Kapitel 16: 1.16 Of White Lie and White Dragon
"Elevation of body temperature, headache, and fatigue. These are the symptoms father is currently showing, right?" Dr. Valentina felt dismayed but she still nodded. What the young lord listed were obvious observations. Even a kid would be able to tell. However, Dr. Valentina finds herself eating her words when the cursed child spoke again.
"However, there's more to those." Nero brought down his arm then started to walk. The two followed him, intently listening to his words. "Constant nausea, insomnia and frequent abdominal pain." He halted his steps and faced the two who froze in shock. "Father has been unwell for years, isn't he?"
"How did you?" Dr. Valentina can't help but exclaim. The full details of patients are confidential, it's a breach of rights when information were out in the open. More so when considering the duke's position. Monrell's hostility also doesn't help.
But, the cursed child has been isolated for years! Although a magical barrier was declined to be casted around the estate due to the duchess' refusal, the Lanchaster knights were not that weak and ineffective to not notice the escape of the cursed child.
Also, due to circumstances, Nero has been deprived of the Lanchaster's compulsory military training. He wouldn't be able to pass through knights that have experienced and won countless wars. So how could he have known about the long-term pain the duke has been experiencing?
A burst of questions flooded her mind. Duke Veron had sought her out years ago for pills against severe pain and persistent nausea. But again, those were separate conditions, so how were those relevant to duke's fever now?
"Doctor, why do you think Father refuses to sleep?"
"A duke's responsibility is huge, My Lord. His hectic schedule limits him so," Dr. Veronica replied. She felt like she was a student again, reciting to her professor.
"Is that all?"
Dr. Valentina was dumbfounded so she couldn't come up with an answer, even though it was just a simple yes or no. Dr. Valentina prided herself as the top student within her batch. Also, until this day, she is considered as the cream of the crop.
In this world, Dr. Valentina was the founder of pharmacy medicines. She was the one to discover solid dosages referred to as tablets. Before, people had to be administered to the clinic or hospital even if it was just a simple cough or cold. But with the advent of tablets, patients with minor sickness are able to stay in the comfort of their homes and have immediate treatment.
Now, who would have thought that someone in her league would be tongue-tied to such a simple question.
"When one is under pressure, they are subjected to tension. What do you think happens when tension is overwhelming?" Nero asked again, not minding that the previous question was left unanswered.
Dr. Valentina analyzed the situation given before answering. "The person will be unable to cope due to immense pressure." Her eyes widened as slowly the pieces where coming together. "Then they become easily agitated and moody." Oh, she thought to herself. Is this why the duke had such a reaction when the Lanchaster fell in rank?
"Indeed," Nero replied with a small smile. "That is what we call stress."
"Stress?" The assistant repeated, taking notes.
"Stress can either be good or bad. For a short term or a long one. Short terms are more of like an adrenaline, the fight or flight response. Long terms, on the other hand, are very detrimental to one's mental being."
"And no pills can cure a disturbed mind," Dr. Valentina finished his words making Nero smile. "Then, how can we help the duke?"
"That will be up to me." Nero replied and tucked a strand of his hair behind his ear. "My appearance yesterday stressed him enough to fuel a fever, so in a way, I am responsible."
Dr. Valentina was about to object but she stopped herself. Like what she had concluded, no pills can help with this type of fever. She and her assistant exchanged glances before they gave up and nodded to their agreement to the young lord.
"My Lord, how will we explain this to the duchess?" The assistant inquired.
"With a white lie." The both understood Nero's intention to not further worry his mother but the duchess was kind and will definitely trust Nero if he told the truth. Duchess Mirae is that caring and lovely. Yet even with these thoughts, the two kept mum and followed Nero's words.
As they were about to go back inside the building, a large shadow casted their space and they all looked up to see the an exquisite white dragon. The majestic creature roar's echoed. It flapped its large wings as it rounded the air for a few seconds before it changed its posture and started to charge towards their direction. Dr. Valentina and her assistant quickly evacuated the area but the young lord simply stood there and kept his eyes trained on the incoming dragon.
Just as the dragon was to hit Nero, it suddenly slowed down and softly landed on the cemented ground. Its head moved towards the young lord, its snout hitting Nero's cheek as if wanting the young lord to pet him. Nero was surprised but didn't refuse to the creature's request. While caressed, the dragon laid down and grumbled softly from time to time as it slowly closed its eyes until it fell asleep.
Nero was confused but he didn't stop rubbing the dragon's scales. Besides, the hardened skin of the creature was interesting to touch. It had a hard and smooth feel to it. Also, it was quite endearing to see a large being like it wanting to be lulled to sleep by a small human.
Near him, Dr. Valentina and the assistant were both sitting on the floor from shock. They were dumbfounded again as they stared at the scene before them. 'You nearly died, why are you so calm?!" They both screamed internally.
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
HunterLeen
HunterLeen Thank you for the kind responses! And thank you also for your patience, I had a sht ton of exams and requirements needed to be passed this month so I wasn't able to open my docs and write T_T so thanks for waiting !
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