3rd Person POV
“Nathan is taking too long, what is the hold-up? Harlin needs his drugs,” said an impatient-looking Charlotte.
“I'll go…” but before Reginald could offer to go look for Nathan, Charlotte had already left. It was important for them that either or both of them are by his side when Harlin eventually opens his eyes. They had begun to lose hope because, during the past few days, he had not improved at all. The doctor suggested yesterday that they say their goodbyes. Of course, Charlotte had almost scratched the doctor's face and she had promised in many unkind words that the second she saw Harlin's chest stop moving, she would drive her hands into the doctor's chest and bring his heart out. Reginald however was more in time with reality and even though he said nothing, he had begun to lose faith. Besides, it looked like Harlin was suffering so much even though he was just lying still. For a werewolf, Harlin's wounds were healing too slowly. Reginald wanted to put an end to his friend's misery. With Charlotte gone, he could do it but he found that he could not, he just couldn't pull the plug.
Charlotte had not left the clinic in weeks. Since the time that Harlin had been sick, she had remained in the clinic. It was where she had her baths and took her meals. So the world outside the clinic felt a little bit strange to her eyes.
She blinked multiple times because she was certain she was dreaming. Right outside the clinic was Kristoff and Gabriella sitting on a bench. They looked very tired and a quick assessment of them told her that they had been here for a long time.
Kristoff blinked away his surprise. He was happy to see that Charlotte had finally stepped out of not just Harlin’s room but the wing that covered the entire clinic. He had not been able to speak to her since Harlin had been shot. He missed her dearly but he could not go to her because he knew that she was grieving Harlin although he had not been pronounced dead.
“Charlotte? Are you alright?” quipped Kristoff, worriedly.
Charlotte looked very pale and she had become skinny. He wished she would take care of herself a bit more.
“I am alright. Have you seen Nathan?” quipped Charlotte, even her voice sounded weak.
“Not at all. I can go look for…”
“Never mind,” came her response as she trudged away.
Gabriella eyed her brother, urging him to follow her. At that moment, Kristoff agreed that he should and chased after Charlotte.
“I'm not in the mood to talk, Kristoff. Besides, it's all my fault. If I had paid closer attention to him if I had…” Kristoff said nothing but enveloped her in a bright hug. He had never seen her cry before but this time she wept in his arms.
“The doctor… he's going to die. He's in so much pain and he cannot say a word…” cried Charlotte.
“It's okay, everything is going to be okay,” he said warmly but his words only made her sob harder.
It took a while before she stopped crying. They continued to walk silently along the corridor. Up ahead, they saw Nathan speaking to a vampiress. Charlotte motioned for Kristoff to be quiet, she wanted to know more about this.
“I know where Irvette is,” said the vampiress. Kristoff had no idea who that was but Charlotte’s face had brightened up so he guessed Irvette was an important figure.
“I know your kind, you only want to trick me,” Nathan's voice returned to being cool. He did not believe that Rosaline's intentions were poor. He was convinced that she was trying to lure him into some type of trap.
“But you know that I speak the truth, don't you? After all, it is why you travelled down here. Your queen has tasked you with finding out if the destroyer of wolves has the Queen,” Charlotte watched as Nathan's face contorted in shock.
“I know that is why you approached me the last time. I can lead you to…”
“Where is she? The woman you speak of?” quipped Charlotte, she could not hide herself anymore. Nathan had an expression of fear on his face as though he had been caught doing something bad.
“You look very much like her,” said Rosaline.
Charlotte’s face remained hard. She did not understand what this woman was talking about.
“Nathan, the drugs?” quipped Charlotte.
It was only Nathan who handled Harlin's drugs. Charlotte could not entrust any other servant with such a task. It was unfortunate that the vampires kept their supply of drugs at another end of the palace instead of at the clinic.
Nathan bowed his head and left the three standing in the corridor.
He could feel the onset of a migraine. How was he to explain to Alison that Charlotte had found out that she had never given up on finding her older sister. She knew that this could cause a major disagreement between them. He also knew that Rosaline had a motive for doing all this. He did not know what her intentions were yet but he knew they did not come from a good place.
Meanwhile, Charlotte eyed Rosaline carefully.
“Why are you doing this?” she wanted to know. If Rosaline was turning against her master, she needed to know the reason. There was also the possibility that this was a trap like Nathan had said earlier. Yet it was worth investigating. Charlotte knew that although Harlin never mentioned it, he missed his mother whom he had never had a chance to meet. She knew that he envied their mother.
“I was there that day. Lady Tristan came to see her,” Rosaline said instead of answering the question.
Charlotte allowed no emotion on her face but she was very surprised to hear this. Lady Tristan had known all along where Irvette was and had not said a word?