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Chapter 40
The office of the Ashlen Duke.
Receiving the report, Cain let out a small admiring breath with a satisfied expression.
‘Incredible.’
Because he had been secretly monitoring Jayden’s condition, he already knew he was improving.
But the speed of recovery exceeded all expectations.
It hadn’t even been that long since Viola came to the estate, yet the improvement was this clear.
Cain had done his best in his own way as an uncle.
He knew tamutar disease was incurable, but he had still tried to find some kind of solution.
However, the more he searched, the dimmer hope became. And then Viola overturned everything in an instant.
Just as he finished reading the report, Viola carefully spoke.
“From now on, patients with tamutar disease can be treated based on this formulation.”
She had written the preparation method in such detail that anyone could follow it. It seemed she had also been thinking ahead to future patients of the Ashlen ducal family who might be affected.
“…There have been several Ashlen bloodline members who died from tamutar disease. If you hadn’t created this medicine, that number would have continued to grow.”
Cain paused for a moment and placed the report down, looking directly at Viola.
“You are not only Jayden’s benefactor, but also a benefactor of House Ashlen. Do you want anything? Anything at all—I will grant it.”
He had merely stated what should naturally be said, but the woman began frantically waving her hands in alarm.
“No, no! That was part of the contract to begin with! I just did what I promised to do!”
Cain shook his head firmly, as he would normally have agreed to her wishes.
It seemed Viola did not fully understand how significant this treatment was to the ducal house.
“A manor, perhaps? Or land?”
“N-no, that’s too much…!”
“Being indifferent does not mean being ungrateful.”
The dragon-blooded were said to be emotionless, but when it came to debt and repayment, they were clear. Otherwise, he would not have been able to rule as a power for so long.
Viola, flustered and unsure what to do, shook her head again. But this time, it was a different kind of refusal than expected.
“You’re not indifferent at all.”
“…What?”
“Do you not remember? When you treated me here, and even lent me your coat… you’ve been looking after me in many ways since then. How is that being indifferent?”
“……”
“You are a kind person, Your Grace.”
Cain was momentarily speechless.
Was she simply flattering him to be polite?
That didn’t seem to be the case—those fresh, sprouting-green eyes showed no hesitation. They were completely sincere.
“…Conrad would faint if he heard that.”
“Of course not.”
She chuckled softly, thinking it was a joke.
But Cain’s next words made her expression turn awkward.
“Anyway, tell me what you want.”
“Ugh… do I really have to?”
“Yes.”
After hesitating as if thinking, her eyes suddenly glimmered with something unusual.
“…Hm?”
It was only for an instant, but it looked like the corners of her lips had lifted slightly, as if she had caught something.
Was it just his imagination?
While Cain was briefly puzzled, Viola suddenly switched to a bright, innocent expression as if nothing had happened.
“If it’s really that necessary… then before the season changes, could you personally pick out one set of clothes for each of us?”
“One set each?”
Did she mean Melody and her clothes? It would already be insufficient even if he bought out an entire clothing store.
Smiling brightly, she added,
“For Young Master Jayden and Melody!”
“What?”
“Let’s go out together! The four of us!”
Cain looked at her with confusion.
“So… that is what you want?”
“Yes!”
“You want me to go out with you and the children?”
“Yes! Exactly! And also, please choose their clothes personally.”
Cain maintained a stiff expression, as if he had just heard something bizarre.
Why?
Even if he didn’t say it aloud, the question was clearly written in his eyes.
Unable to hold it in, he finally asked.
“I don’t understand. What benefit is there in that?”
I gave him a slightly sorrowful look and said wistfully,
“Ah… well, I wanted to buy clothes for the children, but I’m not confident in choosing what suits them… so I thought I’d borrow your aesthetic sense…”
Cain still didn’t look convinced, but perhaps deciding she would not give any other answer, he eventually nodded.
It was understandable that he couldn’t accept it.
Because it was a lie!
The real reason I suggested going out was another plan entirely.
The so-called ‘Let’s Get Along!’ operation!
The targets were, of course, Cain and Jayden.
I intended to gently bridge the awkward gap between them.
An uncle who didn’t know how to deal with children, and a child who feared his dragon-blooded uncle.
It wasn’t that they disliked each other, yet leaving things so strained felt wrong.
‘Maybe I’m meddling too much…’
Seeing Cain’s serious expression made me wonder if I was causing unnecessary trouble.
For him, my suggestion might be quite burdensome—he kept his distance because he knew Jayden feared him.
Still, if I had to justify it, this was also part of Jayden’s treatment.
For the body to heal, the heart must also be healthy.
‘And he did say he’d grant anything I asked.’
I was only following his words.
Clearing away my guilt, I shamelessly pressed further.
“Tomorrow!”
“What?”
“I checked the sky—it should be clear tomorrow. So let’s all go out. Please?”
Come to think of it, whenever Jayden and Melody wanted something from me, they used those pleading eyes.
‘Maybe I should try that too.’
I deliberately looked at Cain with my most earnest eyes.
Cain averted his gaze awkwardly.
Huh? That reaction?
He used to just scoff at me before. Something was different.
I widened my eyes even more innocently.
Cain glanced at me again, then looked away.
“That look… can you stop doing it?”
“Huh? What look?”
I tilted my head as if I didn’t know anything.
He sighed deeply, then reluctantly gave in.
“Fine. We’ll go tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
Success!
‘This works surprisingly well. I should use it more often.’
With a satisfied smile, I left his office.
The Next Day
“Viola… are you serious?”
“It’s a surprise gift. Ta-da. You’re surprised, right? You said you wanted to go out.”
“W-well, yes, I did—but…!”
Jayden looked up at me with teary eyes, confirming again.
“We’re going out… with the Duke?”
“Yes. That’s right. Isn’t it great?”
“No, I, I mean…!”
His mouth opened and closed repeatedly as if he had much to say, but he eventually fell silent.
He clearly didn’t want to openly say he was scared of the Duke in front of me.
But he couldn’t hide his uneasy expression.
Hmm. This won’t do.
I crouched down and spoke softly.
“Young master.”
“Yeah?”
“The Duke… was actually very worried about you.”
“…Huh? The Duke?”
Jayden’s eyes widened in surprise.
I continued gently.
“He may look scary because he’s a bit blunt, but he’s a kind person. Just like you.”
“……”
Still confused, Jayden fell silent.
That was enough for now. The rest had to be resolved between them today.
Soon, the carriage was ready.
Later
To summarize—perhaps I had underestimated things.
‘Did I mess up?’
I didn’t expect a warm atmosphere, but still.
Inside the shaking carriage, only suffocating silence remained.
Someone help. There are four people here, and none of them are speaking.
