Chapter 59

***

“Master Jeremiah prefers tea made from pickled lemons, and on particularly tiring days, he replenishes his energy with chocolate. He always makes sure to have fruits and milk with his breakfast,” Melody read the terrible handwriting effortlessly, as if it were nothing. Ronny, with eyes wide in astonishment, looked back at the letter.

He wondered if the scribbles that seemed like a magical incantation had straightened themselves out.

But the letter remained a mess of indecipherable writing, clearly not meant for human eyes.

“How, how can you possibly read this?!” he exclaimed.

“Well,”

Melody clasped her hands together and smiled sweetly.

“Ever since I was young, I used to read for the elders in the village. I might not know difficult words, but… the Tower Master wrote it using very simple words.”

When Melody mentioned ‘very simple,’ Ronny’s face flushed red again. It almost seemed like she was teasing him.

“You’re mean.”

Ronny pouted and blamed Melody.

“I’m kind and smart, young master.”

“Is that how a kind person behaves?”

He questioned, prompting Melody to ponder for a moment if she had been unkind.

“Oh, then may I prove my kindness?”@@novelbin@@

She offered, extending both hands for the letter, intending to neatly transcribe it.

Ronny, half-hiding his face with the letter, asked cautiously,

“You’re going to read it… for me?”

The honest anticipation in his expression was somewhat endearing to Melody. She wasn’t sure if it was alright to think of a noble boy of her age in that way.

“I can write it down for you.”

“Don’t treat me like a fool. I never forget anything once I’ve heard it.”

He returned the dictionary to its place and perched neatly on the windowsill, crossing his short legs like a general listening to a report.

Melody began to read from the top of the letter.

Ronny had been all ready to tease her if she said, ‘I don’t understand this handwriting,’ but gradually, he found himself quietly listening to her voice.

Perhaps because Melody was accustomed to reading books to Loretta, her clear voice and calm pronunciation were truly pleasant to hear. So much so that he felt a tinge of regret as her gaze moved further down the letter.

Feeling oddly at ease, he unfolded his crossed legs and straightened his head to look directly at Melody.

Just then, Melody finished reading and peeked out from behind the letter.

“I’ve read it all.”

“Already?”

He blurted out in disappointment, quickly covering his mouth when he realized he’d said something silly.

“Well done,”

He quickly got off the windowsill and snatched the paper from Melody’s hand.

“Have I proven my kindness to you, young master?”

“Hmph, that’s hardly impressive.”

“Then next time you get such a letter, I’ll read it for you.”

That was agreeable.

After all, Melody’s voice was as beautiful as her face.

He gasped as he was startled by his own thought and vigorously shook his head.

“What’s wrong?”

When Melody approached with concern, Ronny quickly stepped back and shouted,

“You, you’re ugly!”

“I know.”

“What?”

Ronny was surprised that Melody calmly accepted his insult. She had vehemently argued against being called bad.

“You’re really ugly!”

“Yes.”

Why isn’t she arguing back?

He looked at Melody with suspicion and then turned away abruptly.

Melody must be a wicked person, trying to trap him in the quagmire of embarrassment.

“You’re definitely mean.”

As he said this and moved on, Melody quickly followed and countered,

“I’m kind and smart, young master.”

“Stop joking! You’re a devil! Go away!”

Melody was about to retort, ‘The devil is not me, it’s young master Claude,’ but she stopped herself.

“…Then I’ll go pick out a book.”

Ronny felt a pang of guilt as Melody quietly left his side. He wondered if she was hurt by his harsh words.

‘It’s her fault for confusing my feelings. She deserves those words, unkind Melody.’

With a huff, he turned his head and quickly left the library.

***

Ronny now had to take care of Jeremiah.

‘He’ll be totally surprised if I bring him milk and fruit for breakfast, just like in the Magic Tower, right?’

He thought, unaware that Ronny had secretly sent a letter to the Tower Master to inquire about his adorable brother’s preferences.

Maybe Jeremiah would say, ‘Brother, how do you know so much about me? Truly a noble from the capital,’ and look at him with admiration.

Ronny’s steps quickened with pride.

