Chapter 60: Father’s Daughter
December 30, 2023
“Have you been waiting long?”
“No. I just got here too. But…”
Cordelia let go of Belluche’s arm and quickly limped toward Lydia. Seeing this, Lydia’s face turned concerned.
“Oh dear. Your leg still isn’t fully healed, is it? You could have come another time.”
“No, it’s healed. I’m really okay.”
Then Belluche snapped sharply.
“Healed? If you keep wandering around like a stray dog, your leg won’t get better.”
“Oh, Sir Ingrion is here too. It’s been a while, Sir Ingrion.”
Lydia gracefully greeted Belluche, who swaggered over from behind. Belluche bowed in return, but it looked half-hearted and rude.
“You don’t have to mind him. Just think of him as, well… like my crutch.”
“A crutch?”
“The crutch talks too much. Crutch, can you move back a bit?”
Though clearly annoyed, Belluche grumbled but stepped back a few paces, because Cordelia strongly signaled him to do so.
“I was very worried that day.”
“That day? Ah… well… I guess I was just very nervous because it was my first ball. Suddenly, I felt dizzy and lost my footing and fell…”
“Are you feeling better now?”
“I’m really okay. The problem is my teacher gives way too much homework.”
Fortunately, Lydia didn’t find Cordelia’s awkward excuse strange. Instead, she looked at her kindly, concerned for her well-being.
“Leo is too much. Not even letting you rest when you’re hurt.”
“That’s exactly what I mean. That cruel teacher won’t even let me go outside, so today I snuck out…”
“Sneaked out? Without telling Leo?”
“Yes. He even fusses when I go out to walk in the garden. He makes me do homework all the time.”
Cordelia took this opportunity to rant about Leonard. Lydia listened quietly, then softly said,
“I really envy you, Cordelia.”
“Why me?”
“You’re talented enough to be Leonard’s student.”
“I envy Lydia more.”
Cordelia said sincerely.
If God gave her a choice between Lydia Elfenbaum’s life or Cordelia Vasquez’s gifted magical life, she would choose Lydia’s life without hesitation.
“She’s so beautiful, comes from a wealthy family, and even has a brother who carefully looks after his younger sister. Isn’t that the ideal woman everyone in Ersche dreams of?”
“Thank you for saying that, but I…”
Lydia smiled awkwardly and trailed off. To lift the heavy atmosphere, Cordelia deliberately spoke more cheerfully.
“Oh right, shall we go to that dessert cafe you mentioned in your letter before?”
“Good idea. It’s not far from here, just a short walk.”
This time, Lydia supported Cordelia as they headed toward the dessert shop, with Belluche quietly following behind.
As Lydia said, it wasn’t far and they soon arrived at the cafe. The owner recognized Lydia and gave them the best seat.
“The tart Tatin here is the best.”
“Tart what?”
“Tart Tatin. It’s an apple pie baked upside down.”
Before they even ordered, hot black tea and warm tart Tatin were naturally served.
“Try it quickly. It’s the best tart Tatin in Yebore Delim.”
Encouraged by Lydia, Cordelia cut a small piece and put it in her mouth. The fragrant apple softly crunched as she chewed.
“It’s delicious!”
“Hehe, isn’t it good?”
Fortunately, Lydia’s face softened again as they enjoyed their tea and dessert, chatting lightly.
Suddenly, Cordelia felt happy in this moment — days she could never have imagined when she was in Abrams just a few months ago.
At that moment, Lydia put down her teacup and said,
“You said there are many places you want to visit in the capital, right?”
“Yes. The Angel’s Fountain—I want to see that, and I heard the Immanuel Square is nice too.”
“Want to go together? I can show you around.”
“Ah, really? But I don’t want to bother you too much…”
“Nonsense. We’re friends.”
“F-Friends?”
“Oh dear, is that too soon to call our relationship that?”
“No, it’s just the first time I’ve used the word. Friends, friends… I’m really happy.”
Cordelia smiled broadly just from saying the word “friend.” She had attended social gatherings a few times but never had someone close enough to call a friend.
“So please don’t feel pressured. Being with you is my pleasure.”
“I’d like that, but if I go around with you during the social season, it might be a disadvantage… Ah, do you have a fiancé already?”
