Chapter 56
Even though I spoke, his expression changed slightly, whether out of pride or disbelief that a child could say such things. He kept denying it.
“But I’ve heard children usually sleep a lot.”
“Who told you that?”
“Others… I asked everyone around who has children.”
At the unexpected remark, Rohen, who had been clinging to me like a cicada, changed his expression slightly. The Grand Duke seemed flustered, probably because he was talking to the Deputy Lady and hadn’t noticed it.
“Still, it seems children think that way, Your Grace.”
“Well, it’s not so much that they think… as that they need to be raised properly…”
“That’s quite strange. You have another child, yet you didn’t behave that way toward him.”
“Are you referring to Ron? Back then, I…”
He hesitated and let out a small sigh.
“I see. That child had the Grand Duchess, so perhaps that’s why.”
Though he said it casually, the Grand Duke’s expression was far from good. There was something uncomfortable about it; his face darkened suddenly.
“If that’s the case, then I’m relieved.”
“It’s strange. In front of the Deputy Lady… I feel like I might say everything without realizing it. Like I must… must….”
“You’re probably just realizing a feeling you had forgotten. Everyone does. There’s no need to feel embarrassed about it.”
“…It’s shameful in front of children. I…”
“You don’t need to be strong just because you have to protect them. And you don’t need to hide your feelings either.”
The hand holding Lari hung limply at his side, while the Deputy Lady’s hand grasped the Grand Duke’s hand.
Startled, the Grand Duke did not reject her touch. Instead, he simply wore a peculiar expression.
“It’s amazing every time I see it. How you can see people accurately even though you can’t see, and how precise your hands are. And why my heart becomes so weak every time you hold my hand.”
“Just because I can’t see doesn’t mean I don’t feel anything.”
“But you really can’t see ahead, can you?”
“I lost my sight a long time ago. I’ve become quite unsightly.”
She brought her opposite hand to her eyes. Even I found it strange. Could she really sense some kind of energy? She didn’t look any older, yet she claimed to have been blind for a long time—it felt odd.
“I’m sorry. I said something unnecessary.”
“No, it’s fine. You only realize what’s important after losing sight of what you once saw. That’s when the essence becomes clear. My body can’t move without someone’s help now, but thanks to that, I’ve come to understand what truly matters.”
“Essence…”
“I hope the Grand Duke realizes too. What is important. And what you might be losing while distracted by what’s visible.”
“I understand.”
The Deputy Lady smiled faintly, then turned her gaze toward Rohen.
“Grand Ducal Son, Rohen Blair.”
“……”
“Were you upset that I kept bringing along my precious friend?”
“Upset? I… I was just… worried.”
“I see. Rohen, come over here, will you?”
The Deputy Lady reached out her hand toward Rohen, who still kept his distance.
“Hold my hand.”
“…I don’t want to. Why should I trust you?”
But the Grand Duke gently pushed Rohen toward her.
“No! Don’t force me!”
By then, the Deputy Lady’s hand had already taken Rohen’s.
“Cherish what is precious. Don’t let it slip away because of sudden feelings. Precious things can disappear at any moment… Rohen. Express your feelings. Say you like them. Say you love them.”
“What do you know about me!”
“I can clearly see that your heart is tenderer than anyone else’s.”
“You’re a quack.”
“Yes, a quack. Blind, unable to move, a total quack. Yet an old person’s advice can still be quite significant. I may not be able to give you oracles like in other countries… but still.”
Rohen, who had been struggling just moments ago, began to change.
“…I didn’t call you a quack because of your illness. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be so tense. There are many people who love you right now.”
“Many people love me?”
Rohen tilted his head in puzzlement.
“Yes. There are already some around you.”
Rohen looked quickly from the Grand Duke to Lari to me, then finally hung his head.
“There’s no way there are that many.”
“Like the Grand Duke, Rohen needs to see things intuitively.”
Curiously, Rohen’s ears reddened just like the Grand Duke’s had. Pouting in dissatisfaction, he turned his head sharply.
“I guess I’ll only see the Deputy Lady when I wake up next time.”
The Grand Duke had already brought Lari before the Deputy Lady. She held Lari’s limp hand. A warm energy flowed from her hand into Lari. Others seemed unaware, but I could see it.
As if Lari had gained some kind of power only visible to me.
Surprisingly, Lari’s complexion brightened bit by bit.
“She doesn’t look very healthy, so bring her along sometimes, Grand Duke. I may not be able to do much, but I can offer blessings.”
“I think it might be best not to come too often.”
“Does it matter what others think?”
“…I see. Understood.”
The Grand Duke nodded, as if tamed like a gentle lamb.
“When you come, bring all three children. It feels good to see them again after so long. They have truly pure souls.”
“Is that so?”
His gaze shifted to Rohen and Lari.
“Yes. And Aisha seems to love the two children more than anyone else.”
“That girl?”
“She isn’t simply staying near the Grand Ducal Son and Daughter to get something. That’s what I see.”
“……”
His gaze reached me, though it didn’t linger long.
“I suppose that’s for me to judge.”
“You still insist on your own way in matters like this, Grand Duke.”
“……”
“Then let’s part for today. It’s been tiring after so long.”
“Understood. We shall be going.”
The Grand Duke lightly stroked Rohen’s head.
“Rohen, say goodbye.”
“…See you next time, ma’am.”
“Rohen!”
At Rohen calling the Deputy Lady “ma’am,” the Grand Duke’s face turned pale.
“What.”
But the Deputy Lady stopped him.
“I’m fine. It’s been a long time since someone treated me as a person.”
It almost felt like she was smiling.
“…I haven’t been trained yet…”
“Freedom can only be enjoyed at times like this. Don’t oppress her. She cannot be confined. Well then, see you next time. I’m a bit tired.”
The Deputy Lady rang a small bell nearby.
As if waiting, the women entered.
That was the last we saw; we said nothing and simply headed for the carriage. Each of us wore expressions that subtly reflected different thoughts.
Then someone blocked our way to the carriage.
“Are you leaving already?”
“Ah, Priestess Melodia. Since our business is finished, we must return.”
“Why not tour the temple?”
At her gentle suggestion, the Grand Duke shook his head firmly.
“They’re probably tired, so we’ll do that next time. Today is our first outing as a family…”
Saying “family,” the Grand Duke looked at me with a curious expression, as if he had many things he wanted to say. Then his gaze returned to Priestess Melodia.
“We’ll see next time.”
“Alright. I shall go then. Aisha, we’ll see each other again, right?”
Yet something felt strange. I had always thought of her as a good person, never doubted it, yet today, for some reason, I felt something springing from within me.
‘She was the one who told the Grand Duke about the twins, so why… why do I feel this way?’
She’s obviously a good person, and if it weren’t for her, the twins would have suffered longer. So why do I feel like this?
I shook my head.
Feeling that I was indulging in unnecessary thoughts, Priestess Melodia looked slightly disappointed.
“You used to really like seeing me, Aisha. You’ve changed.”
“Oh, no!”
“Not true?”
“Yes! I… I feel comfortable with Priestess Melodia!”
The word “like” wouldn’t come out easily, so I substituted it with “comfortable.” She didn’t seem to mind my vague answer.
Her gaze was on the Grand Duke.
It was strange. While Priestess Melodia was kind to everyone, the way she looked at the Grand Duke was different. I couldn’t tell the exact emotion, but it was very different from the impression she gave us.
Perhaps that made the Grand Duke uncomfortable, as he passed by her.
“Well then, let’s go. Orphan… no, Aisha.”
