The Legend of Carmine

Lex send the letter of victory to King Ather at Cariba. He also mentioned that during the fight General Armine has been wounded in the shoulder. And that he has been treating it by himself which happened to worry him.

After getting the news of victory. The whole court was overjoyed. But after the session, King Ather went back to the palace and he relayed the news to Queen Cleo. And he shared his idea that he was planning to send the royal physician to treat Carmine because he was worried about her wound. But Queen Cleo did not seem to agree with his plan and stated that it will give rise to some speculation among common people as Royal physician had never been send to treat any General in the history. Besides, it is known that princess Carmine is in poor health. How can they possibly send the Royal physician to treat the General?

King Ather got angry and thundered that I can simply say that I bestow it because of his military merits. Queen Cleo said," His majesty, don't you think this will give rise to curiosity among her soldiers. And we will definitely destroy her hard work, which she has done to maintain her General's position.

"Do you have any better plan than ?" Queen Cleo."His majesty, why don't you send the new intern under the royal physician, whom the physician had recruited after the general appointment competition. His skill and knowledge appear to be as good as the royal physician. Though he has a lower position than the royal Physician."

"My queen, Are you suggesting me to send a young man to treat the princess wound. Have you gone out of your mind?"

"Your majesty, you have not listened to my full advice. I have not said to just send him. Why don't you send Allaya as General appointed personal maid as a gift for his victory? After all, she is the princess's most trusted maid and she has helped a lot to display that the princess is sick in her absence in the palace. Furthermore, Carmine will appreciate her old companion.

Ather seemed to think about it carefully and replied," I will announce tomorrow that princess Carmine will be taken to mountain Laith for her recovery. And her maid Allaya will accompany the intern to treat General Armine's wound. As an expression of King's gratitude for the victory.

After the official decree from the king, both of them set for the journey. Even before they started their journey, there was a lot of gossip regarding this decree. And Owen, who was the physician intern was able to hear it as well.

People were saying that Allaya was one of the beauty in the princess's palace and all could not help but wonder if his majesty may be bestowing her to the General to get on his good side. Allaya was known for her beauty and loyalty to the Princess in the palace. So, this gave rise to another speculation if his majesty was checking on General Armine's heart and if he is suitable to be a future son-in-law.

In midst of all this gossip, Owen felt like this was not a simple journey to treat General Armine.

The journey was long and exhausting. Finally, when they arrived at Shar it had been a week of their travel. As for some reason, he could feel Allaya was constantly rushing this journey and was in a haste. So, they arrived really early. Owen just complied and did not say much.

When they reached Shar they realized that General Armine had already gone for Inap to resolve the military problem. Furthermore, he had decided to stay there temporarily to manage it. After hearing it Allaya looked with sad eyes to Owen and said," Doctor, what are your thoughts regarding heading to Inap tomorrow morning?"

Owen had thought of resting for at least 2 days before heading out again because they had just got there in the evening. But her question seems to indicate that she really wanted to start the journey tomorrow morning. So, Owen replied, "why not?"

After dinner, Owen could not go to sleep and came out of his tent to walk. As he was walking he overheard Lex saying, "Allaya, the princess has always treated you so well. And now when she is gravely sick and cannot speak for you. How can the old king send you to the battlefield to be a maid of a General? Doesn't he feel any shame?

Allaya replied, "I serve my master and will do so without any objection. Princess has loved me like her sister and given me more than I deserve. If my action can help her even the slightest I will do it happily. I had never thought I will be given a chance to repay it. But heaven has given me the chance and I will do it."

After saying this she bid Lex good night and left him speechless.

The next morning both Owen and Allaya started their journey for Inap. They both traveled for a long time. Since they had traveled from Cariba to Shar and now towards Inap. Finally, Allaya's body could no longer take it and collapsed in the journey. So, Owen stopped the journey and decided to take care of Allaya. When she was laying sound asleep. He could not help but to admit that she was a real beauty. And the short time they had to spend on the journey he had realized that she was kind-hearted, short-tempered, and extremely valued her duty.

And before his thoughts wonder any further he mentally slapped himself saying, what am I thinking?

In the evening, Allaya woke up and she appeared annoyed and asked, "Doctor, why did you stopped the journey, you could have just woken me up.

At this point, Owen had enough of it and snapped, "Miss I do not know why are you in such a rush. Even, me being the one who is going to treat the person, is not in a rush. Miss, it is not a life-threatening wound. Besides I had a chat with Lex and he told me that General appears to be pretty knowledgeable with medicine. So, could you please just take a rest and recover. Otherwise, you will cause more trouble when we get there as I will have 2 patients to treat."

Allaya was dumbfounded by his answer but she knew he was correct. So, when Owen went to sleep. Allaya looked at him from the corner of her eyes and could not help but remember that he had been treating her so well. Since Allaya was beautiful but a maid who had low status. Therefore, she always had few difficult situations with men. Because the officer and their son keep pestering her to be their mistress. Carmine had always shot down those proposals to be mistress for her because it was a complicated situation for her to deny it without offending higher government officers. But during her journey, she could see that Owen had been nothing less than a gentleman to her.