The Lady Only Deals With the Real Ones - Chapter 56

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

I was on a train returning to the capital city, not at the nursing home.

“There had been improvement since his admission to the nursing home. …Until yesterday, that is.”

The doctor’s words echoed in my ears.

Until yesterday, there had been no problems with Grandfather’s health.

His memory was fine too, and he hadn’t shown any signs of suddenly falling asleep like fainting, which was a side effect of the snowdrop root.

But of all days, today.

“The patient hasn’t woken up since last night, so a nurse went to check on him and wake him up… He asked where this place was, who we were. As if he had forgotten the fact that he was admitted here at all. He’s sleeping again now.”

After pleading, I was barely allowed to see Grandfather through a glass window.

Beyond the glass, Grandfather had his eyes closed.

Just like how he looked right before being helplessly dragged away by Rosaline and Hugo in my previous life.

I bit my lips and held back tears to the end, whispering.

“I’ll definitely cure you, Grandfather. I definitely will….”

I wiped around my eyes roughly and washed my face dry.

‘I’ll find out. What’s causing Grandfather’s illness.’

Of course, I had already researched the disease called ‘Mendax.’

But perhaps because it was a rare disease? I couldn’t find any information except for the materials Professor Stefan had given me.

While wondering if there was another way, something came to mind.

‘That’s why I met Hanna this morning.’

As a Palace Document Officer, Hanna would have access to far more ancient documents than I could.

So I made one request to Hanna.

‘I asked her to send me any ancient documents with drawings of snowdrop roots.’

If it was difficult to find information about the disease, how about learning about the herb that treats it instead?

Even if disease names change by era and country, the appearance of herbs doesn’t change.

When I handed over the drawing saying I needed it for herb identification, Hanna readily agreed.

‘There’s a possibility word might leak out, but even if Rosaline and Hugo find out, I can just say I need it because I’m sick. Now isn’t the time to be picky.’

It’s unwise to obsess over something that won’t yield immediate answers.

But even knowing that, I somehow felt depressed.

I could see the pawnshop in the distance.

‘I arrived later than expected. I won’t be able to open for business today.’

Grandfather used to open the pawnshop six days a week.

The reason I operated seven days a week, unlike Grandfather, was to announce that we had reopened.

Now that business was back on track, wouldn’t it be okay to have a regular day off?

As I headed toward the shop while fiddling with my necklace, I stopped abruptly at a familiar voice.

“You’re late.”

It was Alter.

He was leaning against the door.

Since I just stood there without saying anything, Alter added.

“…That doesn’t mean I was waiting for you, so don’t misunderstand.”

I didn’t say anything, honestly.

I forced a smile and cleared my hoarse voice.

“I was surprised to see you after so long.”

“It’s only been a few days since I came.”

“Mm, that’s true. Still, I did wait for customers a bit.”

“…You waited for me?”

Alter’s face was dark as he asked back, so I couldn’t see it well.

“Yes. I couldn’t properly thank you last time before you left.”

“Ah, that knight business. …It wasn’t such a big deal that you need to thank me.”

“I was taught to always say thank you and sorry since they don’t cost money. Thank you for helping me.”

Remembering Grandfather who had taught me that, I held my breath for a moment, then put on a business smile.

“But today is a day off. I’m sorry, but unless it’s urgent business, could you come tomorrow?”

“Day off? Did this pawnshop have such a thing?”

“It started today. I had some business to attend to.”

“What kind of….”

As I approached to open the door, I could finally see Alter’s face.

His thin lips, which had been staring intently at me, opened briefly then closed again.

As if he had something to say but was holding back.

Then?

He turned around abruptly and left.

‘Really, not even giving me time to say goodbye.’

Though I thought he would ask more questions, it was strange that he left so quickly.

Maybe it wasn’t urgent business after all?

Tilting my head in wonder, I opened the door, put in the [CLOSED] card, and locked it again.

I took only the pendant from my bag, put it in the 2nd floor storage, then lay down under the counter covered with a blanket.

‘I’ll feel better after sleeping. I’m just tired right now.’

But even with my eyes closed, sleep wouldn’t come.

