Except for the consistent bile of mysterious black substance fed to me twice a day, things have started to settle into a routine.
I still want to hurl everytime that thing went down my throat. Of course, they didn't remedy the flavor or anything, but to keep me from running away, they have developed the tactics of baked goods and delicious food.
Which, in my defense, were too hard to pass on the offer, when the hell after the meals are ever dreadful, I need something for it to disappear.
I have had the honor of seeing how Dawn and Selinus concoct this disaster, everything from what ingredients were used, how they processed it, what specific part they used, the amount of time needed for each batch to be produced, etc.
So many pretty ingredients...why did they have to turn into that twisted abomination?
And with that, my schedule has slowly become more dense with classes. It was written in my medical file that the poison would have immediately killed anyone upon consumption. This platinum spoon is the only reason this body is essentially hanging by a thread.
My stubbornness and absolute refusal to lay down may have contributed to it, but none of which explain the reason why I am here and where the original Amelia has disappeared to.
" You're leaving soon?" A mouth full of cakes could stop my disappointment from flowing out. A small tea party was held in the main garden after my class with only the female household members. Louis was chased away by the Duchess to file some paperwork in place of his father.
Something tells me she just wanted to push that responsibility off of her plate for a short while...
Dawn has to return to work soon and will be leaving the estate by the end of the week. Selinus and his team have mastered how to make the detox concoction, and the kitchen has adapted a new menu around my condition. No one else has much of a reaction; it seems like this was discussed beforehand.
A sound routine has been set up for me to best heal, even without her, the Laurel family could manage Amelia condition without a hitch. I expected that this would come sooner or later but...
" It is just a short while for work, I will be heading to the magic tower with Amber before finishing a few... delayed contracts. I have been postponing things for a while, so it's nigh time to return before paperwork starts to touch the ceiling." Dawn sighs in despair; her face grows a bit pale at the thought of the towering pile of papers in her office.
She rested her head on her hand, the white lacy gloves highlighting the deep eye bags under her eyes. For the past month, she has been running up and about all over the place at the wish of the family. If anything, I feel rather guilty for keeping her here for this long.
Dawn does work as a merchant after all, in the business where time is money, she spends a whole month away from it. It is a surprise they haven't even fired her yet.
" I'll miss you so much~ Amber~ You have her com, right? You have to bring me along if you are gonna call her, alright?"
" Hehe, will you miss me, or will you miss my dessert, Darling?" she teased
" Of course both. You are the greatest treat in my eyes."
" ...Wow, you barely act like this to your own sibling, and here you are sticking like honey on her hand." Amber complained, the teaspoon in her cup tapping impatiently against the rim.
" Huhhhh, it is not my fault she likes me better than you. Bleh..."
" You brat..."
" Ahhh!"
Amber chased me around the terrace, she clearly slowed her speed as we run circle around the little tea party.
" Do you have a ride yet? Our squad coincidentally has a carriage heading your way that day, if you don't mind, you could use it with me." Olivia said, her elegant words hid the intention of swooping Dawn away under the other two's nose.
Her rose-like bearing mirrors her mother, yet her might with schemes is on par with her father.
" Oh. I shouldn't bother the Royal Knights while they are on duty, plus my assistant has already prepared my transport for that day. If anything, feel free to visit me at my office if you ever need anything, or just feel like visiting. Guests are always welcome."
Olivia nods, satisfied with the answer.
" Then for now, please take this gift. "
" It is a little something the family wants you to have as a gift of appreciation for your tireless effort." She pushed over a plush box, and her handmaiden flipped open the case.
" Hmm..."
Dawn let out a noise, her expression unchanging. The Duchess and Olivia pretend they aren't glancing at her, gauging her reaction. Seeing as Amber has stopped chasing me, I stop to sneak a look.
There are some jewelry pieces laid at the top, but there is a dip in the middle with some kind of item buried there.
With a smooth motion, she slipped the box closed before I could peek in there. At the same time, Amber successfully snatched me off my feet, lifting me up in her arms as she ran into the hedge maze with me on her shoulder.
" I... appreciate the sentiment, but this is not something I am willing to receive. Such gracious... chances should be saved for someone else who desires it." Her fingers trace the fine details of the box, her mouth speaks regret, yet no hesitation can be seen on her face.
" Your heart, I will receive, but it is best I reject this gift."
" Very well, I won't push it." The Duchess waved her hand, and the box was quickly taken away by her handmaidens.
Seeing this as a sign, the other maids also spaced themselves away, turning their attention to the two screaming in the maze instead.
" ...How long can that concoction of yours work for?" Without any more prying ears, the Duchess finally asked, her tone dimmed several degrees. Olivia kept silent, pouring more tea into the cups.
" I'm afraid she can only take it for 3 more months before another solution is needed. For now, skimming the problem is all we can do because the poison is so volatile. The best move forward is to extract them directly by opening her up with the help of professional doctors and healers for an extensive operation. Although the blend can slowly do the same thing, in respect of Amelia's wish, I still reckon the family pushes forth with my recommendation." Her advice skimmed across ripples in the cup, a certain somberness carried in her voice.
