Chapter seventy-six: Antidote
The next few days were a mixture of frustration and annoyance. When I had returned back to Blaine’s manor, I had planned to summon Alora right away. The longer I waited the worse off she would end up becoming.
Unfortunately, when I returned home, the sight that awaited me had me pausing the plans until the evening. Two members of the outside staff were being dragged from the building by knights. Their facial expressions were undistinguishable under the blood and swelling. If I summon her when people are awake, what if something worse befalls the both of us?
Shivering, and pushing down the guilt I averted my eyes and walked toward my room – vaguely aware of the blank stares from the maids. I slipped into my room quickly, choosing to seclude myself for the rest of the day
For hours, I sat, mind drifting back to the faces of the men. Stop it. I shook my head, reaching for the book on my nightstand. There’s nothing you can do to help them. I shivered, forcing myself to read the words – and failing spectacularly.
By the time the sun started to set, I had only managed to read two chapters without retaining any of the information inside. A quick knock on the door, before Alora walked in, balancing a tray of food in one hand and a the small table under her other arm.
“Good evening, my Lady!” She grinned, walking over. “Did you have fun? Did you enjoy yourself? Did you-”
“Stop,” I held up a hand, feeling a headache coming on. “I’m not in the mood to humor your insanity right now.”
“Insanity?” She blinked, setting down the table and food. “I bring you dinner, my lady.”
“Forget it.” I tossed my legs over the bed, shifting until the food was directly before me.
“Enjoy your meal!” She giggled, turning.
“Wait a moment,” I called as she tugged open the door. “I need your help this evening to change. I will be up late reading, but after that I would like you to come to my room.”
“Of course!” She clapped her hands, stepping out into the hall. “I will come back then!”
I sighed, stabbing the fork into the food as she closed the door. I really hope the antidote works.
I ate the food without tasting it, contemplating Cassius’s words, the antidote, and everything that had happened so far. The thoughts remained with me well into the night, distracting me.
By the time Alora knocked on my door well into the night, I wanted nothing more than to sleep and reset my mind.
“I am here, my Lady,” She walked in, clad in her night clothes. “I must sleep soon.”
I glanced up from the book, closing it with a soft thunk. “Close the door, Alora.”
She tilted her head sideways, blinking a few times. “Okay. I must sleep now, my Lady!” She turned back around and stepped out into the hallway.
“Where are you going?” I snapped as she started to walk away.
“To bed.” She paused, looking over her shoulder. “It’s my sleep time, my Lady.”
“Alora.” I puffed out a frustrated breath, fumbling for the pouch in my pocket. “I need you to help me change. Did you forget?”
“Change?” She spun around, grabbing her head in her hands. “But…if I don’t sleep I will be punished.”
“You won’t be punished for helping me change,” I untied the pouch, pulling out a vial. The faint green liquid sloshed against the side – reminding me of slime. “Close the door and come over here.”
“I…” She trailed off, eyes glazing over. “Sleep.”
“You can sleep after,” I stood, walking across the room. Alora didn’t move or acknowledge me until I slapped the door closed and turned toward her. “This won’t take long anyway.”
“M-my lady, what are you doing?” She stuttered, mouth hanging open. “I can’t-.”
“Enough already,” I moved forward, stopping a few feet away. “You are my maid, correct?”
“Yes!” She giggled, clapping her hands. “I am your maid, my Lady!”
“Then as my maid, you have to obey me, correct?” I held up the vial between my pointer finger and thumb, shaking it.
She stared at me silently for a while, without so much as blinking. A flare of irritation spiked through my chest, but I shoved it down – trying to summon patience. It’s not her fault she’s acting this way.I need to remain calm and treat her as if she was a small child.
“I…I obey Lord and Lady Blaine.” She tilted her head back, arms outstretched. “I obey and I listen.”
What exactly did they do to her? I sighed, uncapping the antidote. A faint smell of lavender and a woodsy scent, wafted out a faint glow rippled across the surface of it – hinting at magic. Well whatever he put in it – it didn't matter. Not as long as it works.
I shook the contents, holding it out toward her. “I was told by Lord Justin himself to give this drink to you.”
“What?” She jerked her head down, squinting down at it. “I don’t understand.”
“You don’t have to understand,” With my free hand, I took hers, turning it sideways. “Drink it.”
“M-my Lady, did he really?” She peeked at me, flushing. “He did this for me?”
“Uh, sure.” I placed the antidote in her hand, wrapping her fingers around it. “Just for you.”
“B-but he didn’t tell me to drink it.” She leaned toward me, breath fanning against my face. “I can’t unless he tells me directly to drink it. I can’t assume Lord Blaine is so kind.”
“He told me to tell you because you’re my maid.” I moved my head back and squeezed her hand.
“Oh.” She nodded several times, sniffing the contents. “It doesn’t smell the same.”
“What do you mean?”
“T-the drink doesn’t smell the same.” She pushed it toward me, shivering. “I-it smells different.”
“It’s a new flavor.” I tightened my hold, careful to keep the liquid from spilling over. “You’re the first one to try it…because you’re special.”
“Me?” She giggled, flushing again. “Really?”
“Yeah,” I removed my hand, taking another step back. “Taste it.”
“O-okay.” She smiled, raising it to her lips. “I obey because I’m good.”
Sure. Whatever you say. I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms.
She opened her mouth wide, dumping the entire dosage in. With a loud swallow she shivered, staring blankly ahead.
“I did it. I am a good…I…” She trailed off as her body began to shake and her eyes rolled back.
“Damn it.” I jerked forward, catching her seconds before her legs buckled. She wobbled against me, head lulling to the side. “Are you alright?”
“Mm.” She mumbled, the vial slipping through her fingers.