After lying there for a while, I suddenly heard knocking.

‘Maybe a customer who didn’t see the closed sign….’

When I dragged myself up, what I saw was.

“Open the door.”

It was Alter again.

What’s this, am I dreaming right now?

As I rubbed my eyes, he spoke again.

“Either open the door, or come outside. Choose.”

The sudden choice narrowed my thinking.

I opened the door reflexively, and Alter strode in and sat in front of the counter.

Anyone would think this was his own home.

‘Does he have something urgent to do today?’

Still, since I owed him for Ailren’s matter, I should help him, I was thinking when.

“You should have a fork at least. Eat.”

What Alter placed on the counter was a cake box.

Why this?

With my brain half-stopped, as I looked puzzled, Alter bluntly said.

“I bought it because I was hungry. It’s too much for me to eat alone, so you eat some too.”

“…Did you perhaps pick this up on the way or something?”

“Where would you pick up cake? And do I look like someone who would bring something I picked up? I bought it.”

Looking at Alter’s bewildered face, I couldn’t help but laugh.

Not a business smile, but real laughter.

Alter stared at me like that, then turned his head away sharply.

‘Is it because of the candlelight?’

His ears seemed somewhat red too.

When I returned after making tea, I admired the cake.

“Wow, it’s a cake with lots of cherries. It looks delicious. I like cherries.”

“Good thing. I was wondering what to choose.”

“What’s good about it? That I like cherries?”

“…That there’s a patissier on this street who doesn’t skimp on ingredients.”

“Ah.”

Apart from finding Alter’s disgust amusing, I was relieved it wasn’t blueberry or carrot cake.

It would be awkward to pick at it in front of someone who went to the trouble of buying it.

“You said you deliberated over what to choose? What else was there?”

“Blueberry.”

“Oh, but why did you buy cherry? Do you like cherries too, Customer?”

“You don’t eat blueberry.”

My eyes widened.

“How do you know that? I never told you. You must really be interested in me…”

“I guessed. There’s a large blueberry cake with this bakery’s mark on the counter, but there was only one dish placed on your side. If you liked it, you would have eaten some too.”

“You saw that while waiting?”

“Yes, while wait… No. I just glanced and figured it out. My deductive abilities are excellent.”

Alter, who had pressed his forehead, gestured with his chin.

“Just eat. You look hungry too.”

I had rushed out and hadn’t had time to clear away the blueberry cake Crescens was eating, so he must have seen that.

But to say I looked hungry. Did I?

As I was clearing the blueberry cake, a mirror caught my eye and when I glanced at it, I stopped.

I saw my lips, worn from constant chewing and biting, and my reddened, bloodshot eyes.

‘This looks less like a hungry face and more like…’

Remembering how Alter had looked at me then quickly turned away, I smiled slightly.

‘He might be a criminal, but he doesn’t seem like a bad person.’

It sounded like warm iced coffee, but there was no other way to describe Alter.

‘Like when he showed concern after hearing about the ceiling collapse, and now too.’

Bringing cake instead of prying about what happened was considerate.

Even if it was just customer service, so what.

I decided to gratefully accept his kindness.

“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”

The cake filled with cherries was truly delicious.

Having run around all day without eating or sleeping, I felt my eyes brighten.

“Looks like it’s soaked in rum.”

Alter himself didn’t seem to like it, stopping after a few bites.

He, who had been only drinking tea, slowly opened his mouth.

“About your grandfather who went on a trip. Did he tell you when he’d return?”

Is this small talk? Or is this that ‘urgent business’?

He asked so suddenly that I’m a bit confused.

Thinking of the first person who looked like an aide, I answered for now.

“No. He didn’t say anything to me either.”

“You don’t know where he went for his trip either?”

“…No.”

I wonder if he’s awake by now, Grandfather.

The delicious cherry cake felt like it was sitting heavy in my chest.

Forcing it down with tea, I smiled and added,

“He raised me for almost 20 years and ran the pawnshop without any time for himself. He’s probably having a good time right now. Seeing the sea, seeing mountains.”

“What kind of person was he? Your grandfather.”

‘Huh, this…’

Somehow it really does seem like small talk.

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