The time of the plague

Chapter nine

Revelation pervaded the atmosphere as all three stood, struck with a lightning of perplexion and shock. Lucio viciously rubbed his eyes as he contemplated in his mind, "Am I just hallucinating from this wretched plague! This can't be true," as he gripped tightly onto Vanessa's hand. Tilde, standing right beside Vanessa, eyes agape in disbelief- desperately shook Vanessa's slumped shoulders while crying, "Vanessa, can you hear us? Are you okay?-".
Unexpectedly, Nazali bitterly pushed the dealer aside as they asserted, "Stop flooding her with questions, her head hurts as she said. Bring me some powdered aspirin immediately!". As Tilde raced to the medical stash, Nazali turned to face Vanessa while gently stroking strands of the mermaid's violet locks. Yet almost instantly, Vanessa violently turned her head away from the doctor's touch and weakly shuffled towards Lucio.
Carefully massaging Vanessa's head on his broad shoulders, he coldly remarked to Nazali, "She's clearly heard about what you and your protege did to her. Because of that she's not going to trust a doctor like you. Stay away from her!".
Still defending themselves, Nazali uttered back "I was only pulling the hair out of her face to feel her temperature. Please, Count Lucio... I'm trying to do my job. There's no harm in that!"
Pulling the heavy breathing Vanessa away from Nazali further, he hollered "Have you not heard me? I said get away from Vanessa or else! You'll have no job in my palace anyways so don't bother!"
Before Nazali prepared to respond to the Count's order, Tilde powerfully pushed them from behind as she strided with a sample of aspirin in her hands. Using the jug of water placed upon a bedside table, Tilde poured a glass and pulled out a small teaspoon to measure out the aspirin.
Nazali beckoned, "Tilde, give that for me to do- I know how much to use"
"No Nazali" Tilde mumbled as she shook her head while simultaneously concentrating on levelling out a spoonful of white aspirin powder, " How can I give it to a doctor who carelessly almost overdosed and killed a patient? Maybe Nazali- work on how to be a decent human being and then you can be the proper doctor okay?".

Nazali stood defenceless as they couldn't help but feel misunderstood. Silently, they left the room to go and finally face Julian.
Cautiously, Tilde measured the recommended amount of aspirin and carefully stirred it in the glass of water.
"Lucio, here. Could you try and help her drink this?" Tilde sofly murmured as she handed him the glass.
As Tilde gently tilted Vanessa's head, Lucio propped up her chin with his hand as he mindfully poured drops of water in her mouth.
"Careful, my darling. Keep on drinking, it will help your headache" he whispered, pouring the aspirin liquid until it had run out. Lucio handed Tilde the empty cup as Vanessa curled up into Lucio's arms as he softly ran his fingers through her hair.
Tilde sat down on the bed next to Vanessa and softly asked her "how are you feeling?"
"Everything hurts to some degree and I feel a bit cold. I have a headache but that's it really" Vanessa answered.
"Ok the aspirin should help your headache and any other pain you are in. How much of the conversation did you hear?" Tilde asked
"I heard everything and I'd rather not talk about it" Vanessa said.
"Alright that's fine you don't have to talk about it" Tilde said.
"Tilde,could you give me and Vanessa a moment," Lucio asked.
"Of course I'll be right outside just in case you need me" she said getting up and walking outside.
Lucio pulled Vanessa into his arms and wrapped her up in one of the thick fluffy blankets. "Darling, I'm so happy you're awake. I honestly didn't think you were going to. I was so worried about you" Lucio said holding her in his arms as he softly stroked her head.
"I'm sorry for worrying you darling" Vanessa said, getting comfortable in his arms.
"It's fine dear I'm just glad you're ok" Lucio said.
For a while, they sat in silence enjoying each other's embrace.
"Ow...that hurts. That shouldn't be hurting" Vanessa said, putting her hand on her chest.
"Vanessa what's wrong? what hurts?" Lucio asked, sounding really worried.
"My chest hurts really badly," Vanessa said.
"Tilde, can you come here now?" Lucio yelled out in urgency.
Tilde came running into the room and over to Vanessa "what's wrong?" she asked Vanessa.
"My chest hurts really badly and it's getting harder to breathe" Vanesaa gasped.
"Ok, stay here. I'll be right back" Tilde said running off to go get something to help Vanessa. She soon came running back into the room with something to help Vanessa.
"Drink this, it should help'' Tilde said uncorking the bottle and handing it to Vanessa to drink. Vanessa took the bottle and drank it. Not long after she drank it her chest pain went away and it was easier for her to breathe.

Tilde picked up the jar that held the aspirin in it and saw that the label was peeling off. She peeled the label off and saw that the label underneath, written 'COCAINE'. Her heart dropped to her feet as she began frantically rubbing her forehead in panic.
"What is it Tilde, you look like you've seen a ghost?" Lucio asked as he realised Tilde's flustered movements..
"My Count, someone's tampered with the aspirin jar. It was labelled as aspirin but it really was cocaine. I don't know how this happened Count, I was sure- '' Tilde said apologetically but was heckled by Lucio's frantic voice.
"Now you as well! What doctors have I hired in my wing? How much did you put Tilde?"
"I don't know sir, I never meant to. I thought it was aspirin..." Tilde stammered.
"HOW MUCH DID YOU PUT!" Lucio boomed in intimidation as Tilde quivered, close to tears. However, a firm tap hit against Lucio's arm as he looked down to see Vanessa shake her head weakly.
"Don't shout at her Lucio" she croaked, "It clearly was an honest mistake and she shouldn't be the one responsible for the labelling mishap. At least she tried to help unlike Julian and Nazali who should be doing this themselves,". Suddenly, she began to violently cough as splatters of blood flecked her hand.
Tilde alarmed, "I'm so sorry Vanessa, let me get Portia to get you some vanilla chai tea to soothe your throat". As the dealer raised up from her chair to go and find Portia, Vanessa's tottering hand forcefully pushed her down.
"Please don't leave me Tilde," Vanessa rasped as she looked at her in pain.
Feeling sympathy and regret, Tilde comforted her while stroking her hand, "Of course, I'll always be by your side Vanessa,". Slowly she swivelled her head and beckoned to a nearby servant, " Clarette, could you find Portia and ask her to make a piping hot vanilla chai for Vanessa. Bring it down here immediately once she makes it,". The servant nodded obediently as she rushed out the room to find Portia.