"Crushian Fever?" the Masked Alpha repeated. Since he was wearing a mask, Odette couldn't tell what kind of expression he was making, but his tone revealed his surprise. "What about that fever?"
"C-Crushian Fever is actually not uncommon, Your Majesty. It's a well-known disease outside of the kingdom, and the cure has been invented long ago," Odette explained. "The ingredients, especially the seed of living ivy, are scarce outside of your kingdom, but it's abundant here, in Irida's apothecary. So I just made the medicine with the ingredients and fed them to the patients."
"And they are all healed?" the Masked Alpha asked.
"Y-yes! They are all healthy now!" Odette replied.
"Your Majesty, I saw it with my own eyes. The cure works in just an hour after those patients take it. It was a miracle. That's why I carried Her Grace here, because she wants to share the good news with you," Sir Zircon added. He was still kneeling behind Odette, not daring to get up because he knew that His Majesty was annoyed.
"Silence, Zircon. I am talking to her right now," the Masked Alpha said. His voice was calm but carried obvious contempt that scared the beta.
Odette was also scared, fearing that she might've done something wrong, which angered the Masked Alpha. Her body also stiffened when those red eyes stared at her for a while in total silence.
"If what you said is true, then I want you to write down the recipe, and let Irida make them in batches. Crushian Fever has been plaguing my subjects for a while now," the Masked Alpha said. "But if you don't want to share the recipe, then so be it."
"N-no! I'd be glad to share the medicine! I learned how to make it so I can help my fellow pack members after all," Odette hurriedly agreed. "I also told you before that I want to be useful to you, Your Majesty."
"Good. Then, Zircon, carry out my order now. Make sure to create a group to search for the ingredients necessary for the cure. Many beastmen have been suffering for far too long."
"Yes, Your Majesty! Please excuse me!"
Zircon dared not to stay in the garden of thorns longer. He was already suffocating from the strong scent of blood, which was an ominous sign that His Majesty might unleash his wrath on them anytime soon.
He was a bit worried about Odette, but seeing how she stood firm on her ground despite being petite compared to His Majesty, he decided to save himself for now.
With Zircon fleeing the royal garden of thorns, Odette was once again left alone with the Masked Alpha in here.
The last time they were in this position, Odette sat in a wheelchair.
But now, she stood her ground, because she wanted to believe what others said, that His Majesty was fair and kind when he wasn't angry.
So far, she didn't think she had done anything to make him angry, right?
Then, how come she sensed an anger in his eyes?
The Masked Alpha slowly walked towards Odette. He didn't say anything for a long time. He simply stared at her before he finally asked, "You do know that everyone in my kingdom is immortal, right? There's no need to busy yourself with this."
"I-I know, the cat maids told me before," Odette replied. "But Irida also told me that they still feel pain from sickness. I can't just stay still when I already know the cure."
"…You're really not her. She has no aptitude in medicine before," the Masked Alpha said vaguely. "And she wouldn't do so much over some sick beastmen."
Odette sensed disappointment in his voice, which was strange because she thought that the Masked Alpha would be happy knowing that his subjects would be cured of this disease.
"I-I don't understand, Your Majesty…"
"You don't need to, Odette, because you're not her," the Masked Alpha said curtly. He slowly stretched his hand, and Odette thought that he wanted to kill her again by bursting her chest like before.
So she closed her eyes, ready for the pain that was about to come.
But all Odette felt was the tip of his claw, slowly caressing her cheek and tucking her hair strands behind her ear to get a better look at her face.
She opened her eyes slowly, and the Masked Alpha kept staring at her with his red eyes.
"You are truly not her…" he muttered. His voice carried his disappointment and burden.
Odette truly didn't understand why the Masked Alpha kept repeating that line three times. Despite her curiosity, she dared not to ask, and he also refused to elaborate.
"Your name is Odette, right?"
"Y-yes, Your Majesty."
"Then I shall start calling you Odette from now on. You're your own person, and I see that you'd be a great doctor for my kingdom," the Masked Alpha said.
Again, Odette didn't know the expression he was making behind that mask, but she noticed some emotions emitted from his eyes and voice before.
However, there was nothing but indifference right now, both in his eyes and his voice.
For an unknown reason, there was a knot in Odette's heart. She felt sad, being on the receiving end of his indifference.
Suppressing those inexplicable feelings, she simply bowed and said, "I am honored to serve you, Your Majesty. I'll use all my abilities to cure your subjects."
She forced a smile despite her discomfort towards the Masked Alpha, and added, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."
"Hm. I will ask Zircon to pick you up, but I'll have to go now," the Masked Alpha said in a hurry before he leaped out of the tall shrubs, leaving Odette alone in the center of the royal garden of thorns.
Odette remained still in her place as her gaze was glued to the spot where His Majesty left just now, and muttered, "It's unfortunate that I may never know your name, Your Majesty."