Agatha

An attendant led me into the drawing room in which my Father was waiting. After proper greeting, I took my seat next to him. We sat in silence until the attendant returned with the physician for the scheduled audience.

Upon her introduction by the attendant, she curtsied. “Thank you for having me, Your Majesty, Your Highness.”

Father dismissed the attendant and I returned Agatha’s greeting. “Thank you for coming on such short notice, Agatha. Please, take a seat.”

After she had done so, I confirmed with her the accuracy of the events that Father had described to me. “If I am being honest,” I said, “I’m worried about the risk of the disease spreading within Vallisia if you continue to treat the retainers within the city. Isn’t that the risk that my mother was trying to prevent?”

“At the time your mother made that decision, she was working with limited information. Thanks to the equipment the medical team brought along with us, we were able to identify and quarantine the root cause of the disease.”

“If that’s the case, have you been able to do anything for the two retainers?”

Agatha shook her head. “We know how to prevent the spread of the disease, but treatment is still a ways off. Unfortunately, one of the retainers is in a coma and the other has already passed.”

“I’d like to visit the remaining retainer.”

“We have no way of waking him.”

“Even so, I still want to make the visit. There’s meaning in it.” Respect must be shown to those who sacrifice for the kingdom. “If he does wake up, I want him to know that I came to visit him and that I shall come again.” Someone who shows their care. That’s the kind of queen my mother presented herself as and that’s the kind of person I want to be.

Agatha paused for a time before speaking again. “A visit can’t be allowed at this time due to the risk of infection.”

“I’m not sure I understand.” I said. “Didn’t you yourself say that the spread of the disease was under control?”

“It is under control, but it’s still too dangerous to expose Your Highness to any possibility of infection.”

“If the risk is too great for me then it is too great for the capital.”

“No, Your Highness, it’s not that. It’s—”

“If the risk is not too great then I shall make my visit.” I wouldn’t usually be this adamant, but there was something off about the way she paused. She was hiding something.

“You shall not.” Father said.

“Father?” It was his first contribution to the conversation.

“Doctor Agatha is right.” He said. “This disease killed your mother. You shouldn’t be putting yourself at risk for it. Think more of your position when making such a decision.”

With those words, Father stripped me of my agency within the conversation. “Yes, Father.” Besides that, there was nothing left I could say.

“Thank you for coming today, Physician Agatha.” Father said. “Keep me updated with any new developments. That is all. You are dismissed.”

Agatha stood up and bowed. “I will. Thank you again, Your Majesty, Your Highness.”

I watched her back as she left the room. If I want to hold her feet to the fire I’ll need the authority to do so. I should ask Father what is needed for me to obtain it.