Why Did I Become the Villainess?

Chapter 292 – : Her Decision

 I immediately go to each big hospital in the capital. I know Lilla already asked for their help, but I was hoping they would change their mind if I were the one who personally asked for help.

 However, I was wrong. I had already asked the major hospital in the capital, but they all politely refused to lend me a Doctor. Although I understand why they do that, I see with my own eyes the situation in those hospitals. They might have more Doctors than the small hospitals, but they also have more patients. They are really short staff right now. That's why they don't have any choice but to refuse to help me.

 "Dame Csille, are we going home now?"

 I look at the coachman and shake my head. It took me an hour to ask each major hospital. Time is running out, and I need to rush if I want to save the old woman.

 "No, I still need to go to the Holycross Hospital."

 I originally intended to skip the Holycross Hospital because I know how short staff the hospital right now. Brother Pascal sometimes even needs to work twenty four hours just to fill that gap. But right now, I don't have any other choice. The Holycross Hospital is my only hope.

 "But Dame Csille, you need to get ready now for the banquet. You will be late if we don't return to the Lauretré residence now. If you want, I can just send another carriage to fetch Master Pascal, we re—"

 I shake my head. I don't have time. "Can you just please drop me at the Holycross Hospital. I don't have much time, and if I continue to delay things, it might cost me a life. I need to go to the Holycross Hospital right now!"

 The coachman man bows his head. He was probably in shock because it was the first time I reprimanded him again. But I don't have time to care for that right now. I'm worried about the life of the old woman. I would feel guilty if something happened to her. 

 The carriage starts moving while I anxiously wish that the old woman could wait. Just wait for a little. Please wait. 

 After a few moments, the carriage stops in front of the Holycross Hospital. I immediately get off the carriage and rush inside the hospital. Doctor Luíseach, who is talking to a nurse, sees me first. She's the Doctor I met in the small town in the northern region. 

 "Dame Csille, what are you doing here? Are you here for Doctor Pascal? He's currently doing surgery right now." She looks at the clock hanging on the wall. "But don't worry. He's about to finish it. Just wait for a few minutes."

 I look at the clock, and my eyes widen when I see it's already four thirty in the afternoon. I need to find a Doctor right now. The travel time from the capital to the town where the mountain is more than an hour. Aside from that, we still need to get to the top of the mountain, which will take another hour, more or less. It will be dangerous to go to the mountain at night, so I need to find a Doctor immediately.

 "Dame Csille?"

 I look at Doctor Luíseach. "Doctor Luíseach is your director here in the Hospital? Can I talk to him?"

 Doctor Luíseach shakes her head. "I'm sorry, Dame Csille, but the Director is not here in the hospital. He is preparing for the banquet tonight, and he said no one should interrupt him for today. So, I don't think you can talk to him."

 Oh, no. If I don't talk to the Director of the Holycross Hospital, then there is no way I can get help from them. This cannot happen. I need to do something.

 "But you're also going to the banquet tonight, right? I'm sure you can have time to talk to him there."

 I shake my head. I won't be able to attend the banquet. How can I find time to talk to him. I was about to explain to Doctor Luíseach when I heard Brother Pascal's voice.

 "Csille? What are you doing here? Are you here to ask me to come with you? Haven't I told you that I won't be able to attend tonight's banquet because I still have work to do to the hospital?"

 I look at Brother Pascal and immediately rush to him. I think I know how to find a Doctor who can help me.

 "Brother! Brother, you need to help me. It's an urgent matter, and I badly need your help."

 Brother Pascal frowns. He then looks at the dress I am wearing. "Are you here to ask me what dress you should wear for the welcoming banquet?" He shakes his head. "Csille, you know I don't have a great taste when it comes to fashion. I think it's a bad idea to ask for my help. You should ask Aun—"

 I shake my head and hold to Brother Pascal's arm. "Brother, that's not the kind of help I'm asking for. I need a Doctor who is knowledgeable in tuberculosis and willing to go to the nearby town to go to the top of the mountain."

 I heard the people around us gasp when they heard the word tuberculosis. Although tuberculosis has a cure already, most the health practitioners are still cautious with it. After all, not everyone has enough knowledge about it. Only those who are well respected and competent Doctors can cure tuberculosis.

 "Did you hear what Dame Csille said? Tuberculosis? She wants to find a Doctor who can cure tuberculosis? But there are only a few Doctors who can do that, and we're lack Doctors in the Hospital. How can she find a Doctor here?" I heard one of the nurses say, but I ignored her.

 I know the current situation of the Holycross Hospital, and if I only have other choices, I won't be asking for their help. But the Holycross Hospital is my only hope right now.

 Brother Pascal frowns. "You said you need a Doctor who can cure tuberculosis? Is it the case about the old woman living on top of the mountain?"

 I nod my head. He knows about it? 

 I heard Brother Pascal sigh. "You didn't know that the Holycross Hospital refused to help? We are in need of Doctors, Csille. Even if the Director wants to help, he cannot do a thing about it."

