Wanting a big reaction, Lucy seals Liz's poison for three days and holds onto her poisoned tart in the afternoon. Father must come today, or I'm going to have to start over. Perking up, Lucy feels Father's familiar mind coming toward the courtyard. Lucy waits until she sees him come in, and shoves the tart in her mouth.

"Come here, little thing," Father says. Father picks Lucy up, setting her on his arm. As Father walks through Jing Palace, Lucy unseals the first poison. By the time they sit down, Lucy's breathing had turned harsh. Despite the patter of chocolate cookies, Lucy turns her face away. "Want porridge. Tummy hurts!" Lucy demands. Father frowns, touching her forehead. {Little thing never turns sweets down.}

Lucy bit back her whimpers, fiercely suppressing the twitching of her limbs. Father strokes her hair, watching Lucy's face. I must wait. Just a little longer. Lucy lets herself go when Carlos walks in with a bowl of porridge, a low groan escaping her mouth. Dragging herself up, Lucy shoves the spoon in her mouth.

Mewling, the bowl is thrown away, the spoon spat out. Tears slipping down her cheeks, dripping off her chin. "Yuch. Tummy hurts. Porridge!" Lucy whimpers, drawing her knees up, clutching her tummy. Call for the d.a.m.ned doctor already.

Seeing Lucy's small body begin to s.h.i.+ver, Father's face darkens. "Call for Physician Liu," Father says, hugging Lucy to his chest. Lucy sniffles. "Hurts, Papa" Lucy cries. As Carlos hurries out, Lucy spasms, vomiting on the desk. Father carries her out of the study. "Get Lily Courtyard prepared for the Third Miss" Father snaps. Several servants run ahead, their feet making smoke.

By the time, Lucy arrived in the Courtyard closest to Father's rooms, it had been cleaned, barristers burning, a bed prepared for her. The bedding cool against her flushed skin, Lucy dazedly looks up. "Papa, want Selena, Want Mommy" Lucy begs, her pillow becoming damp, tears, and sweat mixing freely. Why does this hurt so d.a.m.ned much?

Lucy retrains her urges to purge the poison. It's so hard, her body had become used to it. Now Lucy had to control her body to keep from burning away the poison. Everything blurs, as Lucy struggles to breathe, struggles to keep her pure energy still, struggles to endure the pain. "Little Mistress." A soft voice calls, cool arms embracing her. Lucy stills, and burrows closer. "Selena, porridge. It hurts" Lucy whimpers. I need the porridge, to heal the damage this d.a.m.ned poison has given me. Please, it hurts. "Pleeease, porridge."