The Vial (2) 

I will be in the other room. Adrian wanted to share the details himself, but considering the situation, he thought it was better to let her hear it from a reliable source. That is why he took her straight to the private healer.

In the adjoining room, the healer gave an awkward laugh after Adrian's departure. Arella sat with a straightened back, patiently waiting for the healer's words.

"How much do you already know?" The healer asked after sighing and accepting his fate.

"Nothing at all." Arella articulated.

"Hmm. I hope Madam is aware of Sir's Beast form." The healer slowly began.

Arella nodded, showing her affirmation.

"Both of you have a soul knot and took the blood oath. Madam should know the effect such a combination has on your body. And considering your attachment, freshness, and fondness for each other, I do not think I need to point out the pull you both must be feeling towards each other." The healer continued the explanation while Arella patiently sat.

Finding that Madam had no awkward or unnatural expressions, the healer sighed in relief and added another fact.

"The pull is strong, none can deny that, but the thing is that Sir is a Dragon Beast and he, he has a natural inclination toward his partner. What I mean to say is, he, he…" The healer tried to find better and more sophisticated words to explain it to Madam but could not find any. He had no plans of offending her.

"He is more active and feels a stronger pull?" Arella hesitatingly asked. She understood what the healer was trying to convey, being a dragon came with an appetizing sexual drive. 

"Ah! Yes, yes. So you see, he was not aware of its intensity when he was with you. But the symptoms appeared when he left you, that is a week ago." The healer felt satisfied with Madam's approach. She was not acting emotionally, which was a good sign. 

It was hard to put logic into an emotional brain. Does her calmness have anything to do with her identity as a 'tamer.' But was she not low ranked? 

Such control over emotions, looking at the bigger picture, and not reacting impulsively, were the traits of highly strategic tamers. And Madam possessed these, 'interesting,' the healer thought.

 "What symptoms?" Arella alertly queried.

"That, the usual ones, something like withdrawal symptoms. Also the uncontrollable rage, heightened impulses, mad feelings of possession and obsession, and alike. The more he tried to suppress, the fiercer his body counteracted. That is why he took the serum." The healer spoke.

"Then, should not I be his relief? Why is he taking the serum to suppress his urges?" Arella confusedly questioned.

"Ah! Yes, about that. Actually, there are two reasons. First, he does not have any control over his impulses when it comes to his soul companion. So, he is afraid, I mean, he believes that he would not be able to stop himself in time." The healer coughed a little. This was getting awkward.

"Stop himself from what?" Arella ignored his awkwardness and asked straightforwardly.

"From exhausting you." The healer spoke softly under his breath. 

Internally the healer thought, 'No wonder Sir was so fond of her. So logical, alert, sensible, and likable. I wish she were my daughter!'

"What about the second reason?" Arella uttered.

'Ah, look straight to the point without any fuss, Madam is good.' The healer's monologue continued.

"That is closely linked with the first one. You see, a Dragon thrives on energy. Usually, it can consume energy from nature. But, um, nighttime activities are also a source of energy to its spirit. The more it consumes the more it wants." The healer stopped for a while to mull over what to state next. 

"So, over the years, the pull and continuous drainage of energy can lead to weakening to both body and mind." The healer softly muttered.

"What are the negative effects of the serum?" Arella pointed out.

The sudden shift in topic took the healer by surprise. But his admiration for her grew by leaps. She was not only cool headed but also knew what mattered the most.

"Irritation, impulsiveness, aggression and intense feelings of possession." The healer said word by word. He held back the fact that long term consumption of the serum could fatally harm his body.

"What should be done to get rid of the negative effects?" Arella knew the answer, but she was seeking confirmation.

"You know." The healer knew it from the glint of determination in her eyes. The more he spent time with her, the more she impressed him. Such a fine mind was a cornerstone for a great strategist. Too bad Madam's aptitude was too low to compete professionally.

"Thank you. If there is nothing else, I would like to take your leave." Arella stood up and was about to leave when the healer stopped her.

"There is more than one thing. I know it is not my place to say it, but it would be better if Madam knew." The healer calmly stated. 

"Please speak." Arella was already consumed with the whirl of information she had just received. She needed time to process and wanted to leave as soon as possible. But she still stopped.

Something told her that this was an important piece of information. And when the healer revealed his words, her instincts were proved right.

"The Madam, I mean, Sir's mother, also died from exhaustion of both body and spirit. I hope you do what is right while keeping your health in mind." The healer spoke a word of caution. 

She was already spiritually weak, in that case, if she gave her all, she was destined to die early. The healer alerted her in advance because he did not want to lose such a radical mind. Maybe if given time, she would be able to upgrade. It would be a waste to die on the bed.

Arella hummed in response and left. In the adjoining room, Adrian was waiting for her. When she came out both of them looked at each other.

Adrian looked for fear, surprise, or shock in her eyes, but he could not find anything. Instead, her eyes had a deep calming effect. Looking at her made him feel that none of his concerns mattered and that it would be alright. He felt comforted.

Meanwhile, Arella walked and held his hand naturally. 

"Should we leave?" Arella asked. 

Adrian could not find anything strange in either her demeanor or eyes. He had heard everything being spoken and asked inside the room. He was expecting an outburst, and a few questions, but Arella behaved as if it was not a matter of life or death. 

"Hmm." Adrian put all his thoughts at the back of his mind and walked straight to the villa. 

As they walked, both remained silent, lost in their own thoughts. Arella was ruminating over the information while Adrian was thinking about what to do next. When they entered the villa, dinner was being set on the table. Only then did both of them notice that it was darker outside. 

"Let's eat first." Surprisingly it was Arella who had suggested it. Adrian was not in the mood to eat, but since she had spoken, he too, sat down obediently. 

Both ate their meal in silence and then headed to their bedroom. Adrian had already planned to spend the night in the guest room. It was better to stay away from her.

She must be needing time to process everything. And maybe she would want to go back to their home. Adrian would not stop her if that was what she wanted.

Maybe her absence could help him control his urges better. There was also a possibility of aggravation. But there was nothing he could do.

The moment they entered the room, Arella closed the door and tightly embraced him. She hid her face in his chest, and her hands wound around his waist in a tight hug.

Her sudden action woke him up from his thoughts. He extended his hands to pull her away when he felt a patch of wetness on his chest.

Adrian's actions stopped, and his eyes widened in surprise.

In his mind, only one thought roamed. Arella was crying!