After finishing the conversation with Cecilia Marves, Ains Graham returned to the Duke Graham’s mansion. And just as he arrived at his office, he received news that Dr. Watt had visited the mansion with Jacob.
“Your Grace, I have brought Dr. Watt.”
Along with a short knock on the office door, Jacob’s voice was heard. Ains, who was pacing inside the office to calm his complicated thoughts, looked up at the door.
“Come in.”
As soon as permission was granted, the door opened, and an elderly man entered. He was Dr. Watt, the personal physician of both his grandfather, Damon Graham, and Cecilia.
“Hello, Your Grace? I heard you were looking for me.”
“Yes, that’s right. Please, have a seat.”
Ains pointed to the sofa arranged on one side of the office. Dr. Watt sat in the seat Ains indicated. Ains also sat opposite him.
“Would you like some tea?”
“Please, some black tea.”
“Jacob, prepare two cups of black tea.”
At Dr. Watt’s words, Ains instructed Jacob.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
After Jacob bowed and left the office, Ains looked at Dr. Watt’s face with a complicated expression. However, he did not readily open his mouth.
After a while, a maid came in with refreshments. She quietly placed a teacup in front of Ains and Dr. Watt.
After the maid silently greeted the two and left the office, Ains let out a long sigh.
“I called you to confirm something.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“I already heard from you or Cecilia that she took the treatment and is experiencing side effects.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Is there no way other than a palliative for the side effects?”
“No, there is another way.”
To Ains’ surprise, an unexpected answer came to his question, which he had asked out of frustration. Ains lifted his bowed head and looked at Dr. Watt.
“What is it? Tell me.”
Ains asked Dr. Watt, almost pressing him.
Dr. Watt felt puzzled by Ains’ unexpectedly proactive attitude.
Dr. Watt, as Cecilia’s personal physician, was well aware that Ains had shown no interest in Cecilia’s condition. But now, after their divorce, Ains was showing interest in her condition, which was puzzling to him.
Dr. Watt hesitated for a moment before cautiously answering.
“The problem for Viscountess Marves is mana. As I mentioned earlier, the Trintz disease is a condition where mana gradually hardens, and the treatment used is the Tieria flower, which activates mana. When the hardening nature meets the moving nature, even if the treatment is taken, the two energies in the body inevitably conflict.”
“…”
“So, the side effects cause the mana to run wild. If the mana is merely unstable, it would cause nausea or headaches, but if it runs wild, it could lead to coughing up blood or falling into a coma.”
Ains became more anxious as he heard nothing good from Dr. Watt. Moreover, he had seen Cecilia coughing up blood right in front of him.
“So, what is the method?”
Ains pressed Dr. Watt out of frustration. Dr. Watt cleared his throat and continued.
“If the mana adapts well to Viscountess Marves’ body and circulates smoothly, the side effects will disappear. And to make the mana adapt to the body as quickly as possible, there are two methods.”
Ains swallowed dryly. Dr. Watt did not hesitate and immediately mentioned the two methods.
“Either Viscountess Marves herself calms the rampaging mana, or someone who can handle mana consistently stabilizes it by her side. Either way, it would be better than relying on palliatives like now.”
As Dr. Watt finished speaking, Ains nodded and frowned. Although his gaze was directed at Dr. Watt, he practically did not see him.
Ains, like his father, had reached a very high level in swordsmanship. Handling mana was not difficult for him.
Then, a thought crossed his mind that he might be one of those who could calm the rampaging mana within Cecilia’s body.
If that were the case, he could help Cecilia.
After a long time, Ains carefully opened his mouth.
“Does it matter who handles the mana? Even someone like me, a swordsman?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Whether a mage or a swordsman, anyone who can guide another’s mana can do it.”
“I see.”
Ains nodded at Dr. Watt’s words. It was somewhat hopeful. Although it was uncertain whether Cecilia would accept Ains’ help.
“Is there anything else you can tell me about Cecilia’s condition?”
“Nothing more than what I mentioned today.”
“…”
Ains maintained a long silence, scrutinizing Dr. Watt to verify the truth of his words. Dr. Watt’s eyes remained unwaveringly fixed on Ains.
“Alright then, you may go.”
“Your Grace.”
Just as Ains was about to let him go with relief, Dr. Watt called out to him. Ains looked at him, wondering if there was more to say.
Dr. Watt hesitated, furrowing his brow and parting his lips. Then, after a short breath, he spoke.
“Is there anything you want to ask me about the health of the former Duke Graham?”
Dr. Watt asked directly.
The person Ains had consistently ignored and showed indifference to was not just Cecilia. It also included his grandfather, the former Duke Graham, Damon Graham.
Dr. Watt, knowing it was a presumptuous topic, asked Ains out of concern. Ains opened his mouth but then closed it again. Ains still harbored great resentment and hatred towards his grandfather. From his perspective, his grandfather was the one who had driven his father to a deadly situation.
If it hadn’t been for his grandfather, Alex wouldn’t have participated in the monster subjugation, and Alex wouldn’t have been killed by the monsters.
The pain of losing his mother and then his father in an instant was too much for him to bear alone.
Due to that pain and suffering, Ains continued to nurture his hatred and rebellion against his grandfather, and Damon had become accustomed to Ains’ hatred.
Thus, the current situation had arisen. Time passed with only resentment and hatred remaining, deepening the emotional chasm.
“…No.”
In the end, Ains chose to ignore it once again. Dr. Watt, worried about Ains’ stubbornness, spoke again.
“Won’t you regret it? The former Duke Graham doesn’t have many days left. You know this well.”
Dr. Watt gave him another chance. A chance to forgive his grandfather. Perhaps the last chance. Ains lowered his gaze and shook his head.
“I don’t think it’s the right time yet. Besides, I would prefer if you refrain from bringing up this topic again, Dr. Watt.”
Ains’ words were a warning. A warning not to overstep the boundaries any further.
Ains had already tolerated Dr. Watt’s presumptuous remarks enough. However, if his patience was tested repeatedly, he wouldn’t remain silent.
“I understand.”
Dr. Watt finally agreed. He understood the meaning behind Ains’ words but also knew that as an outsider, he couldn’t force the issue.
“Then, I will take my leave.”
Dr. Watt finished speaking, stood up, and bowed to Ains before leaving the office with steady steps.
The sound of footsteps echoed, and soon the door opened and closed. After Dr. Watt left, Jacob carefully entered the room.
“Your Grace, about today’s remaining schedule…”
“Cancel everything. And leave me alone. I want to be by myself.”
“…Yes, I will do that.”
Jacob agreed to Ains’ order and quietly left the office.
Finally alone, Ains leaned back against the sofa.
“Regret?”
Ains slowly chewed over the word “regret” that Dr. Watt had mentioned. There was only one thing that could be called regret for him.
Ains looked up at the ceiling and slowly closed his eyes. Darkness quickly enveloped him. Although it was still morning, an overwhelming fatigue besieged him today.
He wanted to return to his bedroom and get some sleep, but unfortunately, he didn’t even have the strength to head to the bedroom. In the end, he chose to rest for a while in the quiet office.
