The time of the plague

chapter 2

The next day, Julian was waiting in the market for Vanesa. They agreed to meet at the market at around ten in the morning but when Vanessa didn't show up he started to get worried which led to him going to the shop to see if she was ok. Julian tried the door to the shop but found it was locked so his next great idea was to climb through an open window. Once he was inside he looked around the first floor for Vanessa but didn't see any sign of her so he walked upstairs cautiously. Once he had gotten up there he found Vanessa in a blanket burrito. Julian walked over to her and sat beside her on the bed as he reached out and placed his hand against her forehead.

Vanessa woke up just as Julian placed his hand on her forehead. "Hey Ness, are you alright? You don't normally make yourself into a burrito like this unless something has happened to make you upset" Julian asked as he moved his hand to brush her hair out of her face. "no I'm not ok. Asra tried to get me to leave with him but he wouldn't tell me why and we had a huge argument about it and then he ended up leaving" Vanessa explained as she teared up. "Oh darling come here" Julian said, opening his arms out to Vanessa.
Vanessa sat up and curled up into Julian's arms as she broke down crying. Julian ran his fingers through her hair as he rubbed her back with his other hand whilst he whispered comforting things to her.
"I just don't understand how he could leave like that especially after everything he did for me. He taught me your language, your culture and things that humans do that mer don't. How could he just walk out like that?" Vanessa said, still crying.
"I know, the thing is people do stupid shit when they are angry but he shouldn't have left or tried to make you leave especially after what happened for you to end up here in the first place" Julian said, still holding her close to him.

Not long after this there was a sharp knock at the front door.
"I'll go get it" Julian said, getting up and going downstairs.
He opened the door and was surprised to see Nadia there but let her in anyways.
"Countess, what are you doing here?" He asked, looking worried.
"Well Doctor Devorak, I've been looking for you as Count Lucio has fallen ill and he has specifically asked for you to come up to the palace and take care of him" She explained looking solemn.
"Oh ok, I'll come to the palace then but can Vanessa come up to the palace as well not to be my apprentice- I just don't want her to be here on her own" Julian said.
"Of course, she can come up to the palace. I'm sure we can find something for her to do" Nadia said before departing.

Julian walked upstairs and sat next to Vanessa.
"Hey Ness I'm going to the palace to work there because Lucio has fallen ill and has specifically asked for me. Would you like to come up to the palace with me or stay here?" Julian asked softly.
"I'll go with you as I don't want to stay here" she answered.
"Ok, get ready. I'll be waiting downstairs for you ok." Julian said getting up and going downstairs to wait for Vanessa.

Vanessa got up and started to pack a couple of bags to take with her to the palace. In these bags she packed clothes, shoes, blankets, pillows and some things for Mischief. She walked downstairs carrying the bags. Mischief flew down after her and settled down on her shoulder.
"You ready to go?" Julian asked, reaching out and taking one of the bags from her.
"Yeah I am," she said, opening the door, letting Julian leave first. She followed behind him stopping to close, lock and put protections on the door.
Julian held his hand out for Vanessa to take as they walked to the palace side by side.
"Hey Vanessa, how about we get some pastries whilst we are here?" Julian asked.
"Sure" Vanessa said.
Julian walked over to the baker and asked for the pastries then paid for them.
"Here" Julian said, passing one to Vanessa as he started to eat his.
"Thanks" Vanessa said, as she started to eat hers as they made their way to the palace.

Once they got to the palace, they were greeted by Nadia.
"Vanessa, Julian, it's great to see you both, how is everything going?" Nadia asked.
"Well it's going as well as it can when you are dealing with plague patients" Julian said.
"Somewhat terribly" Vanessa mumbled.
Nadia nodded before directing Julian to Lucio's wing.  She took Vanessa's hand and said "how about we go for a walk in the gardens?"
"Yeah that sounds good"  Vanessa said looking up at Nadia.
"Come on then" Nadia said, starting to lead Vanessa to the gardens. As they started to walk to the gardens, a servant took Vanessa's bag to her room for her.

As they walked through the gardens, Nadia told Vanessa about the flowers and why they were added to the garden. Soon they decided to sit by the fountain. Nadia left for a second to get a servant to bring them some tea and pastries. Whilst Nadia was away, Mercedes and Melchior went over to Vanessa and sat with her. She pet the both of them as she zoned out a bit- thinking back to the argument she had with Asra.

Nadia returned and said "oh I see, the dogs have decided to join us" as she sat back down.
Vanessa looked over at her an nodded.
Nadia gave both the dogs a head pat as she said "the servant will bring our tea and snack here. They won't be long"
Vanessa nodded in acknowledgement to what Nadia said.
Soon the servant returned with their tea and snacks. They placed the tray down and bowed before leaving.
Nadia poured the tea for them before picking hers up and starting to sip at it.
Vanessa picked her cup of tea and blew on it before taking a sip. "So Nadia since I'll be staying here for the foreseeable future is there anything I can do to help?" She asked, placing the cup down, picking up a pastry and taking a bite.
"Oh no dear, you don't have to do anything to help. The only thing you have to do here is rest here, alright" Nadia said, putting her teacup down.
"Ok, I'll rest then, Nadia, Julian said Lucio was ill. Do you know when he fell ill? Is it just a normal illness or is it the plague?" Vanessa asked, sounding worried.
"He fell ill a couple of days ago and we both think it's a normal illness but it could be the plague. We don't really know at this stage" Nadia said softly trying to get Vanessa to not worry too much about Lucio.
"Oh right he will be ok won't he" Vanessa asked, looking like she was about to cry.
"Of course he will darling. Julian is taking care of him he is a great doctor and will help Lucio get better" Nadia said.
Vanessa nodded.