Chapter 56 Knocking on Deaths Door
Time was ticking as Esmeralda's condition got worse.
It has been 6 hours since she had taken the plant and her condition just keeps getting worse and worse.
She didn't allow anybody to see her in her state except for Belle who tended to her needs, the household physician to cater her symptoms, and Selena who was on standby.
Esmeralda could barely swallow the food but she must continue eating so she doesn't lose herself earlier than the timed disease.
Hours pass by...
8...
10...
No news of Amaria even visiting her.
"My lady," Belle called out in a trembling tone, wiping the sweat along Esmeralda's face. " why don't we just ask her to visit us? Wouldn't it be much easier than waiting for her to visit you herself?"
"Belle, we do not want to make her think we want her to see me in this state." Esmeralda coughed, "We have to make it seem like we aren't anticipating her visit. And... I believe in Rael." Esmeralda smiled.
"If he had done as I told him, she would want to see me for herself." Esmeralda coughed again, "because she loves seeing me in a miserable state." she smiled then groaned in pain.
12...
14...
16...
There were only 8 hours left. The palace is an hour away from the manor. Time was ticking, anticipation built up. The duchess' cries echoed through the walls of her room.
18...
19...
Then-
"My lady!!" a rushing maid went in her room. "A letter from lady Amaria!!"
Everyone in the room sharpened their gaze.
It's time.
Esmeralda opened the letter and sure enough, it was Amaria asking to visit her.
Esmeralda immediately handed the prepared letter she had to the maid.
"Quickly. Deliver this to her."
The maid didn't waste time, she handed the letter to the household delivery boy who rushed immediately to the palace where Amaria was in.
Dear lady Amaria,
Although our friendship had just blossomed. I am relieved that you worry about my state. If you wish to visit me, today might be the only time I will be available as I don't know if I would still be well for the days ahead.
Sincerely,
Esmeralda Schuan
22 hours had passed since Esmeralda had taken the Curias buds. She was already knocking on death's door.
"SHE'S HERE!!" a maid shouted.
Esmeralda quickly got up from her bed.
"My lady!!!" Belle yelled as Esmeralda fell the moment she stood up.
"I... I'm fine." Esmeralda said, her state already looked like a dying person.
Rael burst inside the room. His face looked like he had tears fallen from his eyes.
"What are you doing here!?" Esmeralda felt embarrassed that he had to see her in this moment. Her world would crumble. He had now seen her at her weakest.
She was scared.
Scared that he might take back the feelings he had professed to her once he saw her in the ugly state she was in.
"LEAVE!!!!!" she yelled at him. Throwing anything her hands could touch at him.
Rael didn't move. He walked towards her and picked her up. His hand around her waist while the other on her legs.
"LET ME GO!!!!" She moved frantically, hitting his chest with all her strength left.
"ESME!!!!" Rael shouted, making her stop.
He looked at her like he would burst into tears at any moment.
"Let me just at least do this...please..."
Her hands weakened. Her arms now wrapped around his neck. Her tears started to fall as Rael walked towards the guestroom of the manor.
He placed her down just at the front of the door and kissed her forehead then her cheek before leaving her to go inside.
There, she sat, composed and waited for Amaria to enter.
"...Lady Esmeralda...!"
"How did this—how could this happen—?"
The conversation flowed just as practiced. Amaria believed every word Esmeralda had said. She had faked tears that Esmeralda saw through and went along with it.
Esmeralda's eyes gazed at the clock just above them.
23 hours had passed...
"My lady," Belle rushed in, "It is time for your medicine."
"Lady Amaria, I apologize if I can't escort you out but I must now take my medicine and rest."
"Of course!" Amaria replied instantly, "Please rest as much as you need!"
When Amaria had left, there were only 20 minutes left for Selena to use her divine power to heal Esmeralda.
Esmeralda laid in bed, no longer conscious as death was only a few minutes away.
Selena chanted her prayers as golden light spread from her hands to Esmeralda's body. Everyone watched with anticipation.
10 minutes...
5....
1....
The clock stroke 12 and Selena had finished her healing.
The purple spots on Esmeralda's skin no longer visible.
"It's done." Selena said.
"She's not waking up.." Aziel said.
"Why isn't she waking up?" the Duchess questioned.
"I... I did heal her. I swear- I did-"
"Quick! Physician!" the Duke turned to their household physician who assessed her flawlessly.
"She's breathing normally but her pulse is weak." he said, "She just needs to rest for now. I'm sure the lady is fighting for her life trying to regain consciousness, your Grace."
"We can only hope..." the Duke said.
When the night ran deep, everyone had fallen asleep in Esmeralda's room awaiting for her to wake up.
---
Esmeralda stood in the middle of a field. The grass a vibrant green color and the surrounding so blue, they mimic the sky.
"Where... am I?"
She spoke at the endless horizon in front of her.
"My child," a familiar voice spoke just behind her.
Esmeralda immediately turned. It was Serafim. The Goddess of this world.
She sat on a bench just beneath a tree.
"Come, sit." the Goddess gestured for Esmeralda to sit beside her.
Esmeralda's feet moved and sat beside Serafim.
Silence lingered for a while before Serafim spoke.
"Do you know why I gifted you memories of your past life?"
"Is it not because you want me to stop Amaria?"
The Goddess chuckled.
"I am not so petty as to use my children according to my Will."
"The reason I gifted your memories was so we could be in this moment."
"....What do you mean, Goddess?"
"This world is already saved. The evidence you have gathered is enough to condemn that child."
"Because of that, I can grant you a wish in return for saving this world. I could turn back time to your previous life and make you live in wealth just as you have lived here."
"Really!?" Esmeralda said in joy.
"Of course." Serafim smiled.
"There was so much I wanted to do in my previous life that I couldn't because of poverty. Like eat at a fancy restaurant.. or shop without caring about the price... OR EVEN SKY DIVING. GOODNESS. I'M SO EXCITED!" Esmeralda said in joy.
But...
her smile quickly faded.
"But what would happen to my body here?"
"Well... as humans were created from dust, humans must turn to dust so your soul can transfer to the life of your wish."
"Oh... I will... die as Esmeralda..."
Esmeralda frowned.
"So, what will it be, child?"
A long silence before Esmeralda opened her mouth.
"Goddess... I..."
---
Morning came to Esmeralda's room. Rael held her hand the entire time without sleep.
Esme... please... please wake up...
When suddenly-
he felt her squeeze his hand. His gaze instantly moved to her face.
Esmeralda opened her eyes and they locked unto Rael.
"...What's with that terrible look?" she said as she smiled at him.
"Esme-" his words stopped midway.
It was all too fast for him.
His face entirely flushed.
Esmeralda had landed a kiss on his lips with her eyes closed and his entirely open in shock.
Finally, the villainess was now awake.