(This chapter is from Lona's point of view.)
I held the body of the young Miss close to my chest. I could feel my heart racing and beating in my throat. I urged the carriage driver to go faster but I knew he was already pushing the horses as best as he could.
I have never been in such a situation. All I could think to do was race home and have a doctor meet me. I held the young miss closer.
Usually she would be crying and complaining if we were riding in a carriage. Yet, now she is so still it's frightening.
Why didn't she tell me she felt sick?!
No. It's my own fault for not noticing. I should have paid more attention. Why didn't I pay closer attention?
Several tears rolled down my face as my breathing became more shallow. We have to get back quickly.
I shouted to the driver, "How close are we?!"
He shouted back at me, "We are almost there!"
I heard Seri whimper in my arms and I started to rub her back, "It's alright. We are almost home."
When we pulled up, I didn't even wait for the carriage to fully stop. I flung open the door and jumped out. I ran as quickly as I could inside and started shouting down the hall, "Lord Kane! Lord Kane!"
He came out of his office with a scowl, "Lona, what is the matter? I am doing my work right now."
"It's the young Miss!"
He looked down and his face went white. "W-what happened?"
I shook my head, "I will explain later Lord Kane. I asked Queen Luna to send over a doctor so hopefully he will appear soon. For now we need to get her in bed and get cold water to wash her off with."
He nodded still in shock, "I will tell the maids."
I ran upstairs and gently laid her down. I noticed she was already sweating through her clothes. I grabbed a wet rag and started drying her off. Quickly and gently, I changed her into something more breathable and comfortable.
When I saw her trembling body, I felt my breathing get faster and more shallow. I stopped myself and forced my eyes close.
If I allow myself to freak out, then she won't have anyone to help her. Lord Kane is probably on the verge of fainting. I need to make sure I'm calm for the both of them.
I took a few deep breaths and got control of myself. I saw Lord Kane and several maids walk in carrying buckets of water.
I took one and nodded at them, "Thank you."
I quickly got the rag wet and blotted her face with it. Lord Kane moved over to the other side of her bed and fell to the floor.
His voice came out as a whisper, "Lona... What will we do?"
I spoke in a reassuring tone, "It will be okay, Lord Kane. The doctor should be here soon." I looked at the other maids, "Please bring in a chair for Lord Kane."
The nodded urgently and rushed to grab one. They came back carrying the most comfortable chair they could find. The helped him onto it. He sat on it still in a daze.
The other maid brought another one, "Here, miss Lona."
I looked at them a bit surprised and nodded, "Thank you." I continued to replace the rag on her forehead while sitting.
The Madam walked in followed by a well dressed man wearing small circular glasses and carrying a briefcase.
He bowed, "I was sent here by Queen Luna."
He left the Madam's side and walked over to the bed. I stood up quickly and offered him the seat which he sat down right away.
I recognized him at once. He was the most prized doctor when it came to sickness. He was excellent at diagnosing and treating individuals back to health.
If I hadn't asked for Queen Luna to call a doctor, I'm sure we wouldn't have been able to get someone so renowned. I knew I could rely on the Queen.
I stood off to the side and the doctor began to observe her using tools from his briefcase. He spoke, "I was told that she fell into the ice a few days back."
I noticed that neither the Lord nor the Madam were answering. I spoke, "Yes, sir."
"And did you notice anything different?"
"Yes. I did notice her acting strange. She didn't have much of an appetite, but she was constantly thirsty. She also didn't allow me to get near her."
"I see. It seems she knew she was sick before you did."
My face tightened at this. I had a feeling this was the case.
He stopped using his tools and pulled out some powders. He began to mix them up quickly and skillfully, relying only on sight and touch to measure them out.
He spoke without looking, "Get me a glass of water."
Another maid quickly scurried out and brought him back a glass. He mixed the powder into it and began to force Seri into drinking it. She chugged it down graciously. He softly put her head back down.
He began to measure out more powders. I looked at him, "How is she?"
He answered quickly, "It seems as though she has pneumonia. She might have breathed in some water when she fell into the ice."
I bit my lip, "Will she be alright?"
"I can't say for sure. I haven't seen a case this severe. Usually we can treat it right away without problems. I have medicine to treat it, but whether she responds to it or not is up to her."
He finished measuring out the medication and explained how to give it to her. He put away all of his things and stood up.
"I will be back tomorrow to check in on her. If something else changes, please tell me immediately."
I smiled at him and bowed, "Thank you Doctor."
He was escorted outside by the other maid. I sat back down and held Seri's hand while softly rubbing her head. Lord Kane hung his head in his hands. The Madam bit her thumb in irritation while leaning against the door.
