Can't believe the series is over within a few days ! I hope we fans can keep the fandom alive and that we keep on sharing our love for the story and characters !
This chapter is more an introduction for the next one, but as I don't want to keep you waiting in the wings (ha ha), here you go !
CHAPTER 79
Light slowly faded as dusk came. It was quite late already, and Varian had vehemently refused to take a bath at first, since it only sounded like a waste of time to him, but then he couldn't deny how much he needed one. There was a sickly smell lingering in the air and all over him after the sweating. It would definitely be a kindness to the Queen to take care of himself before he would enter her chambers.
Soon afterwards, Varian was relishing the lovely sensation of being surrounded with warm water and how relaxing it was. Hot baths were a luxury that was mostly used by the rich and the wealthy, but Varian had always loved them. If only his invention had worked, if only he could have brought hot water to the citizens of Old Corona…
He quickly pushed those thoughts aside and immersed himself completely, just so he could hide from the world for a few seconds. It felt so good underwater, so different from the harsh reality. He closed his eyes, fully aware of the altered perception of his hearing and he held his breath as long as he could. He welcomed the sensation of quiet and stillness. It was like he had the ability to stop time itself.
A few bubbles came up and died at the surface, seconds before a messy mop of hair broke it with a splash. Varian gasped for air, breathing again like for the first time. He pushed his long bangs backwards and leaned against the porcelain tub (that thing was so much softer than wood !) and listened to his own heartbeat until his breathing came back to normal. It felt good to be alive.
As Varian sat more calmly in the tub, his mind started to wander. Was it possible to make this blessed time even better ? Maybe by using various fragrances ? Or by having a constant flow of bubbles in the water ? And why should the water always be transparent as glass ? He could think of several compounds he could use – oh, and he could even make sure some fragrances would be released later than others, by combining them inside a ball that would melt, no be effervescent, there we have the bubbles and why not add glitter ?...
Varian chuckled softly to himself as he realized he was excited about alchemy again. It had been a while…
All in all, his experience in the bath truly soothed his mind as much as his body beyond hope.
Yet as he reached the towering doors of the royal bedroom, flanked by Stan and Pete as his honorary keepers, Varian couldn't help but feel nervous again.
The Queen was the one who was always there for him, every time he was ill, hurt, tired, lost or anxious. And she filled that role perfectly, even when he wasn't the easiest patient. That beautiful, sweet, strong woman was now hovering between life and death, and he, Varian, was the one who could comfort her this time. Not to mention that part of him keep the firm belief that the Queen was sick by his fault from spinning around in his head.
To prevent the pneumonia from spreading any further, Pete and Stan were to stay outside the room and stand watch at the door, an unpleasant reminder for Varian that he was technically still a prisoner.
With his head reeling over those feelings, the boy couldn't pick the exact reason why his stomach churned as he crossed the threshold and could only grit his teeth to repress the awful sensation.
The doors closed behind Varian with a muffled noise, Pete and Stan obviously cautious, for once, to pull them as gently and silently as possible. The lavish bedroom, deprived of the lights from the hallway, instantly became quite dark. Without the rising full moon, big and bright in the sky, the teen would have needed a longer moment to let his eyes adjust. Everything looked so still that he almost had the impression that time had stopped. Only a fragile candlelight, flickering by the bedhead, reminded him that there was a speck of life within these walls.
Varian gulped and moved forward, his left hand finding his right arm to comfort himself.
There was silhouette sitting by the bed, and the kid immediately recognized who it was. The hunched posture, the slight trembling of the hands, the gentleness of his moves while caring for his patient could belong to only one person in the castle.
Remyus turned around before Varian dared clear his throat before greeting the old physician.
"Good evening, Varian. I am relieved to see that you are better. Have you been able to rest ?"
"Oh, um, yes, yes I have, thank you, Sir," the boy timidly replied, his nerves jolting again as he feared that the old man would be able to perceive how drained he actually was – his pneumonia peak was still recent – and send him back to his room. He tried to keep the conversation going.
"Well, I was well taken care of, I mean, she – ", he lifted his arm to gesture at the lying form in the bed, but stopped in mid-air, eyes wide. Now he was closer, he could distinctively see her. Her pale face, clammy and flushed with two reddish cheekbones. Her undone hair, gathered on one side and randomly drawing curves on the pillow. He could hear her strained breathing, in sync with her falling and rising chest.
Varian closed his mouth to keep his lower lip from shaking. It didn't go unnoticed by Remyus, though.
"She's asleep, now, but she's been calling your name countless times," he whispered, taking the teen's hand in his at the same time to bring him closer. "Look, you're welcome to stay for a while if you wish, but not too long. I don't need either of you to tire yourselves out." He made it to his feet as he spoke, but suddenly, he felt dizzy and staggered, trying to hold on to the chair for support. Varian reacted quickly and grabbed his arm to steady him.
"Woah, woah, what's wrong ? Are you all right ?" Varian asked, alarm in his voice.
"I – I'm fine, Varian, I just stood up too fast, that's all." He closed his eyes and ran a hand over his wan face.
"You look awfully tired, to say the truth," the teen stated bluntly. "I may not be a doctor, but it's easy to tell you're sleep-deprived."
Remyus chuckled softly. "Well, thank you for your diagnosis, young man."
"I could stay by the Queen so you can rest," Varian offered. "You have done so much for me in the past. I – I mean, that's the least I can do."
Remyus looked intensely at the boy, trying to figure out when the once sassy, angry, insolent boy had matured so much.
"That's very kind of you, Varian, but first of all, you are still recovering yourself, and secondly - "
"I'm fine ! I can do this !"
"…and secondly, I cannot bestow such a responsibility on you. It's my job to keep an eye on her."
"And there's only one of you ! How long do you think you can keep up ?" Varian replied, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow. "Believe me, I know what it's like put sleep at the bottom of the to-do list, but it's never a great idea in the end. Besides, when did you last eat ?"
"Look who's talking !", Remyus exclaimed, amused and overwhelmed at the same time. "Very well, Varian, I was about to go and rest in a bit anyway. I'll go lie down on the day bed next door. Do you think you can wake me up in a couple of hours ?"
"Will do," Varian replied with a nod.
"But I want you to wake me up if anything happens."
"Okay, fine."
"Keep the rag cool and wet. If her fever rises, if she is delirious, restless, come and get me."
"Got it."
"And if you're feeling sleepy, don't fight it. Come and wake – "
"Gah ! I'm not a child ! I can handle this !". Varian didn't actually mean to snap but he couldn't stand seeing Remyus delay his much-needed nap because of him. Yet, the physician didn't seem offended and kept his calm demeanour.
"All right then."
Varian watched as the old man slowly made his way to the boudoir, which was a private, comfy room the Queen loved to use when she needed to get ready for the day. Alone at last, the boy sighed in relief and let himself flop upon the chair next to the huge bed.
Any bets on what will happen next ?
