Poisoned

"Crystallis Ventus Aurora Florin Aestas Lumin Vitalis Agrivir Harvesta Nimbus Crystal Hiems" - these are the twelve months of the year in ascending order, with Crystallis being the first month and Hiems being the last. Currently, it was the 15th of Vitalis, year 842. It had already been two months since they both arrived at Denil, and their lives were both peaceful and quiet. For the past three weeks, Ishmael had been busy trying to prevent Lady Sarah and young Master Derrick from being killed by the head cook and her partner in crime.

"This is all mentally exhausting," he thought as he lay in his bed, ready for another audacious day of protecting and serving House Manchester. His skin was itchy, and a small rash was spreading slowly, but he thought it was something that would pass.

He got up and went through his morning routine before going to the kitchen. These days, he would go to the kitchen and observe as they cooked, pretending that he wanted to teach himself how to cook. He could see the irritation on Selena's face every morning when he came in, but she could not do anything about it, as his position was above hers. He made sure that every utensil used was perfectly clean, including the plates and cups.

He was waiting on Simon to make his move since he had said that he would deal with it. After they had their breakfast, Sarah announced that they were having a visitor today - a very important person, Master Drew of House Payne. Ishmael was eager to meet the master of House Payne; he had heard about him but had never seen him. Despite being the master of a noble house, it was rumored that he preferred to get his hands dirty. Said to be a very smart and cunning individual with good deduction ability, he was the one who did her majesty's dirty work, having been mentored by the late Arnold Manchester. Their relationship was like that of a father and son, despite being from two different noble houses.

After breakfast was done, he instructed Brianna and Selena to prepare for Master Payne's arrival, and he also went to check young Master Derrick's finest clothes. These days, the relationship between him and Sarah was somewhat odd; she would only speak to him when she had an instruction, otherwise, she would just keep quiet when he was around, even avoiding eye contact at times - not that it mattered to him; he just wasn't fond of the odd behavior. Sarah would now converse with Simon more; when she wanted an opinion on a matter, she would ask Simon, not him - whereas he was the butler, but not that it mattered to him; at least she spared him the trouble of having to think a lot.

Standing by the door and scratching his right arm, he was a little bit expectant and eager to meet the guest, but then he was suddenly hit by a strong headache that, at first, he tried ignoring, but the headache became worse and worse, and he passed out on the door. As Simon was getting closer and closer to the entrance, he could see a silhouette of a person lying down on the floor, having a bad feeling; he urged the horses to move faster, and when he arrived, he saw his friend laying there. He got off and ran towards him.

Picking him up, he placed a hand on his forehead and realized his temperature was very hot. Simon picked him up and went inside without realizing he had left Sarah and Derrick inside the carriage. "Simon!" Sarah yelled after him as she saw him enter the house with Ishmael in his arms, running after him with her son behind; they both quickly entered the room and followed after Simon.

Arriving in Ishmael's room, he placed him down on his bed and took off his shirt, revealing his well-built torso. Simon was looking for signs - physical signs of poisoning. Poison had various effects and symptoms, and one of them was high body temperature and either pale or blue-tinged skin or rash, and Ishmael's body was covered in rash.

"Get me milk! Hurry!" Simon yelled as he ran to the bathroom; he came out with a wet cloth and placed it on Ishmael's forehead. Red burns were slowly beginning to appear on his mouth and eyes. Derrick, who had rushed down the stairs to get the milk, came in holding a jug full of milk; Simon grabbed the jug and opened Ishmael's mouth before forcing him to drink. Milk spilled, but most of it went into his stomach.

After he was done helping him drink, he gently placed him down and ran down to the kitchen and grabbed some herbs quickly, earning a few curses from Selena, who was angry that people were just running into her kitchen and grabbing stuff without consulting her first. But after Simon was gone, a sly smile appeared on her lips.

Simon ground the herbs together and applied them to his friend's rash-filled body. Sarah was just staring at him the whole time, unable to move. Her eyes were teary, and she had also forgotten about today's meeting. When one of the servants came knocking on the door, Derrick went to answer, and the young maid looked down respectfully before speaking, "Young master, please tell Lady Sarah that her guests have arrived." The girl left quickly after that.

Sarah, having heard the girl, wanted to cancel the meeting, but Simon urged her to go, promising that he would look after Ishmael. Sarah and Derrick left the room, and Simon sighed, wiping sweat off his brow. "Now I can finally heal you." With that being said, a dark glow covered both of them, and on Simon's back, a huge shadow of wings appeared. After a short while, the glow faded, and revealed the two; Ishmael was completely fine, but he was still put out. Simon appeared tired - no, he appeared physically drained, like he had aged 10 years. Falling on the bed beside his friend, he too passed out.

If Ishmael was awake, he would have been shocked at this revelation; it seemed like he was not the only one with a big secret. Even his friend seemed to hold his own deep secrets.

By the entrance, a black and red coach stopped in front of Antonio, the former head butler. Antonio was an old man in his late seventies but had a strong and dignified presence. The coach opened, and a man in his early thirties stepped out, wearing an eyepatch on one eye, but one could not deny his elegance. He was handsome, and his clean-shaven face made his appearance more charming. He wore a simple blue suit and a white shirt; he had a cane in his other hand. On his cufflinks, there was a P for Payne.

His coachman, with his black and red suit, bowed deeply on the side. This was Master Payne, the man whom Ishmael was eager to meet. Antonio moved forward and went to greet him, welcoming him to the household. Antonio led them inside and, once inside, took Master Payne's hat, which he would hang in the coats room. "Please wait a moment, Master Payne; I'm going to let Lady Sarah know of your arrival."

With that, Antonio went upstairs and was met by Sarah and Derrick, who had just come out of Ishmael's room. His eyes turning soft, Antonio asked, "How is the lad?" Antonio had been the one tasked with teaching Ishmael everything he knew, and the two had formed a good bond.

"He will be fine, Samantha told me he is here?" Sarah asked, confirming with Antonio. Antonio nodded, "Yes, he has arrived, my lady...oh, and please be careful around him; he-he is a cunning one." Antonio warned, and Sarah nodded before they descended the stairs to go meet up with Drew.

"And here is Master Payne, milady." Antonio bowed and moved to the side. Sarah did a small curtsy, and Master Payne slightly bowed. "Milady." Greeted Master Payne. "Sir Payne." She spoke with a smile; "it is an honor to meet you...again." Sarah smiled; she could still see the little boy her father took in under his wing when his parents died, and he taught him how to everything he knew in the "business" sector. She still remembered their first meeting; they had done the exact same thing back then, but back then, they had used their names, and now they were adults, both in charge of their respective households, although one's family was all gone, and he was the only member of his household.

"You have grown into a formidable young man, Drew." Sarah commented with a smile. Master Payne or Drew smiled, "And you have grown even more beautiful and refined, Sarah; Arnold would be proud of you." Drew answered with a smile. Luckily, Ishmael was still asleep, or he would have quickly recognized Drew as the man who was after him.