TIDSF 34

Chapter 34

“What the… Didn’t you learn to knock and wait for an answer before opening the door?”

“I did.”

“Then why’d you open it?”

“Well, I’m your dad now, so I can do what I want.”

Dad strode in confidently and plopped down next to my sprawled-out face.

“Do you still want to live like a stubby little sausage when you grow up? Why aren’t you asleep? It’s the middle of the night.”

“I just couldn’t fall asleep.”

Because of those damned people who tormented my uncle, my eyes would burn and my head would boil every night.

“Go to bed.”

“I will.”

Dad suddenly stood up and began gathering the scattered papers I had strewn about, hugging them to his chest.

“What’s with all these papers? And your face looks like a lump of coal.”

“It’s not coal, it’s ink.”

“Same difference. Looks just as messy.”

When I saw him grab one of the pages lying around, I quickly darted over and snatched it from his hands.

“…Daughter, what are you doing?”

“It’s just some doodles. I’m embarrassed.”

I swiftly tossed all the papers into the fireplace and lit a match.

Whoosh.

The papers, filled with countless story ideas and worldbuilding notes, burned away in an instant.

‘That was close.’

I almost got treated like a witch and dragged into some heresy trial.

Feeling relieved, I dusted off my hands and turned my head—only to find Dad staring at me in shock.

“You…”

When I played dumb, Dad sighed and began organizing the mess of books, pushing them to the side.

“Why didn’t you put them back on the shelf? Why just push them aside?”

“Someone’ll clean it tomorrow.”

“We don’t have that many servants, you know?”

“Okay, okay. I’ll do it tomorrow, Dad.”

Then Dad picked me up like a doll, hugged me, and carried me out of the office.

“If you can’t sleep, want to sleep with us for a while?”

“…‘Us’?”

“Me and your brother.”

“What the—! You two sleep together? You’re not kids!”

When I looked appalled, Dad gave me a weird look.

“He is a kid. Aiden’s only nine.”

“I was making money when I was nine, Dad.”

“You’re seven.”

Oops.

“I-I mean, I’m making money at seven, so I’ll obviously be making money at nine too.”

That was close.

I sneaked a glance, but Dad didn’t seem to notice anything strange.

Thankfully, he’s kind of dense.

“Anyway, don’t keep everything bottled up. Come sleep with us.”

“……”

I take it back. He’s annoyingly perceptive.

Ugh. I feel like crying again.

“Dad.”

“What?”

“Grandpa’s going to die.”

“……”

An uncomfortable silence fell between us.

He didn’t answer, but his slowed steps told me he was thinking of what to say.

“Who told you that?”

“The doctor.”

“That blabbermouth. How dare he run his mouth about the Duke like that? There are things you can and can’t say to a child.”

Dad cursed the doctor.

“I’m the one who hired him.”

“Then fire him.”

Despite the exaggerated complaint in his voice, there was no humor in his face.

“I gave him two of the fruits, but he’s not getting better. There’s nothing else we can do.”

“I see.”

“If he dies like this, it’s so unfair. He went through so much and never got to see anything good before dying. If it weren’t for those damn Rüdengs…”

At the very least, I wanted him to see the Altard Dukedom’s name cleared.

I wrapped my arms around Dad’s neck and buried my face in his chest.

“I’m sad.”

“Then cry. Why are you holding it in? You’re seven. You shouldn’t be bottling things up.”

Dad patted my back.

His hand was kind of rough.

“Ow! That hurts!”

I yelled, unable to bear it anymore.

Then Dad smacked my back even harder.

“Hey, I said it hurts… hic.”

Drip.

Tears started to fall.

“It huuuurts…!”

I pounded my fists against Dad’s chest.

“There, there.”

Dad chuckled through his nose and stroked my back.

“Hu-huwaaaaa!”

I cried and cried.

The tears wouldn’t stop.

Frustration. Resentment. Sorrow. Helplessness.

Just remembering the life my uncle endured in this forsaken Altard house—standing firm and alone—made my chest ache.

Lowering his head to borrow money, enduring every insult to survive—his life blurred my vision again and again.

He’s not someone who should go out like this.

The more I cared for him, the deeper the pain.

If only I had abandoned this family instead—maybe I’d feel better.

But even after my mom and I left, he never turned his back on this family. He stood strong for thirty years.

So I cried for a long time.

And all I could think about was how badly I wanted revenge on the Rüdengs.

I didn’t know how much time had passed.

We should’ve already arrived at Dad’s room, but when I came to, I was still in his arms—and we were in the garden.

The trees were all dead, weeds had overrun everything, and wildflowers grew untrimmed and desolate.

Sniffle. Sniffle.

“Done crying?”

His voice was gruff and slightly awkward.

But his big, gentle hands had never stopped patting my back the whole time I cried.

“Mm.”

I wiped my eyes hard and gave a small nod.

— Okay, so please don’t get mad anymore. But when autumn comes, let’s go on a trip. Just me, Mom, and Uncle. Not you or Aiden.

Suddenly, I remembered.

The last conversation I had with Uncle.

‘Mom’s not here anymore…’

But even so, I wanted to keep that long-overdue promise.

“Dad.”

“What?”

“Is there a nice place not too far from here? Somewhere with pretty views, good food, a great spot to travel to?”

It was a picky request, but Dad didn’t ask why.

One week later, we left everything to the retainers for a bit and went on a trip.

…To the Rüdeng County.

“……Why here?”

“Because this is the best place in the north for sightseeing, has beautiful scenery, and delicious food.”

Still… why here of all places?

And also…

“Why did you and Aiden come?”

“Well…”

Aiden, who’s usually expressionless, turned slightly red.

“My dad’s going on a trip. What kind of son wouldn’t go?”

Whoa.

His joking tone aside, I was surprised at how seriously Calix was taking this whole “family vacation” thing.

“I couldn’t just let my daughter go alone.”

“I wasn’t alone, Grandpa’s with me.”

“Exactly. Like I’d let you two go alone.”

Dad reached up to scratch his head out of habit, but lowered his hand instead.

I stared wide-eyed.

No slouching or leaning on one leg—his back and shoulders were straight.

His clothes weren’t top-tier but made from pretty decent fabric.

Like this, he didn’t look like a noble, but definitely like a wealthy merchant.

“This is the Rüdeng County, but we’re far from the central city, Videl. This village is closer to the tourist areas. It’s small but has everything you need. And for the north, the weather’s fairly warm. Not like… some places.”

I shot Dad a look and then rushed over to cling to Uncle’s leg.

“Grandpa, how is it?”

“It’s nice.”

His big, rough, bony hand stroked my head twice.

He had lost a lot of weight because he could barely eat.

Now, his illness was so evident that it couldn’t be hidden.

– Can I speak frankly?
– Yeah.
– It wouldn’t be strange if he died anytime. It’d be better to start preparing the funeral now. There’s no more medication to give him, and from here on out, it’s just pain. The most we can do is prescribe painkillers and sleeping aids.
– …Okay.

I recalled my conversation with his temporary doctor, Ern.

The round-trip would normally take about five days, which wasn’t good for Uncle’s health. So excluding travel time, we planned to stay for just three days and two nights.

Blanc.

A seaside village within the Rüdeng County.