In The Name Of Revenge
The three men stood still, not really believing that Julianna would kill her Uncle.
"That was a joke right? What you just said. You don't really mean to kill me, right?"
"Of course I do," Julianna said as she started to throw more medical herbs into the larger pot making the clear water slowly turn black. "But I think you guys misunderstand my intentions."
Julianna continued to stir the thick black liquid as she kept an eye on the Silver Grass tea. Once the Silver Grass tea boiled, Julianna took it off the fire and turned back to the larger cauldron stirring it constantly.
"This," Julianna pulled out the Dark Death flower." Is called the Dark Death, its use is to detoxify your body of poison while killing you the same time. Once you're dead, this," Julianna pointed at the Silver Grass tea, "will bring you back."
"So, I must die to live?"
"Yes, but you will be under my care, so you will certainly not die with me around. You just have to trust me."
Uncle Jude nods, determined to go through the treatment. Although Thomas had his doubts, he did not voice his concern. He trusted his master's word. If he agreed and believed the young Miss then so would he.
After awhile, the big cauldron started boiling and with the help of Thomas, Pop pop and Julianna, the three of them moved the cauldron off the fire pit and Thomas put out the fire.
"Now what?" Thomas asked as Julianna neither said or moved from her spot.
Julianna removed the petals off the flower and threw the steam and root into the pot. Once the root and steam hit the surface of the medical concoction, the once black liquid turned a bright red. The three men gasped as they all saw the change in the cauldron.
"Now we wait," Julianna said. "We have to wait for it to cool down. I don't want to cook Uncle after all."
They waited for an hour for the concoction to cool off enough that it wouldn't burn Uncle Jude.
"When I turn my back around, I need Uncle Jude to undress and get into the cauldron. Submerge your whole body completely." Julianna directed as she walked away from the men and waited as Thomas helped Uncle Jude out of his clothes and get into the cauldron.
"Finished." Uncle Jude said to Julianna.
Turning back around she walked up to him and gave him the petals of Dark Death.
"Next you need to chew and swallow each petal slowly. The petals will help detoxify you from the inside as the medical concoction will help detox you from the outside. Now, before you eat the petals. Do you have any questions for me?"
Shaking his head no, Uncle Jude slowly ate each petal one by one as his eyes slowly started closing. Once he finished the last of the petals, his breathing slowly stoped and his body lost all strength. While the three of them stood by as Uncle Jude died in front of them. Thomas started panicking looking between Julianna and Jude. But as Thomas was about to say something he noticed how the red concoction started turning black again. Jude's body oozed out thick, black, tar like poison from his body. The once red liquid turned black quickly. Julianna turned around and grabbed the Silver Grass tea and poured out a cup's worth of tea into a cup. Julianna also grabbed a pipette off the table before reaching in front of Uncle Jude.
"Thomas help me prop up Uncle Jude's head back and open his mouth." Julianna ordered.
Once Uncle Jude was in position, Julianna drew up the Silver Grass tea into the pipette and released the tea into the back of Uncle Jude's throat. The liquid went down his throat and his breath slowly came back. Once the whole cup was finished did Julianna order Thomas to take out Uncle Jude and dry him off before laying him down on one of the patient beds in the building. By the time Thomas finished, Uncle Jude's breath was steady, however he had not waken up yet.
"Let him sleep. His body has gone through a lot in the past 20 years. The removal of the poisons took a toll on his body and mind. He'll wake up when he's ready." Julianna said out loud.
"Then we wait." Pop pop said during a moment of clarity.
The whole night, Thomas, Pop pop and Julianna took turns watching over Uncle Jude. When the morning came Uncle Jude's eyes fluttered open and watched as Thomas and Julianna argued.
"Why isn't he awake yet?" Thomas asked worriedly.
"He'll wake up when he's ready." Julianna said. "What he needs now is rest. You wanting to shake him awake is not helping. It also does not make sense. He's not conscience, shaking him will only harm him."
" He needs to wake up soon or else," Thomas threatened.
"Or else what?" Julianna challenged. Her gaze on Thomas turned cold as her killing intent showed through and directed towards Thomas. "I told you before that Uncle Jude will not die and he won't."
Thomas stepped back, uncertain if the young Miss in front of him is the same useless young Miss that he watch grow up. This was the first time the young Miss spoke badly to anyone. She always had a nice countenance and never looked at anyone with such a cold gaze before.
"How can you be so confident?" He questioned quietly, not backing down. His Master Jude was the most precious person to him.
"My Master taught me well. I am confident in my abilities to heal him."
"Enough arguing," Uncle Jude whispered. "I'm awake so let's not argue."
Thomas immediately rushed to his side and grabbed his hand. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes as he questioned Uncle Jude.
"How do you feel? Is there anything that is hurting?"
