I was in my room, gathering supplies and preparing for my next visit to a neighboring village, when a burst of laughter drifted up from the hall. Curious, I went over to my door and cracked it open just enough to hear two maids talking excitedly as they passed by.
“Oh, didn’t you hear? That young, handsome healer is back!” one maid whispered, barely containing her giggles.
“Really? Is that true?” her friend replied with a gasp.
“Yes! I overheard it at the market,” the first maid confirmed. “They say he’s in the village square now.”
The two of them shared a look of eager anticipation, and with more excited giggles, they hurried down the hall, clearly planning to sneak off and catch a glimpse of this intriguing healer after their duties.
Intrigued myself, I wondered who this mysterious healer could be. I rang the bell, and within moments, Sara appeared at the door.
“Yes, milady?” she asked with a respectful nod.
“Sara, let’s go to the village square,” I replied, trying to hide my own curiosity. “Please ask the coachman to prepare the carriage.”
As we made our way to the village square, the carriage gently rocking along the path, I glanced over at Sara, unable to contain my curiosity any longer.
"Sara," I began, "who exactly is this traveling healer everyone’s talking about?"
She looked surprised by my question but then smiled knowingly. "Oh, milady, his name is Cedric. He’s been coming through these villages for a few seasons now. The villagers say he knows more about herbs and remedies than anyone they’ve ever met. And... well, they say he’s rather charming as well."
Charming, knowledgeable, and popular among the villagers? This healer Cedric sounded even more intriguing than I had expected. I leaned back in my seat, watching the familiar scenery pass by, feeling a strange sense of anticipation.
I never expected a traveling healer to make such an impact in the village, let alone on me. Word had spread quickly that a man named Cedric had arrived, and his reputation for curing ailments preceded him. Naturally, I was intrigued, especially since the villagers where I’d introduced soap were now buzzing with excitement. What could he be teaching them? I couldn’t resist heading to the square to see him in action.
When I arrived, it didn’t take long to spot the healer. He had this aura about him—a calm, steady confidence that made people listen. Instead of rushing from one patient to the next like some healers I’d seen, he took his time, speaking with each villager, asking them questions, and explaining his treatments. I was fascinated. There was a carefulness in his manner that reminded me of how I approached soap-making. Cedric wasn’t just reciting remedies from memory; he seemed to genuinely understand why each one worked.
The crowd around him slowly cleared, and I knew this was my chance. Gathering my courage, I stepped forward, clearing my throat a little awkwardly. “Excuse me, are you Cedric?”
He turned, and his gaze was direct but warm. “Yes, and you must be Lady Liana. I’ve heard about your soap.” His voice held a hint of admiration, which caught me off guard.
“That’s right. I, um, introduced it to the villagers here recently.” I found myself stumbling slightly, not used to being the one in the spotlight.
He smiled, nodding. “It’s a fascinating idea. I haven’t met many who understand the importance of cleanliness beyond just appearances.” Cedric seemed genuinely interested, so I explained my ideas on hygiene and sanitation, expecting him to at least be skeptical. Most people usually dismissed the concept as frivolous or unnecessary. But he just listened carefully, nodding along.
“You’ve put a lot of thought into this,” he said, finally. “I’ve traveled far and seen many places, but few healers focus on prevention, on keeping people healthy before they become ill.”
Hearing this felt like a huge weight lifting off my shoulders. For once, someone understood—not only that soap had practical uses but that it could make a real difference in people’s lives. We began discussing our approaches, sharing ideas like we’d known each other for ages. Cedric was full of stories, too, from his travels. He’d encountered diseases in other villages and had theories about how some of them could be prevented if only people understood basic cleanliness.
Before I knew it, the village leader invited both of us to his home to discuss the needs of the village further. Cedric and I walked side by side, our conversation flowing easily as we shared observations on health. Inside, we sat on sturdy wooden stools, and the village elder brought us mugs of warm herbal tea. Cedric mentioned some of the local plants he’d seen and asked if I’d tried them in my soap-making.
“That’s a good idea!” I said, suddenly realizing how limited my experiments had been. “I’ve mainly used herbs like lavender and rosemary, but what about local plants with stronger scents? The villagers here would be more comfortable using ingredients they recognize.”
Cedric leaned forward, his eyes sparkling with interest. “Precisely. And some of those local herbs have antiseptic properties. There’s one plant in particular I’ve used in ointments before—a sharp-smelling leaf that repels insects. You might even enhance the soap’s effectiveness.”
I jotted down notes, grateful to have met someone with this level of insight. For once, I wasn’t the only one trying to blend practical knowledge with natural remedies. It was refreshing to discuss ideas without feeling like I had to convince someone of their value.
Our conversation flowed into the evening, covering everything from herbs to the way diseases spread in cramped village homes. I shared with Cedric my thoughts on how simple practices, like washing hands before meals, could cut down on illnesses. He listened intently, occasionally nodding in agreement and sharing his own ideas.
After a while, we finished our tea, and the village leader thanked us for our time. Cedric and I walked outside together as the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the village. He glanced at me, and there was a warmth in his eyes that made me feel understood, respected. It was a rare feeling. I’d grown used to being seen as “the duke’s daughter with odd ideas,” but Cedric treated me like an equal.
He paused as we reached the edge of the village. “Liana, if you’re open to it, I’d love to see how you make your soap. Maybe there are things I could learn from you as well.”
I felt a thrill of excitement at the thought. “I’d be happy to. I think we could make something truly helpful for the villages, maybe even something new.”
As we walked, I felt that familiar spark of inspiration, but this time it was different. Knowing there was someone who shared my passion for helping others, someone who didn’t see my work as mere curiosity, filled me with motivation I hadn’t felt before. We talked about future plans, ideas, and even laughed at the challenges we both faced convincing others of our ideas.
I suddenly stopped mid-thought, a wave of realization hitting me hard.
Wait—weren't we getting a bit too comfortable here? We’d only just met, and here we were, already discussing future plans like old friends. And what was I doing, casually inviting someone I barely knew to watch me work on my experiments? Brilliant move, Liana.
I needed to find a quick excuse, something that didn’t make me sound like I’d rushed into this whole thing without thinking.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice the silence until Cedric’s voice brought me back to the present. “Is everything all right, Lady Liana?”
“Oh! Ye-yes, I’m fine,” I stammered, giving him what I hoped was a reassuring smile.
"Actually," Cedric said, pausing thoughtfully, "perhaps it would be better if I see your work another time. I travel often, but I believe I’ll be back soon. I’d like to see how your work progresses—and maybe share a few more ideas.”
A wave of relief washed over me when he was the one to call off our meeting. “Looking forward to it,” I replied, the warmth of his smile lingering in my mind as I watched him walk down the path.
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