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"Ruskin... can you take a look at this?"
Ruskin looked up at his employer, Charles Augustus Milverton, when he approached him. He had no idea what Mr. Milverton wanted to show to him, but he was not so confident as he used to be, which immediately rang the bell in Ruskin's mind. Then his gaze fell onto Mr. Milverton's arm which he raised towards him and his eyes widened from the sight.
On the pure, white skin of the other man, there was a long scar. It must have been there for a while, Ruskin could tell it, but he never saw it before. Mr. Milverton kept it a secret in front of him, not telling him when and how he got it which meant that Ruskin couldn't treat it either. Based on the fact that it still didn't heal and from the look of the scar, Ruskin immediately knew that the wound got infected. Stupid Mr. Milverton, he thought in his mind angrily, knowing that they would have never needed to come to this if his employer was honest with him from the start.
"I know that it doesn't look well." Mr. Milverton noted with an apologizing smile, seeing exactly what was in Ruskin's mind. "But I can assure you that it is nothing serious, that's why I didn't show it to you. One of the cats scratched me a few days ago. It doesn't hurt... it just doesn't want to heal."
If it was possible, Mr. Milverton's words scared Ruskin even more than the sight. A scratch made by a cat? And it was not treated at all ever since - when days had passed! His stomach churled. He remembered one kid from his childhood who died in a similar cause. A stray cat scratched his hand and his mother didn't bring him to a doctor. He got blood poisoning and his arm needed to get cut down. He didn't survive the amputation. If Mr. Milverton as well... even thinking about the chance of an amputation and his employer needing to live with only one arm was horrible. About the other option... Ruskin didn't even let it cross his mind.
"We need to go to the doctor now." Ruskin stated vehemently. "He needs to see this." And we can only hope that it is not too late, he added in his mind.
Mr. Milverton was not fond of the idea.
"I don't need any doctor, your treatment will be enough, Ruskin." He smiled and gave Ruskin the glance which usually convinced his secretary. "I said that it doesn't even hurt."
"This is exactly why you need to go to the doctor." Ruskin told him in a serious voice and shook his head. "You should have come to me sooner, sir. Then all this could have been avoided."
It made him angry that Mr. Milverton risked his life in such a foolish way while he was terrified that what if they are late and the doctor can't do anything anymore. He didn't pay attention to his employer's further complaints, he just dragged him with himself to the carriage and they headed to the doctor who usually treated Mr. Milverton. Now it was faster than calling the man to the manor - and Ruskin knew that every second mattered. Why did Mr. Milverton wait for so long before he showed his injury to Ruskin? This question kept coming back to his thoughts, painfully echoing back from every corner of his mind. The fact that his employer didn't trust him hurt Ruskin, but now he didn't concentrate on himself. Only that the other man should get better.
As soon as the doctor saw the injury, he thanked Ruskin that he brought his employer in when he noticed the problem. He shared Ruskin's worry regarding the infected wound and he began the treatment immediately. Ruskin needed to help the doctor holding back Mr. Milverton while he drew blood and cleaned the scar. Mr. Milverton moaned and struggled in Ruskin's arms. The treatment was clearly painful, and Ruskin hated to see his employer's suffering. He swore that he will kill that cat if his employer doesn't heal - and as he realized that probably this was the reaction that made Mr. Milverton think that it would be better if he hides the injury from Ruskin made Ruskin feel guilt as well. He hoped that everything will be alright and the wound can heal well, with no permanent consequences being left for him. He also promised himself that at home, he reassures Mr. Milverton that he can trust him. He will not scold him if he was careless - and he will also not hurt his cat for a probably just accidental scratch.
Of course, only if his employer will be alright.
But fortunately, the doctor could tell them better news after the treatment was over. It seemed that while the wound was infected, Mr. Milverton didn't get blood poisoning and he would soon heal if from now on, he let Ruskin check the injury every day.
Ruskin was overjoyed when he brought his employer back to the manor. Despite Mr. Milverton's opposition, he ordered him to stay in bed and rest while he made him a comforting, warm tea to make him forget the painful medical visit.
"You are lucky, sir, that you are fine." Ruskin told his employer gently while he watched him as he was drinking the tea. "It could have ended much, much worse. Losing your arm or even..."
He didn't finish the sentence. Mr. Milverton let out a chuckle.
"You should have known that I don't die so easily, Ruskin. I am sorry that I didn't show you the wound earlier." He apologized. "I... didn't want to make you worried."
"I know, sir." Ruskin sighed and put his hand down on Mr. Milverton's bandaged arm. "But I would rather be worried a bit than terrified like now. And... I think I also need to apologize. I promise that if you play with your cats and one of them scratches you, I am not going to overreact the situation. You can trust me."
"I trust you, Ruskin." Mr. Milverton smiled at him and he tilted his head. "But I am glad that you are not going to take revenge on the cats. I am aware that you are more like me than you think. I wouldn't let anyone hurt you either.” He added and continued drinking the tea while Ruskin blushed from the unexpected confession which showed that truly everything was alright.