Chapter 31

“Penelope has been feeling a bit unwell for the past few days, so I’m not sure if it’ll be possible.”

“Aunt Peppy is sick?”

Penelope, who had recounted everything that had happened so far to Isabella for Rafaella’s sake, began to feel unwell the next day. 

Lia, feeling uneasy, wondered if Penelope’s condition had worsened because she had been too concerned about Rafaella.  

‘I really want to help Lady Penelope, who worked so hard for Raffy….’  

She doubted if the Duchess Dowager would allow her to speak again.  

“It seems difficult for today, but let’s eat together once your aunt’s health improves.”  

“Okay, I’ll pray for Aunt Peppy to get better soon.”  

The remaining desserts were given to the maids who had worked hard to decorate Rafaella’s room that day.  

As Lia was about to return to her room, a maid approached her.  

“Miss Lia, the Duchess Dowager is looking for you.”  

“The Duchess Dowager?”  

She had been wondering when would be a good time to visit, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.  

They followed the maid upstairs to the fourth floor.  

‘…She’s calling me to the fourth floor?’  

Feeling a bit bewildered, she entered the drawing room.  

“Come in.”  

The Duchess Dowager stood up to greet them and cautiously approached Rafaella.  

“…Rafaella, would you sit on the sofa with Grandma?”  

Rafaella hesitated to answer and looked at Lia.  

“It’s okay, Raffy.”  

Rafaella hesitantly sat on the sofa with Isabella.  

“Rafaella, I hurt you because I didn’t know any better.”  

She gently stroked her granddaughter’s hand.  

‘Was she afraid of being reminded of Penelope’s health and energy at this age, so she distanced herself from this child?’  

She lamented her foolishness. For such a shameful reason, she had avoided meeting Rafaella formally and had only watched her from afar.  

‘If only I had seen and talked to this small, lovely child up close sooner….’  

Perhaps she might have realized something earlier. She resolved not to make the same mistake again.  

“I’m truly sorry, Rafaella.”  

Isabella sincerely apologized to her granddaughter for scolding her harshly the last time she came to the fourth floor and for not knowing that Carolina and Marco had been mistreating her.  

Her voice was so warm, unlike before, that Rafaella felt a bit more comfortable around Isabella.  

“…It’s okay, Grandma.”  

The child spoke while looking at her grandmother’s warm hand holding hers.  

“Thank you. But did you just call me Grandma?”  

She asked with a flushed face.  

“It’s such a joy to become the grandmother of such a lovely child, and I didn’t realize it until now.”  

A maid nearby handed her a handkerchief as her eyes reddened.  

“I owe you an apology as well. I’ve been greatly discourteous to you, who are a guest in the Ducal residence….”  

“It’s fine.”  

“In the future, although a new butler and head maid will be coming, I will personally ensure that Rafaella and your matters are taken care of, so don’t worry.”  

Isabella continued, lightly stroking Rafaella’s cheek.  

“If there’s anything you need, feel free to let me know at any time.”  

Seeing the Duchess Dowager much softer than before, Lia took a deep breath before speaking.  

“Then, it’s nothing else, but may I see Lady Penelope?”  

“Penelope?”  

The expression, which had been gentle thanks to Rafaella, stiffened slightly at the mention of Penelope.  

Perhaps it was because her granddaughter was by her side that it didn’t harden further.  

“…Are you planning to bring up that matter again?”  

The Duchess Dowager asked, trying to suppress her stern expression.  

‘It seems impossible to simply ask to check on Lady Penelope’s condition.’  

Faced with the Duchess Dowager’s closed heart, which was like a strong iron door, Lia decided to try another approach.  

“No, I just want to express my gratitude.”  

“Gratitude?”  

Feeling somewhat embarrassed for reacting sharply, Isabella asked in a slightly softer tone.  

Rafaella, too, looked at Isabella with even brighter eyes, as if she wanted to see Penelope.  

“Hm-hm.”  

Was my granddaughter always this precious?  

‘Is this why noblewomen bragged so much about their grandchildren, who could soften people’s hearts?’  

Today, Penelope’s condition was fine. Just a few days ago, her fever wouldn’t go down, causing concern, but today she was well enough to spend a normal day.  

‘Not only Rafaella but also Lia meeting her worries me a little, but it should be fine for a short while.’  

Penelope, too, had been wanting to see Rafaella and was curious about Rafaella’s biological mother.  

“…I think it’s possible for a short time.”  

“Really? Thank you.”  

“Just express your gratitude and leave.”  

“Grandma, are we going to see Aunt Peppy now?”  

“Yes, we are.”  

