8 Chapter 08: Reunion

Seeing the huge gates ahead made the group's heart at ease and excitement. They have finally arrived at Kingdom Of Serene.

Mixed with excitement and nervousness, Rose forced a smile and breathes shakily. This is it, the beginning of her journey, she must not get distracted and stay focus on helping the Crown Prince.

As the group approached the heavily guard gates, her eyes darted from left to right and there she saw her brother, General David Izamae waiting for them by the gates with his wife Riza.

After handing the papers to the soldiers that was stationed and inspecting the carriages with them, they were let inside. Rose hurriedly went to the couple and stopped in front of them.

Giving them a sweet smile, she hopped down her stallion and brushed her clothes clean and straight.

"General," she held out her hand for the man in front of her to shake, "a pleasure to meet you once again."

David took her hands and pulled her for an embrace, he had missed his sister so much.

"Don't you dare act like that, dumb head." He whispered while Rose laughed, she returned the hug and pulled away almost immediately to engulf her sister-in-law with a huge hug.

Riza on the other hand gasp in surprise as she felt Rose's arms around her, hugging her tightly.

Rose giggled and pulled away from Riza.

"I missed the both of you," Rose said holding their hands, "Mari says hi."

David smiled as Mari's name was mentioned, his childhood friend. Mari Dernon is an excellent doctor and have outstanding martial skills, both of them tend to spar when they were in their younger age.

"General Izamae."

David chuckled and embraced Jeff in a bone crushing hug.

"Jefferson! It's good to see you again!" David said while Jeff is struggling in his grip. He punched David to his back but it seems that he's not affected by it.

"I–I...n–ee...d a-i...r dim...wit,"

Riza got irritated by David's act went to stop him from killing the poor man in his arms, this foolish twenty-seven year old man doesn't know how to act like an honorable man.

"David! Let him go this instance!" Riza's angry voice reached David's ears and immediately stopped, letting Jeff go. He doesn't want his dear wife to get mad at him the whole day.

Rose laughed at her brother's terrified look as his wife slowly approached him and grabbed him by the ear, whispering something that made him pale.

Clearing his throat, he stood straight and brushed his clothes straight with his hands. Jeff on the other hand, held his chest and gasps for air, David's childish antics still stayed in him, it will never ever be gone.

"I'm sorry, Jeff." Riza apologized while helping him, sending a glare to David.

"What happened while I was gone?" Ara asked Rose as she stood beside her.

"My brother gave Jeff a hug."

"A hug?" Raising a brow, she sighed and went beside him.

"Hello, dear. You must be Rose's assistant? Nurse Ara, is it?" Riza said in a sweet tone as she handed Jeff to Ara.

Ara nodded and gave Riza a polite and timid smile, she have never been noticed but this sweet lady knows her name, she's glad.

"Yes, and you must be the General's wife?"

Riza hummed in agreement, "no need to be shy around me, Nurse Ara."

"I should go and check up on the guards." Jeff said.

While the two ladies chatted, Rose and David talked.

"Finding a cure might be hard for you," David said in a serious tone while Rose stared at him with a confused look.

"Are you doubting my abilities?"

"No," he chuckled, "it's about the patient you are going to cure."

Curiousity sparked within Rose.

"Continue,"

"He's very impatient, Queen Sina have to constantly ask me of when your arrival will be. He's cold and might not cooperate with you, a very foolish man if you ask me."

"Then I'll try my best, if he chooses to not cooperate with me then it's his fault, not mine." Rose stated, "he needs to find another doctor that will replace me to cure him, finding an antidote for a poison is hard unless it's a common one."

Rose pursed her lips then sighed, "if the doctors he had in the past can't even figure out what poison he got then it might be a rare one that can only be seen in Queen Eclair's book or it might be another new poison."

David turned his head to look at his sister, he can feel a strong aura she's emitting.

"If it is a new discovered poison then," Rose turned to her brother, "whoever has it is a threat to the Alvarez Continent. This person who poisoned the Crown Prince is surely from inside these walls."

