~Chapter 66~
“Today…”
Johann trailed off.
Going to the villa with Raphaella was fine.
Actually, it sounded good.
But spending time there with Leah too…
That made him hesitate a bit.
‘For a short while maybe, but being together all day might be uncomfortable…’
Raphaella was already sitting on her grandmother’s lap, looking at him with eyes full of excitement.
“…Yeah, it should be fine.”
He couldn’t pretend not to see his daughter’s hopeful eyes.
“There’s no noble council today, and I don’t have anything urgent to do today or tomorrow.”
It was too heartbreaking a wish to say no to.
“Leah, what do you think?”
Isabella asked Leah—because both the dad and mom’s opinions mattered.
“…If the Duke is okay with it, I am too.”
Leah didn’t want to let down Raphaella either.
Even if being around Johann made her uneasy, her daughter came first.
“Then we can eat cake and head out.”
Isabella smiled.
“I told the butler to prepare just in case. Good thing I did.”
“You already had everything ready?”
Everyone, including Johann, was surprised at Isabella’s decisiveness.
“Grandma, you’re the best!”
Raphaella kissed Isabella on the cheek, and Isabella kissed her precious granddaughter’s forehead in return.
From that moment on, everything went smoothly.
They each had a slice of cake Raphaella had cut herself, then packed light overnight bags and headed down to the lobby.
A carriage for the three of them was already waiting.
Inside the carriage, Raphaella stared at Johann.
“What is it, Rafi?”
he asked kindly.
“…Can I sit on your lap?”
She pointed at his thigh with her finger.
“Of course you can.”
Johann gently lifted her onto his lap.
“Hehe.”
His memory hadn’t completely returned.
He still remembered more things he’d forgotten than things he recalled.
But the big, important memories that did return helped him love his daughter all over again.
‘I won’t forget you ever again, Raphaella.’
He kissed the top of her head.
Across from him, Leah watched them with a soft smile.
His eyes were drawn to the smile on her lips again.
Thump, thump.
‘It’s not racing like before…’
…But his heart still ached a little.
Before they left, Johann had quickly gone to get checked by a wizard.
—
Earlier
“Huh? Your heart’s beating too fast?”
“Yeah, something must be wrong with me. Just check already.”
“There’s no way Your Grace is sick…”
“I’m busy. Stop arguing and just do it.”
“…Yes, sir.”
The wizard gave him a reluctant checkup with a confused expression.
“Hm… You’re perfectly healthy.”
Later, the wizard said,
“Are you sure you were checked properly?”
Johann asked grumpily.
“Do you doubt me? When exactly does
your heart races like that?”
“…Do I have to say?”
“If you want me to find out why it’s beating fast even though you’re healthy, yes.”
The wizard grumbled.
“I’m busy for now, I’ll tell you later.”
Johann didn’t say it out loud.
He felt that way when he looked at a certain woman.
But something told him he shouldn’t say it.
‘It’s not racing now… Was it just in my head earlier?’
He absentmindedly stared at Leah.
She noticed his gaze and turned toward him.
Whip!
He turned his head quickly toward the window with an exaggerated movement.
‘Suddenly, I feel like looking outside.’
He could feel her watching him, but he stubbornly stared out the window.
Leah frowned, bewildered by how obviously he avoided her gaze.
‘Seriously? He’s the one who was staring first…’
She was getting annoyed with him.
The way he forced himself to compliment her dress earlier, and how he kept avoiding her gaze at the party.
‘And now this too. What’s up with him?’
She crossed her arms and turned her head in the opposite direction.
She didn’t hope for things to go back to how they were before.
‘…And I don’t want to fall in love with him again.’
But having a decent co-parenting relationship wouldn’t be so bad.
‘We’ll have to keep seeing each other for Raphaella’s sake—even if I survive.’
‘What if I don’t die? What happens to Rafi then?’
She’d grown really attached to the Blumhardt family.
And compared to Lorem Mountain, there were way more things Raphaella could enjoy here as a noble.
She would definitely want to enter the Royal Academy.
