Chapter 366 Visiting the Patients  

Francis entered the patient ward with determined steps, his presence barely causing a stir amid the beeping of machines and the muffled sounds of the medical staff at work. Cloaked in his protective gear — a facemask, eyemask, gloved hands, and a crisp white coat — he resembled a soldier ready for battle rather than the royalty he was.

As he moved past the beds, his eyes took in the condition of the patients. Some were on ventilators, others received oxygen through less invasive means, but all were engaged in the same silent fight against the relentless virus. The air was heavy with disinfectant, which stung his olfactory nerves a little but didn't mind much.

Francis paused beside the bed of a young woman, her breathing labored even with the assistance of the machinery supporting her. He noted the care with which the nurses adjusted her pillows, the quiet words of encouragement they offered even though she was too weak to respond.

Turning to a nearby doctor, he asked, "How are they managing with the treatments?"

The doctor, a young man with dark circles under his eyes, replied without pretense. "It's hit and miss, Your Imperial Highness. Some are responding; others, unfortunately, aren't. We're doing what we can with what we have."

Francis nodded, his gaze lingering on the figure of the woman. "And her?"

"She's one of the tough cases. Young, otherwise healthy, but the virus is unpredictable. We're hoping for the best."

"Speaking of hoping for the best, how are you faring? You have dark circles under your eyes," Francis observed.

"Ahh…this," the doctor sheepishly tried covering the dark circles but since the crown prince of the French Empire already noticed it, he let his hand fall away, a tired smile beneath his mask. "We're managing, Your Imperial Highness. The extended shifts are challenging, but we know the importance of what we're doing here. Rest is scarce, but we try to grab it when we can."

Francis appreciated the doctor's dedication. "Make sure you do. It's vital you take breaks when possible. The staff's health is just as crucial as the patients'. We can't afford to lose anyone else to this virus, especially not the people who are fighting it on the front lines." The doctor nodded in agreement, though the likelihood of finding time for adequate rest seemed as remote to him as the end of the pandemic. "We will try, Your Imperial Highness. Thank you for your concern."

Francis continued his walk through the ward, and stopped at one of the beds. This time it was a young girl, seemingly about nine years of age.

Francis knelt down to be at eye level with her, his eyes softening behind the protective eyewear. Despite her weak state, the girl managed to offer a faint smile.

"How are you feeling?" Francis asked, modulating his voice to be as gentle as possible.

The girl tried to speak, but her voice was barely a whisper. A nurse quickly stepped forward, "She's been asking for her mother, but unfortunately, her family is in quarantine."

Francis understood what the nurse meant. If one of a family member is a confirmed case, it often means the whole family needs to stay isolated to prevent the virus from spreading.

"That must be very hard for her," Francis replied, maintaining his composure.

"Yes, it is," the nurse agreed, adjusting the flow on the girl's IV. "We can put her words into writing and have been doing so. Her mother writes back every day, and we read her the letters. It's a small comfort, but it's something."

Francis nodded. "I'm glad she's not completely cut off. Still, it's a tough situation for a child to be in."

"It is," the nurse said, checking the girl's vital signs. "But we do our best to fill in the gaps, keep her spirits up."

"Did you study in one of my mother's universities for nursing?" Francis asked, attempting to find a more personal connection.

The nurse looked up, a hint of surprise crossing her features before she nodded. "Yes, Your Imperial Highness, I did. The Empress's University for Medical Sciences. I received a scholarship, and it's the only reason I was able to pursue nursing."

Francis felt a swell of pride. "That's great to hear."

The nurse smiled, "It certainly is. I'm grateful for the opportunity I was given." He then excused himself to allow her to continue her work. Walking through the rest of the ward, Francis spoke with more staff and offered words of encouragement and support. His visit was meant to be not just a morale booster but also an opportunity to observe and evaluate the needs of the frontline workers.

But—

There was a person at the end of the ward, slightly apart from the rest, whose demeanor caught Francis's attention. He approached the figure, a middle-aged man standing taking a picture from his camera discreetly, perhaps a personal documentation.

Francis approached the man, respecting the silence around them. The man greeted him with a bow of his head and then spoke.

"Your Imperial Highness."

"What are you doing here?" Francis asked.

"I'm doing private documentation in this hospital," the man answered.

"Were you given permission to document inside the ward?" Francis inquired.

"Yes, Your Imperial Highness, I have," the man assured, showing a badge that confirmed his authorization. "I'm a journalist, and with your family's push for transparency during this crisis, the hospital allowed some regulated documentation to keep the public informed. And seeing you here visiting the patient, this will increase your public support."

"Did you think that I was doing this for a photo opportunity?" Francis's tone held a tinge of displeasure, not at the journalist, but at the thought that his concern could be perceived as insincere.

The journalist quickly shook his head. "No, Your Imperial Highness, I didn't mean to imply that. Your visits are well known to be more than formality. It's just that images like these have power – they reassure the public and encourage solidarity."

Francis nodded, accepting the explanation. "I see your point. Just ensure that the focus remains on the incredible work of our healthcare professionals and the stories of those affected, not on political figures such as myself."

"Understood, Your Imperial Highness."

"Good," Francis said, before turning to leave. "Carry on with your work then."

As he exited the ward, he ran into Dr. Durand.

"Your Imperial Highness, the Empress of France will have a public announcement nationwide in ten minutes."

"Oh really? Very well," Francis said. "Let's hear what the mother of the Empire has to say."