The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 53

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

‘Are they from the Information Guild? Or did Rosaline send people twice to make sure?’

I couldn’t readily guess.

I bit my lips and waited for the doctor’s words.

“First, the first one barged in as soon as I opened the hospital door. He was a man with short brown hair and a very rigid posture, and as soon as he saw me, he asked if the original owner of the pawnshop had ever used this place.”

“And then?”

“When I asked why, he said he had something to appraise on his superior’s orders, but since the man hadn’t been seen lately, he was asking around wondering if he might be hospitalized. I answered that I’d never heard of such a patient, and he said ‘I understand’ and left.”

“…If it was such urgent business, he would have asked me directly. That’s a lie.”

“Exactly. But it was strange how he left quickly without pressing further.”

Short brown hair? A man with a rigid posture?

As I thought about it, I furrowed my brow.

“Could he have been an aide or assistant?”

“An aide or assistant?”

“You said he referred to his superior as ‘superior,’ right? If he were a butler or attendant, he would have said ‘master,’ and if he were a secretary at a private company, he probably would have said ‘boss.’ The posture and hairstyle you mentioned fit too.”

“Oh…! That could be it, Miss Elisha.”

“Since he said ‘the original owner of the pawnshop’ instead of Grandfather’s name, it seems that man came following someone’s orders without knowing much himself. Though I can’t be certain since there aren’t enough clues.”

As the doctor said, that brown-haired man seemed to have been asking around here and there as a probe.

‘He doesn’t seem to be from Rosaline or Hugo’s side. Then who is investigating Grandfather?’

Seeing my expression, the doctor cautiously added.

“But the second person who came… was much more threatening than that.”

“Really? What kind of person was he?”

“He suddenly demanded I hand over medical records.”

“What?”

“When I refused saying it was illegal, he raised his voice asking if I knew who he was.”

“Huh.”

“When I barely managed to calm him down and listen to his story, he said he knew Michele had come here, and shouted loudly that he had to catch him because he’d stolen his money.”

‘Huh. That behavior sounds familiar somehow.’

Something clicked.

“But he didn’t seem to have evidence. When I kept playing dumb to the end, he said ‘Ha, if not here, then where?’ and left.”

The doctor frowned as if recalling the memory.

“Then he had a conversation with someone outside the door, in a groveling voice completely opposite to his earlier shouting.”

“Do you remember what he said?”

“He said something like ‘I’ve been to all the hospitals in this area but there are no clues. I’m sorry, ma’am.’ While trembling.”

As I listened, it became certain.

“The strange thing was, I only heard that man’s voice. I couldn’t hear the voice of the person he called ma’am.”

“Doctor, that man. Did he happen to look like this?”

Narrowing my eyes, I described the appearance of the person who came to mind.

Then the doctor covered his mouth.

“Yes! That’s right! He was exactly as you described!”

‘Carlos.’

The second man who had ransacked the hospital was none other than Carlos Golto.

The same Carlos I had driven away after catching him harassing Hanna about forbidden books.

He was probably reporting using something like the wiretapping device used at the auction.

‘Rosaline definitely sent him.’

But in a way, it was fortunate that Carlos came.

‘Rosaline distrusts Carlos for messing up his work.’

Yet why did she send him to the hospital?

‘Either Rosaline is in such a hectic situation that she had to use even Carlos, or she’s not placing much importance on investigating the hospital.’

As I pondered, I lowered my eyebrows.

I should apologize first.

“Anyway, I’m really sorry for causing you trouble, Doctor.”

“Oh no, not at all. What trouble? Protecting patients is my duty.”

“Still…”

“The patient also said something to me, so I’ll keep the secret to the end. Don’t worry about it.”

Something he said?

When I tilted my head, the doctor hesitated then waved his hands.

“Well, um, patient Michele agreed to become a case study for my thesis. Since he’s not just a patient but also my research subject, I have a duty to protect him to the end, something like that.”

