Temporary Crown

23 | Precious time

Nesta did not wait too long. The butler had come inside the duke’s room with the doctor. The doctor was even wearing his pajamas and as his expression questioning why he was so dragged quickly out of bed. Just as he was about to question what was happening the doctor immediately saw the duke lying in bed.

In that very moment his sleepiness left his body and ran towards the master of this house. Nesta moved to give way for the doctor to check what was wrong. She step aside and watched carefully hoping that perhaps the doctor have a cure.

As the doctor begun what he needed to do, Nesta asked in whisper to the butler, “Where is Lucien?”

The butler answered. “The young master, I believe my lady is still in his bed. The news haven’t gone out to the other servants and the whole mansion is still sleeping. We, the only few here in this room knew what is happening.”

Nesta nodded, a little relief washing over her for she doesn’t know how to comfort Lucien right now if he knew. She still can’t handle herself well. She will be fine. She just need more time and assurance.

As Nesta tried to control herself, the butler of the house glanced over the lady who had gone quiet. He noticed that she had been looking to the butler not blinking at all but what he noticed the most was her hands shaking nervously.

He had been in distraught for a while now since he heard about what happened to the duke. What they need right now was a calm person who can take charge. He had called the lady for whenever the duke would give him instructions, he had specifically told him that if something happened to him, it would be best to call the mistress for the duke had trained her himself.

Right now, she was displaying the right attitude of a calm master who sees and makes decision if she sees what fits. As a servant like him, he needed to be sensitive to the needs of his master. Hence, the butler asked.

“My Lady would you like to have a tea first? You are shaking and you haven’t have any rest.”

Nesta nodded thinking that was a good idea. She needed to clear her mind after all. “Prepare a calming one. Be sure to shut the mouths of the servants until I do so. Do not wake Lucien up.”

The butler bowed. “As the lady wishes.”

--

Few minutes after the butler left, Nesta was left with two servants and the doctor inside the room of the duke. He had been checking several times now and hadn’t made any conclusions yet. Nesta was anxious wanted to ask right away but she understands that in this situation, it would be best to let the expert handle what was happening.

Heaving her breath she turned around looking for a chair near by. The two servants had sensed their mistress needs and immediately dragged the chair to the duke’s side. Nesta gave a gentle smile and words of gratitude.

“Thank you.”

The two servant nodded. As Nesta sat there, the other servant moved in order to get a shawl for the lady’s clothing was so thin and the weather outside was so cold.

“Excuse me, my lady.” the servant said the moment she draped the shawl on their mistress shoulders. At the same time, Nesta felt that her trembling stopped a little. At the same time, the heat from the fireplace gradually spread over the room making it warmer.

She never realized that she was cold before. She turned around to look at the polite and thoughtful servants. She gave a little smile before turning her eyes back to the duke and the doctor. The gratitude swelling inside of her.

Minutes later, the doctor turned and Nesta immediately stood up and walked towards him. She was the one who asked first. “How is the duke?”

The doctor looked tired but at the same time, he looked devastated. Nesta felt her mouth was dry and in her heart she was preparing herself to hear the worse news.

She wanted to deny and even think that this was a dream. However, everything was not a dream. The warm fireplace and the moving servants. There was a clock moving to the right direction and her heart beating like a drum set for war.

“I-” the doctor started. “The duke is sleeping but his condition is getting worse. I have made him drink a few potions to help him strengthen a bit. He gradually recovers but I can’t assure the lady that the duke will wake up. “ The doctor sincerely said.

Nesta suddenly felt relief washing over her as her eyes burned. This time she did not stop her tears. Her knees wobbled and as she was about to hit the carpeted floor, the servants present was able to stop her and assist her.

She understood that it was just temporary measures and that the duke was still in the verge of death but he had lengthen his time. That time was important. For someone who had turned back in time, she knew the importance of time.

It’s precious because as long as they have time, a miracle can happen.

She can beg for miracle. She can find cure.

“Thank you,” She said trying to swallow her tears and sobs. “Do you know the cause of the duke’s sickness?”

The doctor shook his head. “there were no books in the empire that describes the illness of the duke. He had contacted me before and I have been doing my best searching for possible cures. What I only know now was the effects can be slowed by potions. I have ordered those potions for the duke and have several of them. However, these are not the cure, my lady.”

Nesta nodded. “I understand.” She straightened herself. “ Go back to your room now and rest. I would be by his side. For now focus on searching to find the duke’s treatment.”

“Yes my lady” the doctor bowed.