Chapter 865
“How is Grandfather’s condition?”
Chronie greeted Lady Jeria by pressing his lips gently to the back of her hand. She accepted the gesture with a dignified air, then motioned for the guests to take a seat on the sofa.
“The doctors from the capital have arrived, so I believe he will get better.”
“I believe he will get better.” The words implied that his current state was far from good.
Chronie and the other guests furrowed their brows with concern. They accepted the tea offered by the butler and asked quietly,
“Do you still not know the diagnosis?”
“…Unfortunately, no.”
“I see. That’s truly unfortunate.”
“Please don’t worry too much. A miracle will happen.”
“Thank you all.”
Though technically grandmother and grandson by lineage, they addressed each other with formal respect. Lady Jeria and Chronie were not blood relatives, and given their small age difference and limited interaction, they naturally maintained a courteous distance.
“Knowing the diagnosis is the first step toward treatment. If you don’t mind, I can send a highly skilled doctor from the capital to assist.”
Chronie offered the suggestion with genuine worry, but Lady Jeria only sipped her tea silently, saying nothing.
‘Be cautious.’
If someone wanted to kill the lord, the one who would benefit most from his death would be the culprit.
From that perspective, the person most likely to be suspected by outsiders was herself—she stood to inherit the estate after her husband’s death.
‘Who’s next?’
Next would be Ian, but he was only five years old, so suspicion was unlikely.
That left the relatives who held partial inheritance rights. Lady Jeria shook her head.
“No, Dr. Kelly, who is here now, is quite reputable, so I trust him. I appreciate your concern, but I must decline.”
“Hmm. Is that so?”
Chronie narrowed his eyes.
Lady Jeria didn’t realize the mistake she had just made. Despite her grandson’s concern and offer to send a doctor, she had refused.
If something were to happen later—if the lord failed to pull through—this refusal would become a glaring flaw in the eyes of others.
For example—
“Didn’t Lady Jeria want the lord to die? I heard she refused the examination by the famous doctor from the capital.”
Such a gap in judgment.
Chronie shrugged, glancing around at everyone. You all heard that, right? The guests forced awkward smiles and sipped their tea.
After exchanging meaningless pleasantries, Lady Jeria checked the time.
“The examination should be finished by now. Shall we go to the bedroom to see him? He’s barely conscious, though.”
“Since we’ve come this far, of course.”
“When will you be leaving?”
“It would be difficult for him to stay in the mansion, I suppose?”
Chronie probed again, looking for another opening. If she said yes, it would cause problems later. Whatever she was hiding, she seemed eager to send away the relatives who had come from the capital.
“Not at all.”
Lady Jeria answered calmly, as if to deny it completely.
“Please rest well. I will prepare a room in the annex for you. If you need anything, just ask, and stay as long as you like. It would be good for the mansion to have some life in it.”
“How kind of you to say that.”
“Right this way.”
Lady Jeria led the way, the guests following behind. They exchanged uncertain glances as they took in the elegant, old-fashioned mansion.
Creak.
“Doctor?”
“Ah, yes, yes.”
“Some guests came by for a moment.”
“The examination just finished. Please come in.”
Chronie approached Hadell with a look of deep sympathy and took his hand. It was thin, bony, and shockingly cold—hardly the hand of someone still alive. It seemed the end was truly near.
“Can you hear me? This is Chronie. I hope you recover quickly and regain your health.”
Lady Jeria watched quietly from behind. On the surface, everyone seemed genuinely concerned for the lord’s health.
…but who could really know what was in a person’s heart?
“Madam.”
A servant called from outside, and Jeria turned her head.
“Excuse me. Please wait a moment.”
“Yes, please take care of your business, madam.”
As Lady Jeria stepped outside, the expressions of Chronie and the other guests grew noticeably colder. They released the lord’s hand and began scrutinizing his complexion openly, like doctors gathered in a morgue debating a case.
“His condition looks far worse than expected.”
“Dr. Kelly, was it?”
“Yes. A very skilled man. I’ve heard of him a few times. I believe he used to serve in the royal palace.”
“He’s older now, so even if he recovers, it won’t be like before. Tsk, tsk. You never know how life will turn out.”
As they whispered, gently stroking the blanket over Hadell, Chronie rummaged through his pocket.
“……”
He pulled out a cigarette, then leisurely stepped onto the balcony to overlook the estate.
…No matter how many times I see it, this place is beautiful. Too beautiful for a dying man and his family.
“Ian?”
Lady Jeria looked down at her son with a puzzled expression. Usually calm and composed like her, he somehow seemed uneasy.
Ian stepped closer and clutched the hem of her dress.
“Mother, who are those guests?”
“Oh, Ian, you don’t know? They’re relatives from the capital. You’re their uncle, and they’re your nephews. That’s how the family tree goes, but since they’re adults, be sure to show respect.”
