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Chapter 10
“H-hello…”
Had I come for nothing?
From the second floor, the room hadn’t seemed this big.
I swallowed hard and rolled my eyes nervously.
I thought Valux had said it was okay… or had he not?
I planned to play with Valux first and somehow ‘accidentally’ meet my grandfather, but the moment I arrived, I was invited straight into the parlor.
Why did he call me here in the first place?
Was this even an invitation?
My head spun. I hadn’t expected such a formal meeting. I was just hoping not to be ignored…
“Previously…”
“Yes, hic! Hihick!”
I was so tense I couldn’t even sit, and a hiccup escaped as I tried to answer.
“Uh, hic! Sorry, hic!”
Ugh, what do I do now?
I quickly raised my tiny hands to cover my mouth, but the hiccups only made me jump around more.
Grandfather’s lips moved as if he wanted to say something, then he sighed deeply.
A nearby butler quickly brought water. I gulped it down, shoulders trembling.
“S-sorry…”
“No.”
He grabbed the front of his coat as if ready to listen.
“You’ve grown a lot. The last time I saw you, you were just a baby.”
Have I grown?
Was he mocking me for being so big in his house? Dad always said I was small… maybe that was just Dad’s doting.
“I- I’ve grown… s-sorry…”
“…What?”
“I- I’ll try to get smaller…”
If I eat less, maybe I can shrink?
Have I eaten too much?
Why does his face look so scary? Maybe meeting grandfather was too soon…
My thoughts swirled in panic.
‘Did Valux trick me?’
Maybe all those cheerful days were just part of some big plan for today…?
I glanced at Valux. He was smiling faintly at me.
Of course! I’d been fooled!
“Hah, and just when the little one thinks he can shrink even more, what use would that be?”
“Uh… th-that is…”
No, first I need to prove my worth.
Dad said grandfather liked children with abilities.
I shut my eyes tightly and opened my mouth.
“G-grandfather… uh, your Grace! I- I… I can heal…!”
Ugh, I bit my tongue from nervousness.
Plus, my words were scrambled and made no sense. My face turned bright red.
“I- I mean, I have a healing ability…!”
“Khuk…”
Grandfather chuckled lowly at my nervous stammering, then suddenly burst out laughing.
“U-hahaha!” He bent over laughing so hard.
I blinked in surprise. Why is he laughing…?
“Who would have thought someone like the youngest could have something like this?”
“Y-yes… Dad’s smart, a genius really… I’m… I’m a bit lacking.”
“The one lacking is the youngest. Not even warmhearted.”
Clicking his tongue, he pointed to the sofa.
“Sit.”
“Yes.”
“Look, grandfather. Ledeia is cute, right?”
Wait, wasn’t he supposed to be mad at me?
I glanced at Valux. He smiled widely, sat beside me, and put a cookie in my hand.
“Oh, I see. I called you to see your face, so don’t be too nervous.”
“Yes. Anyway… I can heal, so I’m useful! I read in a book that healing abilities are rare—right?”
Magnum, looking puzzled, slowly nodded as if responding.
“Yes, it’s a very rare ability.”
“Then, does that make me useful now?”
I smiled brightly, asking. Grandfather looked at me with a subtle expression.
After a brief silence, he spoke slowly.
“Why have you been talking about being useful since earlier?”
“Well, Dad said grandfather likes children with useful abilities.”
Grandfather’s eyes widened at that.
“Being useful is fortunate.”
Now that he acknowledged me, maybe I could try restoring my relationship with Dad.
I lifted my head, but he still stared at me with a stiff expression.
‘…Or not?’
Hehe, I wanted to run away. I looked at the clear sky through the window.
“…Did your father say that?”
“Uh… yes.”
Oops, that was a slip. I shouldn’t have mentioned what Dad said.
I could have said something better, like wanting to help grandfather or the family…
“And, um, I want to help grandfather too… and help the family too! Even if I’m just a guest!”
“……”
The mood sank further. Something was definitely wrong.
“And…”
What else was there?
“Ah! I can heal injuries too! I can heal you young masters if you get hurt!!”
I kept emphasizing my advantages, laughing awkwardly.
“Impressive, right?!”
Ugh, it’s ruined.
I buried my face in my palms and sighed deeply.
This wasn’t the plan. Nervousness always made me babble like this. I should have been silent, like Dad.
“I- I can heal almost anything…”
Ah, but people close to death might be tricky…
I might die too.
“The c-cookies are tasty…”
I tried to smile while munching, but the atmosphere wasn’t easing.
“If only there were cocoa Dad made…”
I babbled nonsense, yet the mood remained stiff.
I turned to the tearful-looking butler, then back to grandfather’s still-stern face.
It was hopeless. I’d better just shut up and eat cookies.
“…It’s not that you only like useful children.”
His firm words made me pause.
Ah, so being useful isn’t enough if it doesn’t meet his standards?
“Ah… no! Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to join the ducal family.”
I smiled maturely.
“Actually, Dad’s incredibly smart. A true genius. But he struggles every day developing healing medicine. So…”
Hmm, should I ask grandfather to let Dad stop the research?
“If grandfather has any anger toward Dad, I hope you can forgive him… um, that’s what I mean. I’ll do my best to help!”
I clenched my fists tightly.
How can I make Dad happy?
Ever since coming back to life, I’ve always wondered. How can Dad live happily?
‘How can Dad truly live his life…’
Oh, right.
I opened my eyes wide and waved my arms excitedly.
I remembered Dad’s hurt eyes.
And that single bitter line about not knowing how to love.
“C-couldn’t you… love Dad too…?”
“…What?”
Grandfather looked at me, astonished.
Of course, it’s odd—here comes a granddaughter he’s forgotten, suddenly asking to love Dad…
“Of course, Dad’s ability is small, but…! Still, it benefits plants! Tree management! Orchards! Herb cultivation! And more!”
Dad’s research was truly impressive.
With proper support and publication, his life could have been much better.
“Dad’s really smart! His research is incredible!”
I hoped he’d acknowledge it.
Before I died, Dad was always alone. Buried in the basement, researching without anyone.
He must have been lonely.
He needed someone by his side to encourage, comfort, and care for him when he was sick.
“Um, if it’s because of me… it’s still a secret, but I plan to be independent at fifteen…”
Grandfather’s eyebrows twitched.
“F-fifteen! I’m not as smart as Dad, but I am smart too…!”
He still showed no signs of softening.
Too young, and no one would hire me.
“T-ten years…?”
I squeezed my eyes shut and made my final plea.
“……”
A cold silence fell.