 I know that. But I'm just taking my chances here. I don't want to just wait until the grim reaper takes the old woman's life. I know I need to do something.

 "I know, Brother. However, I don't have any other chance but to ask for help. The old woman is living alone with her young grandchild. If she dies, the child will have no other choice but to live on her own. What if she already has tuberculosis? Wouldn't that risk the lives of everyone living on top of the mountain? You know how infectious tuberculosis is. What if it infected all those people? We just recovered from an infectious disease. I don't think the Kingdom can survive with another infectious illness."

 Everyone who is near me gasp when they heard what I said.

 "What did the Dame say? The spread of tuberculosis? That will be the end for us. There are only a few Doctors who know how to treat that illness." 

 "And have you forgotten? The Kingdom's fund almost got depleted because of the infectious disease. I think the Kingdom will be in poverty if that really happens."

 "What are you talking about? That is not what we should think about. Have you forgotten how many Doctors and Nurses died because of the previous infectious disease? All the hospitals in the capital are short staff now because of that. I think we will lose more than half of our Doctors and Nurses if that really happens. After all, not all Doctors know how to cure tuberculosis."

 Brother Pascal looks at me. "Csille, is what are you saying is true? Does any Doctor diagnose the old woman? How did you know it's really tuberculosis?"

 "Brother, how I wish we were mistake here, but we're not. The old woman had that disease for a year now, and it's only now that her symptoms got worst. It's the reason why her neighbors want us to take her out from the mountain. They are already worried about their health."

 Brother Pascal sigh. "But the Director is not in the Hospital. I don't think I can do—"

 "Doctor Pascal, it concerns about the general public's safety. I think if a Doctor wants to volunteer, the Director wouldn't have a choice but to agree."

 I look at Doctor Luíseach and smile gratefully at her. I don't know about the hospital's policy, so I'm thankful that she is helping me. 

 "But the question is, will anyone volunteer? We all know that there are only a few Doctors who can cure tuberculosis."

 I look at the Doctor who speaks. He is right, though. Is there anyone who will be willing to help me? 

 "I will volunteer." 

 I look at Doctor Luíseach. I didn't expect she would volunteer. After all, tuberculosis is not a simple illness, and since it's an infectious disease, it means she will need to stay in one place with the patient or anyone who had close contact with the patient.

 Brother Pascal shakes his head. "Doctor Luíseach, I appreciate what you did, but I think the Holycross needs you more. You're the only one whose expertise is surgery. The Hospital won't be able to make it if we lose another surgeon. So, let me go with Dame Csille."

 Everyone muttered their disagreement. 

 "But Doctor Pascal, you're one of the best Doctors in the Holycross Hospital. Also, we all know that you're the favorite Doctor of the nobles. What will we do if there is a noble who is admitted here?" One of the nurses asks.

 Everyone knows that many nobles are picky even if they are sick. They wouldn't want any Doctors who came from a common family to cure them, and the reason why they mostly chose Brother Pascal is because he is a Lauretré. 

 Brother Pascal looks at Doctor Luíseach. "And what does Doctor Luíseach is doing? Isn't she a noble too?"

 I look at Doctor Luíseach and raise my eyebrow. I didn't know that she is from a noble family. If that's the case, wouldn't that make her a great match for Brother Pascal?

 Doctor Luíseach tries to refute and convince Brother Pascal, but he is already decided.

 "No, Doctor Luíseach. The Holycross Hospital needs you more than I. Also, how can I let my cousin go alone knowing that she needs to face someone who has tuberculosis? Even if you volunteer, I will still insist on coming with her. Wouldn't that be a big loss to the Holycross Hospital? We cannot lose two Doctors right now. So, please stay here in my place. The people need you."

 Brother Pascal didn't wait for Doctor Luíseach to reply. He immediately drags me outside the hospital.

 The coachman who is waiting for me immediately gets off the carriage when he sees us. "Master Pascal, are you planning to attend the banquet too? I'm sure the Count and the Counte—"

 "Take us to my house nearby. You already know the address, right?"

 The coachman nods his head in confusion. He probably didn't expect that. But he didn't ask anything. He just opened the door for us and maneuvered the carriage to Brother Pascal's house.

 "Csille, maybe it's best if you dropped me off at my house and you attend the welcoming banquet. The people are expecting you there. I'm sure Aunt and Uncle will be disappointed not to see you there."

 I look at Brother Pascal and frown. "Brother, how can I attend a banquet knowing there is someone whose life is about to be taken by the grim reapers? This is an urgent matter than that banquet. I will just explain to Mother and Father when I return. But right now, all I want to do is to save the old woman's life. This is the project of my Foundation, and I want to be there when we bring her down the mountain. So, please don't force me to attend that banquet."

 Brother Pascal looks at me for a couple of minutes before he sighs. "If that's what you want. But I suggest you make a letter for Aunt and Uncle to explain why you couldn't attend. Also, don't forget to send one to his majesty and his highness."

 I nod my head. Although my mind couldn't help but think about the old woman.

 Please wait for us.. We're on our way, and we will definitely save you.