Page 307 - The Grotesque Children's Book
P. 307
suspicions on him. I trust his intentions, if not his science. Am I clear? You are to leave him
alone, Zaccario.”
Zaccario bowed low and gravely. “My humblest apologies, sire. I have had only your
best interests at heart.”
“I know this. Nor am I sorry we laid this little espionage upon the doctor. You were
guided to mistrust him by the best of intentions. But now that he has proven his loyalty, we need
doubt no more. Good night, my royal alchemist. Go administer to Bianca.”
“Snake skin, Sire?”
Francesco grinned; his first smile in quite the while. “And some naked druidic dance too,
if it will cure her.”
“That only works for virgins.”
“And are you a virgin?” teased Francesco, and left the room without waiting for an
answer, chuckling at his own cleverness.
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