Author's Note: Alright, back again with another chapter. I'm pleased with all the reviews on this one , it makes me smile even if you cannot see it. I'm not sure where exactly I'm going to take this but you're all along for the ride. So, another fluffy chapter for you. From reading, I get the idea that our lady's health is not the best, so I'm going to use that for a bit. Without anymore from me, please read on.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Trinity Blood.


Beauty and Power

Chapter 03: Sickness and Pain

Caterina wished that she could leave the prison of her room. Sister Kate demanded that she stay in bed until someone could look at her.

Alessandro had left to call someone for his older half sister. He had done this before waking her up.

"B-but you're running a fever," he told her quietly. He thought she was upset with him. Caterina wasn't but there was so much work that had to be done. She could not take a day off.

"I can't take a day off work."

"B-but sister," he said.

"Alec, I'm sorry. I'll let someone see me," she consented. She knew he would worry himself sick.

"O-okay. He's the only person I could get on such short notice," Alec spoke softly as he padded across the thick carpet of her quarters to open the door.

"Your grace," an all too familiar voice spoke. It was the one that haunted her in her dreams. The Professor smiled at her as he made his way to her bedside. Caterina could only stare and wonder if she was dreaming again. If she was running a fever, it could make sense.

His cool hand pressed to her forehead as he sat on the bed. He, of all people should never see her this way. His hand felt wonderful though and guilty thoughts plagued her mind. He leaned close enough to look into her eyes, his green boring into her blue.

"Professor," she whispered.

"Do not fear your grace," he smiled. "It is only a fever for now. I will see what I can do about it." She could smell his pipe. She leaned forward slightly. "For now, stay put while I go and find someone to help your grace." She nodded and watched him leave.

She and Alessandro shared a look. She wondered if her younger brother had done that intentionally. It would have been so unlike him.

"Alec, do you need to be somewhere?" she asked. The boy pope looked at her and realized what she meant.

"I'm sorry sister. I'll keep checking in with you though and we won't tell Francesco you're sick," he smiled weakly. He pressed a small finger to his lips and disappeared from her room.

"Your eminence," Kate started. "I can have Sister Loretta bring you work and I can take over some of it." It was only on rare occasions that Caterina could make it to her office. Her health had never been very good and she was often ill. She knew with the way she was feeling that it was probably more than a fever.

If Alec had gone to call someone, then she was probably worse than she realized. She had not been sleeping as well as she should have the last few months, worrying about affairs in her office as well as the normal affairs of her position.

She, the Iron Lady, had probably brought this upon herself. She sighed, which she had been doing more than usual lately and leaned back against the headboard.

"Alright, if I must remain bedridden okay though? I may be fine for all you worry warts know," she joked lightly. A cough weighed in her throat and she could not suppress it. It was deep and far in her chest.

What a wicked cold it was going to be.

"Your eminence, you are restricted to bed rest for three days at least," the medical attendant told her with a grimace. He was waiting for her to scream at him. William was sure that Caterina would throw a fit, but she looked so worn out, she just nodded and rubbed her temples. "Someone will be in to care for you everyday as well, multiple times a day. You have developed bronchitis my lady."

"I figured," she said quietly. She felt like death warmed over.

"No movement unless you have to and you must receive plenty of rest."

"I'll make sure," William smiled at him, knowing the attendant was about to overstep his boundaries. He could tell by the way Caterina was acting. He showed the attendant out before pulling up a elegant chair to the Cardinal's bedside. She looked upset about the order. "Your grace," he started. She looked at him, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "You will be fine in a short while," he encouraged.

"Yes of course," she replied, trying to remain dignified.

"I can take a few days off from the University to help you if you would like. I know you have Sister Loretta, but I thought you might like mine as well. Would that help you grace?"

"Of course," she told him. She was about to cry. She was so upset for making herself sick and all that it entailed.

"Caterina?" he asked, confused. He took her hand in his, lightly rubbing her fingers. She was burning to the touch still. With his one simple motion, he unleashed her tears again. "Caterina, what is wrong? Did I cause something?"

"No, I just, I don't know what to do." The Iron Lady had some flaws in her metal appearance. Her armor had cracked.

"Caterina, is that all?" he laughed. She listened to his rich laugh, watching his eyes shut.

"Yes," she told him.

"Caterina, do not worry, I will help you, as always. My lady, I would not be a proper gentleman if I did not help you." He moved his other hand to hers, to reassure her. "As Tres would say, 'It is not an issue.' I will help you with anything you need Caterina."

"Thank you William, you are more than I deserve," she smiled. She tried to smile and ended up coughing.

"I like this side of you Iron Lady," he told her. "You seem so much more human this way."

"William."

"I know, I overstepped my bounds some, but I had to say it. Look, you rest while Kate, Loretta, and I work. I'll be back okay?"

She merely nodded as she shut her eyes some. William's calloused hands moved away from hers. She coughed lightly and began to drift somewhere.

The Professor watched from the doorway. She looked like a young girl again. The Iron Lady wasn't as tough as she thought. Her dark eyelashes contrasted well with her fair skin and golden tresses.

She was so beautiful and he felt like an old man. Caterina was young and could bring men from all over the world to her. He knew that if she wanted the Sforza name to go on and her title to be passed to a child, then she would have to start a family soon.

But she would never pick an old man like him. He was only around forty, but he wondered how she saw him. How old did she think he was? Was he just an old friend? He couldn't tell when he looked at her, she kept her emotions so hidden and suppressed.

She was smiling as he shut the door. He wondered who or what she was smiling about, and if it had something to do with him.


Author's End Note: So I hope you enjoyed this. I cannot get away angst, sorry lol. So, the only thing left is to review and tell me what you thought of this one and if there is anything you want to see happen. I'm up to suggestions. Until next time readers and friends!