Kassandra's POV
Prince Noah's expression darkens. I tried not to show any irritation because he keeps on giving me bullshit.
"And? Was that the only answer I got?" I ask.
It's really hard to deal with his attitude. I feel like I'm trying to babysit a boy who is throwing a fit. It's making me furious deep inside.
"You will know. You have to be prepared for it," he replied.
I didn't speak anymore and just waited until we reached Easton Village. These first five villages that we visit are far from the main port and seem to be secluded villages.
I notice the things that they lack, and I want to help them. They have their own beauty and tourism should be a great help to improve their treasury.
After almost an hour, we arrived in that village. My eyes dilated when I saw their current situation.
My husband put a mask on my face. I can't turn around because he's tying them tightly. What kind of village is this?!
"I've been sending doctors to help them but none of them succeeded. They left after two or three days until none of the doctors in the whole kingdom had agreed to come over. All I can do is send my men to supply food for the villagers."
I look around and notice how terrible the situation is. The villagers were skinned-thin and dry-skinned as well. They look terrible.
"Can I ask for the details of this matter? What are the initial reports from past doctors?" I ask.
I want to know the reason why they're suffering like this. The way the villagers looked at us was proof that they're asking for our help.
"This started a few months ago. All of a sudden, they start to have stomach or abdominal pain, diarrhea, inflammation of the intestines, and even mucus."
"Did they try any cure for this? What kind of medicines were they applying to them?" I ask.
As I went further, I only saw the same thing. They even coughed, and I heard some of them were vomiting.
The whole place stinks and I can smell it even if I'm wearing a mask. We stopped at a certain house.
"Hello?! Is the village mayor home?!" Enrique roars, knocking on the door.
They're not answering. I secretly leave them when something catches my attention. I saw a kid who was trembling and struggling with the pale water that he was carrying. \\
"Let me help you," I said. He looked at me and smiled. My forehead wrinkles when I notice something in the water.
"Wait, young boy. Can I ask something? What's wrong with this water? The color was different, either. It's also shiny as if you put oil on it," I ask. He looks at the pail. It's really different!
"That's normal. It doesn't smell or taste different. It's just the look of the water," he replied. I grab the dipper and take off my mask. I smell it. It doesn't stink, like he said.
I poured the water from the dipper and saw that it was oily. "What the hell are you doing?! Why did you take off your mask?!" his majesty roars.
I look at Prince Kalix. I've already read documents and books about diseases. I did that in order to protect my army. I hope I was wrong.
"Your Majesty, about supplying food in this village, Is it dry goods, and they should be the ones cooking it?" I ask.
He looked at me but nodded somehow. I look at the kid. "Don't use this, okay? Go back to your house," I stated.
The boy was confused but he followed my request. I look around and try to find their water source.
"Your Majesty, did you know where their water source is?" I ask.
My husband grabs my mask and makes me wear it again. "Follow us."
I did follow him and Enrique. We reached that place. "Can we all gather some water from the wells? I need to confirm something," I remarked.
They both looked at me but followed my instructions. I start fetching the water and look at it again. This one smells different. It is also oily and a bit green in color. I put the water back in and thought.
"Here, check the water on my side," my husband says.
I did the same thing. This one has the same texture as the child's pail. I checked the water from Enrique's side. It was a bit smelly but not the same as the well that I checked.
"Can I ask? Did you guys conduct a feeding program in the last few months?" I whimpered. They nodded.
"Using this water?" I stated. "Yes? What's wrong?" his majesty asks.
I look around and grab two stones and several tree branches. I gathered them together and started making a fire.
As soon as the woods are on fire, I pass the two woods to the prince and Enrique. "Throw them in the water. I hope I was wrong," I whispered.
I did the same thing and took a step backward. A fire suddenly appears from the inside of the three wells. I was right. Those smell.
They're the same as the gas that we're using in the borderlands. The water they used is the reason why the villager's food was contaminated.
"Don't tell me the water is contaminated with gas?" his majesty murmurs. I nodded.
"Yes. Most likely. We have to investigate this area, Your Majesty. There's a chance that we have discovered an oil reservoir. It will be beneficial for this village and to our kingdom as well," I replied.
I think I already found the disease and reason behind this village's misfortune. "Bring all the famous and talented doctors in this region that you're ruling, Your Majesty. We will help this village," I stated.
They look at me with a serious and confused expression. I look behind us. This place might only have a thousand people. We can restore this village's liveliness and beauty. I told them what kind of illness we were facing. I also give them advice.
"You must send Enrique back to grab the things that we need here. We also need to send some of our men to gather some water from neighboring villages. We need good-quality water for this mission," I halt.
"I will write a letter for Arida. Give it to her before you head back to my husband's palace. For now, his majesty and I must warn the villagers that their water and food are already contaminated," I added.
Enrique looks at his master. As soon as Prince Noah nodded, he would do as I said. I write him a letter and give it to him. Enrique left after that. I faced my husband.
"So... let's start? We have to make sure that their cases won't get serious," I suggest.