Thankfully, the distance to Azalea's room was quite long, so by the time we arrived, I was able to stand straight once more as my crotch had calmed down, though it meant I was pretty much unable to glance at Lazuli for the time being.
"Madam Azalea's room." Said the maid as she lightly bowed to Alexander and Lazuli while gesturing to the door, prompting him to knock.
After waiting a few moments, China opened the door, and with a faint smile, she slightly bowed before inviting us into the room. Lazuli and I entered the room while our maid stood outside, doing who knows what to pass the time.
"Woah, this room makes our look tiny." Muttered Alexander in awe as he observed the massive room alongside Lazuli before shifting his focus to China, who stood before them.
"Madam Azalea has difficulty breathing, so she tends to stay within this room where the air is purified; it also has everything she would need to live." Remarked China softly as she glanced at Alexander before turning around and walking towards a door in the distance, causing him and Lazuli to follow.
'Difficulty breathing? Well, I guess she was coughing a lot yesterday.' Mused Alexander with a raised eyebrow as he scratched his chin before shrugging his shoulders while further observing the room.
I noticed a few pictures of Master throughout the room, which caused me to smile, especially the one where she seemed to be holding a younger version of herself in the air, causing me to smile as she had such a large smile.
'... Yet someone took that beautiful smile away from me.' Thought Alexander with narrowed eyes as he stared at the picture while anger began to bubble within him, only for him to close his eyes.
Dispelling such thoughts, I took a moment to calm myself as I shook my head and opened my eyes, only to see Azalea lying on a bed in a much smaller room.
"Alexander has arrived, Madam Azalea." Said China softly with a slight bow as she looked at Azalea, who raised her head while dismissively waving her hand.
"Thank you, China." Said Azalea softly in a somewhat hoarse voice as she glanced at China, only for her eyes to soften when she looked at Alexander, who strode into the room with a proud expression.
"I hope all my talking didn't keep you up for too long, Madam Azalea; sleep is probably critical for you, given your condition." Said Alexander with a prideful grin, one that caused Azalea to frown as she folded her arms in annoyance.
"Hmph, I will admit, I wasn't expecting you to speak about Lavender for so long and with such enthusiasm, but if it weren't because I was an old woman on my deathbed, things would've been different." Stated Azalea in annoyance as she eyed Alexander, though a faint smile couldn't help but grace her face.
"Ho, so you're saying you think you could speak more about Lavender than me if you had your youth?" "Think? I know I could. You may have been my sister's disciple, son, and lover, but I've known her for centuries; your knowledge doesn't hold a candle to mine, boy." Remarked Alexander and Azalea, respectively, as the former sported a sly smirk while the latter responded in kind, smiling confidently without fear.
"Alright then, since you believe so, let's partake in a little fun; how about a bet? Whoever wins has to do one thing the other person says; that sounds interesting, doesn't it?" Asked Alexander with a grin as he stared at Azalea, who raised an eyebrow before smiling, baring her white teeth in excitement
"A bet? I completely agree! I may be old, but I'm not cowardly." Stated Azalea with a smirk as she looked at Alexander before outstretching her hand, prompting him to grasp it.
Shaking hands with Azalaea, locking in our deal, I saw her enthusiasm slowly vanish while she leaned back against the headboard of her bed.
"Haa, I would love to, but like I said, Alexander, my condition is holding me back; my mind is more than capable, but my body is not." Said Azalea sadly with a sigh, only for Alexander to chuckle, annoying her.
"Don't tell me you're laughing at me. It's rather rude to laugh at an old woman's predicament." Added Azalea with a slight frown as she eyed Alexander, who continued to laugh without restraint.
"Hahaha, of course, I'm laughing at you! Don't you realize what your sister was? Or maybe you just never knew." Remarked Alexander with a grin as he provokingly eyed Azalea, who furrowed her brows in confusion, only for her to widen her eyes in shock.
