Bright and early the next morning, I was dragged out of bed once again. This time, somehow felt a little more refreshing than usual; the wafting scent of medicine settled me back on Earth.
I glanced around the room as Ariande gave my forgotten muscles a good massage, making the dull ache follow my attention span into the ground. White smoke flows lazily in the air, spreading like a cloud of haze over time.
Slipping out of comfortable sleepwear, I was put into a white two-piece morning dress with yellow trimming.
" My lady, the Madam has returned from the palace. She requested your presence at the dining hall for your breakfast." She said casually, like a breeze brushing past the tree branches.
If I were swimming in drug-induced euphoria before, I sure as hell fright myself to cognizant.
' Does that mean the entire family will be there?'
The Laurel family is specifically designated as a clan because it includes multiple families. With Amelia's family being the direct lineage, the territory hosts four other collateral lineages. These are all the remaining second-tiered branches that stuck around or survived after 'somebody' from the last generation decided to try and usurp the throne.
However, the novel guarantees that the Laurel clan has no internal conflict that still remains. That is good for me, but... the main issue is that the fact that these families settle on having some kind of meal altogether every once in a while. Not like yearly, every 3 to 8 months, or whenever important things happen.
This is a weekly occurrence. Five families (40 people, not including servants and knights), one room, mostly chatting, vibing, and eating.
It is a friendly atmosphere to first meet them for the very first meeting, but that is just too many people. Something like their youngest finally being up and about again after approaching death door surely is something to gather for.
I have been preparing, but this much? At once?
Are you trying to end me?
Seeing my hardly concealed flinch and muttering about the crowded atmosphere, Ariande could only sigh.
" The collateral lines are surveying the mountainous range behind the Hissing Timberland with your father. The one remaining in the estate opts out of today's meal for various other business. Only your mother and your siblings will be there with you. Your father has also sent a letter addressing you." She ushered me off the chair, smoothing out the small crinkle on my dress.
Then four people who should know Amelia the best.
Hm... this is a sticky situation.
It was never explicitly stated what Amelia's personality was like in the novel, nor could I figure out the specifics, especially without context clues to go off of.
I know that she was kind. Refined. Elegant. But that is like public image alone...
Although... Amber didn't react strangely to the bubbly, energetic archetype I have during the picnic.
...
I'll just go with Amelia's flow. This body does whatever it wants either way.
Trailing next to the handmaidens, I snail my way to the dining room. The quieter hall was chosen for this meal, so the servants stayed out of the way and emptied the corridor.
The mansion is filled with sunlight filtering through open windows, with the smell of blooming flowers at every corner. The wind brushes through the leaves, leaving behind a rustling noise resounding with each step.
Sound of lighthearted laughter and talking tickles my ear as we approach the dining room door. They seem to be waiting for me, the clear clinking of teacups and silver spoons urges me to push open the door.
" Good morning." I find myself saying, my legs already taking me past the closed door in front of them. Just as quickly as I entered, I could feel my body move on its own, slipping into the arms of the rose-like woman who stood up.
" Oh my dear Amelia, did you miss me that much?" The corner of her eyes became a bit red, and her gloved hand returned the embrace. She spun me around a few times, checking under my sleeves and feeling my temperature.
" Mom, you're back." My mouth instinctively crept up, smooth words flowing out, betraying the earlier nervousness and concerns. Seemingly semi-satisfied with her check-up, she sat me down in the chair next to her.
Duchess Andrea, first daughter Olivia, second daughter Amber, and first son Louis. The only one missing from the main line is the patriarch Barrow. One of the most important families supporting the Heroes in the original plot.
" What, you could remember mother but not anyone else in the room?" Louis flicked my forehead.
" Ow! I said good morning already." I shot back, kicking the leg of his chair, making it creak slightly. His golden hair seems to be shoved back with his chair almost tumbling backward.
" Sister Olivia~ Sister Amber~ He is bullying me." This earns a chuckle from the two, as they naturally glance at Louis with a mocking sneer in their eyes.
" Hey! Who is bullying whom right now? I even thought she was a boar just from that one kick alone. If this were any other chair, I would be tumbling on the floor already."
" Bleh."
" Oh you little..."
A light breakfast was brought in for everyone, along with a mandatory seat switch order by the Madam. Toast bread with butter, a runny egg, fresh fruits, and roasted mini tomato.
The three older siblings at the table watched as I took the first bite as if waiting for something. I slowly take more bites under their vigilant gaze. When I look back at them, they naturally go back to eating. Andrea could only sigh at her children's antics.
She decided to distract her grown children to spare the younger one. Bringing back the topics from before, they start discussing their work and family matters.
I, however, focus on downing all of the food on my plate, and occasionally take in some workplace drama.
" Whew" I pat my happy stomach as I pass my clean plate to the servants. They quickly retreat, leaving behind the dining room behind.
*knock* *knock*
" This is Selinus, may I come in Madam?" A tired, barely audible voice flowed from the other side.
" Come in." the Duchess ordered.
The door slides open smoothly with a click, the doctor slips in with his two assistants, and Dawn follows in tow.
" Please take a seat Doctor, Miss Dawn."
" There is no need for that, I prefer standing for work." Selinus rejected the courtesy.
" Dawn, if you would."
