Chapter 345
“Originally, I was supposed to die in that place. That’s why I refused when Alicia first asked me if I wanted to leave the impoverished village. I thought that even if I could come back to this world, there was nothing more I could do.”
“…You were already sick at that time?”
His voice was a little hoarse.
Gramps was fine then. …If anything, he looks healthy even now. I didn’t see the slightest sign of weakness.
Gramps rolled up his clothes and turned his arms toward me. I came to a halt. I couldn’t think or speak.
…Green spots.
The progression seen on his arm alone suggested that he was going to die soon.
I couldn’t actually feel that Gramps was going to die until a moment ago, but when I looked at his arm, for the first time, my whole body understood that his life was almost over.
“Spotted disease?”
“Yes, it’s not a contagious disease, don’t worry.”
I had sworn to support Gramps, but already I feel like I would be breaking that oath. My heart was aching because I knew there was nothing I could do.
How could the human heart be so fragile? How could it be reinforced?
I realized how death was not about me dying, but about other people passing away. If I died, nothing would bother me, and I would not even feel it. It wouldn’t matter to me what happened after I died.
But what if Gramps died? What would happen to us?
“Why? Why Gramps? There are very few people with that disease in this country! How can Gramps get that disease? This is just too miserable.”
I tried not to cry, but I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing. Why am I in so much pain and sadness? Gramps was still alive.
Gramps looks at me with an apologetic face.
I didn’t want him to look at me like that. I want him to smile and say “It’s okay” like he always does.
The death of family members, relatives, friends, and loved ones was the most painful thing that could ever happen. Death was frightening, but the death of a loved one was even more so.
“This is my fate!”
“I’m going to destroy that fate. I’ll make a medicine with the same ingredients as Maddie’s. I’ll show you. So, please don’t die.”
I wailed like a little child. I felt more crushed than when my own family member died.
“Even if they find the medicine, with my condition, it will be too late. And even if we did get Maddie, it would be pointless.”
“We don’t even know if it will be effective yet! …Liz Cather, yes, she might be able to save Gramps!”
“Gilles, listen to me.”
“I have to go!”
I said and forced myself to leave the room.
I knew it was rude, but I couldn’t stay in that room any longer. If they denied me all hope, I would not be able to stand up anymore.
I opened the door with such force that I almost bumped into the king.
His deep blue eyes caught mine. I ran away without saying hello.
“Gilles was here?”
*
Will responded with a wry smile when Luke entered his room and asked.
“Oh. I told him about the illness, but I guess Gilles couldn’t accept it. “
“So it was Gilles who was in the hallway yesterday.”
“Perhaps it was too soon to discuss this with him…”
“He adores big brother very much, you know. And he looks like an adult, but he is still a child. I can’t stand the thought of losing you again myself.”
“You like him as well, don’t you?”
Will smiled sadly. His smile made Luke’s heart tighten even more.
The joy of seeing his brother, whom he had looked up to, was about to be stolen again. Luke’s heart was troubled because he had decided that this time he would go to any length to save his brother.
“My part in this was long over. I simply wanted to get Gilles out of the impoverished village before this life burns out. That was the task I had set for myself.”
Luke’s eyes widen and stiffen at Will’s words.
He couldn’t believe he’d risked his life for one boy, rather than being a good teacher for Alicia or a leader of the impoverished village. It was for one boy, Gilles.
It was probably the only goal he found in the impoverished village.
“He is not the kind of person who belongs in that place. With no family, he needed someone to be his mentor in that cruel world. Then Alicia came along, and she took Gilles under her wing. I knew I couldn’t take him out on my own. But one day, Duke informed me that a young lady was expected to arrive. I was planning to help her out, but it was also a chance for me to help Gilles out. After Alicia’s arrival, it was not long before Gilles left the impoverished village. … She really was wonderful. “
Will’s face broke into a delighted smile. Luke had no words for that satisfied smile of his.
Perhaps it was Will who loved Gilles more than anyone else.