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Chapter 2: Grandpa’s Illness
I stared at the white envelope Grandpa had handed me so casually.
He told me not to open it until someone contacted me.
“Okay, I understand. Grandpa… what kind of illness do you have?”
Even if I asked, there was nothing I could do to help.
But I couldn’t stop myself from asking.
Because I wanted to be close to my beloved grandpa, even just a little.
As the eldest daughter of a poor baron’s family, I was twenty years old.
My grandparents on both sides lived far away, so I’d grown up without really knowing them.
That’s why this man—this cheerful old gentleman—felt like a real grandpa to me.
“Hmm… sorry, it’s a secret!”
He playfully winked and dodged the question, making me laugh despite my worries.
He was such a bright, mischievous person—it was impossible to believe that an illness could defeat him.
At the time, I was sure he’d be fine.
***
The next week, when I went to the garden, Grandpa wasn’t there.
—Right. That made sense.
He’d said he wasn’t feeling well. He was probably taking time off to focus on treatment.
He seemed like a high-ranking noble, so surely the best doctors were taking care of him.
I just had to avoid thinking negatively and drawing bad luck toward him.
I slapped both cheeks lightly—pat, pat—to chase away the gloomy thoughts.
I tried to picture Grandpa’s bright laughter, and Demetrio’s half-exasperated, half-smiling expression beside him.
—Yes, everything will be fine!
***
But the next week, they still weren’t there.
Even after three weeks, four weeks—no one came.
When the fifth week arrived, I still couldn’t give up and went back to the gazebo again.
After all, I had no way to contact Grandpa or Demetrio.
We’d only ever promised verbally to meet there—no letters, no messengers.
I didn’t expect anyone to be there this time either.
But as I walked closer, I saw a familiar figure with black hair.
His clothes looked simple, like those of a commoner—but the fabric was far too fine.
—Demetrio!
My heart leapt, and I hurried over, trying to sound cheerful.
“I’m so glad! You were able to come today!”
He gave a small, lonely smile.
“It’s been a while.”
“Huh? Where’s Grandpa?”
“Ah… I came to deliver a message about that.”
Only Demetrio was there in the gazebo.
A chill ran down my spine, even though summer was almost here.
I already sensed what he might say next—and I was terrified to hear it.
I must have looked very anxious, because Demetrio smiled softly and extended his right hand to me.
When I placed my left hand on his, he gently guided me to sit on the bench.
“Thank you…”
As he sat across from me, he murmured, “You still use polite speech with me, huh?”
“Eh?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
“Oh, uh, okay…”
He seemed faintly amused by my formal tone.
I hadn’t realized until he pointed it out that I’d always spoken more casually when Grandpa was around.
As I was thinking about that, Demetrio spoke again—his expression serious.
“I came here today to tell you something——”
I quickly focused all my attention on him.