David's eyes widen at the realization, his sister is already in this snake pit that Crown Prince Mark is in. This enemy might already know who Rose is and put her into misery, he cannot let this happen.

While Rose was still in Eclair, she investigated all of this. Crown Prince Mark's poison has been with him now for a year, the possible suspects may be the servants that serves food to the Royal Family.

"We will discuss later," David stated, "let us go to the manor and rest. You have traveled all the way from here."

All of them traveled for another hour to reach the manor where David and Riza lived. The manor was given to them by Queen Sina as part of the peace treaty between the two kingdoms.

As they arrived, they were greeted by the servants by bowing down. The manor is filled with fresh fragrance coming from the different flowers around and the green leaves looked so healthy.

What caught her attention is not the main house ahead of them but a two storey house with a herbal garden beside it, certainly the main house is beautiful but this house has a large herbal garden filled with beautiful healthy herbs, some are common herbs and some are hard to find.

They have stopped right in front of the main house, servants lined up as they have arrived, bowing down to the General and the guests. Servants have hoped that the guests are kind and polite, and not like those nobles in the capital and cities.

Rose immediately hopped off her stallion and handed it to a middle-aged male servant.

"I trust you in taking good care of Gin, sir." Rose said politely making the servant jump a little in surprise, "may I ask what your name is?"

Looking down unsure whether to answer her or not, he felt a hand in his shoulders. He looked up and saw her concerned look.

"Are you alright? You seem to be afraid," Rose said in a worried tone, "don't worry, you can tell me what troubles you, I can help you."

"No! I am alright! It's just–"

"Is my brother too strict for you to tremble like a leaf? I'll give him an earful, that's for sure." Rose's annoyed voice said, glaring at his brother's back.

"No, no. It's just that, no guest have showed me this kindness before. Most of them yells at us for doing such small mistake and beat us to calm their anger."

His confession brought great anger to Rose, this is the reason why she despise most nobles back in the kingdom, their snobby act, feeling so superior because of their riches.

"Show me where the stables is."

"I can do it, Miss."

"Tell me the story while showing me the stables," Rose said, "I really want to hear it."

The servant nodded while taking the stallion with him and Rose following him behind.

"Who was your master before my brother?" Rose asked him as they walked, this have the other servants stare at them with curious eyes, is this lady their guest? Shouldn't she be inside already with the General and other guests? What is she doing near the servants' area?

"It was the Prime Minister of this kingdom, he's not that kind and polite man you see in the capital, smiling humbly and give money to charities. He's a cruel man, a scheming scumbag just to impress the Royal Family and receive more riches." His voice laced with hatred as he talked about the Prime Minister while Rose listened. They have already reached the stables and placed Gin into one of the stalls inside.

"Are most of you from the Prime Minister's household?" She asked.

"Oh yes," he replied, "we were given to the General as a gift from that scumbag. There are 50 of us."

"Life must have been hard for all of you and for that I am sorry," she said, "have my brother treated you all well?"

He smiled at her and led her outside the structure, "yes, the General and Lady Izamae have always been so kind to us, giving us gifts every beginning of the season and gives us larger wages for our job well done in the household."

Rose's lips turned upwards after hearing what he said, they are so happy and grateful. The right thing that the Prime Minister have done is to give them to David. She's proud that his brother had not turned into a fool and be boastful, their father had taught them better.

"It's good to hear that my brother is treating you all well," Rose said as her heart felt so happy.

"Is it fine for you to accompany me around the kingdom if given a chance, sir?"

"Call me Enno, miss." He said leading her back to the main house, "and it would be an honor to accompany you."

"Rose, my name is Doctor Rose Izamae."

"Rose, such wonderful name, a beauty just like the flower." He complimented as they walked up the stairs.

"Thank you," Rose said while blushing at the complement.

"Are you the doctor everyone has been talking about? To cure our Crown Prince?"

Rose nodded in reply as they have reached the front doors.

"Doctor!" Ara ran up to her while Jeff followed quietly behind her.

"It is a pleasure to meet you today, Doctor Rose. A wish you goodluck." Enno bowed and went back to work.

"Likewise."