“Ah, I see… Still, thank you. And I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. It’s getting late now, shouldn’t you go in?”

I bowed to the kind doctor and held out what I had in my hand.

“I came in a hurry so I couldn’t prepare properly, but would you please accept this?”

On my way to the hospital, I had stopped by a bakery to buy lemon cake.

Although the doctor said it was fine, properly apologizing and expressing gratitude was Grandfather’s principle.

The doctor, who had declined several times, fortunately accepted it saying “Well then, I’ll enjoy it.”

As I left through the door, I fell into thought.

‘Who was the other guy besides Carlos…’

Who on earth was the first person?

‘Asking William would be too risky… Should I ask Alter?’

As I thought about it, I soon shook my head.

‘But Alter hasn’t been seen for days. Is something wrong, or… has he really finished his business and won’t come anymore?’

I continued my thoughts feeling a bit dejected.

Could Grandfather have had other enemies?

If so, how could I find out?

‘Actually, our Grandfather is the kind of person who wouldn’t be strange to have enemies. Having enemies is one thing, but the question is who.’

Having a thought that would have earned me a smack on the back if Grandfather had heard it, I fidgeted with my necklace.

‘Grandfather…’

There’s one way to solve the problem.

Ask directly.

‘Now is exactly that time.’

I headed toward the train station.

Finally, it was time to go meet Grandfather.

***

After Elisha left.

The doctor, Stefan, locked the door and sat at his desk with lemon cake and tea.

A lemon slice from the cream slid smoothly down and fell into the teacup.

Instead of fishing out the lemon, Stefan stared at it quietly.

“…I feel uncomfortable.”

The patient who had sent his granddaughter out asking for water with lemon.

He recalled the conversation when Michele first visited for treatment.

“Why is it so bitter? Elisha, bring me some water. Something warm. If you have something like lemon to cleanse the palate, add some and bring it.”

After sending Elisha out, Stefan watched Michele coughing and carefully asked.

“Excuse me, by any chance…?”

Stefan had worked as a personal physician for noble families for a long time.

Therefore, he was acquainted with nobles as well.

The patient before him looked somehow familiar, and when he heard the name, he became certain.

‘He’s definitely former Duke Michele who was excommunicated about 20 years ago.’

However, before Stefan could finish his question, Michele looked up.

“Stefan Terengio…”

Stefan froze at the sound of Michele calling his name, which he had never mentioned.

Michele, who had been staring at Stefan with brightly shining eyes, soon chuckled softly.

“Your skills are still the same. I can tell from how you immediately chose ‘snow drop root’ as medicine.”

“Do, do you know me?”

“Well. How could I not know?”

It was when Stefan, whose hair was standing on end, was stammering.

Michele leaned back against his chair.

It was an elegant attitude befitting someone who had held power since birth.

“I don’t have much time, so I’ll keep it brief. My granddaughter will be back soon.”

Michele, who had taken a breath, spoke shortly.

“Don’t tell that child.”

“…Pardon?”

“I’m asking you to keep it secret from Elisha. My exact diagnosis.”

Stefan, who glanced at the door once and at Michele once, gulped down his saliva.

“B-but your granddaughter is extremely worried about Your Excellency, no, about the patient. She would want to know the details. And the patient’s ‘real’ illness can only be treated with the cooperation of those around…”

“Well.”

At the words that followed, Stefan closed his mouth.

“…How could I not know, Stefan.”

“P-patient, then you…”

“Yes, I know.”

Michele’s relaxed and elegant posture gradually leaned forward.

“My diagnosis, the cause of my illness, and the method to treat it. …Even that my granddaughter worries about me tremendously, I know it all.”

A complex expression crossed Michele’s face as he clasped his hands together anxiously.

Stefan could instinctively tell.

Michele wasn’t troubled because of his own illness.

“That’s exactly why. That’s why I’m asking you not to tell her.”

What Michele, who was now rubbing his face wearily, was worried about.

“…The more that child grows, the more I die.”

Was his granddaughter.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————