Ashes of Cinder

14

Delphine, the one with auburn curls, nodded with a giggle. "Poor girl. Acting all sick and pitiful because she's that desperate for a break, huh? Why, you never learn, dear servant."

"There's a technique I recently learned to cure a fever quick, Cinder. I'm sure you'd want to know," the dark head then spoke. You couldn't help but look up in curiosity, which was a huge mistake on your part. A thick substance was suddenly smeared onto your face, causing you to drop your jaw in unpleasant shock. It was mud - that was what Rosa was holding onto. She cackled at your reaction and Delphine joined in with the laughter. "What an oblivious bitch. You're too easy for us to fool."

The other sister kicked over the wash bin, causing water to splash over your dress, soddening it. The bar of soap laid flattened in the grass, at least until Delphine stomped on it repeatedly to break it into thousands of tiny, white pieces. "How wasteful," she sneered. She tossed a golden coin at you. "Go and buy some more soap for us. And no need to change or get ready... you're already short on time after all."

Keeping the hot, furious tears in, you stood up abruptly and walked away, hearing the snickers of the girls behind you. Wrapping your arms around yourself, you shamefully entered the streets. Face painted of mud, dress soaked and dripping, hair matted of sweat, and body body shaking in fever, you were probably seen as insane in front of everyone.

How fucking humiliating...

Wheezing heavily and out of breath, your frail hands latched onto any stable surface it could touch. You were so, so tired. There was nothing that could be done. It felt like your limbs could give out any second. Was this it? Were you going to die from fever? A pitiful creature was indeed what you were. This was all life could offer to you.

Shaking your head at your thoughts, you let out a small cry and quickened your pace. No. It was time you turned towards desperate measures.

Passing the crowds and bumping into people here and there, you noticed the terrified looks you garnered from them. Keeping your vision on the goal, you pretended you didn't see them, but that didn't make it hurt any less. You wished you didn't care so much on society's rules, but with looks being put on a pedal-stool and those getting outcasted because of it, it ate away at you.

You ran and wouldn't slow down. Burning up so immensely that beads of sweat were now running down your face, you stumbled awkwardly down the last block of the streets. The moment you were in front of the familiar toyshop, you crashed to the ground, the grit of the cement grazing across your skin. It bled a bit, painting the sidewalk with its crimson color.

Your hues were about to flutter shut, but someone had bustled out of the building. Hazily watching them without attempting to even get up, you could finally tell who it was due to the black top hat that was nestled into his hair. "B-Blaise," you croaked out. "Help me."

Strong arms cradled you and lifted you up. Movement followed and you were soon in a cooler atmosphere. Being placed on soft cushion, a hand was pressed down on your forehead. "So you have a fever," the voice murmured to himself.

His shadow left you alone for a few minutes and when he came back, another pair of footsteps accompanied him. A cool towel was put onto your forehead, dampening the heat that was searing you.

"You're wasting that on her? I thought you were going to save it for later."

"Plans change, do they not?"

"I... of course, but-"

"My patience is running out for your blatant complaining."

"What is so special about her?! You're letting your feelings affect your actions. I know you know that-"

"Leave." At this command, small footsteps exited the room. Blaise's voice spoke again, almost making you flinch. "[Y/N], I know you're awake. There is no point in hiding the fact."

You groggily opened your eyes to see him watching you closely. Your vision getting a little better from before already, you found yourself in a small room, laying on a bed. "I'm sorry," you said.

"What is there to apologize?" he asked with knitted eyebrows. "You're sick and we're disrupting your rest."

Though you had bigger things to worry about, your mind was stuck on the word feelings. What did Veria mean when she said that? Wondering if you should ask Blaise about it, he interrupted your thoughts before you could summon up any courage to voice it.

"By feelings, she meant platonic," he said with a chuckle. You widened your eyes in surprise. It was as if he read your mind. "And it's true. I view you as a friend. I apologize on her behalf. She's getting overprotective of me again."

A... friend? Your heart warmed at the thought of that.

He held a small bottle filled of clear liquid in front of you and you stared at it blankly for a few seconds. "Fever medicine," he explained curtly. "Drink it and you'll feel better in no time." Nodding and in a situation too desperate to be wary of anything, you snatched it from him and gulped the entirety of it in one swallow. The bitter liquid filled your mouth with its aftertaste and coated your throat with its slimy feeling.

You shut your eyes once more and fell into a sleep.