"Alchemist." Muttered Azalea softly with a shocked expression as she gazed at Alexander in disbelief, only for him to remove a vial of golden liquid from his space pouch.
"Master spent a lot of time within her office during alchemy. Honestly, I think she might've spent more time doing alchemy than actually spending it with me… And yes, I'm definitely jealous." Said Alexander softly as he held the small vial while China faintly chuckled at his words.
"However, before she passed, she managed to make this; I don't know exactly what it is, but she claimed it was some kind of life potion. Seeing as how I've yet to even hit my prime, I saw no point in taking it for myself, and now that I've met you, I see no person more qualified to have it." Added Alexander softly with a sad smile as he handed the vial to Azalea, who slowly grasped it with a slightly trembling hand.
"Madam Azalea, may I inspect it before you consume it?" Asked China softly as she slightly bowed towards Azalea, who hesitated before eventually handing it to her, causing Alexander to be overdramatic.
"Haa, so you don't trust me? I can't believe this, China, and after all those hours I spent talking with you." Said Alexander lightly as he glanced at China before looking away, acting offended by her words.
"I won't quite say I trust you, but I do not believe you wish to harm the royal family; however, after listening to you speak about Madam Lavender and all of the aftereffects of her potions, I'm worried this one will have one as well." Remarked China softly with a shake of her head, only for her to wryly smile while shifting her focus to the vial, causing Alexander to fold his arms and nod.
"I can't argue against that, but I doubt you'll find anything." Said Alexander softly as he nodded in agreement while glancing at China, only for her eyes to suddenly widen in shock.
"W-What the hell!?" Exclaimed China loudly, her words surprising both Alexander and Azalea, though for different reasons.
"Eh, is something the matter, China?" "Y-You actually managed to inspect it!?" Remarked Azalea and Alexander, respectively, as they stated in China in shock, only for her to quickly uncork it while handing it to the former.
"Madam Azalea, quickly drink it!" Said China solemnly as she practically forced it into Azalea's mouth, though she barely managed to stop her.
"I-I can drink it without any help!" Said Azalea as she grasped the vial out of China's hands, eyeing her in annoyance.
After a moment of looking at the vial of my ichor, Azalea poured it into her mouth, drinking everything in a single gulp; although at first, nothing seemed to happen on the outside, with [Heroes Gaze], I was able to see all the changes happening within her.
A few moments later, the changes to her outer appearance finally began to take place; her brownish skin, similar to Lavender during her last few days, quickly receded and returned to its previous bright green, indicating a strong and healthy Dryad, while the wrinkles were also swiftly dispatched of. Her cloudly eyes regained their light, and her hair regained its reddish luster back while the rest of her body, including her face, began filling out, adding muscle and fat to places where they no longer existed.
In a matter of a minute, Azalea, who looked like she was moments away from dying, now looked like a young woman in her mid-twenties.
'Heh, she truly looks just like Lavender; damn, she's hot.' Mused Alexander lightly with a faint smile as he gazed at Azalea, who was gazing at her hands and arms.
"So young–" Muttered Azalea, who quickly stopped and grabbed her throat, marveling at her enchanting voice.
"C-Congratulations Azalea." Said China with a large smile as she wiped her tears, prompting Azalea to raise her head and glance at her.
Azalea didn't say anything and silently gazed at China before suddenly lifting the blanket off her, causing me to quickly focus on her face because someone wasn't wearing any pants or underwear.
'I want to say something, but I've got no room to talk; I'm still accustomed to Master's habits.' Thought Alexander softly as he glanced at his feet before looking at his crotch, only to shake his head.
On the bright side, this habit wasn't specific to Master; it seemed every Dryad had this habit, so I surprisingly felt pretty comfortable here.
"I-I can walk again?" Said Azalea in surprise as she effortlessly walked through her room, only for her to leap into the air, hit her head on the ceiling, and fall to the ground.