Mauve tried not to feel frustrated as she shut the book closed. Another day, another failure.
"Well, that was disappointing," Louis said as he leaned back in his chair.
"How do you think I feel?" she asked and shut her eyes for a few seconds.
"Don't beat yourself up. You got the hang of it one ti, you'll get it again."
"But we don't even know—" she started to say but Louis interrupted.
"And worrying about what you can't change would only make you more miserable. Right now, we'll just try as many spells as we can. I am sure sothing will work out eventually."
"I have no such confidence," she said and stood to her feet.
"Well, that's where I co in," he smirked. "Where would you have your herbal lessons with Jean?" Louis asked.
Mauve didn't miss his mocking tone. "On the rooftop. Why? Would you like to join us?" she asked with a mischievous look in her eyes.
She didn't even know if it would be on the rooftop; she had simply said it to get on Louis' nerves. Mauve hadn't yet asked Jean about it. Bel hadn't gotten the opportunity to ask Jean just yet, the physician didn't even know he would be teaching her how to use dicine if she fell sick.
He shook his head. "I wouldn't want to interrupt your important session."
She rolled her eyes and started for the door. "I would have sworn you were more concerned about the sun.
"Let it go," he replied.
She grinned and pulled the door open before slipping out. She looked up and down the path but there wasn't a vampire in sight. It was a bit strange how the castle could be empty at weird tis even though she knew vampires were awake and about in the castle.
Jael still wouldn't want her moving around alone but Louis was close enough to hear if anything went wrong.
She started moving forward in the direction of the stairway. She needed to go to the next floor. She was guessing Jean was still in his room. He didn't move around the castle unless he needed to.
She picked up her dress as she made her way up. Finding his room wasn't difficult as she had been there several tis before now and he used the sa room each ti.
She stopped in front of it and knocked lightly. There was no response and Mauve frowned. She didn't want to bother him if he was asleep; she could always co back at a later ti but there was a chance she didn't knock loud enough so she tried again.
Mauve winced as she heard a crash; she jerked as the crash beca louder before it stopped, the silence deafening at its abrupt stop. She heard the door unlock and the handle turned. Jean appeared, his hair was a ss and his clothes looked like he had thrown on the nearest thing his hand could reach.
"Princess," he called as he shut the door behind himself and bowed. While bowing, he tried to arrange his ssy hair and failed miserably.
"Were you asleep?" she asked with a worried expression as she looked down at him. "I didn't an to wake you up," she said.
"You didn't wake up. I think I may have dozed off a little," he chuckled. "But I was already awake. Is there sothing wrong? Do you need my help in any way?"
He raised his head and his eyes scanned her from head to toe. The hallway wasn't very lit so she could see him struggle to take a proper look at her face.
"No, not at all. I ca for a different matter. I spoke to Jael about you leaving; he agreed but—it's nothing bad," she quickly added at his change in expression.
"Oh," Jean said with a sad laugh. "Was my expression that obvious?"
"A little," she admitted. "Jael said you can leave in three nights. I'm guessing that's counting from tonight on the condition that you teach dicine I can learn for simple illnesses and maybe complicated ones too, but at least for fever and maybe the flu. I haven't gotten that yet, but I can't help but worry. Sorry, I'm rambling," she laughed. "What do you think?"
"It's a wonderful idea," Jean said and Mauve could see his eyes gleam.
"Really? I'm so glad you think so. I was a little worried you might consider it a bother."
"I don't think so at all. Next ti, if I don't get here as fast, it would definitely be a good idea to teach you how to treat yourself. It might not cure the illness but at least it will be good enough until I can make it here."
"You don't mind coming here?" Mauve asked with wide eyes.
"Of course not, the pay is really good," he chuckled.
"You make a fair point," Mauve laughed with him.
"I know you're worried about the Palers and the living conditions but it isn't that bad and truly the worst part about it is the mode of transportation. It makes really queasy."
"I'm really sorry about that," she mumbled.
"Oh, don't apologize. It is a small price to pay considering the work I do in the town is mostly for free, having you as my patient is very good for business. Ahh, I don't an it's a good thing that you fall sick."
"I understand, you don't have to explain but I am glad I am not too much of an inconvenience for you."
"Of course not! You're still the Princess regardless and even if you weren't married to a vampire, I'll do my best to make sure you are healed up. I'll be sure to teach you everything I know in the short ti we have."
"I would really appreciate that. Do you think we could do it now? Unless you'd prefer a different ti."
"I was thinking during the day. Unfortunately, it's too dark for and luckily most of the herbs you need can be found around the castle. It would be better to do it during the day so I can show them to you, not just the leaves but the plants themselves. What do you say?" He asked.
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