"Yes, like the—ack!"
"Forgive me, Your Grace. Bear with it a little longer."
"Ugh. No, wait. A splint. Where is the splint?"
"A splint?"
"Brace?"
Ett questioned back.
"Brace?"
Physician Fran asked back.
Right. Right. How could they know without her showing it?
"Do it like this…"
Ett held up her wrist and carefully demonstrated the position.
"Something stiff to support the joint, uh, bones, and keep it from bending."
Physician Fran studied her wrist. "And what purpose would this procedure serve, Your Grace?"
"To keep the bones steady while they mend," she explained. It should lessen the pain in the injured joint.
Ett gently tapped her wrist. "No needless movement. Don't bind too tightly."
She paused to breathe. "Lest the blood not flow as it should."
Physician Fran widened his eyes. "I see!"
His eyes widened. "Why have we never thought of this? It could ease pain and aid healing in the injured. Your Grace, I never knew you had an interest in medicine. This is truly a marvelous idea!"
"Mm. Mm."
"Would you please let me know more about this?" Look at those star-filled eyes.
"No."
I don't want to talk too much. I'm also not a nurse by profession. I know the basics, buddy.
"We could teach this method to other nations. Think of the lives it might save and the honor it would bring our people."
???
Ett became speechless.
Physician, shouldn't you be more emphatic and kind? Why did you have to add the second part, even though you have a point?
"I'll surely record this. If you have anything more to add, Your Grace, please tell me."
Well, it's just the basics. Her profession before was not a nurse, after all.
"Use a mark, or something that symbolizes Adiand."
Now, they're even doing a beta patent without even these folks knowing it.
Indeed, that'll make us more recognizable, and the merchants and nobles would surely take the news more reassuringly. Though there could be some who would fake it, we'll surely have someone to deal with it."
"You handle it and have it cheaper—cough, when sold to c-commoners."
"How do we do that, Your Grace?"
"Ask Akan how to leverage the amount."
"Understood. Is there anything else you might want to add with these new thoughts, Your Grace?"
"You all can figure it out on your own."
"Oh."
What's with that disappointed look?
After Ett finished re-bandaging her injured hand, she returned to her study room and read the undone copies.
"Ah, I can't work."
Ett leaned back in her chair.
Her thoughts went back to the day she saw Guren having a high fever. Ett shivered. Yes, let's not wander around, nor should we stay on his wing.
She suspected it was a motherly instinct that made her do that. It's strange, truly strange!
Very frightening.
Let's not get too involved in it.
Assisting twice is enough.
"Your Highness, the Princess, this is Lativ."
"Ember, don't let him come in."
Ett said immediately, then paused. "Never mind, let him come in."
"Understood."
The moment the door opened, a beaming Lativ bowed to her.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
"Sit."
"Yes."
"What do you want?"
Ett asked in a cold tone.
"Would you please entertain this humble servant of yours?"
"What?"
Did this kid get a whiff of opium or something?
"I beseech Your Highness not to interrupt me until I'm done. Then I'll leave and won't bother you this day."
This day only, eh? Well, that's tempting. Besides, Ett also had to say something to this kid.
"Alright, I'll listen."
Only listen.
Lativ smiled, his fingers trembling as his right hand was over his chest, and took a steadying breath, trying to calm his nervous heart.
Lativ counted to three before meeting Ett's eyes.
Somehow, that look made Ett's hair stand on end.
What…what? Don't tell me?
Lativ began to recite,
"Beneath a crown of woven gold,
She shines, ethereal and cold.
Her viridian eyes, a fatal light,
A moon no mortal dares to beckon.
What foolish heart would court the room,
And hope its love would return so soon?
For even stars that burn so bright,
Must love the moon from endless night."
"…"
Ett remained indifferent, yet in the back of her mind there were many expressions she could not say.
Gurl…
Yoo. This boy is bold; his verse is gold. Just bars so fire, they set the moon alight. Alright. Appreciate it, lil' dude.
But man, being his white moonlight instead of the female lead seems to fade now, truly, unless it changes once he meets her.
Still…
This situation is pitiful. She's old, and she'll be locked in prison. The FBI meme is still visible in her mind.
Yet, she can't say it so bluntly to this child.
It's a good idea to reply.
Thinking like that, Ett got up from her chair and stood in front of Lativ.
Let's at least respect this young man's effort.
Ett can't speak too much, lest she cough; just a light cough, if not a cough in blood.
She cleared her throat and said, "Do not spend your life chasing the moon, Lativ."
"Even the stars must fade beneath its bloom."
She paused to stifle a cough.
"Some hearts bloom too late."
"Some loves are not fated."
Last, last.
"Seek one who'll walk beside you."
Fahh. Stop it.
"Not one you can only witness."
No good bars at all, but whatever.
Lativ smiled, still as bright as ever, blinding Ett. Such a pure boy; he really is like a second protagonist. No, he'll pass like a main protagonist.
"Perhaps, Your Highness. But even a man who finds his own light shall still look up at the moon from time to time."
Ugh.
"I am but a sliver of silver hair dyed in black."
Lativ looks at her in confusion. "Silver hair? I do not know what you mean?"
Hahh.
"Let me introduce myself in all forms of formality."
Ett strode forward, creating enough distance, and in a commanding tone she said, "Kneel."