As promised, this is the chapter I'm supposed to upload for next week. But I am going on a short vacation, so, I hope you guys enjoy this.
Unbeta-ed chapter. Thank you for all the likes and reviews. I hope you also checked out my new one-shot called If Thou Must Love Me.
June 18, 2017 Updates: Beta-read by Kartara. Please check out her profile and support her. Thank you.
Title: Swirly Blue Patterns
Inspired by: Chapter 35 of the manga Akagami no Shirayukihime
Characters: Izana Wistalia, Shirayuki, Ryuu, Kirito, Shidan
Word Count: 553
Rating: General
The boy's name is Alrond. And it is obvious that his condition is worsening. It was only out of sheer will that he agreed and managed to walk halfway from the clinic into the Pharmacology Institute with the help of his friend, Kirito.
One of the head researchers of the Institute lead us the way to the Infirmary, where I laid him down to the nearest available bed. All throughout the journey, his temperature gradually dropped, almost as if I am carrying a cold, marble statue instead of a boy. By the time Shirayuki had removed his clothing and dressed him in a loose cotton gown, his face has turned a pallid gray color.
Ryuu handed her a thermometer and Shirayuki placed the thin instrument under his tongue and patiently waited.
I stood there, looking a little out of place. For lack of nothing to do, I pulled a few stools and motioned for Kirito to sit down. But he refused. He fumbled inside his bag and took out crumpled sheets of paper, a medicine flask, and a pouch of herbal drugs.
"Here." He handed these to Ryuu, and he took them without a word. "These are medical records from the clinic. I managed to sneak a copy from two of my friends as well as Alrond's. The medicines are there, but they are not working." He choked back his tears.
Suddenly, the door to the infirmary was swung open and a thin-bearded man appeared.
"Excuse me, I heard there is a patient-" His voice trailed off when he saw Kirito.
"You!" he raised his voice.
I frowned and glared at him. But he ignored me, and headed straight to Kirito.
"Why did you take these things?" he began to scold him. "That is important information concerning the patients! Kirito, I am disappointed with you for taking things too far!"
It was only then that he realized that there were other people in the room. He lapsed in silence, seemingly trying to calm himself. He bowed his head low at both Ryuu and Shirayuki, before turning to me and bowing his head.
"My sincere apologies for shouting. I was worried. I know these two kids. They are naughty, but they are not so bad."
I nodded. "Are you their doctor?"
He shook his head. "Not really, but I know a little bit about healing injuries and sick people. I have been assisting Suzu in some occasions, as I dabbled a little in medicinal herbs. My research is more on toxic plants and how we can find different uses aside from its obvious killing properties."
He turned to both Ryuu and Shirayuki, "My name is Shidan, I'm sure you have heard of me from either Suzu or Yuzuri. Suzu shall be coming over soon."
Shidan dropped the folder he was carrying on the bedside table and approached Alrond. He took one of his arms and pulled the sleeve up.
"I noticed the swirly blue patterns when I changed him," Shirayuki said, motioning at her own arm. "I have never encountered a sickness with such symptoms."
"Neither have we," Shidan answered heavily. "We've spoken to other visiting healers, but they have no clue what caused this disease."
He sat down on one of the free stools and began his tale about the origin of the sickness.