It tumbled to the floor, bouncing twice before skidding across the room and vanishing under the bed. I’ll have to get it later. Thank god it didn’t break.
“Alora, can you hear me?” I asked, grunting as she began to dead-weight in my arms.
Fear that the vial had been toxic had my heart skipping a beat. I had no idea what was inside it, but I knew Cassius would have been the one to poison it – that wasn’t his style. Tyrine, on the other hand, was a different story..
“H-h-hear?” Alora slurred, drool dripping down her chin.
“Why are you so heavy?” I groaned, lowering her awkwardly to the floor.
When her knees touched the ground, she twisted up right, eyes widening.
“Heavy things are heavy.” Alora grumbled, slapping her hands against my cheeks.
“What are you doing?” I grumbled, tugging her hands off. “Are you alright?”
“Alright?” She pressed her forehead against mine, grinning. “I am!”
“Are you-”
“I must slumber.” She pulled back and shoved me forward before springing to her feet.
“Wait a second,” I called as she bolted toward the door. “You can’t just-”
“Goodnight, my Lady.” She flashed a smile and left, disappearing into the dark corridor.
What just happened? I slowly rose to my feet, walking to the door. The girl was nowhere to be seen. Did it…actually do anything? I mused, closing the door and walking to the bed. The words Cassius spoke earlier about it taking a few days to work, fluttered through my mind.
Well, I thought, crouching down and reaching under the bed. I guess I’ll find out after the next few doses.
Unfortunately, the results tomorrow weren’t much better than the first experience. The only difference was she started to convulse as if she was having a seizure. When I tried to catch her, she shoved me away, swore at me, and fled the room.
Whether that was progress or not, I couldn’t say.
On the third night, she wandered in looking dazed, but not with the usual brain washing post-haze. Her hand was pressed to her temple and her face was blank.
“You called, my lady?” She asked, closing the door with her free hand.
“Come here.” I patted the bed beside me, worried she would collapse again. I don’t have the strength to constantly be catching her.
“Okay,” She shuffled over and flopped down, turning to me. “My head hurts.”
“In what way?” I lifted my pillow, pulling out the pouch.
“I don’t know.” She shrugged, scratching her face. “Like…something.”
“I see,” I pulled out a vial, handing it to her. Whatever that means. “Drink this.”
“W-why?” She asked, taking it in her hands and turning it over. “What is this?”
“Medicine.” I said simply, dropping the pouch on my lap. “Just drink it.”
She stared at it for a few more minutes before pulling off the lid. “It smells funny,” She mumbled, sniffing it.
“Medicine always smells strange.”
She seems slightly more normal, maybe she won’t have a seizure this time?
Alora winced, plugging her nose. “I don’t like it.”
“Just drink it.” I sighed, exasperated.
“Okay.” She raised it to her mouth, swallowing it as she had the last two times.
Silence stretched between us for what felt like hours. Eventually, she slapped the cap back on, handing it over.
“How do you feel?” I asked, dropping the vial back into the bag and returning it back to its hiding spot. “Anything different?”
“I…” She trailed off, blinking repeatedly. “I…think-” She broke off, gasping.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ugh,” she bit out, grabbing her head. “It hurts. Why does it hurt?”
“Are you-”
“What the hell did you do to me?” She whipped her head up suddenly, narrowing her eyes. The dazed look she held previously had completely vanished – leaving hostility in its place.“What the hell happened to me?”
“It’s,,,a long story.” I hesitated, feeling a knot loosen in my shoulders. “Are you finally sane?”
“What kind of question is that?” She bit out, squeezing her head again. “I feel like my head is about to explode.”
“At least you’re speaking like a human now.” I grinned.
Cassius was right. Thank god.
“You find this funny?” She jumped up, glaring down at me.
“No,” I held up a hand, shaking my head. “Not at all. Do you remember what happened to you?”
“No…” She trailed off as panic crossed her face. “How long have I been a mess?” She stepped forward, grasping my hand between hers. “How long?”
“Since you got here.” I pulled away, confused by her sudden change in attitude.
Why’s she acting like this? I could understand the sheer panic of returning back to normal, but she looked scared.
“I-” She broke off, and turned, rushing toward the door. “I have to go.”
“Wait,” I jumped up, following behind her. “You have to take the antidote every day. If you don’t you’ll-”
“Why?” She reached toward the knob, sparing me a cold glance. “What happens if I don't?"
“You’ll revert back to how you were.”
“Fine. I’ll be back tomorrow night.” She pulled it open, flinching when the smell of the Casa Blanca lilies blew in. “This scent is disgusting.”
“I agree. Hold on a second,” I grabbed her wrist as she stepped into the hall. “You may be fine right now, but you can’t let them know you’re not brainwashed.”
“I’m not an idiot.” She pulled away, face flushing red. “I…Sorry. I have to go lay down.” She bowed and turned – walking down the hall.
I guess…that’s that then. I shrugged, turning to walk back in. I reached for the door, about to shut it when Alora slowed to a stop, glancing back at me.
“Thanks for…your help, Lady Kyla.” She muttered.
“You’re-” I cut off as she sprinted down the hall, vanishing down the stairs. “Welcome.”
I shook my head, and closed the door, walking to the bed.
At least she’s back to normal. I yawned, covering my mouth. I just hope her constantly taking it will be effective.
I sat down on the bed, running my hands down my face. Although helping her had cleared up one problem, it didn’t fix all the others I would have to face in the near future. Being in debt to Cassius was going to be another can of worms. I didn’t regret accepting the antidote, but I had no idea what favor he would call on me for.
“One thing at a time.” I muttered, flopping back on the mattress.
Casasius would be a later problem – hopefully a much later problem.
With Alora being cured, I had paid my debt to her.
Whatever tomorrow brings, I’ll be ready.