Uncle Jude, shakes his head no. "I actually feel refreshed. I know it sounds crazy but I can feel my dantains are clearing up. The flow of my energy is stronger then before. I...I think it worked."
Pop pop came up to Julianna and hugged her with tears falling down his face. He cried on Julianna's shoulder as if all the hurt and pain he endured during the past 20 years flooded through his body.
Julianna stood like a stone for a long time until she could not endure the stuffy feeling in her left chest anymore. Slowly her right hand patted the top of Pop pop's head and her left hand patted his back.
"Once I get stronger, Pop pop and learn some more from my Master, it'll be your turn next. I will help cure you."
Pop pop nods his head once confirming that he heard her.
"Let me check on Uncle to make sure everything is alright." Julianna said as she let go of Pop Pop.
Checking Uncle Jude's temperature and confirming that his toes were able to wiggle. The happy butler and grandfather rejoiced loudly.
"The battle is only half done. The easiest part is over." Julianna reminded them. "Now comes the up hill battle that will test your patience. You learning how to walk again will be a long trail."
Turning around she reheats the Silver Grass tea and handed it over to Uncle Jude to drink.
"You should drink this Silver Grass tea, once a day for the next three days. It will purify your body even more and open up your veins so the flow of your energy will become stronger. At night you will meditate and cultivate your energy. After three days I will teach Thomas what exercise he will help you with. We will get you standing up and walking as soon as possible."
Over come with feelings of gratitude Uncle Jude closes his eyes and holds his arms open towards her, inviting her into his arms for an embrace. Julianna however did not understand the gesture that Uncle Jude made so she stood there with a dumbfounded look. It took Pop pop to gently push her towards Uncle's open arms did she finally understand that her Uncle wanted to hug her. The stuffy feeling in her chest came back. Worried for her health she was determined to ask her Master to cure her the next time she saw him.
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The next two weeks were quiet in the Landfill wing. Everyone kept to themselves not wanting to let the rest of the household know of Uncle Jude's miraculous healed body and Julianna's herbal skills.
"How's Uncle exercise regimen going?" Julianna asked over breakfast.
"It's going well however I think I can do more-" Uncle Jude began.
"No, Uncle, please don't over work yourself or your body will suffer a setback and we will have to start from the beginning."
Uncle Jude nods his head once although his determined face did not agree with her.
"Did you see the invitation to Prince Ivan and Maria's engagement party for tonight?" Uncle Jude asked.
Julianna nods her head once just like her Uncle.
"Are you going?"
Julianna nods her head once again.
"Are you going to cause trouble?"
Julianna shrugs her shoulders as she tilts her head to an angle.
"We'll see."
"That's my girl. Give them hell." Uncle Jude encouraged her.
Julianna had plan to go and cause a mighty scene like Jemma did before. Julianna planned to live freely without bounds, which was unheard of in the 4 Kingdoms that highly valued women with manners and decorum.
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"Lady Jemma Brooks." The butler announced to the the ballroom as Julianna passed through the doors.
Julianna stood at the top of the stairs and waited to see if any of the noble houses stopped to look at her. Her guess was correct as the ballroom that was once loud and busy suddenly stopped. Julianna wore a black fitted mermaid dress that hugged her toned body tightly. The off the shoulder dress contrasted against her porcelain skin and shined under the chandeliers. She wore long laced black gloves that passed her elbows. Her earrings hung low on a delicate silver chain with a huge teardrop diamond at the end that dangled and swished every time her head moved. Her neck was bare, showing off how dainty it looked. Over the gloves on both sides of her wrists clasped a thick diamond cuff.
Julianna took a long moment for the whole ballroom to recognize her beauty before making her way down the stairs slowly with a stunning smile. The crowd of people parted once she reached the bottom of the stairs and made her way to greet the King and Queen.
Before she could reach the King and Queen, she was momentarily stopped by Maria and her group of friends.
"Dear sister, what bad manners you have to show up late to your own sister's engagement party. Of course, with Father's neglect on your education and etiquette, you would not know any better." Maria said slyly as her friends giggled in the back agreeing with her.
"You must forgive this young sister for being late and not knowing basic manners and etiquette. My education is lacking thus, you, as my older sister must be understanding and forgiving of my insolence. If you would excuse me, I need to greet the King and Queen so not to shame you and the Brooks family name even more." Julianna countered. But before she passed the group, she turn around and said. "Dear sister, with your good manners and Father's attentiveness, you were able to steal my fiancé and now hold your engagement party so soon after mine was called off. I must say, although I've only just arrived, this party is very opulent. One befitting the future King and Queen of this nation, as I can see everyone's merriment. I wish you and Prince Ivan a happy marriage." Julianna said to Maria in the name of revenge.