Star Crossed In Time

The maids set up the small table inside a simple yet elegant room with large windows. I look around cautiously but Lady Xue quickly waves me over and pats the seat next to her. I give her a small smile and sit down next to her as the maids refill our cups with warm tea.

"Would you like any snacks? We have these little cakes that are sweet and delightful." Lady Xue says with a large smile. I quickly return her smile and nod my head saying "That would be wonderful, thank you." After the cakes were delivered, I turn to look at Lady Xue and see that her lips are unusually white. 

Looking down to her hands, I see a slight blue tint to her nail beds making me frown. She's been poisoned... how do I even know that? Was this part of the "herb perk?" I look back over to her and ask "I know this might sound odd but... can I hold your hand?" 

Lady Xue looks at me with confusion before lifting her hand and placing it in mine. It was like ice! "Your hands are so warm Nova, just like your eyes." Lady Xue says with a kind smile. I give her a small smile before gently turning her hand over and pulling her sleeve up. 

Her veins almost looked purple under her fair skin... "How rude! Let go of her Grace right this moment! Who do you think you are!?" Says the older servant who was standing outside with Lady Xue earlier. 

Lady Xue lifts her other hand at the servant as I ignore her completely. She was indeed poisoned... I place my fingers on her slim wrist and feel for her pulse. It was unsteady and fluttering at times... I pull my fingers back as my mind is filled with knowledge I shouldn't really know.

This definitely has something to do with the "herb" thing... suddenly something comes to mind. I look up to Lady Xue with a conflicted look as I say "Do you or someone in this palace have an herb called firetail?" 

Lady Xue looks at me with large eyes before turning to the servant at her side. The servant shrugs her shoulders and looks back to me with confusion. "I'm not completely sure but... I think I might be able to cure you if you let me try." I say with a small voice.

Lady Xue's eyes glitter with amusement while the servant's face darkens "Do you take us for fools!? Numerous godly doctors have come to treat her Grace and none of them were able to help her, why would you think you're any different? Are you a doctor?" 

I bite my lip and shake my head no. I wasn't a doctor... I only know what's suddenly inside my head. Even I wasn't a hundred percent sure... I don't want to hurt Lady Xue if I'm wrong. I release her hand but she quickly grabs my hand and says "Why don't we give it a try?"

I look up to her with shock as the servant cries out "My Grace! You can't be serious!?" Lady Xue shoos the servant and says "Go find some firetail, quickly!" The servant wants to argue but she bites her tongue and quickly leaves the room.

I look into Lady Xue's kind eyes with confusion "Why do you trust me when you don't even know me?" Lady Xue giggles and says "Who says I don't know you? We just had tea together so we're now friends. I believe in you." 

I give her a warm smile but when I look back down to her hand, I can't help but sigh. Maybe she's doing this because she's desperate? If the poison can't be taken out, she will slowly die... I look back up to her and say "I will do my best but I really don't know if it'll work."

Lady Xue startles me when she reaches up and gently pets my head while saying "It's enough to try, you have such pretty hair Nova. It reminds me of starlight..." Suddenly my eyes sting causing me to look away but Lady Xue saw it.

Her warmth... I can feel it even through her ice-cold skin and it makes my heart hurt. She was such a kind woman... who would do something so horrible to someone like her? "My Grace, I have the firetail..." The servant says walking in out of breath.

Biyu walks in behind her with a frown on her face. "What's going on here? Who gave you permission to treat her Grace?" I roll my eyes in annoyance as Lady Xue says "Calm down Biyu, I'm allowing Nova to treat me. It's my decision." 

Biyu glares at me and says "You aren't even a doctor! Are you trying to kill her!?" I ignore her and grab the small knife on the table. "What are you doing!?!!" The maid and Biyu both yell and try to stop me but Lady Xue slams her free hand down on the table and says "I order you both to stand back! Neither one of you is allowed to interfere."  

The maid looks like she's about to cry as Biyu clenches her teeth. Humph, we'll see about this! Biyu storms out of the room as I place the blade over the flame of the candle. "I have to make a small cut, it'll hurt a bit..." Lady Xue gives me a reassuring smile and nods her head.

I turn to the maid and say "I need a bowl or bucket, something to catch the blood." The maid turns around and grabs a large bowl with tears in her eyes. I sigh and place the bowl on the ground and say "I need you to chew the firetail, it'll be bitter but it won't hurt you. Swallow the juice but not the plant itself, okay?" 

Lady Xue nods her head and picks up the red and purple plant that resembles a small tail. She pushes it into her mouth and begins chewing as I take a deep breath. I can't believe I'm about to cut this woman but I need to get the poison out...