~Chapter 78~
“What? One hundred thousand gold?!”
The host’s shocked exclamation rang out without restraint.
People’s mouths fell open. Soon, the whole hall erupted in murmurs.
One hundred thousand gold.
Not ten thousand, not even fifty thousand—but a full hundred thousand gold!
The buzzing whispers instantly filled the space.
I too stared at Father with my mouth wide open, unable to control my expression.
Are you insane, human…?
Duke Hartmann glanced at me and winked playfully.
“Irene. You said you wanted it. On a day like this, I must buy it for you.”
“No, but still…”
A hundred thousand gold for the work of a new artist? No matter how I thought about it, this was too much.
It wasn’t even my money, but my heart pounded as if I were the one spending it.
“Father, I don’t want it that badly. So maybe—”
“Enough. I’ve already decided to buy it.”
“…”
He spoke firmly, as if his mind was completely set.
Now, all eyes turned again to Freddie.
Would he dare to call out a number higher than one hundred thousand? Everyone was waiting.
But—
Freddie did not raise his hand again.
Instead, after glancing at me once, he stood up and left the hall with his knight.
Seeing him go, the host pointed toward us and announced excitedly:
“Sold for one hundred thousand gold! The highest amount in the history of this exhibition!”
Clap, clap, clap!
Applause and admiration filled the room.
Father shrugged his shoulders and winked at me again.
Haha.
I gave a helpless laugh and thought to myself—
There really exists a crazy parent who burns a hundred thousand gold on a new artist’s work, just because his daughter said she wanted it…
And so—
I was riding in the carriage back home, the painting loaded inside.
I stared at the giant frame, which now somehow felt like a heavy burden.
One single painting that had suddenly become worth one hundred thousand gold.
The museum director had offered to deliver it later under proper humidity and temperature control, but I felt too embarrassed to accept. So I said no, I would just take it right away.
“Today’s weather was so nice. It was a good outing, wasn’t it, dear?”
“Yes, I enjoyed it too. The exhibition was wonderful, and the meal afterward was delicious.”
As my parents chatted, Father glanced at me.
“Since lunch you’ve seemed unsettled, Irene. You still look the same now.”
“Yes?”
“Do you want something else? Tell me anything you wish…”
“No, no!”
I waved my hands in a panic, making him tilt his head.
“It’s not that… I just thought maybe you spent too much money today.”
To be exact, I was afraid our family might go bankrupt because of it…
I still couldn’t believe it. Even if I said I wanted it, spending a hundred thousand gold on a new artist’s work was insane.
Even the works of world-famous artists rarely reached that price.
And more than anything, I wasn’t used to situations like this.
“…It just feels like you spent too much. Honestly, I don’t think this painting is worth one hundred thousand gold.”
“You’re right. I don’t think so either, Irene.”
“…What?”
I froze, surprised at his calm agreement.
Then Father continued.
“But Irene, you wanted it. And for that alone, I believe it’s worth investing a hundred thousand gold.”
“…”
“Later… when you are gone… I won’t be able to do these things for you anymore. So what is a hundred thousand gold compared to that?”
His smiling gaze grew deeper for a moment. In his eyes flickered something—love, sorrow, I couldn’t tell.
“So Irene, from now on, tell this father everything you want to do.”
“Yes, our daughter. Until the day you leave us, we’ve decided to live only for your happiness.”
Mother gently stroked my hair as she spoke.
“And if you want to drink wine or liquor, that’s fine too.”
“….”
I looked at both of them, feeling overwhelmed.
‘It’s true…’
My parents had changed.
Ever since Albert promised not to force treatment anymore, it was as if they too had changed their thoughts about my death.
…They wanted to consider me, respect me.
And so, they had willingly spent one hundred thousand gold for my sake. These foolish, foolish people.
My chest ached, and I quickly turned my head away. They looked at me curiously.
“Just… because I’m grateful. For thinking of me.”
It was the first time I had truly seen this side of parents.
Parents who felt nothing was too much to give for their child.
It wasn’t the money that mattered. What mattered was the love, the heart within it.
…Irene, you really do have such good people around you.
For a moment, I envied the Irene of the novel who had been raised with such love.
And, I also felt… regret.
Regret that I would have to leave in just a few months.
…Even if it was only a little.
After that day, I began going out with my parents to many different places.
On weekends, we packed lunches and went to the park, or visited beautiful spots near the estate.
Since we had given up on the treatment that always caused us pain, we now had more time and peace of mind.
Because my parents respected my wishes, I was also able to open my heart to them.
“Today’s weather is so nice again, isn’t it? Maybe the heavens made it this way so our daughter could enjoy her days happily.”
“…”
Inside the moving carriage, I felt Mother’s gentle hand stroke my hair as she spoke.
I thought to myself—
Actually, this was the feeling I had always longed for, even in my past life.
The warmth of a family that embraced me. These moments together with my parents.
It was the kind of feeling that made my heart swell, something I had never once experienced in my past life.
Suddenly, a thought came to me.
Maybe the reason I was possessed into this body was to achieve the things I couldn’t before.
The trip on the Ramier Express train, and now this chance to experience the kind of family I had always wanted.
Maybe God really gave me this chance—to fulfill a wish before I die.
That’s why, at some point, I decided to enjoy it fully.
The time with my family. The love I could share with the people around me.
And yet, I knew. All of this was just preparation for farewell.
That when I was gone one day, they would still have these precious memories to keep for a lifetime.
A few days later—
“Fabian!”
“…You came.”
In a wine bar in the capital.
As I stepped into the dim space, I saw a man in a dark cloak, arms crossed as he sat.
I smiled brightly and approached. Fabian, lost in thought, lifted his head.
“Have you been well? …You seem in a good mood today.”
“Yes. Maybe because the weather’s been so nice lately? I’ve been feeling cheerful more often.”
I naturally sat across from him. Fabian asked:
“Why did you call me to a place like this? Usually you invite me to your mansion.”
“Lately, places like this are popular among nobles. Everyone says they’re tired of drinking only at home. And… wouldn’t it be boring for you too, if we only ever met at my house?”
“…”
“And, I can drink now. Freely.”
I leaned my chin on my hand and grinned at him. Fabian’s eyebrow twitched.
“…Don’t tell me…”
“That’s right.”
I nodded.
Yes. I had come out to drink.
“Fabian, you like whiskey, right? Teach me about whiskey.”
I had always wanted to try drinking.
And I wanted to do it with my closest friend—Fabian Alfonso.
