Swallowing his saliva, Aux spoke with anxiousness in his voice.
"My lady… it's… it's White Death."
Luna, hearing Aux's trembling tone, felt a shrinking in her heart, a cold, tight squeeze. She knew instantly it was serious. Still, she couldn't help but ask,
"What is White Death?"
Aux, hearing her words, looked straight at her. Tenderness and compassion swam in his eyes. With sorrow in his voice, he said,
"My lady, please forgive me… I have failed you. White Death, it's a deadly, incurable disease."
What?
Luna's mind went blank as the realization sank in. Looking down at her legs, she stayed silent for what felt like minutes.
In anxious thought, Luna whispered within her own mind:
I've lost my memory all of a sudden today. I think… I think I've lived a good life. I've been kind to the maids… to my family… to anyone who's ever been in it. I think I haven't wished for anyone's tragedy. I don't think I've done bad things. So what did I do to deserve this?
More or less… I have what, ten years to live?
What is this life?! Luna cried out inwardly.
Does this goddess Selitharia hate me?
Tears welled in her eyes, but outside, she forced them not to fall.
She buried the emotions deep inside, took a deep breath in and out, and composed herself. In as natural a tone as she could manage, she asked,
"Is there nothing you can do, doctor?"
Aux, hearing his lady Luna's words, lowered his head in shame.
"I… I am sorry, my lady. I lack the necessary skills to even attempt to heal it. There is no known cure for White Death."
Standing up, Aux walked around the table, dropping to his knees before Luna. Lowering his head by her knees, his voice trembled with helplessness.
"Please… forgive me."
Aux's eyes welled with tears as he knelt defeated by Luna's side, head hung low.
Luna, seeing his reaction, brushed off her own feelings and looked at him. Grabbing Aux's shoulder, she said hurriedly,
"Please stand up. There's no need to react in such a way."
"Please stand up! You can't do that!"
"I know my body is like that… and no one can help it. So please, stand up!"
Aux looked up, tears streaming down his cheeks. His mouth gaped as he looked at her helplessly, thinking:
My lady, please… why do you do this?
This is beyond a humble and virtuous act… for a lowly doctor like myself.
And as he thought that, his tears only grew heavier.
"Please calm down, doctor!"
Luna had already brushed off her own sorrow, prioritizing Aux in the moment.
She stood up, then knelt before him.
"There's no need to cry over spilled milk. You said it, it's incurable. Then there's no point in crying over it, isn't there?"
As she said that, she smiled like a banana, her smile stretched from ear to ear, exposing her shiny white teeth. A blissful, bright smile.
Aux's emotions shattered at her words. He wanted to cry even harder, but forced himself to compose.
Wiping away his tears, he turned his gaze away from her eyes, his shame couldn't allow it.
"My lady… please, I'll do anything to help you."
With her smile still glowing, she said,
"I believe you."
Hearing her words, Aux looked down.
"Oh…"
With a regretful smile on his face, he made up his mind. He stood, wiped his nose, and said proudly,
"I understand, my lady. I'll prepare everything in advance."
"Then, if you don't mind, doctor… I'd like to stay for a while alone."
"Is that all right with you?"
Aux blinked, confused.
"Of course, my lady."
Luna, hearing his voice, looked down and smiled warmly.
"Then, please forgive me… I'll go do what I need to do," said Aux, bitterness laced in his voice.
Grabbing his cane off the ground, he tucked in his garment, walked to the doors. As his hand touched the handle, he stopped.
Slightly turning his head to the side, regret in his voice, he said,
"I am sorry, my lady."
He walked out.
Luna, hearing his words, leaned into the sofa and exhaled.
"At least… I have a few years to live."
"I guess I'll do most with it. Heh."