Take Care

Around early in the afternoon it started off as a mere irritation at the back of her throat. The half elf Emilia drank some water and continued with the heaps of paperwork on her desk. Later on, a wave of exhaustion struck her. Could she have overexerted herself? She was warned many times not to after all.

By sundown, everything became hot as her strong immune system fought this bug. She stubbornly stayed by the desk until the huffing and puffing Puck emerged out of her silver hair with words of wisdom.

"A Queen must first help herself then she can help others."

Tomorrow will be better. She told herself as she groggily took her sick self to bed.

When the girl woke up the next day, she found herself in an even worse condition than yesterday. Her breathing was strenuous, her nose was stuffed and runny and whenever she'd cough, it'll be the most incomprehensible pain throughout her body.

Today couldn't have gone possibly worse. Her long hair was messy as it lay on the sweat soaked pillow; tired eyes were gazing at the ceiling like it was the endless void.

She hated being sick. She hated showing any weakness.

Emilia's eyes were slowly closing. Just as she was about to fall asleep again, the slimy cough shot her in an upright-seated position.

A slight knock on the door alerted the half elf.

"Emilia-sama, may I enter?" A familiar voice spoke on the other side.

She was too tired and sick to say anything and roll off the bed to go hide, all so Ram wouldn't see her like this. When no response came, the door creaked open.

A pink haired Oni dressed as an elegant maid made her entrance. She was energetic and her loveable self as she gracefully walked to the curtains and opened it, much to the dismay of Emilia who didn't want bright sunlight on her.

"Good morning sleepy head." Ram said in an almost monotone voice. "I am used to Puck waking you up..."

Puck who was incredibly strict with Emilia's eating and sleeping routines was sympathetic towards her daughter. Sleep was the best medicine usually.

"Oh, um, I have a cold. Father told me I can sleep in, but it's nothing really." Emilia said with a coughing fit.

"Let me check your temperature then Emilia-sama." Ram approached the sickly half elf, not considering her personal space.

"It's a cold Ram, I assure you. I appreciate your concern but-Achoooo!" It was a mouse squeak sneeze from Emilia.

Ram stood on her tippy toes, placing her hand gently on Emilia's forehead. The demon and half elf's faces were an inch away from each other.

"Hm..." She had a deep contemplative look, much different than her usual poker face. Emilia awaited the diagnosis.

"Cold shcmold." Ram said bluntly. "You have the flu. I shall inform Roswaal that you'll be in bed for a few days."

"Wait, uh, days?" A day was pushing it already for her.

Emilia's nose was blocked. "That's not necessary, Ram. I-"

She coughed again. "I'll be fine, honest!"

Obviously, Ram wasn't buying what the girl was selling. "As caretaker of Roswaal's mansion, I take exemplary responsibility of the land and anyone residing within it. Please refrain from such ignorance and arrogance. I expect such fertilizer from Barasu, but certainly not with you, Emilia-sama. Shame on you..."

Ram tucked the grumpy half elf in against her wishes. Emilia moaned about how she wasn't stubborn. Every move was done with such finesse. The pink haired maid made the bed flawlessly, not a wrinkle in sight. She replaced the older pillow for a clean scented one.