Chapter 48 48 Feel Much Better

Chapter 48 Chapter 48 Feel Much Better

"Good. The mark is Nora. . ." her face remained the same, focused, determined and attentive; "I can't get into the details right now. But just know that she's not as tough as she's cracked up to be. So, I need to know that you'll always be there to have her back?"

Crystal promptly nodded, reflecting the exact level of compliance Nexus required at the moment;

"I won't let her out of my sight."

She was a professional. No questions asked. No excuses given. Nexus relaxed;

"Good. I'll be on my way back to the fort. But the last time I saw her was in an alleyway in the market place."

Crystal complied with immediate alarcrity. Without even waiting for anything else, she dove heels first in the direction he had laid out for her. She sprang forward, sprinting with the determination of a hell hound. Her bags of luxury clothes, bopped by her sides, bouncing with every stride she hit.

Watching her go, Nexus knew she would definitely not fail him.

He looked up to the shifty gray sky above. The sun appeared to be on a sabbatical. But a quick calculation told him it was barely an hour past noon.

So, he himself doubled back. It had been a stressful night and day. Hopefully, he could snag a few hours of rest before anything substantial would come up.

------------------------

Knock Knock.

Nexus woke up with a start.

He jerked his head instinctively in the direction of the door; "Who is it?"

An unfamiliar feminine voice answered; "The Lady Russell requests that you join her for dinner in the Great Hall in five minutes."

The pair of feet scampered off without waiting for any kind of audio or visual confirmation at all. Nexus groggily rolled out of bed. He looked out the window-

Shit.

It was already dark outside. Hastily, patted down his dark hair, and made his way towards the great hall.

He opened the door, and a very lively hall greeted his eyes. The hall had transformed completely- almost rejuvenated. Bright candle lights glowed from every direction. The fireplace blazed, furiously snacking on the heavy logs of wood. Servants trooped in and out at will, bearing jugs of water (or was it wine?), trays of sizzling juicy mutton, and then-

The sound of laughter.

It echoed freely in reveberations- from both mother and child.

Not wanting to draw attention to himself, Nexus walked across the length of the great hall in quiet steps. Until the Lady Russell saw him;

"If it isn't the doctor of the hour. . ." her eyes glistened in genuine delight; "So glad you could join us."

Nora's head spun around. Her eyes were already lit as well;

"Nexus! Come- sit!" she gestured joyfully at the seat opposite her; "We've prepared a place for you!"

She snapped her fingers and a servant came forth and pulled up the chair for him.

"Thank you," he said as he sat down.

"Well, well Nexus, you clean up real good." Nora smiled as she roved all over his garments; "I see you finally decided to start blending with the rest of civilization huh?"

Mrs. Russell came to his defense;

"Now, now, don't be a spoil sport daughter. Let the poor doctor be."

The full figured, golden haired matriarch was glowing under the candlelights. She was seated at the head of the long table. He was seated to her right, and on her own left was the younger version of her- Nora.

The daughter spoke;

"I must say, it suits you Nexus- far better than that hopelessly dull garb you had on earlier."

Positively delighted, she chuckled, heaving her shoulders as she lifted a goblet to her mouth.

Yep, Nexus thought- she's definitely drunk.

"Well, I'm glad you like it." He shifted the tone of conversation; "So, Mrs. Russell, how are you feeling tonight? The treatment worked well I suppose?"

For the briefest moment, a silent crytpic note passed between them as delightful memories flashed through her eyes;

"Indeed, it truly worked wonders. I'm feeling more like a full blooded woman once again. You're a genius doctor."

"Glad to hear that ma'am."

"I hear my daughter made you an offer earlier on. . ."

His eyes darted to Nora, and she nodded at him- giving him a go ahead;

"Yes ma'am, we talked."

"Good. . ." she aimed her steely gaze at him; "I feel much better already, but as you can imagine, I would really love to pick up from where we stopped last night. . ."

His heart skipped a beat.

". . .and continue the treatments. Of course, you're allowed to have other engagements doctor, but I want my treatments to continue frequently."

She lowered her penetrating gaze at him;

"Are we communicating doctor? Do you understand me?"

Nexus held her gaze for a moment, and then pulled away. He slouched back in the chair with a look of contemplation on his face. Then rested his elbow on the arm of the chair, and began to stroke his chin, pretending like he was in deep thought.

He felt the hot gaze of the women's eyes lingering on him.

"My lady, this isn't a cut and nail treatment. . ." he spoke in a loud and clear voice; "But as I assured your daughter earlier on, I will do my absolute best to make sure you're cured."

He brought his palms together, forming a triangle with his fingers;

"On this, you have my word."

Mrs. Russell's gaze softened into a smile. But it was Nora's face that beamed bright like a torch;

"Wonderful!" she exclaimed; "See, I told you mother, unlike the rest of those fake doctors, Nexus is exceptional."

Her head swung back in his direction, flapping her golden-yellow hair in the wind like a fairytale princess. She raised her goblet up;

"I want to propose a toast. . ." the Lady Russell continued to watch him fervently; ". . .to mother's health, to finally being cured, and to her long life. HEAR! HEAR!"

The other two echoed in loud affirmations; "HEAR! HEAR!"

Goblets clanged against each other, and they began to dine. The ladies did not each much, but Nexus did.

As he munched through the neatly carved up lamb, Nexus realized that one member of the family was missing. In between bites, he would occasionally glance at the door, half expecting to see the red head burst in, face taut, and legs strutting.

But she did not appear.

Halfway through dinner, amidst the smiling, dining, and table banter,Nexus distorted the otherwise celebratory mood with one single question;

"Won't Monica be joining us this evening?"

He felt the mood shift At once. Mrs' Russell's grip tightened on her cutlery, while Nora avoided his eyes by looking down in shame. Together, they seemed to be contemplating on how best to answer the question.

"My bad, I didn't mean to intrude on family affairs. I was simply expecting her that's all."

The mother lowered her cutlery to the plate. And picked up the white napkin by her side;

"I see you've met Monica already. . ." she dabbed at the corners of her mouth.

"On the day I arrived, she was kind enough to grace me with her presence."

Nora smiled sadly;

"Well, that's one way to put it. You're quite the gentleman aren't you?"

Nexus shrugged; "Our encounter was brief, but I could tell she's quite the interesting character."

"Indeed she is. . ." the mother was speaking now; "Although I would state that 'interesting' might actually be a gross over simplification of things."

Nexus sensed a story coming, and sat upright, giving her his full attention.

"As you've probably been informed by now, my family hasn't been in the best shape since my husband died. The family's estate fell into a state of self-deprecation.

"With the man of the house gone, other feudal lords grew bold, and began to snipe and snipe away at our lands. Because of my flailing health, this thievery went on unopposed for the longest time."

She paused to catch her breath;

"Until we woke up one day, and it was all gone. The family went broke. All we had was this castle, ourselves, and our name. Nora stayed by my side devotedly, trying to make sure I was cured by all means. But Monica-"

Her eyes flickered;

"She had to grow up fast to support the family. Even now, she still shoulders the entire family's welfare, singlehandly supporting the household."

Nexus listened with rapt attention.