***

“Breakfast menu?”

Upon reaching the kitchen, Ronny asked Mrs. Higgins about Jeremiah’s diet.

“Yes, Jeremiah’s diet.”

“I don’t know why you’re asking, young master, but I followed the Duke’s instructions.”

“Father’s?”

“Yes.”

“What did he say?”

“Milk and fruit must be included,” replied Mrs. Higgins.

Ronny’s inflated heart deflated at her words.

Thinking about it, his father had always cherished the children’s preferences. Except for the witch-like Mrs. Higgins, who kept giving him tasteless carrots.

“…Prepare the same for me too. It would be lonely for Jeremiah to have a different menu at the breakfast table all by himself.”

“I already did that. You need to drink more milk, young master. If you want to grow tall like the Duke.”

“Ugh.”

Ronny didn’t particularly like the bitter taste of milk. He disliked the lingering smell of milk, even when sugar was added.

“I don’t like it, but it can’t be helped. I can’t leave my brother feeling lonely.”

“Just so you’re not disappointed, I should tell you in advance.”

Mrs. Higgins shared an important piece of information with Ronny, who was bracing himself to face the milk.

“Master Jeremiah is planning to have his meal separately in his room.”

“What?! But, he ate separately yesterday too.”

He thought it was because Jeremiah was tired, but to eat separately even at breakfast…

“Is he still not fully recovered from his fatigue?”

While pondering, Ronny recalled something.

“Did you give Jeremiah any chocolate yesterday?”

“No. It’s too dangerous a treat for a child.”

“You shouldn’t think of him as an ordinary child, he’s the pride of the Magic Tower. Give him some chocolate quickly.”

Although Mrs. Higgins argued it was not right to give a child chocolate first thing in the morning, Ronny eventually managed to procure some fine chocolate.

“And I’ll deliver the meal myself. I want to take good care of my brother who has just returned.”

“…I was going to ask Melody to do that.”

Melody had already impressively delivered tea to Claude’s room previously.

Mrs. Higgins wanted to provide Melody with another opportunity to bond with Jeremiah.

“No! Taking care of Jeremiah is my responsibility.”

“I don’t know what has inspired this, but it’s heartening to see you act so maturely, young master,” praised Mrs. Higgins, an unusually high compliment coming from her. Ronny proudly raised his head high.

“You’ll leave it to me, right?”

“Your wishes are always a priority, young master.”

Pleased with the straightforward response, Ronny nodded in satisfaction.

Soon, the servants brought Jeremiah’s meal to the trolley on the second floor. It wasn’t something they could entrust to the young Ronny.

After ensuring his attire was impeccable, Ronny elegantly pushed the trolley.

There couldn’t be a brother anywhere in the capital who would bring chocolate to his sibling who had just returned.

‘I’m truly a good brother.’

Ronny arrived at Jeremiah’s door and knocked, but received no response, which worried him.

‘Is he still asleep?’

He must have collapsed from fatigue without having the chocolate.

After knocking a few more times, Ronny quietly pushed the door open. The room was dim, and he could hear soft breathing.

‘He’s sleeping.’

Ronny carefully pushed the trolley in and was about to leave the room.

But perhaps out of curiosity for his brother whom he hadn’t seen in a while, his legs began to move on their own.

He tiptoed towards the bed where Jeremiah was lying.

A small, white boy was sleeping there.

On such a cold day, he was sweating profusely.

Ronny wondered if the room was too warm, but it didn’t feel particularly so to him. Besides, Mrs. Higgins always managed to keep the children’s rooms at a perfectly comfortable temperature.

‘Could he be sick?’

It was possible. The beginning of winter is a time when it’s easy to catch a cold.

Ronny pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and gently wiped the sweat trailing down his brother’s cheek. There was more sweat than he had expected, making Ronny even more worried.

‘Should I get some medicine? Oh dear, his bangs are all stuck to his face.’

The sweat-drenched bangs could poke his eyes if left as they were. Ronny carefully brushed the hair off his brother’s forehead, trying not to disturb his sleep.

‘Huh…?’

That’s when he noticed an odd scar on Jeremiah’s white forehead.