"Well? Gallahan? What are you doing here?â
Lulak paused the meeting and returned to the office.
It was because the message from the Second Prince, whom he decided to meet after lunch, came in haste.
However, it wasnât just Florentia and the Second Prince that waiting for Lulak in the office.
Gallahan, who wore crutches, was also with them.
âThe Second Prince said that his Majesty had something to give to my father, so I came in a hurry.â
"To me?"
Lulak looked at Perez.
Since he was Perezâs guardian, he would occasionally observe Poirak Palace to see how he was doing.
But Lulak didnât get used to Perezâs eyes.
Likewise, today, when his eyes met those of the Second Prince, he was hiding discomfort.
"Your Majesty told me to convey the message."
Perez held out a gold envelope with a short word.
â...... I donât think it was like this from the beginning.â
"Sorry."
Perez gave a deep bow to Lulak.
âHmm.â
Lulak looked displeased with Perez, then pulled out a two-piece letter and read it.
Shortly, a low voice came out of Lulak.
âJovanes......â
It felt like he would run to the Imperial Palace with the piece of the letter right now.
Lulacâs eyes sparkled with anger.
Viese and Belsach are the pawns they get because they beg.
This was a situation where Emperor Jovanes, asked Florentia on the pretext of using his son as an excuse.
"Grandfather?"
Lulak opened his eyes and looked at his surprised granddaughter.
The innocent and beautiful face was filled with surprise.
âHow dare you want to take over my granddaughter?â
It was said that the same gender could be a close friend, but the opposite gender was different.2
Since ancient times, the Imperial Family often matched a marriage this way.
This is a method often used before reaching the legal marriage proposal age.
Jovanes couldnât possibly not understand it.
Of course, it is not a formal marriage proposal, and this does not determine Florentiaâs future.
Because sheâs the granddaughter of Lulak Lombardy.
But feeling bad is a different matter.
âDonât worry, Gallahan. I will take care of this on my own.â
He was thinking of going to the Imperial Palace tomorrow and throwing these two-piece letters in front of the Emperor.
âI will accept it.â
â...... What?"
Lulak was surprised at Gallahanâs words.
âI will accept your Majestyâs proposal. I will make Tia as His Majesty the Second Princeâs person.â
It was a bad decision.
Lulak shook his head and tried to explain.
âBut Gallahan.â
âI know how far this can cause a matter, Father.â
âThen why......"
However, Lulak shut his mouth.
"I was examined again yesterday by the doctor who was called by father who came late yesterday. "
At first glance, Lulakâs heart broke at Gallahanâs calm words.
He said that the doctor also diagnosed Tlenbrewâs disease.
The sky was trying to take his son early.
Lulak, who had been sorrowed and silent, suddenly looked at Florentia.
The granddaughter was bowing her head.
Perhaps this smart kid already knew that her fatherâs leg wasnât just broken.
A son who canât tell his daughter that he is dying, and a granddaughter who pretends to be unaware of her fatherâs condition.2
Lulakâs heart seemed to tremble.
Gallahan continued to speak in a calm voice.
"At one point, I thought when there was a storm, I could just lower myself and wait for the storm to pass, Father. But now I know thatâs not the way to survive."
Lulak read what Gallahan was trying to say, and nodded gloomily.
No matter how much Lulak trying to help, he couldnât even be involved in what happened after his death.
âSo I will fight the storm and tried to protect Tia...... If I canât, Iâd like to give Tia whatever it is, something that can support Tia, Father.â4
Lulak gritted his teeth at the sight of his son preparing for his death and his daughterâs future.
Lulak smashed his fists and clenched them in order not to curse the sky right away.
Then he said in a very tired voice somewhere.
"Yeah. I know. If you are willing, then do it.â
âYes, father. And...... Isnât it just a matter?â
"Yeah. It is just a matter. Nothing more, nothing less.â
Lulak said as if to calm Gallahan.
âTia, usually dad will ask you first. But this time......â
"I know. Do whatever dad wants.â
"Yeah. Thank you."
Gallahanâs big hand stroked her daughterâs soft brown hair.
Lulak looked at Perez with a sigh at that appearance.
âThe Second Prince.â
â...... Yes."
âYou know that the Second Prince and the First Prince are very different.â
Perez nodded.
âThe First Prince has a strong mother. Besides, his mother is the Empress.â
The Empress and Astana are safe unless they commit a crime equivalent to rebellion right away.
But Perez was different.
Lombardyâs house is playing the role of guardian, but that was only through an agreement with the Emperor.
Even if he only made a few mistakes, it will destabilize Perezâs position as Second Prince.
Lulak, of course, wasnât worried about Perez.
