The bowl of herbal medicine was as black as tar, its pungent scent hanging heavy in the air. Jennifer wrinkled her nose; she couldn't imagine how anyone in Eldermere could actually drink something like this.
"Give it to me," Celia said, reaching out without a hint of hesitation.
Left with no choice, Jennifer handed her the mug.
Celia knew herbal remedies were supposed to be bitter, but she hadn't expected it to be this awful—like swallowing pure bile. Still, despite the taste making her eyes water, she clenched her jaw and forced down every last drop.
The butler immediately stepped forward with a small dish of candied fruit. "Here, have this to take the edge off."
Celia popped one into her mouth, and her expression finally eased a little.
Jennifer couldn't hold back any longer. "Miss Palmer, if this medicine tastes so dreadful, maybe you shouldn't be drinking it! Let's just go see Dr. Oracle-he's the best there is, and I'm sure he'll know how to cure your condition."
In Jennifer's mind, if the renowned Dr. Oracle were treating Celia, he'd never prescribe a concoction that tasted like this.
Celia looked up at her. "I trust Miss Gonzales," she said simply.
No sooner had she spoken than she felt a sudden warmth rushing downward.
Drawing a deep breath, Celia tried to compose herself, pretending nothing had happened. "Could you give us a moment, please?" she said to the butler.
He bowed slightly and slipped out of the room.
Jennifer, always quick to pick up on things, waited until the butler had gone before gently helping Celia to her feet. "Miss Palmer, let me grab you some fresh clothes."
Celia nodded, grateful.
By the time she emerged in clean clothes, Jennifer had already tidied up the damp patch on the carpet.
Jennifer couldn't help herself: "Miss
Palmer, you just started the
medicine and already this
happened surely that means Miss Gonzales's prescription isn't right for your illness. She doesn't deserve your trust."
If Caitlin's medicine truly worked, would Celia have suffered another accident so soon? Caitlin had
her
promised, after all, that her remedy Would cure both Celia's incontinence and seizures. But here they were.
Jennifer had never really trusted Caitlin, and now her doubts were only growing. She couldn't help but wonder if Caitlin had been misleading Celia from the very start.
Celia turned to Jennifer with a gentle smile. “This is only my first dose The medicine's just entered my system-it hasn't had time to work Eyet How can that be Miss
Gonzales's fault?"
"In any case, I'll be taking the full fifteen days' course."
She didn't want to let down Caitlin's sincere efforts.
Jennifer sighed. "I just hope Miss Gonzales doesn't disappoint you."
The next morning.
Keira was getting ready to return to the Capital.
Caitlin, who would be staying behind for a couple more days, accompanied her to the airport. Fifth Aunt Elaine Prescott and Sixth Aunt Adelina insisted on coming along as well.
Walking between them, Keira turned with a smile. "Freya, Adelina, it's really enough for just Freya to see me off. You two didn't have to go to all this trouble."
Elaine gave her a look. "Ma'am, you came all the way from the Capital for my mother's birthday. Now that you're leaving, how could we not see you off? It just wouldn't be right."
Adelina nodded. "Exactly, ma'am. Elaine's right. Besides, it's not like we have anything pressing at home. Our mother won't rest easy unless we personally get you to the airport."