The Madam was a complicated woman. No one ever knew what she was thinking or why she acted the way she did. Lord Kane especially didn't understand which drove him mad.
Even now, she stood glaring at Seri while biting her thumb. She looked a bit crazed. She took her for finger out of her mouth and spoke, "Did you hear him? He doesn't know if she will make it. You stupid maid. How could you not catch this sooner?!"
I lowered my head, "I'm sorry Madam."
Lord Kane raised his head and glared at her, "Why are you blaming her?! You're her mother! You are the one who is supposed to notice! Not some maid!"
She glared back at him, "How was I supposed to notice?! You were the one telling me to keep my distance! So don't blame me because you feel guilty for not noticing!"
I looked down at Seri and noticed she was pinching her eyebrows together in pain. She started moving her head.
I spoke in a calm voice, "Enough. You are disturbing her. If you two want to fight, do it elsewhere."
The grew quiet at this. I glanced at the Madam and noticed a trace of worry behind her angry eyes. I didn't think I ever saw her look like this.
I looked up at Lord Kane, "The Madam isn't wrong. I noticed she was acting different, but I didn't think to look into it further. It was my fault she got so sick. I will accept any punishment."
I lowered my head. Eventually, I heard him sigh.
"No. It's not your fault. I'm also to blame. I thought she looked awfully pale this morning. But she was just so good at hiding it."
I looked back at the small girl who still held my hand. She really was good at acting. Even though she was sick, she managed to convince us otherwise.
She was a naughty child, but she didn't deserve this. I can't even imagine losing her. Especially after I forbid her to eat any sweets even though I know how much she loves them.
Whenever she bites into it, she smiles so brightly. It always calmed me down to see such a thing. To think I may never see that smile again...
I felt myself tremble and tightened my grip on her hand.
Why did she not tell me? Was it because I punished her too often? But I only did that because I was worried...
A child who causes this much trouble may not have a good future. She might become ostracized, unhappy, or even banished. It wasn't always her fault, but I needed to fix her behavior before it became worse.
Yet, no matter how much I tried to prevent her from trouble, trouble still found her.
However, I don't understand one thing. All of this mayhem started a year ago after the tea party. Before that, she was a quiet and shy girl who never really spoke. She was scared of everything, including her own parents.
However, it was like she changed in an instant. I didn't understand how her personality could change so drastically. Not to mention, she didn't even recognize her own family.
I had been serving her since birth and she didn't even remember me. When I told her, she opened up immediately. She was so talkative and hyper it would give me headaches. Then, she even went out of her way to get me such a thoughtful gift. It was almost as if this child wasn't the same person.
When I learned she had hit her head, it made perfect sense. She must have amnesia. When the psychiatrist was coming over to look at her, I was sure he would discover it. And yet, he didn't. He said she was a normal child.
When he was leaving, I glimpsed at her face. What I saw nearly shocked me to my core. This sweet adorable child had such a malicious and cruel smile as she watched him leave.
In that moment I realized she had fooled him purposely. If she could do that, perhaps she was playing with me too? When she acted so sweet to me, could she be manipulating me as well?
Everytime I felt the necklace I wore under my uniform, I couldn't help but keep thinking.
Is this really genuine?
I felt her squeeze my hand and instantly I was pulled out of my daze. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked at me. My heart almost lept out of my chest. Surely this means the medicine is working?
I heard her whimper, "Mama."
I was shocked to hear such words. She must be delirious to call me such things. I smiled at her, "It's alright. Your mother is over there."
I turned to motion to her and the Madam looked equally as shocked. For an entire year she didn't want to have anything to do with her, but now she was calling for her. I went to move but felt her grip onto my arm.
I looked back in surprise. She was gripping my arms so tightly with a pleading face. Her eyes were even watering.
She begged, "Mama... Mama please don't leave me... Please Mama..."
I didn't know what to do and looked up at Lord Kane. He looked worried and equally as confused. I looked back at the Madam.
She twisted her face, "Just sit. She's begging for you isn't she?"
I spoke quickly, "Madam. Please don't be insulted. She's just delirious."
"Enough. I'm not a fool."
She stormed out of the room without another word. I sat back down slowly and looked at the child who was crying for me. I laid her back down and smiled as I stroked her face, "It's alright. I'm not leaving."
She smiled back and relaxed instantly. She fell back asleep, still gripping my hand. I could feel the warmth from her hand travel to my chest.
I suppose it's all right if she's not being genuine. Perhaps, being used by this child isn't all that bad.