In the early morning, after Ivy finished her lessons, she asked the Duke for permission to go out for a walk. He didn't refuse her request, still stunned by the rumors spreading that she had snatched the Duke's dog's ear from its place.
Louis boarded the carriage with a maid assigned to watch over Ivy.
The driver asked nervously,
"Where shall we head, my lady?"
Ivy pondered for a moment.
"Hmmm... let's go to the flower shop."
"Right away, my lady."
Upon arrival, Ivy entered the shop accompanied by the maid.
The shopkeeper greeted them warmly,
"Welcome, ladies. How may I assist you today?"
Ivy smiled softly,
"I came to smell the beautiful roses."
"The shop is yours, my lady."
As Ivy admired the beautiful flowers with the maid silently trailing behind, she noticed the dangerous datura among the blooms. Carefully, Ivy picked the flower.
She turned to the maid,
"What do you think of its scent?"
The maid replied thoughtfully,
"Hmmm... it's very lovely."
Ivy nodded,
"Oh, good."
She gently placed the flower back.
Minutes later, as she strolled among the flowers, the maid suddenly collapsed.
"Lady!" the shopkeeper exclaimed.
Ivy hurriedly called out,
"I will summon the driver!"
"The maid has fallen—take her to the hospital at once!"
The driver responded in shock,
"What?! At once, my lady."
After rushing to the hospital and placing the maid in intensive care, Ivy wandered through the halls until she reached the doctors' rooms, where she discreetly used her keen hearing to listen in.
A doctor spoke gravely,
"Ah… the Son of Duke Ramon condition has worsened.
We have no cure yet… persistent cough, shortness of breath, swelling in the feet and ankles… this is serious."
Ivy thought sharply,
"This country is still behind medically... persistent cough, shortness of breath, swelling... heart failure. Then it's Digitalis..."
(She recalled copying the plant earlier from the shop—for John.)
Ivy smiled to herself,
"Well then, let's continue our stroll…"