Chapter 371: Our men died too

Marianne pov

"Your highness, we did not get the antidote there too." said the pair of knight that have returned from the viscount palace.

I didn't even know how many people have already denied that they did not have the antidote available. To think that it was just an accident would be foolish now. Someone had planned it efficiently.

I heard the footsteps again when Cassius entered with Killian.

He came forward and hugged me when I did not even move.

"Don't worry. Everything would be fine." he said rubbing my back and i just nodded.

"Did you ask the physician to come here?" I asked as I wiped my tears.

He nodded his head as he looked back at the old man who bowed his head towards me.

"They have found that the poison that was given was foxglove poison. Someone changed her lavender tea from foxglove leaves. Do you have its antidote?'' I asked the old man who was checking the eyes of mother.

The man nodded his head as he checked the pulse, "it had already been more than four hours. I have a foxglove poison antidote. But if i go now and bring it back it would be too late for her. If i can get digoxin fab, i can make the antidote here."

"I apologise but if you explain a bit more i will bring all the ingredients correctly.?" asked a knight, 

The man nodded, "Digoxin immune fab or digoxin-specific antibody is an antidote for overdose of digoxin. It is made from immunoglobulin fragments from sheep that have already been immunized with a digoxin derivative, you can easily find these types of sheep in a shepherd house. Most of the sheep have chewed it once in a while and a few have turned immune to it. Then mix it with some leaves from the foxglove plant. 

It would be easy. Now go and look for it" the man sat again pressing her nerves more efficiently.

"I will come with you to talk to the shepherds and explain to them better. '' said our physician and they all left.

Killian moved and rubbed motor legs that were turning cold, "grandmother would be fine, mother. You have to be strong too." he said as he looked at me.

Cassius nodded too, "soon, everything would be fine soon '' I just nodded my head. For the first time I was feeling that I was very weak. No matter what I do.. I will never be able to save everyone around me.

The time was passing and the face of mother was turning whiter and blood started coming out of her mouth again. Her body was shivering yet she was unconscious. 

I moved closer to her and started rubbing her body. Even Cassius sat near Killian and started rubbing her soles in spite of maids asking for taking the place.

"We are here, we ate here…" finally my breath came back to my body when i heard Roselia's voice.

Behind her was Shui and the lady who had treated me. I ran towards them and held the lady in my arms.

"Do you have the antidote of foxglove poison?'' I asked as I was not sure when the knights would return with the ingredients of the antidote.

"Yes, I have the antidote ready, girl. Would you leave me now?" she said amused and i finally nodded and let her go.

She moved and took the bottle out. The old man looked at the herbalist and then at the bottle.

"Can i see it for a minute?" the herbalist looked at the old man and then at me, but in the end she passed the bottle.

The man opened and observed the potion for a minute before nodding his head.

"It is better than I thought. You seem to be an expert in it." the man complimented but the herbalist did not even look at him.

"Shall we give it to the lady now?" she asked impatient and i nodded my head.

"Yes, please. Do you need anything else to mix or any other help?" I asked and she nodded.

"Held your mother's head, and gently raise it then try to feed her with a spoon. Since she is still unconscious, it will be difficult to feed her completely." I nodded and gently held her head on my lap.

Killian moved and took the potion and spoon. He slowly took some potion in a spoon and then fed her.

It took several small spoons to feed her all the potion, but she was still unconscious and then more blood coughed out even in her sleep. 

But this time the blood was black. I panicked as I looked at the herbalist and then at the old man but they just shook their heads.

"It is ok, she is taking out the infected blood. She will be fine in a few hours. But due to blood loss and poison in her system for a long time, she is going to stay unconscious for a while. Let her rest." said the herbalist and then she looked at Shui. "shall we leave?"

"Wait, you are our guest. Why don't you stay and have a meal or rest. I will arrange a guest room for you.'' I offered but the herbalist shook her head.

"I do not trust nobles to stay with them. You are an acquaintance that was why I helped. So, who are you in reality? A monique or her daughter?"

"She is the archduchess of the empire." replied Cassius before i could say anything.

"And I am the archduke of the empire. I request you to give us a chance to serve you and then share your grievance. Blaming all the nobles because a few mistreated you is not right." he bowed his head, which hw hardly did in the past. But these days I have seen him doing it a few times, he was changing.. For me!!

"Didn't our men die because of you too, when your people tried to save you?"

"......"