Chapter 3
Cassandra had servants help carry unconscious Asmodeus to his room.
“William can you—”
A slender old man was already on the phone. He ended the call as soon as he heard Cassandra's voice.
“Don't worry madam, the doctor's on the way.”
William forced a smile trying to reassure Cassandra but couldn't hide his own worry.
‘What's wrong with young master? And why is he so pale? I'll have to check with the kitchen staff about his meals.’
Five minutes. Ten minutes. The entire White household was growing impatient.
“Why is it taking so long? William, call again.”
“I've already called the front gate just now and there is no sign yet. ” The old man had worry written over his face.
Mreeow?
Lucy had come all the way to check what had happened to her human.
The black Maine Coon immediately claimed Asmodeus as her personal chair again. Worse, she was purring.
“Lucy come here. Asmo might suffocate.”
“Dr. Henry is here, Madam.”
“Finally.”
“What wron— Is that Asmodeus? What happened to him?”
“I don't know he's suddenly pale since morning and now he fainted all of a sudden.”
“I see. Let me examine him.”
“Kitty can you move… I need to check Asmodeus…”
*HISS
“Please…”
MRRAWW
Three red lines formed on Henry’s hand.
Henry tried his best. Still faced the consequences.
Cassandra pulled up Lucy, who sat beside her, purring.
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Bandaging his hand, Henry first checked if Asmodeus was breathing at all after Lucy sat on him.
The checkup wasn't long. But Cassandra's worries sure were.
She was currently pacing back and forth.
'This kid never listens and stays on his phone late into the night. What do I do, if something happens to him.'
Her eyes teared at the thought. Scared of what else she might think next, she moved to Henry.
"How is he? Why did he collapse like that?"
"I believe it is fatigue ma'am"
“Then why is his hair turning white, even his eyes. And he looks so pale.”
“That… is something I don't think fatigue is the only cause.”
Henry rummaged into his bag pulling out a card. He handed it to William who had come forward.
“I recommend going to a skin-specialist. This is Dr. Anna. A dermatologist.”
“Well then William once he wakes— Huh?”
---
‘The rock on me has gone but, where am I?'
‘Why does my hand still feel so heavy?'
"...pulses are fine..."
"...looks so pale..."
"...dermatologist..."
'Huh? Who's speaking?'
Asmodeus heard multiple voices, too far to hold onto. Some were familiar, some were foreign.
'Is that mom?'
'Mama—' he tried to call only for his voice to betray him.
'I... I can't speak...' dread crept through him at the realisation.
He tried to move his hand. It felt heavy. Like lifting up a rock. 'Move... move already, damn it'
A finger moved, then another.
Slowly, painfully, his palm lifted from the bed.
"ASMO—"
A panicked voice called him. It felt too loud yet comforting.
He slowly opened his eyes.
"Mama." His voice came out hoarse.
"Hello—"
Before he could finish, Cassandra hugged him tight.
"Are you alright? How are you feeling now?"
"I'm fine now, Mom." Asmodeus smiled weakly.
Asmodeus was now looking around, confused.
‘Why are the colours so different today?’
Then—
*BONK
"OW"
"You never listen to me and your dad! And now you're not just fatigued but also fainting! Tonight you're sleeping at 10, got it?"
"No." Asmodeus was now hugging Lucy, who had climbed up next to him. His cheeks puffed.
He felt his ears being pulled.
"Asmodeus White, did you not hear me?" Cassandra had a sweet smile on her face.
"I’ll sleep at 10 tonight..."
"What did you say?"
"I'LL SLEEP AT 10 TONIGHT"
"Good."
Asmodeus was rubbing his ears which had turned red.
*Cough
"Oh, I'm sorry. Is there anything we have to pay attention to?"
"No. Just make sure he has a healthy diet and proper sleep schedule."
"Understood. Say thanks."
"Thanks doc." Asmodeus' voice was weak as a child's.
---
The door clicked. Cassandra turned to Asmodeus, who was bracing himself for another bonk.
But he only heard a tired sigh.
“Do you know how much you scared me today?"
"I'm sorry"
"Be sorry to your body. For now, get some rest. I'll have the chef make you something light eat."
"Can I have ice cream?" Asmodeus' eyes were almost glowing, as if waiting for a reward.
"And worsen your headache? You just take rest." Cassandra tucked him into bed and left with Lucy following just behind.
The moment the door clicked, Asmodeus searched for his phone. Finding it gone, along with his laptop, he grumbled himself to sleep.
"…Asmo..."
"…Up..."
"…Wake up..."
"Huh?"
Asmodeus blinked his eyes repeatedly. "Why is the room so bright?"
"Because it's afternoon. Get up and eat your lunch."
Asmodeus found his mom holding a bowl of porridge.
"Bleh"
"Asmo... stop doing that and eat it. It's for your health. "
"...Okay." He reluctantly agreed.
“I called your dad. He said he'll try to cut his business trip short.”
"Then bhen's bab gonna cob?"
"Don't speak with your mouth full!” The words came out of Cassandra naturally as if she has used them a number of times.
“And he said he'll be here in 2 days."
"Yay."
"You missed him?"
"I mean I've got a lot of questions for him."
"I pity your dad."
"Why?"
"Nevermind, you just finish you lunch."
"Oh, and it'd be better to consult a dermatologist for your..."
"—Paling?"
"Yeah that. You just rest for today, William already made an appointment for tomorrow."
"Can you go in my place? I don't want injections." Asmodeus grumbled.
"Silly child. They are not going to give you injections for everything."
"Then I'll come."
"Well then I still have some work left to do."
Once Cassandra left, Asmodeus considered passing the tasteless porridge to Lucy.
'Nah, if Lucy meows loudly like last time and mom finds out, I'm doomed. Plus I've no idea where she went.'
He reluctantly finished his lunch and decided it was time for some screen.
Asmodeus' head continued to ring all the way down the stairs. 'Ah...Damned head.'
He decided hitting his head, with his fist would relieve him of the pain.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work.
‘Now even my eyes are acting out. All the colours are so different. And my glasses are missing.’
The moment he stepped into Cassandra’s home office, "No screens Asmo, go take a walk in the garden."
"Are you literally guarding them now?"
"Yes, you see, there is this tailless monkey in the house that keeps using them despite being told ‘no’ repeatedly." Cassandra put the fabrics down.
"Maybe the monkey needs some ice cream—"
"No it doesn't. Now let me finish this design."
"Oh you're working, I'll go annoy Lucy then."
'Poor cat' Cassandra smiled to herself.
MMMREEOWWW…