The Healer-Beloved

I went crazy over him. I got sick. I can't think of anyone else. Day and night only he is before my eyes. He, smiling. He, commanding what herbs to gather. He, preparing his remedies. Only he occupies my mind!... And no matter how much I resisted this obsessive passion, it is impossible to stand firm in front of him. She had to go through a lot to survive. She thought she had killed the woman inside her. That she had become a man. A few layers of clothing were enough for her body to appear male. It all worked—others saw a man in her. She felt like one too. But as soon as the door of the infirmary opened and he came in, dragging the wounded alchemist with him, everything crumbled to dust. From her efforts, only ashes remained.