An intervention

"Hey, kids, it's not good to bully your sister," an unexpected voice said. We turned in unison and saw Reginald standing in the dark, wearing pajamas. He's awake at this time of day? How?

He yawned and stepped forward, hands in his pockets. "Because of you kids, I was woken up," he complained. It's shocking to see him awake, who woke him up? What trick did they use?

"Reggie, stop whining," Elise said as she approached us.

"Okay," he replied. Huh?

"Let go of my student," Elise warned.

"If it isn't the traitor and the leech," the eldest sneered, tossing me aside. I fell easily and remained there; I couldn't move.

"Hey, kid, don't make me hurt you, okay?"

"We're almost the same age—stop calling me 'kid,'" the eldest shouted. They are? How old is Reginald?

"I'm learning how to talk like Bella to make myself sound cooler, so don't ruin it," he shot back. "Okay, for old times' sake, this is how it's going to go: I will beat you three up, take Faina back, lock you up, and go to bed." As expected.

"Aren't you being cocky, thinking you can take three of us on? You can't kill us, but we have every intention of silencing you two," the youngest—I assume—said.

"Ellie, please, go inside," Reginald said, and she nodded, stepping forward. The youngest raised his hand to create a magic circle, but Reginald caught his wrist; he was so fast I could barely see him.

"Let's go, Faina," Elise said, helping me up.

"Uh… okay," I said, still in shock. I walked slowly with Elise's help; she held my hand and looked at me.

"You're really hot. Are you okay?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. I took something while working, and I'm reacting to it," I lied, and she nodded slowly.

"What should I do with them?" Reginald asked, stepping beside us. We hadn't even taken two steps.

"Have the knights take care of them. I need to get Faina inside—I think she has a cold," Elise said, and he nodded. I just said I'm fine. But on a side note, how is he so fast? Especially by this time, that's a surprising development. He beat up three people that fast. I can't stop thinking about it.

We walked inside and saw Mother standing at the top of the stairs; she looked angry.

"Thank you, Elise," Mother said.

"I wasn't trying to help you, Myra. Don't get the wrong idea," Elise said. Are they still in bad terms? This is awkward for me.

"Livi, are you okay?" Mother asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. I took something I shouldn't have," I said, and she nodded. "Walsh Rosen is in the estate," I added as I walked upstairs.

"I know," she replied. "I'm not letting him run freely."

I went to my room and fell onto the bed, falling asleep immediately.

…

I walked into Mother's office after she called me; Dustin was standing in front of the table, holding some files.

"My lady, you're back?" he asked with a bright smile.

"Yes," I replied.

"Dustin, please excuse us," Mother said, and he nodded before walking out. "Livi, are you okay?" Everyone's already getting suspicious; I don't want to tell them until the treatment is over and it works.

"Yes, I'm fine," I said.

"Livi, you seem really weak. Are you sure?" she asked, and I nodded. "Bella said you fainted before too. If you're not okay, please tell me," she said, and I shook my head.

"I'm fine; I've just been working too much so I can finish my research soon," I said, and she sighed.

"About that, Livi—I know moving around a lot has been affecting you, but I have to ask you to go somewhere again. With the Rosens becoming insistent on putting us off, I think it's best that you go somewhere away from all this," she said, and I nodded. Traveling again could kill me.

"I understand," I said.

"I had everything you ordered sent there; it'll arrive not long after you do. It's a few days' journey to the Far East; Teon insisted on taking you there first," she said, and I nodded.

"Okay," I said.

"It's going to be okay. A few of us are going to the capital to answer a summons from the emperor, and you know what that could lead to," she said, and I nodded.

"It's fine, Mother," I said, and she hugged me.

"Just focus on your research," she said, and I nodded.

I walked out of the office thinking of my health. Traveling now without being able to regulate my rest is not ideal. I have not fully examined the many possibilities, what if the journey results in a worse outcome than I anticipated? What if the Drityl becomes effective due to my weak body?

"Should I hold off on the treatment until I arrive? But I might have a seizure. Should I just go ahead as planned and hope for the best? The risk is too high, but I don't have a…" I was saying to myself when I was cut short.

"Fay," I heard and stopped. I looked up and saw Teon approaching.

"Teon," I called.

"We're leaving tomorrow," he said.

"Yes, I heard," I replied.

"If you're not okay to travel, you can stay. I'm sure Master will understand," he said. Then I'd have to explain why I'm sick and tell them what I've been hiding all this time. It will just be a nuisance and cause problems for them later.

"No, I'm fine," I replied.

"Fay, I noticed that you haven't been looking well recently. If you're not…?"

"I'm fine," I hurried to say. "I'm just… overworked, but it'll be over soon, and I'll be able to rest." Hopefully not in my grave.

"If you say so," he said. I'll tell them eventually—but not yet. I need to be sure that I can be cured, I don't want to cause a fuss for nothing, it'd be fine. Right?