" With any other person, following the long path is optimal for them. But your family and... the child are a special case, your constitution is a mixture of mana and divine blessing, it resists strongly to both toxins and medicines. Even if it is working well now, it could slowly lose its effects over time or null its effect completely, given the consistent dosage."
" The last thing I would doubt is the Laurel's capabilities in connection, so I won't pry any further than I already have. I neither need you to trust me nor entrust me with everything."
" Her major organs were lucky to still function even below normal means; these physical reconstruction operations must happen in the next 3-5 years if yo-... the family wishes for no further complication. What Selinus and I have set up so far is time pockets that will allow you to best prepare her for what might come."
"..."
" I see... I will have Selinus bring up a plan of action further down the line. I'll be sure to send you a copy." The Duchess finally let out a breath as if a weight had dropped, a tiredness that had stretched on for months on end had lightened a bit.
Her gaze trailed over to her daughters, all grown and beautiful, taking after her more than their ridiculous father.
A drop of lingering regret hidden deep beneath her eyes reflected in Olivia's.
Noting her mother's silence, Olivia takes Dawn's hand in between hers, a rustling feeling rests in their palms.
"..."
" I insist."
Dawn slid the note in her bag with a sigh.
They exchange a few rounds of tea in silence before the loud duo finally free themselves from the hedge maze.
" Dumba**, how did you manage to lose your way so quickly!"
" Said the one who called 'left and right' as 'up and down'. What kind of navigator are you!?"
The bickering continued until they sent me back to my room. One maze running fiesta and I feel like tumbling butt cheek, minutes away from just take the floor as comfort and lay there for the day.
I crash onto the bed like a depressing sack of potatoes and instantly fall dead asleep.
* hours later*
I was ripped from rest once again to crawl to the training field, where I once again repeated the motion of 'trying my best with this sh*tty body' for hours on end.
However, I was better prepared this time and took a multitude of breaks in between. That magical slice of cake from Dawn really does wonder, the only downside is that sometimes during the 8-hour duration, I get a wicked crash and end up at the knight's mess hall once again to replenish energy and have dinner.
This will definitely keep happening for a long time. Might as well make the most of it and curry good favor with everyone here to sneak bites of good food.
Although I can't say it has been any notable success, my stats are rising steadily, and the poison concentrate is lowering slowly.
This world is definitely much... warmer(in an emotional sense) than my previous ones, but impending war is definitely too scorching for me. As a strong advocate of world peace, I beg the god to hear my prayer and... not let it happen.
Too tall an order, I guess.
No matter, for the goal ahead, I shall walk this path in Amelia's stead for the time being.
To... the library.
Though they don't have any official titles, the Laurel's library does contain the largest number of ancient documents known to mankind, the books from before were...hard, but that doesn't mean I didn't get anything from it.
My memory might not be the best, but I have developed a sort of reaction to learning these things.
I can remember the book it comes from. Not the name of the book, the chapter name, or the contents.
...At least I can flip back at them.
Adraine had come beforehand to prep my nightly study session, and of course, I found Dawn on the way and brought her with me.
The three of us spread papers everywhere on the table and floor, and went through every kind of topic imaginable. Learning and practicing a bit of everything. I can even circulate mana relatively smoothly under the guidance of Dawn.
We even snuck into the kitchen and baked some ground-dwelling root vegetable that is definitely a sweet potato incarnate with more... eyes in a literal sense under the watchful gaze of the head chef.
...Still tastes good tho, minus the eyes.
It had hit way past midnight by the time both handmaiden and lady fell asleep on the very notes they had written.
" I look away for 2 minutes, and the two of you are already in dreamland." Dawn wraps both of them in blankets and leans them next to each other on the long armchair.
All the messy notes were quickly sorted into piles, and the stray books were returned to their place on the shelf as she did a quick sweep through and wiped the table.
Looking at the dreaming sheep on the couch, she couldn't help but chuckle.
With her tall stature, she easily carries one person in each arm and brings us both back to our own room. The passing servants could help but smile endearingly and assist Dawn through her main obstacle- the door. Surprisingly, the Duchess seems to have been waiting in Amelia's room.
After tucking in her daughter, she let the other servants take Adraine back to her quarters first.
" The Duke will return briefly in two days to discuss the details of Amelia's condition with me and Selinus. I reckon you ought to participate in this discussion as well."
" Me?"
It is a reasonable assumption that the Laurel family will no longer involve outsiders in a discussion of a family member's private afair; she was the one that provide them with a lead on the solution. Dawn just didn't expect she would actually get a say in what would happen.
" Selinus and my daughters had vouched for your credibility ages ago. Only a fool would bypass a golden chance such as this over personal doubt. I believe in my children, and I will not ignore a talented scholar's advice. And thus far, you have proven your capabilities to this family no fewer than dozens of times." Her blood red eyes peer into Dawn's heart.
A pure child with a sweet desire.
" Thank you... Madam."
Letting the silence settle, Andrea could see the girl's ear tip trying to cool down.
" If it's not much of a bother, may I make a request to you?"