With a light bow, Dawn moved next to me. Her briefcase popped open as Selinus started his speech.
" I wanted to do this when everyone is here, but that seems a bit difficult for the time being."
" As of currently, Amelia's recovery has exceeded our team's every expectation. And that is thankfully due to the aid of Miss Dawn. The rare medicinal ingredients and information on the poison's effects were obtained through her channel."
A tall glass cup was placed in front of me. Dawn brings out a giant tank of thick, sloshing liquid and shakes it vigorously.
" For now, we have made this detox to slowly flush out everything bit by bit. It might look a bit... unsightly and appeal to consumption... even less. This is the best course of action we can come up with to best remedy Amelia's delicate state."
The face of the family hardened a bit, but quickly turned pale and morphed into pity when the lid of the tank was twisted open. The horrid smell filled the room like a plague. The cup in front of me slowly filled with unmentionable black green sludge, making me regret my meal, causing an assault on all fronts.
Selinus and Dawn have already stuffed cotton balls into their nose, clearly having already experienced this biohazard. The assistant doctors seem to be dry-heaving in the corner.
" From today on, she needs to drink this at least twice a day, preferably after breakfast and lunch, everyday for the two years." As I look into Selinus' eyes with dread, I could sense a faint level of guilt or sympathy.
The Duchess instinctively pushed her chair further away from the foul but life-saving source of discomfort. Before Amelia could say anything, the other three siblings also followed the example of their mother and inched away from the cup.
" ..."
The only one still standing next to me is Dawn, the one responsible for the making of this concoction. I could see her sealing the tank like it was filled with radiation and would kill everyone in this room if she were just a wee bit forceful.
" ...Is it possible to change it into another form for consumption?" I ask hesitantly, somehow seeing the sludge generate bubbles.
" We have attempted to change the...ehem approach from this perspective, but...considering Amelia's desire to join the Academy, the amount needed to flush her body increased in multiplication. If we choose a more solid form for this medicine, her meals might as well be completely replaced by it alone because many of its components are most effective in liquid form." Dawn explained.
I would be a lot more convinced if she wasn't standing at an angle, keeping my chair in the same place while avoiding the sensory assault.
" Wait, you said this is only for detoxification. What about everything else?" If Amber didn't mention it, I wouldn't remember either. Because of the poison, there are also mana veins being broken, physical deterioration, and possible organ failure.
" Currently, the content of toxin within her body is too high for us to push in any direction too hard. Even with all our work so far, we could only hold her body at a constant stalemate. The blessing of the Laurel family can keep her alive, but not fully push back against the poison. If we are to pursue recovering her body, we have to get enough poison out to facilitate her natural recovery to overpower it without aid from medicine."
" Pushing anything too hard might send her into shock, as her body has only started to rebuild itself again."
" Her mana vein will have to undergo surgeries to try to recover it to what it once was. Though we can't confirm that every single route can be mended, the general main line can still hold up very well."
" With something like this, we can only persevere through with consistency and will. "
" So-"
*gulp* *gulp* *gulp*
My god, it tastes like charcoal, coffee grounds, and other unmentionable wiggling around and stabbing me on the tongue. It goes down like dried mud clinging to the back of my throat as it slowly slides down,
A full-body chill ran down my spine as it hit my stomach like a bullet, making goosebumps rise up with every wave of bitterness edging itself in my mouth.
" Here, have some water to wash it down." The Duchess quickly poured her a glass, seeing as her daughter seemed like she would hurl at any moment.
I chugged down half the glass of water right then.
" I recommend chugging the entire thing in one go." Selinus adds unnecessarily.
Looking back at the black sludge, only 1/4 of it was gone.
" Hurk... Curse you, cruel world."
___________
An abrupt change has been detected...
Item in effect detected.
------
Hellish Sludge of Poison Control
Rank: B+
Time duration: Immediately after consumption
Fail to find a way to neutralize that poison, have no fear, for this forgotten alchemist has got you. Just let this tar sweep away all the toxins in your body and get dragged out with all the other trash.
Just drink lots and lots, and eventually, you might be okay.
------
Effect: Collect the toxin in your body little by little. It will become a protective layer to bring all the bad no no outside just with one trip to the toilet.
------
[Conclusion]
After consuming this entire cup, and letting it take effect.
Your self-recovery ability (present): 17.55%
Your self-recovery ability (After consumption): 17.555%
Prediction: Your recovery rate will no longer be hindered by the poison's side effects in the span of two years.
=> Your path to E-rank will be significantly shortened.
___________
...
...
...
Amid the reluctant cheer of everyone in the room, I chugged the rest of the cup without hesitation.
All for my survival-
I would love to say I didn't pass out after drinking it like that, but...
It would be lying to say I didn't.
It is late afternoon already...
They took me back to my room while I knocked myself out. After a quick bathroom break, I got my well-deserved status increase.
" ...Yay me."
They leave a brand new note with the detailed medicine plan along with a plate of cookies.
________
New helpful treat discovered!
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Snow Sugar Butter Cookies
Rank: E+
Sugary sweet flavor helps you forget the bitterness of life.
The maker hopes your drive remains steadfast.
------
Effect: If you consume this right after a horrid assault on your taste buds, this will help you replace it with the deliciousness of baked goods.
___________
...
I am saving some of these for later.