He wondered if this would adversely affect his granddaughter, Florentia, in any way.
âI think you know what I mean.â
"I know."
Lulak still didnât like Perez, but he had no intention of opposing Gallahan if he wanted it.
There was only one question.
"But why is the letter torn?"
â......It was because I found out that being my person was difficult for Florentia.â
"You tore up Your Majestyâs letter for just one reason?"
âOne reason is enough.â4
Lulak said nothing for a moment, then swallowed hard.
âI like that one.â7
Then he glanced at Perez for the last time and turned around.
âI paused the meeting and came out, so I have to go back. The Second Prince has come to my house, so take a rest and return. I will send a separate reply to the letter, and Gallahan...â
âYes, father.â
âYou go back and rest, right now...â
â...... Yes."
After leaving the office again, Lulak headed to the conference room where people were waiting.
Then he suddenly stopped and called the butler, who was following from behind.
âAsk the name of the famous doctor in the Empire and bring here. Donât let anyone know, be careful.â
Lulak hasnât given up on Gallahan yet.1
Even if Tlenbrewâs disease was correct, he was thinking of creating a cure for the disease at whatever cost.3
"Money is what I use when I need it."2
Lulak went back to the conference room, taking care of his weakening heart.
* * *
Viese was walking through the hallway.
Normally, he would have contacted Dr. OâMalley to come to his residence, but now he couldnât wait.
A while ago, he was on his way, and see the Second Prince and Gallahan heading to the Lordâs office.
He wandered for a while because he hadnât been there before, but he was able to find the doctorâs lab quickly.
Bang.
The door opened with a loud noise, and Dr. OâMalley, surprised, jumped in one step.
"How did you come here! If you send someone, Iâll go ..."
âGallahan, what disease does he have?â
âYes, what...? What do you mean by that.â
âDonât think about lying to me. I know that Gallahan didnât break his leg.â
Vieseâs words were a half bluff.
He knew and already knew that there was a commotion in the back seat of the National Founding Banquet.
However, the content of the disturbance that he heard through people was only a matter of the two Princes pointing their swords at each other, and not Gallahan broke his leg.
However, Gallahan returned to the mansion earlier than planned, and after that, he was already in recuperation for several days.
Despite spreading rumors of a broken leg, Viese was suspicious.
âThat, it......â
Dr. OâMalley was not able to answer right away and was restless.
Viese whispered politely to calm the doctor.
âHey, Dr. OâMalley. Did you already know everything? I am asking if I can help my younger brother as an older brother.â
The doctor hesitated for a moment but was immediately deceived.
â...... Even if you know the name of the disease, there wonât be much you can do to help.â
"That...... What do you mean? What disease did Gallahan have?â
âT, Tlenbrew disease......"
All of Vieseâs movements stopped.
âTlen... Tlenbrew. Isnât that a deadly disease?â
His voice was shaking softly.
OâMalley closed his eyes as if he were back in the day he gave Lordâs and Gallahan the name of the illness.
No matter how badly the relationship is, even if itâs Viese, it must be a big heartache because his younger brother has a deadly disease.
The doctor understood that way.
"Haha! ...... Fuhahaha!â1
Viese started to laugh.
For a long time, Viese smiled with a smile on his face and shouted.
âThe sky gives me a chance!â16
It seemed like a decade of congestion had eased.
Pure joy flows with every laugh.
Dr. OâMalley couldnât find any figure of a person who would soon lose his younger brother in a terrible illness.
âThank you, Gallahan! Thanks!"24
Viese laughed for a long time, not knowing that Dr. OâMalley was looking at him with a tired face.
* * *2
After leaving my grandfatherâs office and separate from my father, I and Perez headed to the garden on the side of the annex.
Louryl went home with my father to help him.
When I reached the place where the fountain flows quietly, I turned to Perez.
"Why are you like this?"
â...... I?"
âYes, you. Why are you so gloomy and speechless, and you look at me?â
Perez, like a person walking on a thin sheet of ice, is very careful even with his footsteps.
And I was worried about it.
âBecause Tia, you seem to be thinking of something. And...... About your fatherâs condition.â
Perez was caring for me.
It was so funny that I was annoyed at the moment.
A child who is only thirteen years old looks at how I feel, and I get angry.
I sighed and said.
âDonât worry about my dad. Of course, he got a bit of a bad disease. But he will get well soon.â
âDo you know the name of the disease?â
Perez asked carefully.
âTlenbrew.â
"Ah......â
Perez tried to look as cool as possible but failed.
First of all, it was a little bit worrisome to look at me with a dog-like face.
But I pretended to have both hands on my back and said.
âSomeone who made the cure for Tlenbrewâs disease is coming. Of course with the cure.â