A Dose of Deceit

"You’re going to apply medicine to that fat monster, right?" Molly, the maid in the kitchen, asked.

"Yes. You were also there, and I think you saw for yourself how Barachelle was punished. I have to hurry and do what the young master asked," Zina replied to Molly.

"Yeah, I know. That’s why I’ve been waiting here for you. Do you remember all the promises I made to you if I marry the young master?" Molly asked.

"I remember, Molly. But the young master is already married now. Do you think it’s still possible for you to tame and marry him?" Zina answered, facing Molly, her voice dull—like she had already given up.

"Zina, you always give up easily. Don’t you trust me? Don’t worry about it. We just have to make the mansion a living hell for that monster the young master married as a wife." Molly’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she spoke, her eyebrows arching suggestively.

"How do we do that, Molly? You know I don’t want to find myself in a big mess." Zina’s voice trembled with unease. Her heart pounded as she spoke, her words tumbling out in a rush.

"Zina, take this." Molly removed a small bottle from a hidden spot in her clothing.

Zina froze. Her eyes widened at the sight of it.

"What’s this, Molly? Hope it’s not what I’m thinking… Is this poison? I can’t hold this!" She took a step back, arms shaking.

"Zina, keep your voice down! You know this isn’t poison, it’s just that 90 percent of people in the world are allergic to this medicine. A small amount applied to the skin will make the whole body ache," Molly explained, holding the bottle casually as if it were nothing.

"Molly, you said almost everyone is allergic to this. Why are you giving it to me?" Zina asked, her voice barely above a whisper, eyes wide with fear.

"Don’t panic, Zina. I told you to keep your voice down—someone might be coming. What I need you to do now is take this." Molly placed the small bottle into Zina’s trembling palm.

Zina stared down at it like it might explode.

"You’ll use this instead of the cream you’re supposed to apply on that monster. Just a little bit with the cotton bud. After applying, don’t leave the cotton bud where anyone can find it. Then you can apply the real cream—but not with your hand. You know what I mean."

Zina swallowed hard. "Okay… Are you sure this isn’t poison, Molly?"

"No. Trust me, Zina. After you apply it, I’ll change the water temperature to the hottest. She’ll want to take a shower—and then her worst nightmare will begin." Molly’s lips curled into a sly, wicked smile, her eyes glinting with cold pleasure.

Zina grabbed Molly’s arm tightly. "Hope we won’t get discovered, Molly. You know the young master doesn’t spare anybody when it comes to screaming."

"Calm down, Zina. The medicine won’t make it look like she was poisoned. She’ll just feel a little allergic reaction and want to take a shower. No one will know I changed the water temperature. I’ll wait there. It’s not like I’ll leave it hot for too long—just a minute of suffering, then I’ll return the temperature to normal. It’s just to teach her a lesson," Molly said, soft but firm.

Zina looked at her again, breathing fast. "Okay, I understand. Even if she explains to the young master that the water was too hot, he’ll try to feel it and see that there’s nothing wrong. And she won’t get too hurt because you won’t leave the water hot for too long."

"Go now, Zina. Remember—just a little amount of the medicine. And keep it safe," Molly said, motioning with her hand for Zina to go.

Zina climbed the stairs with heavy steps, her stomach turning with guilt. She walked to Fulvia’s room and knocked on the door, praying no one would catch her.

Henry had already put Fulvia on the bed and gone out.

"Who is it? Come in," Fulvia said.

"Ma’am, I’m the one asked to apply some medicine on your face so it won’t swell up," Zina said, stepping closer.

Fulvia answered slowly, "Okay. You may apply it."

"Ma’am, I’ll begin with the cream, but let me clean the area with spirit first. If it hurts, let me know." Zina’s voice cracked. Her face twisted with guilt, her eyes darting nervously around the room.

Her fingers shook as she reached into her tray.

"It’s okay. You can begin," Fulvia replied, her voice soft.

Zina applied the medicine with trembling hands and left the room quickly—almost running.

*****

A few minutes later…

Fulvia’s body began to itch. She scratched her arms gently.

"Is it still evening, or already night?" she murmured. "Why do I feel like I need a shower?"

Her skin tingled sharply now. She frowned and stood slowly, using the wall for support.

Downstairs, Molly was already at the water heater control. The setting was turned to its hottest.

Fulvia dragged herself toward the bathroom. Her knees felt weak. Her mind was cloudy.

She reached the bathroom door and stepped inside.

Just as she was about to undress, something brushed past her leg.

Her heart dropped.

"Help! Help me!" Fulvia screamed. She turned to run, but her legs gave out.

Her body crashed to the floor.

Her head slammed into the edge of the bathtub.

*****

Molly quickly returned the water temperature to normal, a wicked grin spreading across her face.

She slipped out of the control room, her footsteps quick and quiet—like a thief.

*****

Henry burst into the room. He ran to the bathroom, breath uneven, fear etched across his face.

"Fulvia!" he shouted. "What happened? Why are you on the floor? Why were you screaming?"

Fulvia’s eyes were wide with panic.

"A mouse… A mouse just ran past! I felt it on my leg!" she cried.

Henry blinked. "A mouse? Fulvia, what do you mean? There’s no mouse in this entire mansion."

Then he noticed something small, curled behind the door.

Jojo.

Henry’s eyes narrowed. "Jojo? Is that you? What are you doing here?"

The tiny puppy peeked out, then wagged its tail and came closer.

"Be a good boy. Come here," Henry said, bending down to pat its head.

He turned to Fulvia gently. "It wasn’t a mouse. It was just Jojo—our puppy."

Fulvia blinked. Her breath caught.

"Oh really? I didn’t know. I thought it was a mouse, I was scared to death..."

Then her eyes rolled back.

And she fainted.

Right in Henry’s arms.

*****

"Fulvia? What’s wrong?" he said, tapping her lightly.

She didn’t move.

"Fulvia! Fulvia!"

His eyes dropped to her head.

There it was—blood.

His heart sank.

And it struck him, Fulvia had hit her head.