Delphinium, or A Necromancer's Home (TCoLaD Book 2)

Clinic

~ Trisday, 19th of Maius, 11831~

"Mix a flat teaspoon into a hot drink twice a day, once with breakfast and a second time before bed," Lizzy said, holding up a packet of medicine and herbs. "You'll begin to feel better after the second day, but keep drinking until you finish the packet. It is still morning, so take the first dose when you get home."

"Oui, mademoiselle, thank you, I will." The patient accepted the mix of medicine, looking over the unmarked packet. He shook it to see how much was in it. "And if I have any more questions?"

"Then please come by at any time. Just say you are here for the clinic."

The man, who had a sore throat, headaches, and chills for a couple of days (though felt much better just being near Elizabeth) got off of the examination table. He fidgeted with a few askew buttons on his collar—Lizzy had had to listen to his lungs and he had been appalled that a lady would see him without a shirt, but Vivien had been busy, and Lizzy would not take no for an answer. In his haste to return to modesty, several buttons were in the wrong hole.

"Thank you again, my lady. And do I need to pay for the medicine?"

"No, monsieur, the herbs come from our garden. I suppose your taxes are paying for it in that way, but at the moment—non. His Grace is offering his services and medicines free of charge." Relief washed over his face, and he thanked her again before leaving.

Lizzy smiled and moved over to the cleansing station of the room, pushing up her white sleeves so she could wash her hands and be ready for another patient. Nearby, Salome helped to take out the dirty leftover water, and a servant brought more packets of herbs that Wolfram and Pierre had made that morning for common ills.

The north-eastern wing had been remade into a clinic over the past several days. Valentin and Nina helped to spread the word of its upcoming existence, and Pierre sent two of the château's carriages to the hospital to bring in extra patients. At first there had been only a few people coming in, most sent from the hospital without being aware where they were going, but good word spread, and curiosity even faster.

Pierre, Vivien, Elizabeth, and Wolfram had planned to each take shifts being in or near the clinic to provide help, but currently there needed to be at least two of them there at a time to keep up with demand. Salome and Maiolaine, and her children, helped alone at first until some servants decided to do their duty and assist the duc. Bastien and Eliana had run off to play after, but Apolla insisted on staying to help the last two days, even without her siblings. She had told Elizabeth that she, too, wanted to be a nurse when she was older, even if she did not have her father's magic.

There was a hush, and then a rapid murmuring behind her. Lizzy looked up quickly, expecting to see a wounded patient, but sighed as it was only Pierre and Aimé coming into the room. Her beloved wore a solid black suit with matching black gloves, the attire his choice of doctor's robes, and prince Aimé was rather informally dressed. As one would be to see a doctor and need to be closely examined.

"I insist," Aimé was saying. "It is already a shame that I was not your first patient upon completing your degree. At the very least, you can give me a once-over and tell me what's wrong with me."

"Nothing is wrong with you," Pierre replied, leading his brother to an examination table. "You merely refuse my diagnosis of health and want to endorse the clinic by coming here." Aimé chose his moment to cough harshly, and to Lizzy's ears, it sounded exaggerated and false. The grin that the prince wore was not helping in his insistence that he was truly ill.

She moved to go help Pierre deal with Aimé, but the doors opened up again and more patients took her attention. Valentin and Nina, talking loudly to each other even as he held the door for her and kept an arm around her waist, came in without breaking stride in their argument. She was allowing him to lead her in, even if the words she spoke were insistent that she was fine and they should return home.