“You wanted to let me rest?” Ravina’s head tilted in confusion, her voice echoing Seits' words. She had moved to another chair to allow the doctor to focus his attention on her young maid. He was a distinguished older gentleman with balding white hair and a playful mustache. He was dressed in a well-used fine gray suit. His fine leather bag was open on the floor as he dabbed at the young girl's wounds with a small ball of cotton he held between a set of silver tweezers. The ball was first dipped in something Ravina could only guess was disinfectant.

Perched on the handle, a small, grey cockatiel sat, its head tilting curiously. A fascinating bird that drew both girl's eyes. It twitched its head this way and that, examining the girls with its sharp black eyes. Its cute orange cheeks drawing small smiles from the younger pair.

Another woman in a light grey dress was examining her. She was a young beauty with golden blond hair and smiling blue eyes. It was only due to Ravina’s insistence that the doctor was examining Seit and his assistant was looking her over.

“Y-yes my lady, it's just that you have been working so hard this last week I figured you could enjoy a day sleeping in.” Ravina was impressed that the little maid could speak so clearly while the doctor treated her. She was very much against using rubbing alcohol against even the smallest of cuts. “With your schedule clear, I thought it was the perfect time for relaxation. After all, your days have stretched from early morning to late night.”

Before she could respond the doctor picked up from Seit's ending words “A young girl needs plenty of sleep.” he began, causing Ravina’s lips to frown. “After all you are still growing, no late nights.” putting the cotton down he pulled out a small jar and some bandages. The bird took this opportunity to jump on his arm and climb its way to his shoulder. “If anyone gives you any trouble for it, tell them I said so.” putting the jar and bandage down, the doctor grabbed the bird with one hand. The other found Seit's hand and he pulled it up, placing the bird in her hand. Siet’s eyes went wide and she sat frozen in place.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“If need be I'll even yell at the count for you.” the doctor continued as he went back to work. Opening the jar he put the paste on the bandage before wrapping the girl's wounds. “I think I can take him.” he offered Ravina a wink as he finished speaking. The bird grew bored of the young girl's hand and hopped his way to her shoulder. It sat there for a moment, the girl too afraid to tilt her head or lower her arm. She only followed the bird with her eyes, curiosity, and a little bit of fear controlling her breathing. The bird then began to preen its own feathers, balancing on the girl's shoulder with one of its tiny legs.

“Thank you for your concern,” Ravina said with a nod. “But I can handle it myself, besides it was my own choice.”

“Well good, choose to sleep. Trust me, you will miss it later in life.”

“That's…” true. Ravina thought. How many hours had she spent too tired to even make coffee?

“Trust your doctor,” he said, putting his tools away and pocketing the spent cotton ball. Rising to his feet he looked down at Seit. “You’ll live,” he joked with a straight face. “Keep the bandages on for the rest of the day, it will help keep the skin pure, other than that kids are known for getting a bump or two so don't worry about it.”

He turned to his assistant. She nodded as she stood herself. “She’s fine, just a small bump. Could use a little bit of love but-”

Ravina waved her off, “It's fine, seriously I can barely feel it.” Her fall had been cushioned by the squishy frame of Seit, who took the full of the fall with both their weights. The bump was a gift from her headbutt with the maid.

“Well, it's good enough, besides kids bounce back.” Ravina could only hold a strained smile as the doctor referred to her as a kid once again.

“Thank you for your time.” She managed as he and the assistant began to head to the door.

“Of course my dear, if you need anything from us you wonderful little servant knows where to find us.” With that the assistant opened the door and just before they disappeared from it he turned to the Siet, calling out for his bird. “Peaches.”

On command the bird left the little girl's shoulder, but not before leaving her a small gift. Landing on the doctor's shoulder, all three of them disappeared, leaving the children alone.