MAYA, my love.

CHAPTER 47

The hospital ward was alive with the usual hum of activity, but for Nora and Jane, it was a brief oasis of calm. The pace had slowed—patients were more cooperative, their conditions improving thanks to the newly introduced plasma injections. The treatment had been a game-changer: recovery times were shorter, immunity had increased, and while the workload remained demanding, it had certainly lightened.

Nora leaned against the counter, her scrubs slightly rumpled from the long shift. Jane, the sharp-witted records clerk, sat beside her, sorting through files, though neither woman seemed particularly invested in the task at hand. It was break time, and break time meant gossip.

"So," Jane began, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper as she flipped through a stack of patient records, "have you noticed the scientist guy?"

"Scientist guy?" Nora frowned, confused.

"You know, the one everyone's been whispering about. Ein," Jane continued, her tone playful, eyes gleaming with mischief. "The one who's been running around like he owns the place."

Nora's cheeks flushed slightly. "I don't know who you mean," she said, her voice a touch softer.

"Come on, don't act like you're not intrigued," Jane teased.

Nora chuckled, pushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Ok. I'll admit, I've noticed him. Who wouldn't? But it's not just the looks. There's something about the way he carries himself."

Jane nodded with a knowing grin. "Exactly. He has a way with words. Everytime he talks you can't help but pay attention."

They both laughed, the conversation slipping into idle musings about their fleeting crushes.

"Well, you're not the only one with a crush, I'm totally into our young rising sun of Ceracuse."

Nora raised an eyebrow. "Rising sun?" Her eyes widened. "Oh no. Don't tell me."

"Yes. Who else but His Highness," Jane said, practically swooning. "He's just so refined. Oooooh, and those eyes deep thoughtful eyes... they melt you if you get lucky to ever lock gazes with them. He has that quiet intelligence and authority. Oooh. Oh my. "

"Be realistic, Jane. He's the prince," Nora replied. "Not exactly someone we could approach."

Before Jane could respond, a tall figure walked past the counter, causing both women to freeze mid-conversation. It was Ein. Nora's breath hitched. Jane, ever the bold one, let out a small, surprised squeal. Ein turned his head at the sound, a grin spreading across his face as he approached.

"Good day, ladies," he greeted warmly, his voice effortlessly charming.

Nora felt a flush spread across her cheeks, her heart racing faster than usual. Jane, never one to miss a beat, immediately spoke up. "Hey, Ein! We were just talking about you."

Ein raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh really? I hope it was all good things."

"Of course!" Jane replied quickly, winking at Nora, who gave her a look of mild exasperation. "We were just saying how you seem to have the whole hospital under control. Right Nora?"

Nora laughed softly, still slightly shy. "Yeah, you've definitely been impressing everyone."

Ein chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "I just do my job. Nothing special."

A brief, comfortable silence passed before Jane, ever the instigator, asked casually, "So, Ein, what's your type?" She shot a sly glance at Nora, nudging her with an elbow.

Nora's face immediately turned crimson. She fumbled for something to say, her nervousness palpable. Ein seemed taken aback by the question, but after a moment, he smiled—a faint curve of amusement at the boldness.

"I don't know if I have a type," he replied thoughtfully, his voice low. "But I suppose I admire someone impressively outstanding, almost like sunshine. Someone strong and loyal."

Jane leaned in, eager to probe further. "Strong and loyal? Do men really care about all that? You must have someone in mind, right?" she pressed.

Ein paused, his gaze flicking between the two women, before responding with a knowing smirk. "I do. But that's a secret."

Nora's chest tightened. "Come on, who is it? Tell us! You must!" she demanded, her frustration creeping into her voice.

Ein's smile faltered slightly, his posture straightening. "Now, Nora," he said, his tone still polite but carrying a distinct firmness, "I would prefer if you refrained from pressing. I have no intention of disclosing my affections."

Jane, sensing the rising tension, gave Nora a pointed look. "Well, looks like you're not going to get an answer this time, huh?" she whispered, half teasing, half trying to lighten the mood.

Ein stepped back, his smile remaining, but now tempered with an air of finality. "Ladies, it's been a pleasure. I'll see you around." With that, he turned and walked away.

Nora stood there, her fists clenched at her sides, her face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and irritation. "I can't believe you asked him that," she muttered to Jane, stomping her foot in frustration.

"Hey, I was just curious. You did ask him too." Jane said a bit annoyed.

Nora huffed, her mind swirling with a thousand thoughts. It must be Dr. Mey, she thought bitterly. They're always together. He must like her.

Just then, as though summoned by her thoughts, Dr. Mey entered the ward. Nora's heart sank. Dr. Mey was everything Nora was not—polished, experienced, and effortlessly poised. As head of the department, she was admired by the patients and revered by the staff, including Ein. Nora sighed deeply as she began her rounds. To make matters worse, she was assigned to assist Dr. Mey today.

It started off fine, but as they moved from one patient to the next, Nora found herself growing more and more frustrated with each move or gesture from Dr. Mey. The woman had a way of making everything seem effortless, and it only heightened Nora's sense of inadequacy. She was so distracted that she didn't notice her mistake with the transfusion fluid ratios. Big mistake.

Dr. Mey's voice cut through the tension with chilling clarity. "Miss Nora, focus. Where is your attention? Be more professional, if you would."

Nora's patience cracked.

"What do you know about professionalism?" she shot back, her voice rising, cheeks flushed with indignation. "You're just some foreigner who waltzed in here like you own the place."

Dr. Mey's eyes narrowed. "What did you just say?"

Nora's anger bubbled over. "You don't even belong here. You don't understand Ceracuse. This is our place. You should stay out of it. Ein deserves someone from here—someone born and raised here, not someone who came from nowhere."

For a long moment, there was nothing but silence. Then Dr. Mey spoke her voice icy. "Miss Nora I suggested you check yourself. You are already making stupid mistakes that for a nurse with your years of experience is unforgivable. And this matter of me being a foreigner" Her lips curled slightly, though there was no warmth in the gesture. "I have been granted citizenship by His Majesty himself. I trust you do not intend to question His Majesty's judgment? Do you miss Nora?"

Nora muttered under her breath and turned to walk away, "Don't act like you can just take over everything."

Dr. Mey's gaze turned colder still, her tone like a steel trap. "If you choose to walk off now, Miss Nora, I will have no choice but to report your behavior. We have no time for childish tantrums and your unrequired infatuations. I suggest you control your emotions and finish your duties professionally. You are a nurse, not a gossiping teenager."

Nora glared at her, her mouth opening to retort, but Dr. Mey looked ready to chew her to pieces. As if she had just caught a helpless rat. Nora sighed, her pride smarting, but she swallowed it. This was not worth losing her job over. Reluctantly, she fell in line and followed mey. Anger simmering under her skin.