Adda's Point: 

Eventually, Raiel settled in his office but asked me to take care of the young master to the best of my ability. He didn't really need to ask me twice, I was already there. I had given the master some strong herbs to keep in his rooms to prevent him from becoming 'stimulated' by the smells of his husband that would come around during this time and, when it should come, the peak of the poor boy's heat. Of course, it was easy to handle this but I don't think he would be comfortable with any of us touching him, let alone Raiel.

I shuffled into the room, nodding to the two maids who had been keeping Edam in order. Whenever the boy needed water, he'd get water but we've been struggling with getting him to eat more than a slice of toast in the past five or so hours. I put the packet down on the desk, hearing the omega shuffle uneasily in his blankets. Turning nigh-instantly, I see him clawing at the sheets. His skin was shining with sweat and, when I put my hands against his neck and head, he was again struck with fever. He let out a small whimper at the coldness of my hands, jerking away from it in a flash. He held onto his stomach, rubbing on the sides of his body stiffly.

"How long was his still period?"

One of the maids looked up, pulling a small book from her apron and reading it before responding:

"Thirteen minutes, two minutes less than the last period."

"Well, ladies, let's get to work. Cassidy, please go get some more towels from the laundry. I think we might start expecting slick, latest the day after tomorrow. Emmery, I'd like you to please go get more camphor, and please make sure we have enough water for the evening."

The two ladies nodded, getting up and going to follow their instructions before I turned to look at the squirming boy on the bed. I pressed my tongue against my teeth in thought, turning over my choices in my head. I hope they have some form of syrup or liquid medicine in this bag, it's hard to give an omega a tablet in heat. I tore open the packets, the sharp sound of the paper causing the small boy to retreat deeper into his bed.

"Sorry, love," I whispered to the air. Looking through the medicine, I was disheartened to see that the two major ones (the pain killer and fever medication) were tablets but the other two were largely just effervescent. I'd have to crush the other two tablets up and mix them with the water if push comes to shove.

Still, we do what we can with what we are given. Emmery came back with a refilled jug, taking the empty one away to go fill it up and keep it in the kitchen. It is at times like these that I wish we had a dumb waiter but, again, what we are given. I nod to Emmery and her eyes break for a minute to look at the panting boy with sympathy.

Pouring a small amount of water into a plastic cup, I toss in one of the effervescent tablets. It was a tablet made for the "vitamin and immune needs of an omega". Taking the cup and setting it on the far side of the nightstand, I sat on the bed next to Edam.

"Come, little one, time to drink your medication," I whispered gently, rubbing his back. He turned over and looked at me, his eyes a mixture of lucidity and heat-haze. I slowly helped him to sit up with his back propped against the pillow. Looking at the exposed skin under the blanket, I realize he kicked off his pants. I nodded understandingly, moving to take the cup from the nightstand and hold it up to Edam's lips. Using my other hand, I support his jaw while he chugs down the medicinal water greedily. I don't know whether it was because of flavouring or that he was genuinely thirsty. With how much he had gone between periods of sleep and fever, I'd think it was the latter.

"Would you like more water?" I asked. He nodded frantically. I couldn't give him too much or else he'd throw up, so I'd have to begin rationing the water until I'm sure he's hydrated. I stand up, feeling my knee stiffen slightly as it unfolded. Moving to the desk, I poured another cup before resuming my place at his side.

"Slowly," I coaxed, holding the cup at an angle so Edam wouldn't chug it all in one go but be forced to take slow sips. When he had finished half the cup, I pulled it from him and put it back on the nightstand. He let out a small groan now that the water had gotten rid of the cotton mouth and dryness that he had. He smacked his lips tiredly, slowly coming back into his still period. 

"Alpha," he said hazily.

"Mmm?" I asked, only hearing some of the word he said. I took a tissue from my apron and wiped away at the water on his lip.

"Rai-Raiel..."

I nearly flinched at the name as it left his lips, turning to the door as though Raiel would burst into the room at the mere mention of his name by Edam.

"He's nearby, don't worry." I tried to comfort him, gently guiding him back into a lying position, turning him onto his side. I will not lie, not one bit of me mourned this. I was ecstatic that, despite all of this, there was still a chance of work. Of course, it'd be a good deal of work, but better a path than none at all. I removed the top blanket, leaving the thin, cool undersheet for Edam to rest in, knowing that the fevers will only lengthen as he went into the next phase.

All in a day's work, but I'm glad I was here to hear it.

A/N: Thank you so much for all the support thus far. I'm going to work through the past few chapters to edit them as time allows. Please, feel free to vote and follow me for updates about River Flower and its schedule if I do schedule some chapters later this week. Additionally, please feel free to check out the other content. <3