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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: A Visit to Grandfather's
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With his back to me, my uncle stood and said,
“The old man… no, we’re going to visit your grandfather.”
I snapped my head up at the surprise announcement.
I asked my uncle’s broad back,
“Really? We’re going to visit Grandfather’s today?”
“Yeah.”
We’re going to Grandfather’s. That means I can eat lots of delicious things!
“Okay, Uncle! Oh, can I bring a present for Grandfather? What I had for breakfast this morning was really yummy, and I want to bring some for him.”
“Bring whatever you want.”
“Really? Uncle, are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
What’s gotten into him?
I answered quickly before he could change his mind.
“Okay! Thanks, Uncle!”
The thought of bringing Grandfather a gift and eating my fill there made me nod eagerly. I headed for my room.
Then I decided to focus all my energy on getting ready.
Perfect! I shot off to my room like a flash of lightning.
“Zenda! Uncle said we’re going to visit Grandfather!”
I looked for Zenda as soon as I entered the room.
For some reason, Zenda’s expression darkened.
“Zenda, what’s wrong? Are you sick?”
“It’s nothing, my lady. I’ll help you get ready. Shall I tie your hair in pigtails and add some flowers?”
“Yes! Thanks, Zenda! Put in two flowers.”
Zenda took my hand and walked with me, smiling brightly as if nothing had happened.
I liked Zenda’s smile, so I grinned widely too.
“Are you that happy?”
“Yeah, I like seeing Grandfather. Zenda, I’ll bring back lots of yummy things when I return.”
Zenda’s face grew even darker than before, but I just thought she was worried because I was going with my uncle.
* * *
“Oh, my sweet girl!”
“Grandfather!”
As soon as I got out of the carriage, I threw myself into the arms of my grandfather, who was as big as my uncle.
Iload de Valliat.
The head of the Valliat family and my one and only grandfather.
I was scared when I first saw him.
He had the same red hair and golden eyes as my mother, but he was also incredibly tall and built like a mountain, so he seemed like a very scary adult.
My uncle probably got his height from him.
I was afraid of my grandfather, but he was always very good to me.
He always tells me I’m the best and always, always gives me delicious things to eat.
My grandfather is so cool that, one time, I cried because my mom, my uncle, and he all had red hair, but I was the only one with black hair.
But the next day, he showed up with his hair dyed black, just like mine.
The dye has faded a little now, but his dark red hair was still similar to mine.
“Alright, my puppy. What have you been doing, not gaining any weight? Did that damn bastard not even feed you?”
Grandfather shot a glare at my uncle, who stood behind me.
I shook my head vigorously.
“No! I eat with Uncle all the time. I even ate with him this morning.”
“Did you? That’s wonderful. Let’s go inside.”
“Yes, Grandfather! Oh, right, Grandfather. I brought you a present. Uncle has it. It’s really yummy!”
Grandfather chuckled heartily.
“What could you have brought with those little hands of yours? Just having my sweet girl here is a gift enough.”
“Hehe, the more gifts, the better!”
I used to come to Grandfather’s with Mom once a month without fail.
I’d also lived here for over two months before going to my uncle’s, so it felt like a second home.
I checked to see if my uncle was following behind me before going inside with Grandfather.
“How sweet of you. Are you sleeping well, my dear?”
“Yes! I sleep well every night. What about you, Grandfather? Do you sleep well too?”
“This old man couldn’t sleep a wink because I missed my little puppy so much.”
“Oh no, you can’t do that! Grandfather, you should take a nap with me later!”
“Haha, let’s do just that.”
“If you love her so much, why did you send her away? You should have just kept her by your side.”
“What was that?”
Grandfather’s warm voice suddenly turned sharp.
“Did I say something wrong? You two seem to be getting along disgustingly well.”
My uncle said nonchalantly, cleaning his ear.
“I sent her to make a man out of you, you ill-mannered brat! Oh, my precious girl, eat lots of delicious things today. I’ve bought you a ton of presents too.”
“Okay, Grandfather!”
As if he hadn’t just been shouting, Grandfather took my hand and led me through the hall to a room with a thick carpet spread out for me to play on.
It was the room I always played in whenever I came to Grandfather’s house.
“Wow…”
On either side stood a five-tiered cake tower as large as a fountain, and next to it were countless presents and snacks.
“Do you like it?”
My eyes went wide at the splendid feast of snacks that greeted me as soon as I entered.
“So, so much! Grandfather, can I eat all of this?”
“Of course. It’s all for my sweet girl.”
“Okay, Grandfather! You eat too, Grandfather. And you too, Uncle!”
Grandfather gently stroked my hair.
His hand was so warm that it made me feel even happier, and I gave a small, shy smile.
“This old man needs to have a little talk with your uncle, so I’ll be right back. You go ahead and eat.”
“Okay, Grandfather!”
* * *
“I’m so full…”
I had completely forgotten about my uncle and grandfather, filling my stomach with sweet treats.
The mountain of desserts didn’t look much different from when I first saw it, but my stomach was so full I couldn’t take another bite.
“I miss Mom.”
I thought, curled up on the carpet.
Mom only let me eat half a piece of cake a day, and she’d nag me to brush my teeth right after, but I still missed her.
I’ll make sure to look at Uncle’s face a lot later.
I picked up the half-eaten strawberry cupcake in front of me again.
“Aika.”
As if my wish had been granted, my grandfather, who had left a moment ago to talk with my uncle, returned.
“Grandfather! You should have some of this, too. But where’s Uncle?”
But my uncle was nowhere to be seen.
“Aika.”
“Yes?”
Grandfather settled down on the floor next to me.
He gently stroked my hair and said,
“From now on, why don’t you live with this old man instead of going back to your uncle’s? Just like before.”
“With you, Grandfather?”
“Yes, we can have fun and play together, just like before.”
“Uh…”
I blinked.
It sounded nice, but what did he mean?
My thoughts froze for a moment, and then my mind started spinning.
My eyes widened.
This wasn’t good! It meant my uncle had left me here.
Why?
“Oh, no!”
Startled, I dropped the cupcake I was eating onto the carpet.
“My dear! Aika!”
“Grandfather, wait a second!”
Ignoring my grandfather’s calls, I scrambled to my feet and ran outside.
*Legs, run faster!*
I had to catch him before he left.
My uncle had long legs, so he always got far away quickly.
If I was even a little late, he would really leave me behind.
Then he might really never come to see me again.
Just as Grandfather said, my uncle was already outside, heading for the carriage.
“U-Uncle!”
I hurried down the stairs.
“Ah!”
But I must have been in too much of a hurry, because with one step left, my feet got tangled and I fell flat on my face.
“Ow… it hurts.”
It hurt so much.
I quickly got back up, but my knee was in agony.
My chin hurt, everything hurt.
I looked at my knee and saw it was already scraped and bleeding.
“…”
I had to brush myself off and get to my uncle quickly, but it hurt so much that my legs wouldn’t move.
I’m only trying to save my uncle.
I just want to be with him.
Why does it hurt so much?
It must be because I’m bleeding.
Slowly, my vision started to blur.
