TIDSF 31

Chapter 31

The loud knocking must’ve been effective because a voice called out from inside, telling me to come in.

“……”

Ah, I couldn’t even open the door.

“Grandfather!”

In the end, I called out loudly, and soon there was a scuffle inside before the door burst open.

“…Eve?”

My uncle’s eyes widened when he saw me.

I walked past him, entered the room, and placed the tray on the side table.

“What brings you here this late at night? Did you come alone?”

“Yes.”

I nodded.

“Can I sleep with you tonight?”

As I tried to climb onto the bed, my uncle picked me up and gently sat me on it.

“Feeling clingy today, are we?”

“Can’t I?”

“No… I’ve been neglecting you a lot, haven’t I?”

“You’ve been busy. It’s okay.”

I smiled brightly.

“Alright.”

My uncle put away the book he’d been reading and took off his old glasses resting on his nose, placing them aside before sitting next to me.

The room was warm thanks to the fireplace.

Cough.

“……”

My uncle let out a big cough, glanced at me, then poured himself a glass of water from the side table and drank.

I glanced at him.

Thankfully, the telltale dark red patches of the blood-spotted disease had disappeared completely.

The problem is…

Why is he still coughing?

His complexion didn’t look much better either.

“Grandfather, how’s your health?”

“Much better, thanks to you. The new physician says the disease seems to have been completely cured.”

I gave a small nod.

But it was strange.

No—far too strange.

Because…

‘I definitely gave him the fruit of Arpedis!’

On the day I brought Dad home, I’d asked Albus to give him the fruit.

It was a precious medicinal fruit, so I’d told him to feed it all to Grandpa.

I’d used the excuse of a “pretty lady from a dream,” as usual.

‘But then why…’

Why isn’t he getting better?

By now, whether it was a disease or a curse, everything should’ve been cured and his body restored to full health.

But my uncle was still coughing and coughing up blood.

Albus had said it looked like Grandpa was getting healthier, but…

‘That can’t be right.’

Because the moment he ate the fruit, all his ailments should have vanished!

There’s a reason the fruit of Arpedis is known as a panacea.

Maybe Albus had eaten some, so this time I brought it already cut and prepared.

“Grandpaaaa, I brought you some fruit!”

“Fruit?”

“Yes! I’m going to eat grapes. You eat this one.”

“This is the one you gave me before, isn’t it?”

“Yes! It was sweet, right? I peeled this one just for you.”

My uncle widened his eyes.

“You did it by yourself?”

“Uh… y-yes.”

“Why would you do that? What if you hurt your hand!”

His callused, wrinkled hand held mine, inspecting it all over.

Old memories surfaced suddenly, and my lips twitched slightly with joy.

Back then too, my uncle was the only one who ever worried about me.

‘…Your hands are cold.’

They used to always be warm.

‘If you eat the fruit, you’ll be fine.’

I picked up a piece of the Arpedis fruit with a fork and offered it to him.

He gazed at me silently, then took the fork and ate the fruit.

“……”

I stabbed more pieces and handed them to him.

Afraid he’d ask why I wasn’t eating, I pretended to munch on grapes with my other hand.

And finally—

“……”

He ate it all.

But his complexion didn’t improve.

“It’s delicious. Thank you.”

“…You’re welcome.”

The Arpedis fruit didn’t react.

There are only two reasons the fruit wouldn’t have any effect:

One, the person is already so healthy that there’s no ailment to cure.

And two…

‘They have less than a year left to live.’

A rush of emotion welled up in my throat. I clenched my small fists tightly.

With my breath held and trembling eyes, I looked at my uncle.

He looked puzzled, then gently stroked my head.

“What’s the matter?”

“…Nothing. Isn’t it hard teaching Dad and Aiden?”

“They both learn fast, so it’s not hard. They’re quick learners. Especially with etiquette—they copy it right away when they see it. Probably from traveling to correct his son, your father is well-versed in history and culture, so sometimes I end up learning from him.”

Right, Dad’s backstory was that he’d learned etiquette in his youth.

My mind felt foggy.

“If you’re sleepy, go to bed. It’s far too late for a child to be awake.”

“Okay. You too, Grandpa.”

My uncle lay down next to me and offered his arm as a pillow, tucking the blanket all the way up to my chin.

“Long ago, I used to do this for my niece. I don’t know what she saw in a gruff uncle like me, but she’d bring her pillow and come find me every night like you do.”

“……”

“She was a sweet child who knew how to show affection even to someone awkward like me.”

He must be talking about me.

Listening to his soft voice, my eyes began to flutter.

My consciousness drifted slowly, his voice becoming muffled and blurry.

“What made you so sorrowful that you came back?”

A cold, rough—but gentle—hand stroked my cheek over and over.

“…Evelyn.”

* * *

“Ive!”

“Oppa (Big brother)!”

“What are you doing?”

Aiden smiled brightly and grabbed my hand.

“I was just walking.”

How many days had passed?

Ever since I realized Grandpa had less than a year to live, my heart had been heavy.

‘The fruit of Arpedis is supposed to be a panacea…’

Though the disease was cured, it seemed the shortened life couldn’t be restored.

The damage the drugs had done to his organs was already irreversible, and his lifespan was already reduced.

“You’ve been cooped up in the library every day… I was worried.”

Aiden held my hand tightly.

“If something’s wrong, you have to tell me. We’re family.”

“…Okay.”

“So what is it?”

“I think Grandpa’s health is getting worse.”

I’d locked myself away in the library just in case there was a book that might hold a cure.

The Altard ducal house still had many books I had collected back when it was a Grand Duchy.

They had taken the gold and valuables, but thankfully the books were left behind.

Dusting off the thick layers, I read through them one by one until my eyes nearly fell out.

“Really?”

“Yeah. I was checking to see if there might be a treatment method.”

I knew there probably wasn’t, but I couldn’t give up.

Ugh, what was I even saying to a kid?

“What about you, Oppa?”

I changed the subject.

“I had lessons with Grandpa Wood!”

Aiden beamed.

“He said I’m really good with utensils. He even praised me a lot for remembering etiquette after being taught just once.”

“Wow. You’ve changed a lot.”

Aiden didn’t let go of my hand.

Funny how that small, warm grip was so comforting—it really eased my heart.

That little warmth actually helped me.

‘Family…’

Aiden seemed to truly believe we were family, and I felt a little guilty.

“What’s changed?”

“Well… Grandpa usually doesn’t give compliments.”

He’d always been too shy to.

After we got closer, he gradually started showing affection, but…

‘Now he gives compliments too, huh.’

Aiden looked so proud.

“He teaches way better than Dad. And Grandpa Wood knows the answer to everything I ask. Oh, and I like it when he pats my head.”

His cheeks turned slightly pink as he spoke.

“I only had Dad as family until now… but now I have you and Grandpa, and I’m really happy.”

“…Really?”

“Yeah. Dad always said family is very precious. So…”

We had arrived at the garden.

Aiden looked at me seriously, gripping my hand.

“I’ll protect you. You always have to stay by my side.”

His red eyes, just like Dad’s, were full of resolve.

“Okay. Thanks.”

“I’ll defeat all the bad guys. You healed me, after all…”

“……”

“I was really, really sick, but you made me better. Thank you.”

“Mm-hmm.”

I smiled.

“Like I said before, I’ll definitely protect you.”

His words meant so much to me that I nodded firmly.

Smack.

Suddenly, Aiden kissed me on the cheek.

My eyes went wide.

That startled me!