Chapter 83 Terror in the east wing
“The physician is here, my lady.” Betty popped her head into the room.
Isabella nodded, sighing. It was time for their monthly medical check-ups. Something that had been a part of their tradition since their return to the palace.
A bald, potbellied man stepped into the room, handling a briefcase.
Isabella narrowed her eyes, her body on high alert at the entrance of the stranger.
“I'm sorry, who are you?” She backed up, her hand reaching for her quilt.
“He's the new royal physician my lady,” Betty said from the other.
“And Doctor Nick?” Isabella insisted.
“He's been let go and I'm his new replacement.” The man answered.
Isabella couldn't help the loud sigh that escaped her lips. She didn't need a soothsayer to tell her that Damien had done this.
“Sorry if I came off as rude. I'm just being careful.” She muttered to the Doctor. “I'm Isabella. Isabella Thorne. And this is my son, Elias Blackthorn.” She pointed at Elias playing with some toys at the far end of the room.
The man nodded with a disarming smile. “I know who you are, Ms Thorne. And it's perfectly okay to have acted that way.”
Isabella nodded gratefully, still not convinced about the man standing in front of her. Something about him seemed off and she just couldn't place her fingers on it.
“Ready to start, Ms Thorne?”
Isabella nodded. “Uh, I really didn't catch your name.”
The man smiled. “That's cause I didn't give you one. “I'm Lloyd. Dr Lloyd.” He extended his hand for Isabella and shook her firmly.
“Nice to meet you, Dr Lloyd,” Isabella whispered.
Dr Lloyd nodded with a big smile. “The pleasure is all mine, Ms Thorne.”
Isabella pulled her hands away softly as she took some steps back. Shaking him had sent shivers down her spine.
“Shall we begin?” The doctor asked one more time.
Stilling the fear in her heart, Isabella nodded. “You can start with me. Dr Nick always starts with me.” She added as she saw Lloyd's eyes travelling to Elias.
“Oh,” Lloyd gave an embarrassing smile as he unlocked his briefcase, bringing out a stethoscope.
“Been having bad dreams lately, Ms Thorne?”
“No!” Her voice was hoarse.
“Really?” The doctor peered into her eyes.
Isabella gulped before nodding. “I think I would know when I have nightmares. Don't you think so, Dr Lloyd?” She said, cocking her head as she studied him.
“Yeah, that's right” Lloyd said with an embarrassing laugh. “I think that came out wrong.”
He checked for some more minutes for her vitals before letting her go. “I think you're in good shape, Ms Thorne. At least, physically.” He added.
Isabella narrowed her eyes. “Are you implying something, Dr Lloyd?”
The doctor shook his head. “That's not my intention, Ms Thorne. I'm just saying that I've listened to your heart rate and they're beating 0.5 seconds faster than normal.”
Isabella looked away.
“Is there something I should know about, Ms Thorne?” He pressed, seeing that she'd remained silent.
“No.” Her voice was cold. “If there's nothing, I would like you to leave.”
Dr Lloyd’s smile stretched wide across his face. “As much as I would love to honour your wishes, Ms Thorne, I believe I have to check the young master before I leave.”
Isabella sighed, beckoning for Elias. “The doctor is here to check us, baby,”
“Dr Nick?” Elias squealed.
“No baby,” Isabella said with a smile.
Elias’s shoulders deflated. “Oh…” he trailed as he walked to where both adults stood.
Dr Lloyd crouched to meet his height. “Hi Elias, I know you must miss Dr Nick but I'm Dr Lloyd.”
Elias's expression did not change. He looked at the older man. “Alright then. Let's get this over with.” He muttered.
Isabella narrowed her eyes at her son. Elias was sounding just like Lucien when he was slightly irritated.
She shrugged at Dr Lloyd as he led Elias to sit down. “He's not normally this rude. I think he's just going through some changes.” She muttered apologetically despite herself.
Dr Lloyd waved her apology away as he conducted his checks. “I think it's normal for children their age. Especially with what is going on in the palace.”’
Isabella narrowed her eyes, her defensiveness rising. “How do you mean, doctor?”
