Defying Fates

Chapter 4: How to Ride Through A Cold

The day after I snuck out of the castle (To our relief, we made it back before Stahl's shift ended and didn't get caught), I honestly felt like I got hit by a pegasus or something. And by the gods- I hated days like these. I spent the entire morning in my room, only groaning out incoherent answers to Floria when she checked up on me. I was lucky I didn't throw up... yet. I did not want to deal with anything or anyone- especially when it came to food. The very thought of something on my tongue made my stomach jump to its death.

Metaphorically speaking, of course.

I nearly cried when my physician barged in without knocking. Floria probably sent him up the moment he arrived. I could never thank both Grima and Naga enough for blessing me with this man. He was the only legal, well-trained, and well-versed physician in this country that would treat a Plegian like me.

"Uuugghh, Grima above make it stop- pleaaasse," I muttered, but it sounded more of a crappy, muddled whining. I buried my face into my pillow and let a dumb whimper. I couldn't help it since I felt uncomfortably warm and freezing cold at the same time, a splitting headache, and my joints were so damn sore- I didn't want to move at all. I felt a hand pat my hair for a moment.

"I'm not any god, but I have something that will ease it," said a voice behind me. I unburied my face to look at my physician. The black-haired man stood in front of me, holding a vial of clear liquid in his callous hands. I knew for a fact that the vial did not contain water. He placed a hand on my forehead and immediately frowned, "Tell me exactly how you feel."

"Great." Oh sarcasm, my best friend.

My physician, Yuriel, narrowed his eagle-like eyes, "Robin."

"Moving hurts," I elaborated, trying not to move my arms. I laid on my stomach, but to be honest, it wasn't a very comfortable position to be in at the moment. I screwed my eyes shut, "My head's a terror- and- an-"

I broke off to cough pathetically into my pillow for a few seconds before grinding out the rest of my answer, "and everything huuuuurts."

"'Everything' is too vague for me to decipher, child," Yuriel said with even tone. I felt his hands ease me to my back and sit me up. I only hissed at the flaring knives that seemed to stab at me at the movement. The world spun as I leaned heavily against him, resisting the urge to throw up. If it were anyone else, I'd be embarrassed to rely on someone so heavily. (The royal family and Frederick did not count, thanks)

"Here- it's either you take this yourself or I'll have to force it down your throat." Yuriel placed the uncorked vial in my hand and urged me to take it. Obviously, he didn't want to act on his second choice. To be honest, I didn't want him to either. He always preferred that I took things myself for safety reasons- well, I thought it was. I steeled myself and took it all in one swing.

"By the- it tastes disgusting!" I choked and tried hard not to gag at the horrendous aftertaste. I failed miserably as I fell into a burning coughing fit. My physician patted my back in attempt to ease it.

"Fuuuuuu-gh-"

"You know what they say, 'the bitter the medicine, the better it works."

"I don't - *cough* - a-gree! Fu-"

"Language."

I wanted to cry.

I wanted to throw it back up and never take it again. It certainly wasn't the first time, but it was just - terrible. I couldn't even begin to explain what it tasted like because I had nothing as disgusting to compare it with.

At least I took it in one go.

A cup of water was pushed to my hands and I hastily sipped several mouthfuls. It was hard to hold the cup with my trembling hands, even with my physician's steady grip helping me. Small coughs shook my body as I rested against Yuriel for a moment longer. The damn pain wouldn't go away and it was too troublesome to move.