11 Red Rash

This went on for an hour of what Luken felt to be an eternity. He ended up not saying anything to Rowan and just kept flipping the pages. This was finally disrupted (to Luken's relief) from Gale making his usual entrance with wind flowing into every crevice of the library. Due to Luken's slight distraction, the book that Rowan was reading had been affected by the wind magic and flipped to a completely different page, making the man in the mirror feel aggrieved for a few seconds.

Though, instead of blaming the man who usually steadily turned each page for him, he threw his grievances onto Gale. Though, no one knew since no one actually asked him. In fact, the two men seem to be discussing something serious as Gale whispered closely to Luken's ear, and the platinum-haired man's face turned ice-cold within seconds. He muttered an "Excuse me" towards Rowan. He set him down leaning on the side of a stack of books and retreated to a more isolated area with Gale.

With his mirror facing Luken's back walking hastily to the dark-faced Gale, Rowan felt a little downcast when Luken left. That man, although not a frequent speaker as Gale, was an attentive caretaker. Flipping pages at a steady pace, doing different activities when its day time, and unconsciously goes to areas that are well-lit with sunlight, Luken often does many things that cater to Rowan.

He was touched by that care, even at Olinthus, where he had a "revered" position, Rowan was caged in like a bird. Well, he still is, but there is actually someone willing to care for him. Olinthus had kept his identity secret as to not leak to other countries of their advantages, thus the servants had always assumed he was a toy of the Emperor of Olinthus and neglected to take care of him. He had brought this issue up towards Emperor Jove multiple times and even took out evidence, though the treatment would get better, it would take a turn for the worst within a few days.

Rowan knew his value. He was extremely intelligent, or rather, it was better to say that he had a good memory. Anything he read would simply be imprinted into his mind. Luckily, he was also eager to learn, thus he read many books that most are reluctant to read and put that knowledge to use. It was always easier said than done, but his advice had nearly always led to good results, therefore he was valued.

He also knew that he was especially valued in Nelumbo. Rowan is useful and can help the country, he is especially willing to work for a good ruler. Plus, when Luken promised Rowan of his freedom from the mirror, he knew that he would be assisting Luken for a lifetime.

Plus, it does help that Luken is quite handsome... and cute! It would be a fun life teasing the awkward man for a lifetime! Seeing a face that is often lost at how to communicate with him is just hilarious to Rowan. Unfortunately, Rowan cannot talk willingly to poke a little more fun at the man.

While Rowan was once again lost in his own thoughts, Luken and Gale were conversing with a gloomy atmosphere hanging around them.

Fiercely rubbing his scrunched eyebrows, "Repeat that?" He gritted the two words out from between his teeth as his expression got worse and worse with every word that Gale spoke.

Gale, not minding his friend's irritated tone, continued on with a somber tone, "Many of the citizens in Olinthus have suddenly demanded entry into Nelumbo at the border."

People from other countries are not unwelcome. It is, after all, something that occurs every month or so. But, everything has a circumstance.

Nelumbo has a low number of people that hail from Olinthus, ranging from just tens to a hundred people each year. This is due to Olinthus's decade of prosperity, the citizens there are reluctant to settle elsewhere when their country is rich and jubilant.

However, since the numbers shot up, it is a little sign that Olinthus is having a little trouble. Not anything new as the past year, they have been struggling financially a bit more, but in the past weeks or so, it seems that the country is speedily reaching its tipping point.

The aforementioned citizens that were demanding to enter the country, although they neared the border in a discreet manner, their carriage and clothes clearly showed them being of considerable wealth. Thus, showing that they are of not low status, but also not that high. Probably in the middle class.

This illustrates that the middle-class was aware of the slow brewing mess of Olinthus and flee to Nelumbo to avoid being caught within the mess. And that it is more than likely that the lower class is unable to move or are ignorant of growing mess, while the majority of the upper class is ignoring the problem and stubborn in keeping their wealth in the country.

As for why they were barred from the Nelumbo?

It was simple.

The people that attempted to enter Nelumbo had a dull red rash that covered their face and neck, they kept hacking out a harsh cough and had slightly red eyes.

The guards were startled when they first saw the first batch of people covered in a hue of pink skin. As they have not seen this disease in a nearly decade since the vaccine was found.

Yes. This was measles.

Keeping them out of the country to prevent any more sicknesses being passed around to infants who have not yet gotten their vaccines seemed reasonable to the guards, thus they barred them from entering and sent this report to the higher-ups as to know how to deal with this. Send them back? Or treat them and keep them?

Before a firm decision could be made, a new batch of people kept arriving at the border, all being part of the middle class, judging from their fine clothing and more than average carriages. It all became too much for the guards to handle as within a week, the border was overflowing with a hundred people trying to enter. All of them having measles.

Although the guards have been vaccinated and are resistant to the disease, they were still fearful of them entering and causing an accidental epidemic amongst the young due to their incompetence.

They began to riot until the guards finally received an order to herd them, the current and future people from Olinthus, all into a quarantined area until all of them are healed and ready for questioning.

As it is better to know the fully situation than being ignorant and sending diseased people away, since they may just try another way in.

Measles was a disease of the past thanks to the creation of the Measles vaccine a decade ago. So, why did it appear in Olinthus now? Although it was that country's problem, it might become their problem if those people keep flooding in with measles. Luken and Gale had a somber atmosphere over them, while Rowan was watching them become silent and serious. Something that he has not seen before. Being infected by their gloomy state, Rowan began to ponder as to why they were so depressed, wanting to ease Luken's scrunched brows.

He is good-looking anytime, but best when happy! Rowan metaphorically clenched a fist and raised it to the sky, determined to help Luken.