✧THE PAIN OF KNOWING✧

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"More testing? What couldn't they find in the standard testing that would result in this?" She asked, taking hold of the clipboard, though the Healer hadn't truly offered it to be taken and read through.

"Oh...A-alright...Can this be expedited at all? I swear to you, my husband was in good health all through our Holiday. Sure he drinks his fire whiskey and smokes, but if it were any of those two problems it would have shown here."

"I apologize, Mrs.Black, but unless I have authorization from the Head Healer then I cannot put in the order."

"I understand, I get that plenty." Now that had caused the wizard to frown in confusion, and she shrugged her shoulders. "I work on eight tower."

"Y-you work with—Oh Merlin, why didn't you say so before! I'll have it rushed, no worries...Besides, Maverick owes me a favor." Now that had caused her to snort as she found the humor in it all.

Of course, of course, Maverick would come to the rescue when he wasn't even present.

Granted, it still strained her with worry that Alphard's chart looked normal at a glance. This was a good start, given that he was in healthy condition. Perhaps this was the small fright he needed in order to stop his smoking habits?

Whatever it was, it was starting to make Rhea grown anxious. Already she had to ask, twice, about the status of the blood results—And even then it was loaded with excuses.

Forget about the saying a Healer makes a terrible patient, a Healer makes a terrible patient's guardian!

There were ways to bend the rules, and Maverick had done his job in testing the limits. But clearly, there were certain areas where that would.

Having been stationed on the children's ward showcased that, given that no one in this entire build would tell another no when it involved an ill or hurt child.

Rhea had already called for Maverick, but it seemed he was floating about and unable to be reached. She just hoped that he wouldn't stumble in here without any warning on his part.

It was close to ten when Alphard had shown signs of movements, but Rhea didn't believe they were anything more than small twitches until a low groan had settled into the room.

Jumping into gear, Rhea squeezed his hand in her grasp tighter and prepared a smile to her waking husband. But he hadn't budged, though she was hopeful that he was at peace and getting some proper rest.

The previous Healer was right, she couldn't imagine the type of pressure he was getting at all sides. Not only was his wife hurt, the company was getting prepared for the most stressful time of the year.

"Knock, knock...Sorry I'm late, came as soon as I could." Rhea turned to greet the voice over her shoulder, but she couldn't manage much more than that.

Truly, she was out of sorts by all of this. Yet the comforting hold of Maverick's touch brought her back for a moment. "What happened, Rhee?"

"We just came back from our Holiday...He went to his study and when I went to go and call him for dinner—Alfie didn't even make it to his chair, he collapsed." She had repeated it numerous times in the last few hours, but now she couldn't manage to get through it without choking up.

"I don't know how long he was there...I didn't think to—" Maverick hadn't said a word and simply opened his arm to offer a bit of comfort, and she instantly went forth to claim it.

Yet her hand hadn't left Alphard's, not even for a moment.

"Everything will be alright, there was nothing you can do."
"But he's complained about those headaches long before I was attacked, Mav. And everything with the company, what if this is his breaking point?"

"Then I'll give him a stern talking to about taking things easy, though I don't think I'll add the word retirement in there." Rhea sniffled, but managed another smile as she agreed. Knowing full well that Alphard hated that word.

"I'm going to see if I can see where his testings are, push it forward."
"Please? Another Healer already sped up those, but things look fairly healthy."
"I didn't get anything wrong when I gave him an evaluation. I'll be right back." It was a blessing to have Mav, gods, she couldn't even imagine what she would do without the pull or sway he held.

Even if her own Healer title managed a fair bit, Rhea wouldn't be able to walk the halls and ask for random favors from another senior member.

In a moment of weakness, Rhea had leaned back into her seat and snuggled much closer to Alphard's coat. Maverick hadn't said anything, but it was clear that she must have looked like a wreck.

Her eyes were already felt swollen and painful from crying so much, but it had been her gut that was telling her otherwise.

The same thoughts continued to swirl in her mind as she choked up once more—Why did this happen to us?

In her lectures, she learned about handling a patient's family members and their outburst, and of course she thought it strange—But now she understood. The panic of the unknown was worse than knowing, at least she could plot for a solution.

Soon enough, another knock had come forward, and Maverick now had a mask over his face in addition to another clipboard. But it was the two other Healers that truly caused her attention to stall.

