Bloodborn (sequel to 'Lucky 13')

Chapter 36: Vernon's deed

Third person's POV

"Are you two done preparing the body?" The doctor asked as he spotted the two nurses outside the nursery.

They shook their heads. "The Grandfather Superior told us to leave."

The doctor frowned. "Why is he in there?" Without waiting for an answer, he entered. "Quick, get me the other doctor!"

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Marianne was doing the dishes. She was looking outside, at Esmee and Emily. Esmee had taken on the role of taking care of little Emily. They had been playing in the garden ever since Catherine left them.

And Marianne smiled a bit. She recognized a lot of herself in Esmee, as she took on the role of taking care of Catherine as well back in the day. She hoped that Emily, being so young, wouldn't be too scarred by this situation.

"Ma'am?"

Marianne turned around and noticed her fellow nurses. Normally she'd smile at them but she didn't like the way they were looking. "What happened?"

"The Grandfather Superior was found dead besides our queen's hospital bed."

Marianne dropped the plate she was holding, alongside the towel, and covered her mouth.

"He doesn't appear to have been attacked so we assume he died of natural causes."

Marianne looked down, shaking her head. Suddenly the conversation she had had with Vernon, only 30 minutes earlier, meant so much more to her. What if that was his goodbye to her?

"Ma'am?" One nurse said, gaining Marianne's attention. "Do you wish to see the body?"

Marianne always thought that that was a strange question. A normal question to them, but weird for humans. "Yes," She unwrapped her work attire and followed them to the room. When she entered, she saw him laying down in a weird position. "It looks as if he fell."

The doctor cleared his throat, making Marianne look at him. He motioned to Lily's left wrist. "We believe he did it."

Marianne wasn't sure what exactly the doctor meant by that. "What is 'it'?"

The doctor sighed. "Hima wisu," He said and, when he noticed Marianne didn't understand him, he went on: "It's the 'Death wish'."

Marianne raised her eyebrows. "The 'Death wish'?"

He nodded.

Marianne sighed, realizing they wouldn't go on unless she'd ask them to. "What does that mean?"

"Oh," The doctor then took Lily's wrist again, pointing to the marks on them. "Our Grandfather Superior bit our queen, giving up his life to save our queen. That is Hima wisu."

Marianne then covered her mouth. "I didn't know that existed..."

The doctor nodded.

"So Lily's alive?"

The doctor nodded. "She's very weak though, but she'll survive," He then showed her a small smile. "Our Grandfather Superior had a lot of power inside him, it'll strengthen our queen quickly."

Marianne let out a sigh, a content sigh. She felt so relieved that Lily would be alright, but she felt so bad, so guilty about not paying attention to Vernon.

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"Catherine," Marianne said, entering her office at home. Upon entering, she spotted Esmee, who was clearly comforting Catherine. Marianne went to sit down in front of them and reached for Catherine's hands. "Something happened, dear."

Esmee looked from her mother to Catherine, immediately reaching for her hands too so now, all of their hands were joined.

Catherine looked at Marianne, her heart already started beating faster. She feared for the worst, she feared for even worse news. Though, she couldn't imagine what could possibly be worse than losing her one true love.

Marianne couldn't help but show a small smile, she didn't want it though as she felt that it was disrespectful towards Vernon. "Your father - "

"Don't talk about him," Catherine pulled her hands back, folding her arms. "He ruined my life yet again!"

"Catherine, dear," Marianne got a hold of Catherine's hands once again. "He did Hima wisu." Marianne wasn't sure if Esmee and Catherine would know what that was but, upon seeing their faces change, she knew they knew what that meant.

"H-He did what?" Catherine asked, seemingly shocked.

Marianne gulped. "He gave up his life to save Lily," Marianne then squeezed Catherine's hands a bit. "She'll be fine."

Esmee immediately smiled at Catherine and expected her to smile too, but both she and Marianne were surprised to see that Catherine wasn't that excited.

"I thought you'd be happy." Marianne said carefully.

"I am," Catherine once again pulled her hands back. "I am super happy to have Lily back," She sighed and looked down. "I just..."

"Your father?" Marianne asked to which Catherine nodded. "I know," She paused before adding: "I feel the same way."

"He probably saw that Lily was needed more?" Esmee asked, but didn't seem sure whether or not she could say that.

Catherine kept looking down.

"He spoke to me," Marianne said to which Catherine looked at her. "About 30 minutes before he did Hima wisu."

"What did he say?" Catherine seemed very interested in her father suddenly. 

"He spoke from his heart, I believe," Marianne made sure to keep looking Catherine in the eyes as she felt that she needed to hear that. "He was sorry for what he did to your mother, he talked about all the things he wanted in his life with her."

Catherine looked down, shaking her head.

"He loved her more than life itself," Marianne said, which made Catherine look up again. "He wanted to be with her again, I believe. And so he reunited with your mother by reuniting you with Lily."

Esmee smiled a bit. "That sounds romantic, in a way."

"Noble," Marianne nodded. "He did the right thing."

Catherine sighed before getting up. "I'm going to my wife," She then smiled at Esmee and Marianne. "I love you two."

Marianne and Esmee smiled but were also surprised to hear this, as this was the first time since Lilian's death they had heard Catherine say this to them. "We love you too." Marianne said to which Esmee nodded in agreement.

Catherine smiled before walking away.

Esmee looked at her mother. And then she noticed her mom being upset. "Hey, is everything alright?"

Marianne smiled a bit and nodded. "Yeah," She wiped her tears away. "I'm so happy and relieved that Lily is back," She looked down, shaking her head. "But I hate that Vernon thought he had to die to make his daughter happy."

Esmee wrapped her arm around her mother. "It's like you said, mom," She started, making Marianne look at her. "He wanted to be with Lilian again, and now he is."

Marianne slowly nodded. "I hope they're happy together."

"I know they are," Esmee showed her mom a small smile. "After all, they're made for each other."

"Yeah," Marianne smiled before looking away, to nothing in particular. "They are."

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Hey everyone

So Vernon died to save Lily. 
Vernon's death can be explained through the Superior's downfall, I wonder if you can understand what that is with this scenario.

I look forward to hearing about it :)

- LxT4ever