In many ways, it was better for her to grow up here than being raised by Leah alone.
‘…What do I even want for myself?’
If she really was free from her terminal illness…
…The magic potion.
She wanted to keep studying it—keep researching.
‘Maybe I could get a place nearby and visit Raphaella often. Or she could come see me.’
What about Lorem Mountain? Alma and Raul?
Maybe she’d have to go back and forth between places.
Her mind got so tangled up that she subconsciously furrowed her brow.
“Mom, are you okay? Are you sick?”
Raphaella asked, copying her expression.
“No, I’m fine, Rafi.”
Leah smiled and gently smoothed her daughter’s frown.
‘First, let’s just deal with the Empress and her maid. I’ll think about everything else later.’
That could wait.
“…We’re here.”
The carriage had arrived at the villa.
Leah and Raphaella stepped down with Johann escorting them.
The villa was a small, two-story house—much more modest than the Blumhardt estate.
Along the path to the front door, white wildflowers were blooming among bright yellow freesias.
“Daddy, is this it?”
Raphaella asked excitedly.
“Yeah. Do you like it?”
“Yes! It’s so pretty and amazing!”
She grabbed both of her parents’ hands in excitement.
Leah and Johann exchanged a slightly awkward look.
“…Shall we go in?”
Johann cleared his throat awkwardly and led them inside.
The sweet scent of freesias surrounded them as they walked toward the house.
Six servants stood in front of the door.
“We’ve been expecting you, Your Grace.”
They were handpicked from the Blumhardt estate.
“We’ll show you to your rooms.”
After unpacking in their rooms, Leah, Raphaella, and Johann gathered on the first floor.
“Rafi, what do you want to do?”
Johann crouched down and asked.
“Hmm… I want to go to the lake!”
When they were eating cake earlier, Penelope had told her the lake near the villa was beautiful.
“Alright, let’s go to the lake.”
A maid handed them a picnic basket, and the three of them headed toward the lake.
It was close by, so they walked.
“Wow!”
Raphaella ran ahead, excited.
“…It’s my first time seeing a lake.”
Leah murmured in awe.
The lake sparkled with sunlight like a field of jewels.
It was more beautiful than any precious gem.
“Thanks to Rafi, I get to see this gorgeous lake.”
She murmured again, eyes fixed on the view.
“…She likes it too, so let’s come often.”
“Okay.”
They spread a linen cloth under a shaded tree and sat.
Leah quietly admired the lake view.
Birds chirped sweetly, and the gentle breeze rustled the leaves.
It was peaceful for the eyes and ears.
Johann rolled up his sleeves and taught Raphaella how to skip stones on the lake.
She laughed brightly, pure joy all over her face.
It was so peaceful, it brought tears to her eyes.
‘It may just be a fleeting dream…’
Leah wiped away the tears from her eyes.
Before sunset, they returned to the villa.
After washing up, dinner was ready in the dining room.
There was steaming lamb stew, freshly baked white bread with butter, ham, and a variety of fruits.
After a delicious dinner, Johann picked up Raphaella, who was rubbing her sleepy eyes.
“Tired, Rafi?”
“…Yeah, yawn…”
He carried her to her room.
“Good night, Rafi. Sweet dreams.”
He laid her on the bed.
“Good night to you too, Daddy.”
Raphaella waved at him.
“Good night, Duke.”
Leah said.
“Yeah,” he replied, then left.
Leah lay down next to Raphaella.
“Rafi, did you have fun today?”
“…Mmhmm! So much!”
Raphaella tried hard to stay awake.
“All the gifts were amazing, and spending my birthday with Mommy, Daddy, Grandma, and Aunt Pepi… Everything was the best!”
“I’m so happy you enjoyed it.”
Leah gently hugged her daughter.
“I wanna live like this with Mommy and Daddy forever…”
Raphaella murmured as she drifted to sleep.
‘…Rafi, I’m sorry. I don’t think that’s possible.’
Leah softly stroked her daughter’s sleeping face, her heart heavy with sorrow.
