Une Nouvelle Ère [Book 2]

XIV

Moments later, Dr. Clarkson—alongside Robert, Cora, Mary, and Edith—have arrived from Downton, thanks to Mr. Jenkins. The doctor immediately rushed to the Viscount's room, where he both saw Rosamund and Alex.

"Thank goodness for arriving as fast as you can, Doctor." Rosamund said.

"Not at all, Lady Rosamund." the doctor replied "I will do a series of check-ups to Lord Downton before we can determine what happened to him."

"Should we wait outside the room, Doctor?"

"It would be better if you would, yes."

As Rosamund headed out of the room, they were waiting for her by the door, extreme worry painted all over their faces.

"How is he?" Robert inquired.

"Doctor Clarkson's already checking on him." Rosamund replied.

"But how long has been like that?" Mary then asked.

"I just only noticed it this morning. But other than that, he didn't really show any signs, all other than being always tired and barely eating dinner once he arrives home."

"I just hope it nothing more worse, and that he only needs a lot of rest and food to help him feel better." Edith said, which was all agreed in unison by the rest of the family.

Moments later, the family was still waiting at the downstairs library when Dr. Clarkson had finally gone to face them once again.

"Doctor, please do tell us what happen to Alex?" Robert immediately said as soon as he stood up.

"I am afraid that Lord Downton has pneumonia." Dr. Clarkson then said "But luckily for him, it is only the common viral pneumonia, and not the rather deadly bacterial version of it."

Sighs of relief and smiles echoed across the room.

"Does he need to intake any medicines?" Cora then inquired.

"As for now Lady Grantham, I only prescribed him with antiviral medicines that he needs to take every after meal for the next two weeks. But what is more important is that he is in dire need of rest and food to eventually gain energy for his body."

"I suppose that it is many school activities that made him tire him too much." Mary said "He does more things than we all do."

"That would most likely be the cause of it, milady." the doctor agreed "That, and his rather many injuries, that if I recall correctly, is what he get from his rugby practices and matches."

"He sure does have a very active academic life." Robert sighs tiredly.

"How is he doing now, Doctor?" Rosamund then followed up.

"He is asleep now, still shaking a bit due to his chills. But I did advise him beforehand to take the first of his medicine after he eating his meal."

The family then thanked the doctor for all his help, all before he and Robert went back to Downton, since all the ladies volunteered to stay and watch over Alex while he recovers.

***

It was already afternoon when Alex slowly wakes up. He was not used to waking up in the afternoons, especially during school days. He needs to do his papers, his needs to make his other proj—

Oh.

Right.

He almost forgot that he is terribly ill, or in that he last remember of Dr. Clarkson: pneumonia.

But what is even more surprising, is that his mother was asleep beside him by the side of his bed, holding his hand and still in her day attire.

"Mama..." he said weakly, gently rubbing his mother's hand to wake her up. Cora immediately got up from her nap, and saw Alex's small smile.