Isabella, holding the excited Rafaella’s hand, led Lia to Penelope’s room.  

* * *

Penelope, looking slightly thinner than before, welcomed Rafaella warmly.  

Isabella, watching the two, remained silent, seemingly lost in thought.  

“It’s nice to meet you, Lady Penelope.”  

Lia approached Penelope and greeted her.  

“Oh! You must be Raffy’s mother? Nice to meet you.”  

Penelope, playing with Rafaella’s hands, responded to Lia’s greeting.  

Resembling the Duchess Dowager, Penelope was a cheerful girl who hadn’t lost her bright personality despite being bedridden.  

‘If she were healthy, she’d probably be playing with Raffy in the garden instead of lying in bed.’  

“Thank you so much for your efforts on Rafaella’s behalf.”  

“I only relayed the message for Raffy, but receiving thanks feels a bit embarrassing.”  

Penelope blushed, looking shy.  

Lia carefully examined Penelope’s condition. Her body and skin appeared dehydrated, worse than the child she had treated in the past but showing similar symptoms.  

‘If only I could check her tongue and the wound site.’  

With the Duchess Dowager present, it was difficult to ask Penelope directly.  

Was there a good way to handle this?  

“Mother, could you bring me Volume 1 of 『Classic Mythology Tales』 from your room?”  

“Right now?”  

“Yes, I’ve been meaning to give it to Rafaella, and I just remembered now.”  

“Then I’ll bring it later….”  

“I want to give it to Rafaella myself.”  

“Fine, fine. I’ll get it.”  

“It might be hard to find, so you might need to look for it yourself.”  

“Alright.”  

Though bewildered by her daughter’s sudden request, Isabella left the room to fulfill it.  

“You seem to have something you really want to say to me.”  

As soon as Isabella left, Penelope spoke.  

“…How did you know?”  

“You kept glancing at me while avoiding Mother’s gaze, so it was obvious.”  

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to stare.”  

“More than that, it seems like you want to tell me something without Mother around, am I wrong?”  

“Well, that’s….”  

“I did mention a hard-to-find book, but she might find it quickly.”  

Only then did Lia realize that Penelope had deliberately created an opportunity for her to speak privately by sending the Duchess Dowager away.  

For someone struggling to figure out how to check Penelope’s condition, it was a deeply appreciated gesture.  

“If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to ask about your health.”  

“My health?”  

Penelope looked surprised at the unexpected question.  

“Well, it might be hard to believe, but my grandmother taught me about potions, and I can make various medicines.”  

“I’ve heard from Raffy that you can make any kind of medicine.”  

“Not quite, but a few years ago, I treated a village child who had a very similar illness to yours.”  

“Really? You really did?”  

Penelope, startled, slightly raised herself from the bed.  

“That child, like you, began to waste away after being bitten by a fish.”  

“…What happened to that child?”  

“It took a full year to create the cure, but they recovered their health.”  

“Really? They truly recovered?”  

“Yes, truly. That’s why I think you were bitten by the same type of fish, and I’d like to confirm a few things.”  

“What do you need to confirm?”  

“Could I possibly see the wound?”  

Penelope hesitated briefly before carefully removing the glove that always covered her right hand to hide the unsightly scar.  

Lia closely examined Penelope’s right index finger.  

Although the wound appeared worse due to the longer illness, it bore a striking resemblance to the village child’s.  

“…May I also check your tongue?”  

Feeling hesitant to show such an intimate area, Penelope closed her eyes and stuck out her tongue.  

The condition of her tongue, though more severe, was remarkably similar to the village child’s.  

‘This is definitely an illness caused by being bitten by the same species of fish.’  

Seeing the darkened tongue, Lia became certain.  

Since Penelope’s condition was more advanced, the cure needed to be made as soon as possible.  

“Miss, do you often feel thirsty?”  

“Yes, that’s why I always keep water by my bedside and drink frequently.”  

Penelope pointed to the pitcher and glass on the bedside table.  

“…Do you think I can recover like that child?”  

Penelope looked at her with desperate eyes.  

“Your condition is more severe, so I’ll need to make the cure quickly, but you can recover.”  

According to the dream, Penelope would die about three years from now. There was still time to treat her.  

“I can truly recover? Oh my goodness, really….”  

Tears began to fall from Penelope’s eyes at Lia’s assurance.  

“Aunt Peppy, don’t cry.”  

“Raffy, Auntie can get better and play with you in the future.”  

She hugged Rafaella, unable to stop her tears of joy.  

“…Penelope, why are you crying?”  

Isabella, having found the book her daughter requested, approached them with a stiff expression.