I Would Rather Be a Rogue [BL]
Chapter 41: Imperfect Miracle Cure

Chapter 41: Imperfect Miracle Cure

"...So it’s about the blood." The mermaid seemed displeased, but not surprised.

Felix gulped nervously, gripping the cup of steaming hot herbal tea tighter. Once again, he was sitting in the mermaid’s - Brielle, as she introduced herself - living room, with Remi curled up on his lap. He had just finished relaying his conversation with Kade... And things were not looking good. The silence that had fallen afterward in the otherwise cozy room was almost suffocating.

Until eventually, Brielle let out a heavy sigh. "Well, I had already expected that much. It’s always scales, flesh, blood, or plain curiosity. That’s why all merfolk can hardly step on land."

Said the mermaid who has been living on land for who knows how long. But, oh well. Felix didn’t point that out. She must have had her reasons.

"So... Is that the truth?" he asked instead. "About your blood having healing properties."

It felt a bit rude to ask that, and right after she complained after people seeking the mermaid blood out. Felix wasn’t in a position to worry about politeness though. He was far more concerned about whether she would even tell him the truth or not...

And she certainly seemed to be hesitating. But then, her dark blue eyes fell on Remi, who was licking his paws, acting as if he were nothing but a cute house cat, and she let out yet another sigh, even more exasperated this time. "Yes, it’s true," she admitted, albeit unwillingly. "Our blood is indeed a powerful remedy."

"Oh." Felix blinked, a bit taken aback. He wasn’t expecting Brielle to concede so easily. "Then... About the request..."

Brielle put her cup down on the small, round coffee table with a thud. "To be honest, I don’t want to," she said bluntly. "But I’ve already agreed to do you a favor, so... Just don’t think that it will be a regular thing!"

"...Huh."

There it was. That mysterious ’favor’, that Felix hadn’t earned in any way. And it wasn’t a small favor by any means. For the mermaid, it wasn’t just about sharing some of her blood - it would not only confirm the rumors regarding the mermaid blood’s properties, but also reveal that there was indeed a mermaid hiding in Silverfall! It put her whole life at risk!

But of course, Felix wasn’t about to point that out and risk the mermaid changing her mind! Whatever reason Brielle had that made her help him, it was better to just take advantage of that!

So, he nodded his head. "I understand. Thank you very much!"

"...Sure thing." Although the tone of her voice suggested she’d rather do anything but that, Brielle still dragged herself up from her seat. "Wait here," she ordered, as she went to a different room, locking the doors behind her.

Was she going to draw her blood now? It sure seemed so. While Felix hadn’t expected she would have any ready to give away... Somehow the fact that she could do it on the spot was even more odd. What, was she going to just slash her wrist and pour the blood into an empty jar or something? Because unless she was used to giving away or selling her blood, why would she have any equipment at home?

Well, not like it mattered all that much. Felix most certainly wasn’t going to question her about it. He finished the tea and put the cup down, leaning back in the armchair as he stroked Remi’s head...

Or at least that was what he intended to do. However, as he moved his hand to where the fox was resting just a moment ago, he found out that his lap was empty. He hasn’t even realized when his ’pet’ was gone.

"Remi?" he called out, looking around.

But there was no answer.

Felix checked under the table and the armchairs, under the cushions, behind the TV, bookshelves and the cabinet, even under the rug (which was ridiculous. How could a fox hide under a flat rug?)...

But Remi was still nowhere to be found.

"What are you doing?" a voice came from behind his back all of a sudden, making him flinch.

Brielle was already back.

"O-oh, well." Felix stuttered, a bit embarrassed, being caught acting so suspicious in a practically stranger’s house. "Sorry, but have you seen my fox?"

"...Are you sure he came with you?" There was a brief pause before Brielle spoke, as well as the fact that she knew Remi’s gender, which didn’t escape Felix’s attention. All the questions he had no clear answer to were quickly piling up, and he would have to address them eventually...

For now though, it could wait. Dealing with Kade was his priority, he’d worry about the rest later.

"Perhaps not, I must have been mistaken," he went along with Brielle. Even though he remembered clearly that Remi had climbed onto his lap earlier. "Is that the blood?" he asked instead, gesturing at the wooden box in the mermaid’s hands.

"Yes." Brielle opened the box, revealing five corked vials. They were pale blue in color, or, to be precise, they appeared that way, due to the fog they shrouding them. A fog that hid their content, in any possible way. No matter how much Felix sniffed, he couldn’t catch a whiff of any scent, be it bloody or fishy.

"They are enchanted," Brielle explained. "So protect and preserve the blood inside. Thanks to the spell, the blood will remain fresh at least for five years."

"Hmm." Felix’s brows shot up. Did the mermaid have the vials ready at hand? Or was it some sort of mermaid spell? He honestly doubted that... But it didn’t stop him from accepting the box with a smile. "Thank you very much!"

"...Of course. However, I need to warn you. Although the mermaid blood is considered a miracle cure... It’s not a true panacea. There are ailments it cannot heal."

"Oh? For example?" Felix paused, glancing at Brielle with a bit of unease. If he gave it to Kade, and it turned out not to work... Wouldn’t he end up in even more trouble? "Can you tell me what it won’t work on? I really need to know..."

"Well, I might not know everything, since I was never interested in testing the limits of my blood... I only know that it cannot remove powerful curses."

"Hmm. Alright."

While it was hardly a satisfactory answer, the mermaid seemed honest, so it would have to suffice. Felix would just have to warn Kade about it... And hopefully it would be alright.

Brielle walked him out to the door... Outside of which, Remi was waiting. Just sitting right on the doorstep, and whining. As if he had been waiting there the whole time. When Felix stepped out, he instantly nuzzled against his legs...

And Felix just accepted it, holding back a sigh. "Come on, Remi, let’s go home!" he said, hiding the box under his jacket. "I’ll give you a snack tonight!"

Remi’s ears perked up, and he wagged his tail happily. Felix gave him an amused glance, and followed after him, as they made their way back home. Although he was more than certain that the fox had been playing tricks on him... Remi still deserved a treat. It was only thanks to him that Felix had found the mermaid, after all!