EMBRACE || a violet evergarden fanfic #1

XII

Gilbert Bougainvillea's POV

As soon as we arrived back at the mansion, Akashi and I were personally greeted by the butler. He executed a low bow when I dismounted from my horse, and skipped up the steps of the entrance,

"Fetch the household doctor," I told him.

He extended one arm towards the door, his figure bent over in the form of a bow still, "The doctor is already waiting in the Lady Violet's chambers, sire, alongside the Lady's maidservant." He informed me.

"Her name is Amber," Akashi spoke out, and I silenced him with a look. Akashi may be my personal guard, and have a higher rank than him in the battlefield, but under the residence, the butler still owns the upper hand around here.

Akashi clammed up, and out of the corner of my eye I noticed the two of them exchange a few glances - and those looks had spoken a thousand words. With that I could already tell the relationship between the two of them was not that good.

We made our way down the hallway to Violet's chambers in silence, and when we'd passed my brother's study, he had thrown one of the female servants out, and I frowned at the state of her. Deep bruises were formed on several areas of her arms and legs, and her uniform was nearly as crumpled and torn.

"Sire ... I-"

"Where are your manners before the master of the house?" The butler reprimanded her fiercely, "clean yourself up and head to where you're needed at once!" I watched as the female servant let out a soft whimper and scurried away, her sobs echoing in the hallway even after she'd left.

I shot a look towards the man, who, despite all of that, shook his head and let out a sigh, "I apologise for my sudden outburst, my Lord. It's been happening ever since that Lady Violet is ill." He explained.

"Are you saying the cause of my brother's turn to alcohol was Violet's doing?" My brows furrowed as the butler struggled to find better words. He was about to say something else, but Akashi silenced him with a look and said,

"Sire, the household doctor is here,"

I turned towards the direction he was gesturing to and flashed a curt nod at the doctor, who was already standing in front of Violet's chambers. Words were exchanged and tensions were raised I had not realised we had arrived before her rooms so quick.

Actions were done in silence as Akashi passed the green vial that contained the antidote to the household doctor, and it took several minutes for him to confirm that it was the cure to Violet's mysterious coma. He then started to unpack his brown briefcase, and lifted a syringe resting on one of the velvet cushions inside.

Once done, he injected the contents of the vial to her wrist, whereas the liquid would enter her veins and allow the antidote to travel and fight the poison in her body. "Her recovery may take more or less a few hours, my Lord," He explained, and started cleaning his materials, "it's best for her to reenergise afterwards, since she'd be leaving for Leidenschaftlich." He continued.

"Noted, doc," Amber spoke up.

I gave Violet a final glance before leaving her room alongside Akashi, the doctor and the butler. "You can contact me again when she's conscious. It won't take long, though," The doctor bowed.

"Thank you for everything, doc. I will have Akashi send you off," I nodded at the butler, "until next time, doc."

After another said of goodbye, the three of them scurried away, and I heaved a sharp pain of breath. My hand flew to my chest and I tightened my clutch. My free hand reached out and planted against the surface of the marble wall to support myself.

What's happening to me? I thought furiously in my head as my head started spinning uncontrollably and I was unable to recollect my footing. Within a matter of a few moments, I blacked out as soon as my head hit the carpet floor.