CH 46

Thanasios seems tired for some reason.

Sensing this, I quietly moved the sugar jar closer to Thanasios, who was sitting across from me at the table, next to his coffee. He finally noticed it and smiled.

“Oh, thank you. I was just craving something sweet.”

“No, it’s just that you seemed tired, and if there’s anything I can do to help…”

It’s already night, and Thanasios, who has been working all day, must be tired. The candle in the crystal lamp is flickering. Unlike the room with the chandelier, my terrace study — which is more like a reception room — seems to be able to give Thanasios some rest.

In the sky-high royal castle, there is the Arche of Apeiron, which is dimly lit in the starry sky. The night tea party with the two of us has become quite familiar. However, Thanasios has never shown signs of fatigue before.

I want to know the reason, but at the same time, I don’t. I still can’t penetrate Thanasios’ heart.

However, today seems different from usual. Thanasios asked me this question.

“Eleni, have you ever talked to someone who is close to death?”

For a moment, I was stunned, then I understood the meaning.

In my life, there have been only two people close to me who have died. The first was my mother, and the second was the old nun Yorgia. My mother’s death was too sudden, and I couldn’t even see her body. In contrast, I was with Yorgia until the end, watching over her and burying her in her grave. Yorgia, without a doubt, taught me about death through her own experience.

I try to remember the days I spent with Yorgia, but they are already hazy. There are also memories I don’t want to remember. However, I remember her on her deathbed.

“When I was a nun, there was an old nun named Yorgia who took care of me for almost ten years. I was with her when she died, but she tried to hide her physical condition until the very end. It was only when she was about to die that she finally talked to me about her death and what would happen afterwards.”

Yes, Yorgia didn’t tell me anything about her approaching death. She only spoke to me when she couldn’t get out of bed, and taught me that running the monastery was only about doing the bare minimum, that if I ran out of food and money, I would have to go somewhere else, and not to expect any help from the Duke of Uranos. That’s what she taught me.

I try to guess Thanasios’ intentions, but there’s no way he would reveal his thoughts to someone like me. It’s unfair in a way.

Despite my one-sided grievance, Thanasios made an unexpected proposal.

“Eleni, if you don’t mind… would you be willing to talk to my brother?”

Thanasios’ expression, illuminated by the candle flame, was serious. I couldn’t read any other emotions from the shadows.

“My brother is in the greenhouse garden on the upper floor. He’s physically weak and can’t leave there. As a result, his contact with people is extremely limited, and he doesn’t want it either. But…”

Thanasios added, “If it can be a distraction.”

It would mean something to both me and Thanasios’ brother.

I became a little interested in Thanasios’ brother, whom I had never heard of before.

“Understood. I will do my best as a conversation partner for your brother.”

“Okay, I’m counting on you. Thank you.”

Thanasios seemed relieved, and his cheeks relaxed.

However, there must be some intention or problem behind the request to me. I can sense that much. I want to meet Thanasios’ expectations, but honestly, I am not confident. Having been confined to the monastery for ten years, I am not good at talking. Of course, Thanasios must have known that and asked me to be a conversation partner for a reason.

Come to think of it, there was something I needed to ask.

“By the way, what is the name of your brother?”

“Oh, it’s Helios Perennus.”

“Helios-sama, huh? It’s wonderful to have a name that bears the name of the sun god.”

When I said that, Thanasios had an indescribable expression on his face. I wonder if I said something that offended him.