“The man in the gray jacket?”
“Who?”
“The one with those narrow eyes and that mouth.”
Ian squinted his eyes and pulled down the corners of his mouth, making Lady Jeria flustered. His behavior was so unfamiliar.
“…Are you talking about Lord Chronie?”
“Chronie.”
Ian kept muttering the name as if shocked.
Jeria glanced at Hayna, who shook her head, equally confused.
“Mother, that man is scary.”
“Lord Chronie?”
“Yes. Can we ask them to leave?”
The moment their eyes met, a wave of unease swept over Ian. It poked and scratched at the bottom of his chest, making his stomach churn.
Lady Jeria placed a hand on Ian’s shoulder, signaling him to stop.
“Why are you being so rude, Ian?”
“But—”
“They came a long way because they’re worried about your father. They just arrived and had a cup of tea. Is it right to send them away now?”
Ian pressed his lips tightly, but his moist eyes betrayed his displeasure.
Jeria hesitated, surprised by her son’s unexpected reaction.
“What about your tutor?”
“The lessons ended a while ago.”
Since the lord was bedridden, most estate affairs fell to Lady Jeria. She was so busy she barely knew when Ian’s lessons ended. She grabbed his arm and murmured,
“We’ll have to increase your study time starting tomorrow.”
If he can’t tell right from wrong and keeps acting out, more lessons are the only option.
Ian puffed out his cheeks in displeasure just as Chronie and his party, having finished their examination, emerged from the lord’s bedroom.
“Oh, so you’re Uncle Ian.”
“……!”
Ian stiffened at the sight of Chronie. He bowed to meet the man’s eye level.
“I’m Chronie. I saw you when you were born, but this is your first time seeing me, right? Nice to meet you. You look very dignified and neat in person.”
“Ian.”
Jeria nudged Ian’s back, urging him to greet the man. Ian’s face grew even more rigid, but he stammered and bowed as instructed.
“…Hello.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“Lord Chronie, I’m sorry. Ian is very shy around strangers.”
Chronie laughed at Jeria’s excuse. He said all kids that age were like that.
“Well, you must have had a hard journey.”
“Yes, thank you for saying that.”
“It must be tough to return now.”
“Ian.”
Jeria called her son’s name softly. Was he about to say something rude?
But Ian opened his eyes wide and smiled innocently.
“The doctor said Father must have complete rest. That’s why I said what I did. I’m sorry to the guests, but Father’s health comes first.”
Go away, go away. Leave the mansion.
Chronie felt as if Ian was shouting those words. The boy spoke clearly, but it was as if he was thinking things through carefully. He didn’t know what deep thoughts a five-year-old could have, but his effort was endearing.
“Of course. We will stay in the annex and return as soon as possible. The horses are tired, and we need to find new coachmen.”
“Lord Chronie, please don’t mind the child’s words.”
“No, I can clearly feel his concern for his grandfather’s health. It’s truly admirable.”
“Then, let me show you to the annex.”
“Thank you.”
Lady Jeria gestured to Hayna to take Ian along. Hayna quickly scooped up Ian and bowed politely.
“Uncle Ian. See you again.”
Chronie nodded politely, but Ian didn’t respond. Instead, he buried his face deep into Hana’s shoulder, frowning.
As they rounded the corner in the hallway, Hana gently patted Ian’s back.
“Why are you so prickly, young master?”
“…He’s strange. A really unpleasant guy.”
“Well, he’s not exactly easy on the eyes… but if you start teasing him about that, you’ll get scolded later. He didn’t choose to be born that way, you know. Oh, and that doesn’t mean Chronie is ugly or anything.”
“What are you saying?” Ian narrowed his eyes and squirmed a little, as if silently begging to be put down.
Hana carefully lowered him to the floor, and Ian straightened up, looking up at her.
“Hey, Hana.”
“Yes?”
“You’re good at reading people, right?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Like, watching them closely. And I heard you’re good at picking locks too?”
“W-who said that? No, that’s not true!”
Hana waved her hands dismissively, clearly denying it, but Ian didn’t budge.
“I want you to keep an eye on Lord Chronie and his group.”
“Ian, I really am not that kind of person!”
“You’re scary. It makes me uncomfortable.”
Ah, geez! Hana sighed deeply, placing her hands on her hips. She really wasn’t cut out for this kind of thing! But with her young master asking so quietly and dejectedly, how could she say no?
After a pause, Ian added, “You said my fountain pen was pretty last time, right?”
“Gasp.”
“If you do this well, I’ll give it to you as a ‘gift.’”
He said it with so much meaning, as if to make sure no one—especially his mother or anyone else—could object.
Hana twisted her toes nervously, then straightened her shoulders with a resigned sigh.
“Alright, then. By the way, which room did the guests say they’d be staying in?”