ROYAL BLOOD 👑

Chapter 18: Herbal Remedies

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Elara's heart raced as she stepped out of the room, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air. She hadn't meant to provoke Emilia like that, but the anger simmering within her overrode any sense of caution.

As she made her way back to the makeshift infirmary, she couldn't shake the sense of unease that gnawed at her insides. The revelation of her feelings for Lysander had caught her off guard, surprising even herself. She had never admitted it out loud before, let alone to someone like Emilia.

Yet, as she thought back on the events that had unfolded, she couldn't deny the truth any longer. Despite their differences, despite the barriers that stood between them, she couldn't shake the feeling that her heart belonged to him.

As she approached the infirmary, she caught sight of Agnes, the herbalist, emerging from Lysander's room with a troubled expression. The sight sent a shiver down her spine, the gravity of the situation hitting her with full force.

Without hesitation, she pushed open the door and stepped inside, her eyes immediately finding Lysander's form lying on the makeshift cot. His face was pale, his breathing shallow and labored, a stark reminder of the danger he faced.

Agnes turned to her with a grim expression, her eyes weary yet determined. "He's in bad shape, lass," she said quietly, her voice tinged with sadness. "The wound is deeper than I initially thought, and there's a risk of infection if we don't tend to it properly."

Elara's heart sank at Agnes's words, the gravity of Lysander's condition weighing heavily on her shoulders. "What can I do to help?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.

Agnes sighed heavily, her eyes weary yet determined. "We need to make sure he gets plenty of rest," she replied, her voice tinged with sadness. "And I'll need to gather some herbs to soothe his injuries."

Elara nodded in understanding, her mind racing with worry. "I'll help," she offered without hesitation, knowing that every moment was crucial in Lysander's recovery.

Agnes hesitated for a moment, her brow furrowing with concern. "It's not going to be an easy task, lass," she warned, her voice tinged with hesitation. "The herbs we need are quite rare, and it'll be a tedious process to gather them."

But Elara's resolve remained unwavering, her determination shining in her eyes. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes," she insisted, her voice firm. "If there's even a chance it will help Lysander, I have to try."

Agnes studied her for a moment, her gaze softening with understanding. "Very well, then," she relented, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. "We'll need all the help we can get. Let's get to work."

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As the first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, Elara and Agnes set out on their journey to the small mountain looming on the outskirts of town. The air was crisp and cool, carrying with it the promise of a new day, but the task ahead weighed heavily on Elara's mind.

Despite her age, Agnes moved with surprising agility, her steps sure and steady as she led the way up the rugged path. Elara struggled to keep pace, her muscles protesting with each arduous step.

As they climbed higher and higher, the path grew steeper, the terrain becoming increasingly treacherous. Rocks littered the trail, threatening to trip up the unwary traveler, while thick undergrowth obscured their path, making each step a challenge.

Yet, despite the obstacles they faced, Agnes pressed on, her determination unwavering. She moved with a sense of purpose, her eyes fixed on their goal, while Elara followed close behind, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she struggled to keep up.

With each passing hour, the sun climbed higher in the sky, casting long shadows across the rugged landscape. Sweat beaded on Elara's brow, her muscles aching with exhaustion, but still, she pressed on, driven by the knowledge that Lysander's life hung in the balance.

As they paused for a moment to catch their breath, Agnes's words caught Elara off guard. "Elara, child," she began, her eyes reflecting a depth of understanding that seemed to pierce straight into Elara's soul. "Pay no mind to Emilia. She's naught but a waste of your time."

Elara blinked in surprise, her brow furrowing in confusion as she considered Agnes's unexpected counsel. "But why?" she ventured, her voice tinged with genuine curiosity.

Agnes let out a soft sigh, as if burdened by the weight of the truth she was about to reveal. "Emilia may try to portray herself as a lady of grace and refinement, but beneath that facade lies a young woman who is yet to find her true strength," she explained, her tone gentle yet firm. "She throws tantrums like a child when things don't go her way, and she lacks the maturity to handle the challenges life throws her."

Agnes's words resonated deeply with Elara, stirring a sense of guilt within her as she reflected on her recent interactions with Emilia. "You're right, Agnes," she admitted, her voice tinged with regret. "I may have crossed a line with Emilia. I shouldn't have let my anger get the best of me."

Agnes offered her a reassuring smile, her eyes warm with understanding. "We all have moments when our emotions get the better of us, child," she reassured, her tone gentle yet reassuring. "But sometimes, a firm reminder is what's needed to set things right."

Agnes's words brought a moment of pause to Elara's racing thoughts. She shook her head, a heavy weight settling in her chest as she grappled with the realization that she may have indeed crossed a line. "Whatever feelings I may have for Lysander, I have no right to interfere between Emilia and him," she muttered mostly to herself, her voice heavy with self-reproach.

But Agnes's response was swift, her tone filled with a gentle yet firm conviction. "Perhaps there is nothing between them," she suggested, her words cutting through Elara's tumultuous thoughts like a beacon of clarity. "Perhaps you're simply overthinking their relationship."

Elara's brow furrowed in contemplation, her mind racing as she considered Agnes's words. the weight of her own doubts bearing down on her with relentless force. "But everyone knows about them, about their promises for the future," she confessed, her voice heavy with resignation. "I'm just a mere outsider. I have no right to interfere with my useless feelings."

Agnes's smile remained steady, her eyes warm with understanding as she gently laid a comforting hand on Elara's shoulder. "Perhaps you should ask the right person," she suggested, her voice soft yet filled with wisdom. "Sometimes, the answers we seek are closer than we realize."

Elara's gaze drifted towards the horizon, her thoughts consumed by the uncertainty that lay ahead. But amidst the turmoil, a glimmer of hope flickered within her, fueled by the possibility of finding clarity in the eyes of the man she had grown to care for.