Doctor Hailey - Chapter 16

Was that too grandiose?

Most doctors in the Empire typically just bandage wounds, squeeze out pus, and prepare herbal concoctions.

Hailey felt a pang of doubt.

But she had to hope that her sincerity would get through.

“So, that’s what a doctor means to you, my Lady,” Kai said.

He closed his eyes for a moment.

He thought of his cousin, Lihael, who had gone to the medical academy to avoid power struggles. Could he have been working with such a mindset as well?

Hailey probably knew Lihael well, having worked with him as a professor and in clinical trials.

Kai’s chest felt warm, and his heart pounded rapidly.

But… there was no headache. For the past six months, he had been plagued by daily headaches.

He opened his eyes and met her earnest gaze.

“At least, I am trying to be that kind of doctor.”

Kai did not dismiss her words.

“A person who fulfills their duty to patients, transcending status…”

He repeated her words.

It sounded more like something a religious person would say.

Yet, the priests of the Sun Church were the most status-conscious people.

On holy days, the temples were crowded with believers and patients, but the priests would only see those who were part of their study groups, making them line up in order of status.

So, commoners who were ill would knock on the temple doors every day, not just on holy days, risking being robbed of their offerings to queue up at night, avoiding the guards.

The Sun Church… despite its name, had many dark aspects.

Thinking of the church brought turmoil to his mind.

In front of Kai, no priest or doctor had ever spoken like Hailey.

“I’ve never seen a doctor take such responsibility for prisoners…”

“It doesn’t matter who the patient is. What matters is that there’s a patient in front of me, and I will do my best to treat them.”

Her words sounded more like those of a religious figure.

Kai pressed his temples.

“Is it really so hard to supply sugar, salt, and water?”

Hailey, feeling urgent, expressed her frustration, but Kai also found it puzzling.

“Didn’t you say it was a contagious disease? And you think it can be treated with those things?”

“Yes! They can be treated. Most can survive with just that. The best treatment would be intravenous antibiotics and electrolyte replacement, but…”

He struggled to understand her words.

“The patients are sick because they lack water and electrolytes. If we provide what’s missing, they’ll recover.”

“So, if we give them what they need, they’ll get better.”

“Yes, exactly.”

“I understand. Then we will supply sugar, salt, and water immediately.”

Kai turned and ordered the captain of the guard.

“Captain, supply the necessary materials to the patients.”

“Yes, but considering it’s a contagious disease, the guards supplying the materials could be at risk, and it’s too generous for first-class prisoners…”

“Are you defying my orders?”

“No, Your Highness! We will supply them immediately!”

The captain glanced at Hailey, his face full of fear about the contagious disease, his lips trembling.

Hailey suppressed a smile and spoke firmly.

“This disease is not airborne. I assure you. So, don’t worry.”

“I believe you, Dr. Hailey!”

What a dramatic change in attitude.

He, too, wanted to survive. Hailey couldn’t hold back her laughter as she looked at the captain.

“Good. Trust me. I will take full responsibility for the promise I made.”

As Hailey spoke with a serious tone and a smile, the captain took a deep breath, placed a fist over his heart, and nodded.

What else could he do if he didn’t believe now? Seeing her laugh again, Kai put his hand on his forehead.

Why was this happening? His face was starting to heat up.

“Really, don’t worry. While it can be spread through saliva, I’m not an infected patient. I’m not asking you to understand the prisoners’ situations immediately. Just understand the patients’ positions. Diseases don’t choose their victims.”

Her voice resonated in his ears.

“So, how much sugar and salt do we need to prepare?”

The captain’s tone became more respectful.

“We’ll need quite a lot. I’ll inform you once the survey is complete. For now, give us what’s available in the kitchen. I’ll carry it myself.”

“Help her with that.”

Kai commanded two of his men.

“Yes!”

The two men, pale and trembling, responded.

Seeing the soldiers still kneeling with one knee down, Kai spoke quickly.

“Stand up and assist the lady!”

“Yes!”

“Captain, check other prisons as well to see if the disease has spread.”

“Yes. But what about Your Highness…?”

“You needn’t worry about me. I will return to the palace on my own.”

Kai recalled the report from Grand.

After reading it, he had rushed to the academy and met Hailey.

He knew the royal family was wary of the Salisbury family.

It was time to clarify his stance.

* * *

Hailey emerged from the prison building.

The morning sunlight was warm.

‘Will I see him again?’

Yesterday, she was lucky.

She had rushed out to make oral rehydration solution and happened to meet the Crown Prince.

Thanks to that, she secured the materials and provided minimal care to the emergency patients.

‘Now I need to find something to act as an antibiotic.’

Hailey sighed deeply. There was so much to do.

The research on medicine was severely lacking, making her feel like she was starting from scratch.

‘Even if I make antibiotics, I need syringes and IV drips… To make antibiotic pills, I need more equipment…’

She naturally thought of Hetos.

‘I must meet him again…’

It hadn’t been clear in the dark, but the prison building she was in wasn’t far from where she had been with him.

“So, this is where the prisons are gathered.”

Hailey murmured.

She recalled her purpose and began walking.

If Grand caught her, he would undoubtedly accuse her of being an escapee.

For now, she had to rely on the Crown Prince.

Yesterday, he seemed to listen to her.

He provided the materials for the oral rehydration solution, and he seemed surprised when she mentioned the Hippocratic Oath from her previous life.

Maybe he agreed with her deep down. Considering her safety after talking about status in front of the highest-ranking member of the Empire, it seemed possible.

She quickened her pace.

It would be great to see Hetos or the Crown Prince again.

But there was no time to waste.

Had the cholera spread only within the prison? She shook her head.

People using the same water source around the prison were likely exposed to cholera.

The water for the prison wasn’t managed separately.

It was possible that the water contamination started outside and then spread into the prison.

Hailey’s steps grew faster.

The prisons were located within the capital.

There were many important facilities and naturally many people.

To the south of the capital was the Salisbury family’s territory.

She had to prevent the spread of cholera.

She ran towards the city wall.

The prison buildings were enclosed by walls.

Naturally, guards patrolled or stood watch along the walls.

If she could find anyone, she needed to inform them about cholera and contact the Crown Prince.

She hadn’t had the chance to explain cholera response methods to the Crown Prince in detail.

“Who goes there!”

Fortunately, a guard appeared quickly.

Hailey caught her breath.

“Hailey… Salisbury.”

She spoke, leaning forward with her hands on her thighs, panting heavily.

“A prisoner has escaped!”

The guard beside him shouted, and more guards rushed down the stairs from the wall.

There hadn’t been so many yesterday.

But that wasn’t important now.

“I’m not an escapee! I’m Hailey Salisbury!”

The guards, holding their spears, flinched.

The gate creaked open. Someone was coming in from outside.

Hailey’s eyes widened.

“Professor!”