“No, not yet.”
“Wow. Someone so beautiful and kind-hearted? The men in the capital must have something wrong with their eyes.”
“No, it’s not that. I….”
Lydia blushed and hesitated to speak, clearly unable to hide it. Anyone could see she was in love.
“You must have someone in your heart.”
“…Yes.”
Talking about love with someone her age was so enjoyable for Cordelia, who had never had a female friend before.
With interest, she asked,
“Who is it? The lucky man who has Lydia’s heart?”
“It’s someone you know well too.”
“Me? I don’t know many people… Could it be…”
The only people both knew were Rosenbluer and Leonard. If not Rosenbluer…
Lydia took a deep breath and slowly said,
“That’s right. Actually, I’ve had a crush on Leo for a very long time.”
“Hm… Your teacher?”
“So, Cordelia, can you help me?”
“What about Rosalyn?”
“I-I’m sorry. She only had a sip of water this morning and hasn’t eaten anything since…”
“Nothing? Useless. Not even able to properly take care of my daughter.”
Rosalyn’s wet nurse, who had raised her since infancy, bowed deeply. Anton glared at her and then headed toward his daughter’s room.
The door was half-open. Anton knocked lightly and entered.
“Why aren’t you eating?”
“…Father.”
Rosalyn, lying on the bed, sat up with a pale face. Anton pulled a chair and sat at the head of the bed.
“They say you’ve only been drinking water for two days. Doesn’t the food suit your taste? Should I call the family cook?”
“The cook is not at fault. I just….”
Rosalyn stopped speaking and tears started streaming down her face. Overwhelmed by her sudden emotions, she covered her face with both hands and sobbed.
Anton silently stroked his daughter’s back.
“…Sniff… I miss Maximilian.”
“I’ve told you many times that’s not possible.”
“I miss him so much, Father. If I go to Ansen like this, I’ll never see him again, right? I can’t even remember how I sent him off…”
The same conversation repeated.
Since that day, Rosalyn had used every means to beg Anton to save Maximilian. But Anton refused firmly. That snake of a man was no help to his daughter’s life.
“Please forget that man and live for yourself and your child, Rosie. Your father will find someone much better for you, okay?”
“I don’t want anyone but Maximilian.”
“That man just played with you. Used you and Embly for his greed. How can you not understand that? Why?”
“No!”
Anton slammed his chest in frustration.
From her extremely thin body, where she found such strength, Rosalyn pushed her father’s arms away and shouted with all her might.
“Maximilian is not like that! He promised me, for sure. That we’d marry and raise children together. That he loves me, that’s what he said, sniff, haa, haa.”
“Rosie!”
She was hyperventilating. Rosalyn’s breathing grew very fast. Anton was alarmed and pulled on the resuscitation cord.
The attending doctor quickly rushed in and checked Rosalyn’s condition. Fortunately, her breathing returned to normal, but the doctor’s face remained grave.
After leaving Rosalyn’s room, the doctor bowed his head before Anton and said,
“I heard the young lady still refuses to eat today, Lord.”
“Yes. Not knowing how much it torments me.”
“Isn’t she naturally weak? It’s almost miraculous she’s held on this long. Especially since she’s pregnant…”
“I know that well enough.”
Anton staggered into the living room chair. His vision darkened. If he lost his daughter too, he had no will to live.
“If I may be so bold, perhaps you should grant her wishes.”
“What?”
“My lord, I say this very carefully, but her heart is reaching its limit.”
“…I’ve heard that since Rosie was five.”
“This year, she’s fainted five times in just one month. Among my patients with similar symptoms, all died within three months.”
“So? What are you trying to say?”
Anton glared at the doctor with bloodshot eyes. The old doctor, who had served the Embly family for a long time, was not afraid of him.
“It’s time to prepare your heart.”
“What preparation? What do you expect me to prepare for!”
Anton raged. Gripping the chair’s armrest tightly, he glared fiercely at the old doctor.
He wanted to deny it. To scream that the doctor was wrong. That his daughter, Rosalyn, would live happily until she gave birth and grew old.
But all that came out was an incomprehensible groan.
I do actually feel bad for Anton.