Chapter 18 Chapter 18 The Evil Trick

"I'm very sorry, ma'am." Experience has taught me not to argue with Patience, her unique ways won the hearts of the horsemen.On a day when I'm in a good mood, being disrupted like this can take my breath away, and tonight I feel a little more powerless. "I was ill for a while and was unable to make the journey home. After I recovered, the weather delayed our return and unfortunately missed the wedding." "That's it? That's the only reason you're late?" she said sharply, as if suspecting some evil tricks in me. "That's right." I replied seriously. "But I do miss you. I have a present for you in my bag. I haven't brought it from the stable yet, but I will bring it to you tomorrow."

"What is it?" She asked me to answer like a curious child. I took a deep breath and really wanted to go back to my room and go to bed at this moment. "It is a slender herb, and it is not suitable for carrying gorgeous herbs on a long journey. The Qiwuda people do not use slates or scrolls to teach the preparation of herbs like us, but use a wooden box like this instead. When you open it, you will find small ones. The small wax models of medicinal herbs, with the color and smell of medicinal herbs, make it easier for people to distinguish and learn. Of course, all the signs are Qiwu Dawen, but I think you should still like it."

"Sounds like fun," she said, eyes twinkling. "I'm looking forward to it!" "Should I move him a chair, ma'am? He does look sick," interposed Lacey. "Oh, of course, Lacey. Sit down, boy. Tell me, what's wrong with you?" "I ate some herbs from another country and had a strong reaction." Yes, that's true.Lacey helped me move a small stool, and I sat down gratefully, but still feeling a bit tired. "Oh, that's how it is." She finally let go of my illness, took a breath, looked at me, and then suddenly asked: "Tell me, have you ever thought about getting married?"

It was Patience's style to change the subject so abruptly.I had to smile, try to concentrate on the question, and then I saw Molly's rosy cheeks and dark hair blowing in the wind.Molly, I'll see you tomorrow.I promise myself, to Muddy Cove. "Fitz, don't do that! I'm not going to let you act like I'm not there, hear? Are you okay?" I struggled to bring myself back to my senses. "Not too good..." I replied truthfully, "I'm really tired today..." "Lacey, pour the kid a glass of elderberry wine. He does look exhausted, and maybe this isn't the best time to chat."

Mrs. Patience faltered in her decision.It was the first time she looked at me so carefully, her eyes were full of sincere concern. "Perhaps!" she suggested mildly after a moment, "I don't know your whole adventure yet." I looked down at the padded hiking boots.The truth of the matter swirled in my mind, and then I sank in the danger of letting her know the truth. "A long journey. Terrible food, dirty inn, sour beds and sticky tables, that's all. I don't think you want to hear all the details." Strange things happened.Our eyes met and you could tell she knew I was lying.She nodded slowly, still accepted my lie, and then looked away.I wondered how many times my father had lied to her like this, and how much it took her to accept the lie?

Lacey put the glass firmly in my hand, and I raised it to take the first sip of the refreshing sweetness.I held the glass in both hands, and forced a smile at Patience. "Tell me," I said, but no matter how hard I tried, my voice still trembled like an old man's.I cleared my throat and steadied myself. "How are you doing? I can imagine Buckkeep having a queen, and you'd be too busy! Tell me about these things!" "Oh!" she said as if she had been pricked by a needle.She turned her head and looked to the side, "You know I'm lonely and not in good health, staying up late dancing and chatting kept me in bed for two whole days. No. I met the queen and sat at the same table with her once or twice, But when she was young, she was busy adjusting to her new life, and I was old and weird, just doing what I liked..."

"Kettricken likes gardening as much as you do," I ventured. "She's probably the favorite..." There was a sudden tremor in my bones, my teeth chattered and then I fell silent. "I'm just... a little cold." I raised my glass again as if to save myself.Instead of sipping, I drank deliberately.My hands were shaking, and the drink from the glass splashed down my chin and dripped onto my shirt.I jumped up in displeasure, and let the wine glass drop with my hands in disbelief.The wine glass hit the carpet and rolled away, leaving a trail like blood.I sat down again abruptly, clenching my arms, trying to stop the shaking. "I am tired."

I try to explain.Lacey took a cloth and dabbed my face until I took it from her hand.I wiped my chin with a cloth, and I almost blotted the wine stain off my shirt.But when I bent over to wipe the wine stains off the floor, I nearly hit my face in the fall. "No, Fitz, don't worry about the wine, we'll clean it up. You're so tired and sick, so go back to your room and rest! Come see me when you have enough rest. I have something important to discuss with you. It's going to take another night. You go now, boy, and go to bed!" I stood up, grateful for the temporary relief, and with careful grace.Lacey watched me go to the door, then stood there watching me go to the landing worriedly.I tried to walk steadily without letting the walls and floor shake before my eyes.I stopped on the stairs to wave to her, then continued upstairs.After walking three flights of stairs away from her sight, I stopped and leaned against the wall to hold my breath, raised my hands to cover my eyes to block the bright candlelight, dizziness flooded my whole body like waves.When I opened my eyes, my vision became circle after circle in the rainbow in the fog.I closed my eyes and put my hands on them.

I heard soft footsteps descending the stairs, stopping two steps above me. "Are you all right, my lord?" I heard someone ask in an uncertain tone. "Too much wine." I lied, knowing that the spilled wine made me smell like a drunk. "It will be fine in a while." "Let me help you up the stairs. It's dangerous to fall here." The reserved voice was full of disapproval.I opened my eyes and looked at her through my fingers.blue shirt.The servant was dressed in fine cloth, and she had no doubt handled drunks. I shook my head, but she didn't care.If I were her, I would do the same.I feel a strong hand firmly gripping my upper arm and another around my waist. "Let's go upstairs!" she encouraged me.Leaning against her reluctantly, I stumbled up the other landing.

"Thank you!" I murmured, thinking it was time for her to let go, but she continued to grab me. "Are you sure your room is on this floor? The servant's room is upstairs, you know."