Finished with the day's training, Rishe once again hurried back to the detached wing, bathed, and got ready for the rest of the day.
When she was prepared, she and her two guard escorts headed for a VIP room in the main palace. She knocked on the door, promptly receiving a reply from within. She thanked Kamil, one of the knights, as he opened the door, then turned to the other.
"I'm sorry, can you stand guard in the hall, Volker? Kamil will accompany me inside. Walking in with too many guards when I'm meeting with a guest might be rude."
"Understood, Lady Rishe."
Her knight bowed and took up position in the hallway beside the door.
Rishe gave Kamil an appreciative smile, and the two of them entered together.
"Pardon me, Your Highness."
Kyle stood, bowing to Rishe at a perfect angle, the little gesture exemplifying his diligent nature.
Yesterday, Kyle had spent all day debating capital scholars, and he'd dined with them as well. Rishe hadn't had a chance to see him since the party. She'd been worried about his condition, but as soon as she saw him, her fretting eased.
"The medicine I gave you appears to be working. I'm relieved."
"Can you really tell how I'm feeling with a single glance?"
"I'd need to examine you for a more accurate prognosis, but I can tell when there's been an obvious change in your condition. I'm guessing you're coughing less in the morning and at night, and you're able to sleep better because of it?"
"You truly have a divine eye, my lady."
Rishe wasn't sure how to feel about his reverent thanks. It was strange to hear from someone who used to scold her with "Clean up the books in your room!" and "You should go to bed earlier no matter how busy you are with your research."
She smiled to cover up her feelings and sat down on the couch. Kyle sat down as well.
Rishe placed the small bottle she'd brought with her on the table between them. "I would ask you to start taking these pills too. Starting today, Your Highness."
"Very well. Are these different than the liquid medicine you gave me before?"
"Liquid medicine is more easily absorbed into the bloodstream and takes less time to work, but the effect isn't as potent and doesn't last as long. I needed to make sure you'd regained your strength with a good night's sleep before administering these pills."
Her master, Hakurei, had taught Rishe that strong medicine was poison to a weak body. Though Kyle's illness was characterized by respiratory symptoms, the state of his stomach greatly affected his condition. More restful sleep meant an improved appetite.
"These pills are made from several crushed medicinal herbs and hardened with honey." The small bottle was filled with tablets the color of sugared milk tea.
"Your breathing is sometimes shallow, right? I believe it's due to your lungs' exhaustion and your heart palpitations. You also have a habit of closing your lips tightly, lightening their color. I'd say this is because you grind your teeth."
"I…was not aware. Are you sure?"
"Normally, your top and bottom teeth are not supposed to touch; the top should sit a few millimeters above the bottom. When you relax your jaw, are your top and bottom teeth touching?"
Kyle's eyes opened wide at her question.
"I saw you touching your forehead several times during the party the other night. You have headaches, don't you? Those are caused by a body under stress, which is why headache medicine does little to help."
"You seem to be aware of my every move."
"My master from Renhua would be able to read even more."
"An apothecary named Hakurei who once examined me had similarly extraordinary eyes. I've heard people call her the most skilled apothecary in the world. To think there would be another person so knowledgeable…"
No, they're one and the same, actually, Rishe thought to herself, nudging the bottle of pills toward Kyle. "Please take one thirty minutes before your meals. They'll take effect slowly and last a long time, relieving your symptoms throughout the day. However, the taste is just as bad as the liquid medicine…"
It really was disgusting. The awful taste of the medicinal herbs was only exacerbated by the discordant sweetness of the honey used as a binding agent.
Still, Kyle nodded solemnly. "If it will help me function even the slightest bit better, it's worth it."
"Your Highness."
Today was the day. Rishe put her hands in her lap and began quietly, "I happened to overhear you and Prince Arnold at the party the otherday."
Kyle's eyes went wide before slowly settling back to normal. "You witnessed something awfully embarrassing, then. I know that the courteous thing to do would be to pack up and leave now that Prince Arnold has denied my request, but I just cannot bring myself to give up yet."
"Were you not aware of the danger? We might not be at war right now, but as the victors of a recent conflict, Galkhein could change that at a moment's notice. You must know the story of the battle where Prince Arnold beheaded the entire royal family of an enemy nation, Your Highness."
Kyle shot a glance at Kamil, who stood at a slight remove. Rishe knew what he was worried about. "Don't worry. Nothing we say here will make it back to Prince Arnold."
Rishe's guards were all Arnold's personal knights, and one of their duties was indeed reporting her movements, but Kamil was the exception. Kamil was originally from the slums. Rishe had put forward a policy for the sake of his neighbors, receiving Kamil's full endorsement. When Theodore kidnapped her, Kamil had helped her enact her plan. Rishe had thus asked him to stay quiet about her secret talks with Coyolles.
Rishe cast him a glance, and Kamil bowed before turning away from them.
"I've seen the policies Prince Arnold has enacted on paper. From what I read, it was clear to me that his policies always put his people first, and I never doubted once that he was a wise ruler… I wonder if his compassion could extend to enemy nations in wartime."