.
Lorcan shook his head slowly.
“No. They were on guard all day and did not feel or see any signs of intruders coming. The security of the palace has been tightened, so it is impossible for any intruders to enter and not be caught by the guard's sense of sight,” Lorcan explained.
“Any once.” Andressa took a squatting position in front of the bodies of the prisoners. His hands began to move one by one through their bodies.
“Any?”
Andressa nodded.
“Iya, bizarre. I had made sure earlier that in their bodies there was not a single poison pill hidden. In fact, I have also checked it into the mouth.”
Lorcan began to understand Andressa's suspicions.
“That means, is there someone who deliberately infiltrated? The intruder forced them to swallow the poisonous pill? Is that what you mean?”
Andressa replied, “True, just like you said just now. Without you noticing, your palace was entered by an intruder. They move so subtly that neither you nor the guards are aware of his presence. I think it's getting more complicated.”
Andressa stood back up. He managed to identify the entire poison content that spread in the bodies of the corpses using mana.
“Do they have any mysterious powers other than aether?”
Netra Andressa widened when Lorcan asked like that.
“Why do you suddenly have such thoughts? Could there be something you're aware of?” ask Andressa.
“This is just my gut feeling because every move they make is very hard to track. That's why I think that they have other powers besides the aether. If that is indeed the reality, then I have to find out the origin of their power and how it is,” said Lorcan.
Andressa patted Lorcan's shoulder. The man froze when his eyes met Andressa's cold eyes.
“Your gut is good. There was indeed another power energy dabbling into this world. I hope you're careful going forward. If anything bad happens to you, call me immediately because I have important business with the bajing*n the troublemakers.”
Andressa's voice was full of emphasis, indicating that there was a handful of grudges as well as anger that churned in Andressa's chest.
‘Energies other strengths? Is Andressa keeping anything from me? His eyes seemed to say that he knew everything about the base of the matter,’ Lorcan thought.
Andressa and Lorcan are out of jail. Not to forget Andressa asked Lorcan to give orders to his subordinates to bury the bodies of the prisoners before the foul aroma spread in the palace.
As Andressa and Lorcan were walking in the center of the main palace terrace, suddenly they both felt a cold chill that hurt the skin. Both reflexes stop while turning around the body.
“It looks like someone is watching us,” Lorcan said.
“Yes, I'd better check to make sure. It will be very dangerous if we are fooled by enemy attacks.”
Andressa stepped slowly towards the existence of the cold. The feeling excited to catch immediately the person who let out the cold. However, he was late, and the cold suddenly disappeared from the palace.
‘He managed to escape. I'm sure he's here to ascertain the palace's current situation. I hope I can find the mastermind soon. I can no longer suppress the emotions that vibrate in me.’