Benjamin had barely stepped foot into the chamber when his eyes immediately landed upon an erect figure standing before Emilia's bed. They lingered on the silver armor adorning the man, noting the symbol of a gargoyle coated in red at his chest.

A knight.

His eyes shifted upwards, fixating on the man's hair. It was a light blond, nearly white, and hanging loose around his neck. This was not just any knight of the realm, Benjamin realized. This was the legendary warrior known as Sir Thomas St. Clair; the one said to be so fearsome in battle he sent his enemies cowering.

Emilia's betrothed.

"Sir, excuse me. I did not mean to intrude." The plague doctor dipped his head.

St. Clair turned from the bedridden woman to the masked man, studying Benjamin with obvious suspicion. "And who might you be?"

"Benjamin Peters," he sneered, disliking the arrogance in the man's voice.

"He is tending to me," Emilia confirmed with a smile.

"Oh, you are the physician?" Thomas never took his blue eyes off the other man.

"The physician's assistant." He remained still in the doorway, standing erect in his own right.

"Assistant?" Thomas raised an eyebrow, turning back to Emilia. "Where is the physician?"

"Away." Benjamin took a step closer, not allowing the woman to answer for him. He could explain himself just fine. He needed no one to come to his defense, especially not her.

But it seemed nothing would stand between Emilia and her almost perverse need to describe how he had been caring for her. "He has done well. He has been kind and never once has made me feel uncomfortable."

Thomas nodded slowly, switching his gaze to Benjamin. "I am pleased to hear this. I expect she will make a full recovery then?"

"Yes." He looked to Emilia and wished she could see the certainty in his eyes. He hoped his tone conveyed it in place of his hidden eyes.

A satisfied grin came upon Thomas's mouth, revealing a set of perfect teeth. "Excellent. The Crown shall reward you handsomely for this."

Benjamin shook his head fervently. "Oh, no. That is not necessary–"

"Nonsense." The knight waved his gauntlet, causing the armor to rattle. "The Crown rewards those who prove to be successful. And perhaps you will even earn the title of a doctor for doing so."

Yes, but they also behead those who do not.

As much as he wanted to say these thoughts, he opted for a more polite answer.

"Thank you, sir. I swear I will heal her." Benjamin knew he should not have made such a promise, knowing what awaited him if he failed. But what else could he say? The smug bastard expected such a response for that exact reason.

Evidently pleased with this interaction, Thomas glanced down at the woman and bid her goodbye. "I shall see you soon, my love."

"Oh, must you go?" Emilia sighed. "You have ridden into every other battle. Can you not stay back just this once?"

Thomas gave her a soft smile. "How I wish I could, but the king expects me to lead this charge."

"If only I could touch you then," she breathed, motioning with her hand to caress his pale skin. "And bid you a proper farewell."

"Soon, Emilia," he promised. "Very soon."

From under his mask, Benjamin watched the scene with impatient disgust. Why could the man not just leave already? He had already taken up precious time away from him and his patient.

Coupled with the fact he was not supposed to even be here.

He willed the man to turn, to walk out the door, and so it happened. Thomas barely even glanced at the plague doctor as he marched past him. Benjamin could only narrow his eyes, feeling his air of confidence brush past him. He knew–and even expected knights to exude such a trait, but this man was practically dripping with it.

Benjamin shut the door, slamming it a little too roughly. "He was not supposed to be here."

"I know, but he arrived and I did not know what to say," Emilia sighed. "And I could not turn him away–"

"You could have infected him." Benjamin's voice dropped to a whisper. "Do you not understand? Why do you think I wear this?"

"Have you never gotten sick?" She furrowed her brow.

Benjamin strode up towards her, taking deliberate steps to the bed. "No, because of the herbs in my mask. They protect me from the air that has caused your infection."

Emilia shook her head lightly, causing the curls in her hair to bounce. "I do not believe that. There must be something else."

He did not bother answering her absurdly arrogant statement. What could this girl possibly know of medicine? Perhaps St. Clair's arrogance had rubbed off on her.

"How are you feeling today? Have you recovered your strength?" Benjamin began combing through his medical bag.

"Yes," She paused before addressing him. "Benjamin."

He immediately looked up at her, stopping his work. "I–"

"I am glad I finally know your name." A beaming grin had crossed her face and was making its way to her eyes. "It was about time."

"Right, of course." He went back to his bag, digging around for the knife. He could feel her eyes on him, watching his every movement.

Where was the damn thing?

"Can I ask you something, my lady?" He hated the silence that had taken up residence between them, but he was unsure why. He usually liked the quiet.

"What is it?"

His fingers wrapped around the blade, caressing it before moving down to the handle. "Do you love him?"

He cringed as soon as he heard himself speak.

Fool.

He had no right to ask that sort of question. A doctor's apprentice asking a noblewoman and soon-to-be wife of a knight such a personal question? What had he been thinking?

"Forgive me, Lady Emilia. That question is none of my–"

"No." She averted her gaze towards the open window. "I do not."

For a second, he thought he misheard her. "What?"

Emilia chuckled softly. "In normal circumstances, I would have said, 'of course I do.' That would be expected of me and to say otherwise would be dangerous."

"But it is likely I will expire soon," She continued, rising from the bed. "And there is no reason to hide behind such a farce anymore."

"You are not going to–" He started to say before she held up her hand. Benjamin instantly fell silent.

"I love another."

He was not expecting this at all. Thomas St. Clair was a desirable man; his icy hair and sapphire eyes made him so. All the ladies in the kingdom adored the Herculean knight, so for Emilia to admit this stunned him.

"I see." He decided not to press any further, though he did wonder who this other man was.

"I need you to remove your clothes," He ordered, switching back to his work. "I will step outside as you do so." Not allowing her the chance to protest, he quickly exited the room in search of a servant. He did not need to go far before he found one wandering down the hallway.

"Pardon me." He cleared his throat, startling the woman. "I apologize for my appearance, but can you bring a tub to Lady Emilia's chamber?"

"Y–Yes, I will be right there," she stammered; her eyes wide with terror.

After thanking her, Benjamin headed back to the chamber and stood outside the door. He tapped his foot against the tile floor, waiting for the servant to arrive.

When she did, she came with another maid. They were carrying an empty copper tub between the two of them. They placed it in Emilia's bedchamber and made way for the livery boys who carried steaming with buckets filled with water nearly to the rim. Benjamin could hear the water sloshing inside them and he prayed they wouldn't spill it.

The servants went back and forth into the room and Benjamin could not help but to huff in annoyance. He had already lost so much time because of St. Clair. He did not intend to waste more, especially with this sort of procedure. Thankfully, after several trips, they finally finished with their task and did not linger around.

"Lady Emilia, are you ready?" He opened the door slightly, but not enough so he could see inside.

"Yes, you can come in," she called out.

Benjamin entered, keeping his eyes trained on the knife he had left beside his bag. He picked it up, gripping it tightly as he approached the tub.

Emilia was huddled in the tub. Her trembling arms were covering her chest and she too was not making eye contact, keeping her head lowered instead.

If he was uncomfortable, then he could only imagine how she felt at having this strange man looking at her before her own betrothed.

Benjamin trained his focus solely on the swollen buboes covering her skin, trying to prepare himself for what he was about to do. He reminded himself he had seen women bare before as part of his training. Maybe that was why he did not fluster that much at her nakedness.

"You can scream if you need to," he advised, seeing her clenched fists and gritted jaw.

Emilia finally looked at him, her eyes wide and face ashen. She said nothing, only nodding in response.

With one last exhale of air, Benjamin raised the blade to her neck and into the bubo.