"Mav—"
"Rhea, I need you to stay right where you are...When I'm done, these two will need to disinfect the room."
"Disinfect? Mav, please." He nodded and tried his best to sooth her, but he offered no hug or comfort this time around.

Just a pleading glance in his eye.

"He has stage two Dragon poxs." And it seemed like everything that could have happened had ultimately fallen apart at the seams.

Perhaps the panic of the unknown wasn't worse than knowing, as how was Rhea meant to plot against Dragon Poxs?

Rhea had stood in utter shock as her mouth began to bounce up and down, before her attention drifted to Alphard. "Mav—"
"Stage two is still not as aggressive, Rhea. There are treatments, but of course you know it's—"
"Treatments aren't cures." She whispered, disbelief reigning down on her as she didn't know what to do.

"H-how long?
"Rhea—"
"How long has it been festering?"
"Headaches rarely suggest Dragon Pox, but I have a feeling Alphard underplayed his aliments..." Rhea knew he had been lying, the bottles of potions that lingered at the bottom of his trash pail were insight enough.

The idea that he had already progressed to stage two had blindsided her, and in any case, there was the treatments that he would have to live with until a cruel could be made.

There would be no better until then.

"He's—"
"This is a very tricky illness, but there are multiple teams around the world working day and night for a cure. And the treatments are growing rapidly with it." She nodded once more, hoping that could be a comfort, if anything.

But her mind still couldn't function properly.

"I do have a couple of questions...And a general warning that you will need to be tested as well."
"W-what?"
"Close contact is a sure reason to get it...In addition to sexual activity." To what was once a comfort now felt claustrophobic around her shoulders, but the mere reminder that she and Alphard had made love a few times over the corse of the last few weeks was painful enough.

"What are the questions, besides the former?" It felt like a never-ending list, and by the end of it all, Rhea hardly felt able to stand and follow Maverick down the hall to get tested, vaccinated and cleaned properly.

She was thankful enough that she hadn't gotten it either, as Alphard would no doubt feel the guilt. But the sureness of the vaccine had allowed Rhea some comfort in being close to him.

Though even now she was running through the possibilities. At Alphard's age, he was fit enough to where he could give it a good few runs, but not enough to live the rest of his full life in that case.

It was pointless, utterly pointless, that she was stuck awaiting more test results in order to pair him with a proper treatment plan when he hadn't even awoken yet.

Hell, upon looking at his arm, she couldn't see any visible signs of dragon pox—The scale-like tendencies weren't anywhere to be found, but perhaps they followed the aches and pains he had been complaining about prior.

Maverick, the blessed man that he is, had given her all the pamphlets he could possibly manage—Was it wrong that Rhea was about to send Alphard to the most expensive possible treatment resort? Perhaps, but anything, and she did mean anything, was up for a decision at this point in time.

However, with everything that Maverick had witnessed, he assumed readily that Rhea needed some support. And whom better to call than Corin, as the witch had bustled in with a plethora of items.

"Not to worry, I had to take vaccinations when I was in Eve's garden." It was very cruel of Rhea to linger on that thought, but she hadn't budged.

Not when she needed to make this known in the family—Oh gods, and perhaps even an attorney!

If Walburga thought for one minute she would get to be in the spotlight once more, she could kiss her arse to America because Rhea was not holding a patient tongue as of yet.

Come morning, Rhea had sent an explicit owl that Orion was needed at Saint Mungo's, and of course, the bloke had been allowed—Though it was rather unfortunate that Rhea had to wait outside Alphard's room to explain things.

"Rhea...Gods, what the hell happened that—" The small window through the door had already given Orion the heads-up as to what was going on.

But the pain that struck across her brother's face had risen tenfold. "Mav said this room is free to chat..."

"I want to see him."
"You can't."
"Can't? Can't?! You just came out of that room, Rhea!" In the instant, Rhea had gripped Orion's hand and hurried into the spare room, quickly shutting the door behind her.

"I'm cleared to go in because I've been vaccinated, Orion. And once you do the same, you can as well."

"Vaccinated, what the bloody hell are you going on about? What is wrong with Alphard?" Rhea's eyes squeezed shut as she sniffled, wondering how she had managed to pass the numerous test of explaining aliments to patients.

"Alfie has Dragon Pox."
"What?!"
"Mav said it's already progressed to stage two, and there are already visible signs on his skin that suggest that the scales are forming. I knew something was wrong, but he didn't want to share it any more than just being a headache. I tried, Orion. I tried, I had Mav come out and give him an evaluation at home. And still he hadn't shared anything! I should've trusted my gut, and now look where we are!"

