They follow the sounds and find an old collapsed face first. Helaina runs over to him checks his vitals, he's alive. Ernest tells her to not be hasty but then he recognizes the man, picks him up and carries him on his back.

Man: Ernest what are you doing here?

Man: I can walk I'll be fine I don't want to trouble you.

Ernest: It's fine. Make yourself comfortable we'll take you home. Cedric and Helaina prepare yourselves.

Helaina is confused by their interaction. Do those 3 know each other? How does Ernest know where this man lives?

She learns that he is the village leader.

At the man's home thanks to Helaina he is in a stable condition, he has a rash and she keeps monitoring his vitals.

Ernest asks him why outside is deserted and he explains that the villagers are all infected with some illness. It started as a cold then delved into fever and rashes.

They then learn the the nobles of the village and his doctor fled as things got bad.

Village Leader: Medical care is costly and a privilege only the weathy and noble have. We don't have that kind of money here.

Ernest: The nobles have medical care but it doesn't reach the civilians in the rural and farming villages. I knew it was bad but not this bad.

Helaina thinks of how nobles in Phillip have their own doctors as well but there are also civilian doctors like Uncle La Salle.

She expected the same in Charles but it seems to be a lot worse in Charles.

The village leader is distraught because he tried to help his villagers but he failed.

Village Leader: As the leader I failed to protect everyone. I am truly pathetic.

Helaina: That is not true. You tried your best.

Ernest: That's right. You did your absolute best. I am sorry that I came late but you held on well.

The leader tried his best despite his old age meanwhile the village doctor ran away.

Ernest: The pressing issue now is how do we save these ppl in this village. Helaina what can we do about this disease?

He speaks to her calmly and she is able to clear her head.

Helaina: There are symptoms of the cold but if left unattended it gets dangerous. In the case of children and elderly it needs to be treated immediately.

Ernest: It seems that is hasn't spread to any of the other villages on the way here.

I was embraced in the warmth of my loved one, and my cheeks were burning with utmost joy and happiness.: It seems as if the villagers refrained from going out.

Ernest: Good because that stopped a major problem.With the lack of doctors, the disease could spread and people could die.

Helaina: It's a race against time to see if we can defuse the situation. Caregivers also need to be careful to avoid infection.

Ernest calls Cedric who bows and leaves.

Ernest: Helaina you are the only one who can heal the village leader. Can you do it?

Helaina is uncertain. Darius and Uncle La Salle are not here, she has no one to rely on. What would Uncle La Salle do in this situation?

The village leader begs her to save the villagers. Even though in Phillip she was just an assistant she is the only one who can save these people now. Determined she makes up her mind and agrees.Her legs that were once shaking with anxiety but now she stands firm. It's not a matter of if she can do it but she has to do it now.She feels a warm hand on her shoulder.

Ernest: I'm asking you too so I'll support you as much as you desire. If you need anything please do not hesitate. I will get whatever you need.

Ernest looks at Helaina with nothing but trust and warmth of his hand on her shoulder is comforting. She thanks him and he asks her what should he do first.

Helaina: Gather all of the sick people in one place before they spread the disease to those that aren't sick.

Ernest: I'll see to that. There's herbs, medicines and other things in the carriage. Feel free to use as much as you please.

Helaina: Is that okay?

Ernest: Yes.

She leaves the rest in his hands.In the carriage she finds soap, alcohol, clean cloths and a lot of herbs and medicines used for sending down fevers.

She realizes that the customer who bought everything in the pharmacy on the first day was Ernest.

Helaina: He predicted this? Who on earth is he?But now is not the time to be thinking of that. Even the herbs she dug up on their way here can be useful. She rolls up her sleeves and unloads the carriage.

5 days have passed and she's been working tirelessly. The community center of the village is now a hospital ward.

Ernest and the well villagers moved them all there now.

Helaina finally has time to take a break and goes up onto a small hill over the village. Taking the rag off her lower face Helaina can breathe easy now. She takes in the starry, night sky and the pleasant breeze.

A sweet yet familiar smell comes to her nose. She gets up and tries to walk but she is so tired ahe almost falls over the hill but she is caught by someone. It's Ernest who saves her.

Helaina: What are you doing here?

Ernest: I came for you.

He gives her a basket full of bread, water and fruit. She wonders why he bothered.

Ernest: You are the key to saving everyone here. I can't have you collapsing.

Helaina: Were you worried about me?

Ernest looks shocked and his blush sprite appears.

Ernest: Don't take it anyway you want. I was not worried.

He looks red under the moonlight.He reaches out a hand towards her.

Helaina: Do you want some as well?

Ernest scolds her about her manners regarding standing and eating. He offers to take her somewhere where she can sit. She takes his hand and he leads her away from the hill.

2 Days later things take a major turn.

Cedric is able to bring reinforcements, him and Ernest manage to get a whole team of doctors down to help. Cedric is also running around helping the doctors.

Helaina wonders who Ernest is for him to be able to bring doctors down to the village. After all aren't doctors for the privileged? The tenseness is gone now that the doctors are around. She can even see the patients smiling.

Helaina: *I couldn't do it alone.*

While she is relieved for the help, she feels tormented by inferiority.

Helaina: "I have to work harder and harder"

She clenches her fist tightly.

Ernest: Things have calmed down.

She is surprised to see him so close next to her.

His eyes that are looking at the patients now turn to look at her.

Ernest: Without you I wouldn't have been able to come so far. You saved me. Thank you.

Helaina: No it is because of the doctors. My abilities are still limited.

Ernest: It was the lack of manpower not your abilities. You also didn't run away. You gave everything to save the people of Charles.

