CHAPTER 9
uncle turned his back and said,
“We’re going to visit the old man—no, your grandpa’s house.”
It was such a sudden surprise that I quickly lifted my head.
I asked from behind Uncle’s big back.
“Really? We’re going to Grandpa’s today?”
“Yeah.”
Going to Grandpa’s house meant eating super delicious food!
“Okay, Uncle! Oh, can I bring a gift for Grandpa too? The food we ate this morning was really good, and I want to give him some.”
“Sure. Bring whatever you want.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
What’s going on with Uncle today?
I quickly answered before he could change his mind.
“Okay! Thanks, Uncle!”
Thinking I’d bring Grandpa a gift and eat a lot of yummy food, I nodded quickly and ran to my room.
I decided to put all my effort into getting ready to go out.
Yes! I ran like lightning to my room.
“Zenda! Uncle said we’re going to Grandpa’s!”
I shouted as soon as I walked in.
But then Zenda’s face turned strangely gloomy.
“Zenda, what’s wrong? Are you feeling sick?”
“It’s nothing. I’ll help you get ready. Should I braid your hair and add some flowers?”
“Yes! Thanks, Zenda! Please add two flowers.”
Zenda smiled like nothing was wrong and took my hand as we walked.
I smiled back, happy to see her smiling.
“Are you really that happy?”
“Yep, I’m happy to see Grandpa. Zenda, I’ll bring back lots of tasty stuff for you!”
Zenda’s face darkened even more, but I figured it was because she was worried I was going with Uncle.
“My sweet girl!”
“Grandpa!”
As soon as I got out of the carriage, I was hugged tightly by my grandpa, who was as big as Uncle.
Ilrod de Balliat.
The head of the Balliat family—and my one and only grandpa.
The first time I saw him, I was scared.
Even though he had the same red hair and golden eyes as Mom, he was super tall and huge like a mountain. He looked like a very scary adult.
Uncle probably got his height from Grandpa.
Even though I was scared of Grandpa at first, he was always super kind to me.
He always said I was the best and gave me delicious food every day.
Grandpa is so awesome—when I once cried because I was the only one with black hair (while Mom, Uncle, and Grandpa all had red hair), he showed up the next day with his hair dyed black just like mine.
Now the dye had faded a little, so his hair looked dark red, kind of like mine.
“Oh, my baby. You didn’t gain any weight. That darn brat didn’t even feed you?”
Grandpa’s eyes shifted sharply toward Uncle behind me.
I quickly shook my head side to side.
“No! I eat with Uncle every day. We even had breakfast together today.”
“Really? Good job. Let’s go inside.”
“Yes, Grandpa! Oh, and I brought you a gift! Uncle has it. It’s really tasty!”
Grandpa laughed loudly.
“With your tiny hands, what kind of gift could you bring? You visiting is already the best gift.”
“Hehe, but giving gifts is always good!”
We used to come to Grandpa’s once a month with Mom, so the place felt like another home.
Before I moved in with Uncle, I had stayed here for over two months.
I looked behind to make sure Uncle was following and went inside with Grandpa.
“Thank you. Are you sleeping well, my sweet girl?”
“Yes! I sleep great every night. What about you, Grandpa? Are you sleeping well?”
“Grandpa couldn’t sleep at all because I missed my baby girl.”
“Gasp, that’s no good! Then let’s take a nap together later!”
“Haha, okay.”
“If you love her that much, why did you send her away? You should’ve just kept her with you.”
“What did you say?”
Grandpa’s warm voice suddenly turned sharp.
“Did I say anything wrong? You two seem to get along so well now.”
Uncle picked his ear lazily as he spoke.
“I sent her to turn you into a proper person, you rude brat! Agh, my precious baby girl, eat lots of yummy food today. I bought you lots of gifts too.”
“Yes, Grandpa!”
After yelling at Uncle, Grandpa turned sweet again and held my hand, leading me through the hall to a big room with soft carpets for playing.
It was the room I always played in when I came to visit.
“Wow…”
On both sides of the room were giant five-layer cake towers that looked like fountains, and next to them were piles of gifts and snacks.
“Do you like it?”
I was speechless. My eyes widened at the amazing sight of all the sweets waiting for me.
“I love it! Grandpa, can I eat all of this?”
“Of course. It’s all for you.”
“Yay! Grandpa, let’s eat together. Uncle too!”
Grandpa gently patted my head.
His hand was so warm, it made me smile even more.
“Grandpa has to talk with your uncle for a bit, so just eat while I’m gone. I’ll be back soon.”
“Okay, Grandpa!”
“I’m so full…”
I totally forgot about Uncle and Grandpa and just filled my belly with all the sweet treats.
The dessert mountain looked almost the same as before, but now I was too stuffed to eat even one more bite.
“I miss Mom.”
Lying curled up on the carpet, I thought to myself.
Mom only let me eat half a slice of cake a day, and she always made me brush my teeth right after—but still, I missed her.
Later, I’ll look at Uncle’s face as much as I can.
I reached for the strawberry cupcake I had left half-eaten.
“Aika.”
Just then, Grandpa returned, as if my wish had come true.
“Grandpa! You should try this too! Where’s Uncle?”
But Uncle wasn’t with him.
“Aika.”
“Yes?”
Grandpa sat down next to me just like I was sitting and gently stroked my hair.
Then he said,
“Don’t go back to your uncle’s. Live with Grandpa again, just like before.”
“With you, Grandpa?”
“Yes, let’s have fun together again, like we used to.”
“Um…”
I blinked.
That sounded nice, but what did he mean?
My thoughts suddenly stopped, then started spinning wildly in my head.
My eyes flew open.
Wait—this wasn’t good! This meant Uncle had left me here and gone!
Why?
“No way!”
I dropped the cupcake onto the carpet in shock.
“Sweetie! Aika!”
“Wait, Grandpa!”
Even though Grandpa called me, I jumped up and ran outside.
‘Legs, run faster!’
I had to catch Uncle before he left.
His legs were so long—he could get far in no time.
If I was too slow, he might really leave me behind.
And maybe… he wouldn’t come back to see me again.
Just like Grandpa said, Uncle was already outside, heading for the carriage.
“U-Uncle!”
I ran down the stairs as fast as I could.
“Ah!”
But I tripped on the last step and fell flat on my face.
“Oww…”
It hurt really bad.
I tried to get up quickly, but my knee hurt so much.
My chin hurt too. Everything hurt.
When I looked at my knee, it was scraped and bleeding.
“….”
I wanted to brush it off and go catch Uncle, but it hurt so much I couldn’t move my foot.
All I wanted was to go to Uncle.
I just wanted to be with him.
Why did it hurt so much?
It must’ve been the bleeding.
Slowly, my vision started to blur.
