Medicine | King Baldwin

14

After the postponed breakfast, Isabel hastened to attend to her duties. Despite missing her morning meal with the king, she couldn't afford to dawdle all day, knowing that Asif awaited her at their workplace. With a sense of urgency, Isabel pushed open the door to the small chamber, where she was met by the gaze of the elderly man. His expression held a hint of curiosity as he regarded her.

"Never thought I'd see you here." he quipped sarcastically. "And what's this attire?" Asif questioned.

"I had an important matter to take care of, but it got postponed in the end." Isabel responded in a straightforward manner as she sorted through her belongings.

"What business could you possibly have had?" the man questioned her in his usual manner.

"That's my affair." Isabel stated, meeting his gaze squarely. "You needn't concern yourself with a woman's matter." she said with a solemn expression, but upon seeing Asif's bemused countenance, she couldn't suppress a giggle.

"What is this?" the girl asked, furrowing her brows as she stirred a jelly-like substance.

"Aloe Vera." Asif responded. "I was trying out something new, but it didn't quite turn out as expected." he confessed, scratching his head.

"What was the idea?" Isabel inquired as she ran her fingers through the jelly substance.

"I attempted to craft a cream from it, but I hit a snag." Asif elaborated, his tone tinged with a hint of frustration.

Isabel pondered for a few moments. Crafting cream wasn't a simple task, but with the right ingredients and method, it was achievable. She decided to assist Asif in developing the recipe.

"Do you happen to have any solidified coconut oil?" Isabel asked, to which the man nodded inquisitively. "Perfect." Isabel exclaimed, a hint of excitement in her voice. "That might just be the missing ingredient we need for the cream." She clasped her hands together.

"What do you need it for?" Asif asked, then placed the requested item beside her.

"Just watch and learn." the girl smiled, for the first time during their time together with Asif, she was the one teaching him something new rather than the other way around.

After scooping out both the aloe and the oil, Isabel placed them in a mortar and began to mix them together. With each turn of the pestle, the mixture gradually transformed into a cohesive substance, smooth and pliable. Asif observed with growing admiration as Isabel demonstrated her skill, her hands deftly guiding the process.

In a separate mortar, Isabel carefully blended an array of dried herbs: chamomile, milfoil, and several others selected for their beneficial properties. With practiced precision, she ground the herbs into a fine powder, releasing their aromatic essence into the air. Once satisfied with the consistency, Isabel integrated the herbal blend into the cream mixture, folding it in gently until fully incorporated.

Isabel's expertise shone through, and for the first time, Asif found himself in the role of the eager learner, captivated by her knowledge and technique.

"Try it out." the girl offered, pushing the product toward the man. As he dipped his fingers into the finished cream, spreading it between his index and thumb, it slowly absorbed into his skin, leaving a noticeable yet subtle sensation.

"I'm... impressed." he responded with genuine admiration, lifting his fingers to his nose to inhale the scent of the cream.

Isabel was momentarily stunned by his words. It was a rare occurrence for the usually brusque and reserved man to offer praise. His acknowledgment warmed her heart, a validation of her efforts.