Helaina: It comes naturally when you're a medical student. When you see people suffering from illnesses as a doctor it is your duty to do everything in your power to help them.

Ernest: I see. A person in the medical field who can say that is exactly who I've been looking for!

He walks infront of her and looks at her.Her heart skips a beat looking at his amethyst eyes.

Ernest: Helaina, come to me.

Helaina: I'm right here already.

Ernest: That's not what I meant. *looks to the side and blushes*Under my lead you will become a good doctor. You are going to change the future of medical care in Charles.

Helaina: What do you mean?

Ernest: Exactly what I've just said and you have no right to refuse.

Ernest: When everything calms down in the village come with me.

Helaina backs away but like a predator with his purple eyes set on his prey he comes closer.

Helaina: Put that on hold for now!

And she manages to run away from him.

Ernest: Hey wait!

It's such a grandiose move and she has a premonition that if she does what Ernest asks it will be the beginning of the end for her figuratively.

"You're going to change the way Charles treats it patients."

It's been 2 days since she heard that declaration from Ernest. Then she hears voices.

Ernest: Cedric have you seen Helaina?

Cedric: No she's not here.

Ernest: That woman! She's been avoiding me I can't speak to her properly!

Helaina backs away down the street into another. She doesn't want to hear the rest of it. What would he have a mere doctor's assistant do?

Who is Ernest and how does he have the power to change Charles' healthcare in the first place? Who messes with the healthcare system of a country in the first place?

Helaina: That's impossible!

She meets the village leader while avoiding Ernest down the street. He is better now and he thanks her for all that she's done. She says it isn't her but it is due to the cooperation of Ernest, Cedric and others.

Village leader: They have helped us well but for a young girl like you it must have been under tremendous pressure.

Helaina is relieved and thankful to hear that.

Helaina: I wanted to ask you something? Are you and Lord Ernest acquainted with each other?

She thinks back to them speaking when she first arrived here.

Village Leader: Lord Ernest is the son of the family that previously ruled the region.

Helaina knew he was a high ranking person but he is very respectable.

Village Leader: For some reason he moved to the Royal Capital. Since then many things in this land have changed. Lord Ernest with lend a helping hand to anyone regardless of rank or status.

Village Leader: He is a kind man.

"That is true."

Helaina thinks "High ranking people do not care about the medical needs of others."After all the village lord and doctor did run away.

Village Leader: I just hope his kindness won't cause him more pain again...

Helaina: What do you mean again?

He changes the topic quickly.

Village Leader: Speaking of him. Lord Ernest is looking for you.

Helaina: I'll go see him later. You are still recovering! Make sure and rest.

The village leader cheerfully says that he will keep that in mind and he bades her farewell.

Helaina is careful to not bump into Lord Ernest to a point she ends up on the outskirts of the village in a field of flowers. She reminiscences about the smell and the little boy she met as child.

Little Helaina: This is such a beautiful flower field I've seen nothing like it.

Little Boy: Is that so?

Voice: Helaina?

Turning around she sees Ernest behind her finally having found her. He really does resemble the little boy. Helena sees the boy and Ernest's images overlapping. She takes a step away from him and almost falls over but suddenly arms are around her hugging her and preventing her from falling. The person holding her is enveloped by the scent of roses.

Ernest: Are you okay?

Helaina: Yes

Ernest: You sure like falling.

She is out of his grasp and looks to escape the situation but she notices a red streak on his wrist.

Helaina: You're hurt!

Ernest: I got pricked by a thorn leave it be.

Helaina: No, if even sand or dirt comes on it will get infected.

She gets some bandages from her first aid kit. Ernest puts a hand on his head.

Helaina: What's happened?

Ernest: Nothing I have a feeling as if something similar happened a long time ago.

Ernest seems to have dear memories like she does as well.He starts laughing lightly.

Helaina: ?

Ernest: You made a funny face. It is like watching colourful roses, it never gets boring.

This is the first time he seems "non poisonous" there is some warmth to him.

Helaina: Are you saying I am beautiful like a rose?

Ernest: I wouldn't go so far. How dare you interpret it conveniently to you?

Her heart beats faster.

Ernest: Regardless of your beauty or ugliness, I am grateful for this.

Ernest then grabs her hands.

Ernest: Why are you running from me?

Helaina: I came to Charles with my own goals, Ernest.

Ernest: Wasn't your goal to learn medicine in Charles? If you follow me you'll have much more opportunities to learn than if you just move around randomly. It's not too late.

He doesn't look like he is bluffing and his hand grips her wrist so warmly.

Ernest: I told you the other day. You are going to change the way Charles cares about it's sick. To be more precise you and I.

The grip around her hand tightens.

Ernest: I have the power to move a country. Changing medical practices in Charles will no longer be just a dream. It will be a catalyst for change for our people.

Helaina: Wh..whoever you are, I do not have that kind of power.

Ernest: That's how I felt once.

He says it in a way that makes her heart flutter. Ernest is so determined and straightforward in her eyes she can't help but find him awe inspiring.

Changing the healthcare of a country however is beyond her power. She feels like she is too small to do that but when she looks at him...

Ernest: Let me say it again.

Ernest: Come with me Helaina.

Helaina agrees this time. Ernest smiles at her and lets go of her hand. He tells her to meet him here tomorrow at the flower fields.

She is anxious the next day about what she agreed to do. Her anxiety is drowned out by the sound of wheels and a horse neighing. A carriage stops and Cedric comes out followed by the man that has been the subject of her thoughts for the past few days.

He is dressed in magnificent clothes as petals from the flowers blow past them. He holds out his hand to her.

Ernest: Come to me Helaina,I need you.

As more flowers dance in the air around them. Helaina thinks if Ernest has trust in her, she will also have trust in him.