The countess wants me?

"Sir, The Countess wants you, for a reason untold." a guard tells me, leaving the door, leaving me to shut it. What could the Countess want from me? Any new information on the plague...? Nonetheless, I go to collect my satchel and get dressed into my uniform-- putting on my medical mask, and bird mask, letting others know I'm a doctor, if any people needed any help. Preparing to leave, I check if I brought everything needed, satisfied, I put a protection spell on my home, and leave.

The marketplace has lost its spark ever since the effects of the plague overwhelmed the city. Some merchants wave at me, somehow recognizing me. I guess it's my purple hair. I wave back at them, continuing my journey. Its sad... you can count how much people are out now, when before I would get lost in the crowd...
"Hey!", I hear the person I bumped into say someone say.
"Oh excuse me, I didn't mean to bump into you.."
It's Lucio? What's he doing here... He should be sleeping.
Lucio: "AliLi! It's fine, but you should watch where you're going. You going to the palace right?"
"Uhhh yes, How did you-" Before I can finish my question, he grabs my hand, and runs.
Lucio: " I know some shortcuts, I'll take you there myself!"
Now where running through alleyways, and around people. Lucio occasionally shouting 'excuse me, count here', we somehow make it to the bridge of the palace without a scratch.
Lucio: "Tadaa~ Now that was fast, wasn't it"
"Oh yes it was. Thank you! I appreciate it!"
He grins with pride, and we make our we to the gates. The guards seem to notice me, smiling as the open the gates for us. I thank them, and we make our way through the halls.
"Count, you're still grabbing my arm"
He lets go as soon as he hears me say this, avoiding my gaze, pouting.
Lucio: "AliLi, Can you call me Lucio more"
I... didn't realize he liked being called his name so much...
"Lucio... Go back to your chambers, your supposed to be sleeping"
Lucio: "I-"
"Doctor's orders~" I say teasing him. He should listen now?
Lucio: "Star... I- You don't know where Noddy is right?!" he grins, trying to convince me to let him stay.
"I've got magic, I'll find her fine on my own."
He just pouts again, staying by my side, looking up at me with hope.
"Fine" I sigh. "You can join me but as soon as I'm done talking to the Countess, you're going to bed.. okay?"
He nods, quite happily.
Lucio: "Thanks Star! See, Jules would never let me not sleep... He'd do whatever he can to get rid of me"
I nod, i didn't realize he didn't like the Count that much, or maybe just his company...

We reach the Countess's bedroom, and Lucio barges into the room... without knocking.
Lucio: "Noddy! We're here~"
Nadia: "Oh! Lucio..." He expression softens when she sees me "Alistar."
"Countess, you wanted me?" I take my bird mask off, showing off more of my face.
Nadia: "As you know, Lucio-", she says before getting interrupted by Lucio
Lucio: "I'm hosting a masquerade remember!"
"Ahh yes, I remember; it's all you, and others, ever talk about"
Nadia: "Well... We need a powerful magician. And since you fit the description... you would be of big help."
"You... you're not telling me to do magic tricks are you..."
Nadia: "No, no-"
Lucio: "Noddy! I wanted him to do those tricks!"
Nadia: "You want him to find a cure, do you not?"
He sighs giving in, 'fine'. The Countess takes a deep breath, regaining her lost patience.
Nadia: "Well, I was thinking. You could ask some guests of their symptoms so far, and how long they've had it for. And with your skill, you can try finding a cure with your magic? Would that help your research?"
"Oh! Yes! Yes, it would, thank you Countess"
She smiles, "There's no need to thank me. I want the plague gone as soon as you do"
I leave the room, waving her good bye.
"Lucio, Since you weren't in bed for all this, I'm making you that tea."
He instantly groans "Awww come on, you could've told me you were going to make that tea..."
I chuckle to myself, "It'll be fine~ Now come, if you get to bed quickly, I wont make the tea. How's that sound?"
He widely grins, quickening his pace, "It sounds good". I highly doubt he'll fall asleep that quickly though...

We're now at his chambers. Once inside, he gets to bed, watching me leave the room. I make my way to the kitchen-- gathering the right herbs, saying hi to some of the cooks, brewing the tea, and finally pouring the golden liquid into a cup. Waving the cooks goodbye, I go back to his chambers.
Knocking on the door, with a declaration of who i am, I hear him shout come in... not in the direction of his bed, tho i hear scrambling. I open the door to him trying to get back in bed.
"Lucio..."
He awkwardly smiles, "Alistar... I didn't think you'd get here so quick"
"You're drinking every last drop of this tea"
He lets out an overly exaggerated groan; trys to get comfortable in bed but struggles. I place the mug on his drawer, taking his blanket from him. He sits in bed, and I place the blanket on him.
"Here's your tea~"
He takes it with a sour expression, drinking the tea slowly.
"The longer you take, the longer you'll have to taste it for" I say, sitting on the bed; Though he still drinks slowly. Once he finally finishes it, looking at me with an indescribable expression.
Lucio: "Why are you still here?"
"I- Oh! Uhh... excuse me, I'll be on my way now"
He looks at me like I'm crazy, "No! That's not what i mean" he grabs at my clothes.
Lucio: "It's just that... Jules would've left as soon as he got the chance... So why did you stay"
"Oh... Well I guess I'm just... worried? You do have the plague... And I'm making sure you actually sleep!"
Lucio: "You can leave now..."
"hehehe, Wasn't pleased with my answer? I've gotta leave you to sleep anyway. Goodnight, Lucio"
"Goodnight"
I gently shut the door, as to not disturb him and make my way to the library. I might as well, since I'm already here. I should be able to find out more...