Rhea had started to breath heavily after such a projection, but Orion's anger and confusion hadn't given her a pass. Not so easily— "You call yourself a Healer yet you blindly miss—"
"I didn't! And you cannot simply look and diagnose it! It took hours to get the tests together!"
"And why wasn't I informed!"
"I'm his wife!"
"I'm his brother!"
"Correction, cousin. And until you get the vaccinate, the hospital will not allow you entry to his room. Not when it could affect you, and possibly everyone you plan to meet and interact with." Whether that had finally crossed his mind was unclear, but with the anger subsiding, Orion looked softly to Rhea as guilt slowly started to trickle.

"Rhea—I'm sorry."
"I know."
"With Walburga and the lads back home, and your attack, the company, and now this?" Orion hadn't meant to push her to tears again, but as she sought shelter in the crook of his neck, she truly couldn't stop herself this time.

"There are treatment centers all over. Germany has one—And Poland."
"Then that is what we need to look into. Whatever it takes." She nodded in agreement, wanting the best possible treatment for Alphard would be a good start.

"You said he's at Stage two...How many are there?"
"Four."
"He's—"
"He's in decent health, and Maverick hadn't made any inclination that treatment wouldn't give him some benefits to live...But it's not a cure." Orion remained silent once more, not realizing that something so profound in the Daily Prophet had suddenly come to stir trouble in his family.

"During treatment, will he be able to come home?"
"Yes, I'm sure he will...Depending on his condition, I just—I wish I knew before. At the first stage. The first could have been beaten." As Orion had started to whisper the calming reminder of said plan, it was Maverick who came forward into the room.

All without knocking and his gaze pinning at Orion instantly. "I had a Nurse claim she heard yelling."
"It's okay, Mav. It'll be okay." While it was contradicting at best, Rhea thought that there would be some sliver of shining light soon. But perhaps she was just being optimistic.

Alphard hadn't managed much movement in quite some time, though it was hardly any trouble for Rhea as she moved as fluently as any nurse when caring for a patient.

To the point where Orion, sporting a freshly punctured arm, had mumbled off to Maverick claiming that Alphard was in the best care. And perhaps, he was right in some regard.

However, what was unsettling to both Rhea and Orion, was not being able to speak to Alphard.

Plans needed to be made, a lead for the Black family needed to appointed—And if Alphard was not about to choose, then it would automatically shift to Orion.

Leaving Walburga above her.

"Orion..."
"Yeah?"
"If—If Alfie can't name a current head of the family, what happens to me?"
"You're the highest ranking Black. There is nothing to question." His answer was gruff and immediate, but certainly not what she was expecting.

"So Walburga can't—"
"Walburga can barely pay for a new pair of dance shoes, she can't afford another argument with you." She nodded, but it was hard to agree.

"The real issue...Is his will and what will be—"
"Don't finish that thought, please."
"It has to be addressed, Rhea."
"Not so soon after the diagnosis." Perhaps she was right, so Orion reframed, but Rhea truly needed to get a hold of an attorney and soon.

It was a shame that her father was such a bastard that he wouldn't touch this sort of cause.

"You've worked up my nerves, what were you going to say?"
"Has Alfie spoken about a will?"
"Yes, he had it amended when we were married."
"Have you taken a look at it?"
"No, I assumed it was all handled." Orion nodded, but hadn't spoken up following it, which lead her to question it yet again.

"Do you know if it said anything about an heir?" Rhea hadn't seen the document in question, nor could understand what Orion was referring too, but the guttural cough had silenced the room in an instant, and Rhea had all but flung herself closer to Alphard's side.

"Alfie?...can you hear me?"

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Date Posted: 05/01/23

Time: 9:33

Words: 2630

Author's Note:

I truly meant to post this earlier in the week but so much has been happening!
I've been a reader on this platform for a long time and I understand how awful it is to be left on a cliffhanger, so I'll do my best to post every Monday.

And perhaps another chapter in the given week, but Mondays are going to be the designated days to expect a post. Probably around this time.

Also, do not be alarmed, but I did miss a number when naming the chapters!
Silly me!
I skipped #99! So we're pushing everything back so I correctly mark them, and not to confuse any readers who are catching up!