“I'm saying,” he lowered his voice. “The boy may be having some detachment issues.”
Isabella could feel her anger rising. “I would prefer you do what you came here to do.” Her voice was quiet and firm.
Dr Lloyd nodded apologetically. He leaned into the little boy, studying his features.
“Ms Thorne?” He called out to Isabella who had walked to the window.
“Yes?” She said, raising a brow.
“Would you mind if I ask you some questions, regarding Elias?” His hands were lodged firmly on the boy's chest.
Isabella felt her stomach dampen. “Medical-related questions?”
“Yes, Ms Thorne. Medical-related questions.” He said with a disarming smile but Isabella was not going to be fooled.
“Alright then,” she nodded sceptically.
“His dreams,” he began. “Does he tell you about them?”
Isabella's walls rose at high speed. “What does this question have to do with Elias medically?”
Dr Lloyd sighed. “The young master is a gifted child with specific components that can help the kingdom advance…”
“What are you saying, Dr Lloyd?” Her voice was cold, he'd fingers clenched. She was ready to strike him if he tried something funny.
“I mean no harm, Ms Thorne.” He said, raising his hands in surrender. “All I'm saying is, he needs to be in the best of health at all times.”
Isabella sighed, her face releasing its tenseness, her muscles still clenched.
“I'm afraid I can't answer that question, Dr Lloyd. The times are really sensitive.”
Dr Lloyd nodded in understanding. “I understand, Ms Thorne. There are other questions, though.” He said, stopping her from returning to the window.
Isabella raised a brow. “Mods questions?” She confirmed.
“Yes,” he answered and without waiting for her to react, he shot the question. “Has the young master shown any specific capabilities?”
Isabella's frown deepened. “Are you here to ask about Elias's capabilities or are you here to test his medical records?”
“Both.” his tone matched hers.
“Very well then, I'm sure you can see yourself out.” Her voice was cold, her eyes travelling to his hands on Elias's shoulders, daring him to make a move.
Dr Lloyd took his hand out. “There's still one more thing.”
Isabella whipped her head up to meet his gaze. “What?” She barked.
“I wasn't sent here by myself. I was given strict instructions to draw some blood from Master Elias.”
His words sparked something in Isabella as she rushed at him. Her hands were almost at his neck before she realised they were not alone.
Light beamed from her forehead. “Elias honey, can you get Betty here, please?” She said sweetly, barely restraining her voice.
“Okay,” Elias nodded as he scrambled out of the room.
The door had barely closed when Isabella's fingers wrapped slenderly round Dr Lloyd's neck, tightening with every grip.
The doctor inhaled, closing his eyes. “Killing me would be a huge mistake, Ms Thorne.” His voice shook as he spoke, painfully aware of the hand sniffing life out of him.
Isabella snorted. “You're right, I won't kill you. At least not now.” She added the second part as an afterthought.
“But come here again, and your body will be dragged out, disfigured in such a way that you won't be recognised.” She whispered coldly into his ear, her hands leaving his neck.
Dr Lloyd’s hands shook as he stepped away from her, grabbing his briefcase before bolting out of the door, not bothering to rearrange his tools.
From the other door, Elias appeared, a mischievous smile on his face. “That was so cool, Mommy.”
Isabella smiled despite herself. “I'm glad you think so.” She said, beckoning to him. “Come here.”
He ran to her and she engulfed him in a tight hug, drawing him to herself. “I'm glad you got the code.”
Elias nodded, struggling to get away. “Uhm…I think you're going to snuff life out of me if you don't let me go.” He complained.
Isabella smiled, the tears dropping as she ruffled his hair before releasing him.
She watched as he returned to his toys, before walking to the window.
That was a close call. She couldn't bring herself to imagine the plan they'd hatched with Elias's blood. And for a minute, she was glad she'd listened to her instinct.
Her stomach churned at the thought of Damien using Elias for his evil gains. He'd made the first move and it was only a matter of time before he came for them openly.
She knew without a doubt that today, he'd been testing her. Her mind travelled to Lucien, imagining the shock on his face when she told him how she'd almost strangled Dr Lloyd.
A tear fell and she wiped it immediately before Elias could notice.