Leonelle's POV:
As I walked into the room, I immediately noticed that the old man was now awake, his eyes gazing around the room. However, it was evident that his current state of alertness did not necessarily indicate that he was in good health. His voice, though audible, was weak, and his movements were feeble, showing the toll that illness had taken on his body. Despite this, he managed to crack a joke, attempting to lighten the somber mood that hung around the room.
"I thought I was going to die there," he said, a hint of humor lacing his tone.
I listened to his joke but didn't respond. It didn't seem right to laugh in his current condition, and I didn't want to make light of his situation.
The old man observed my serious expression and sighed, realizing that his attempt at humor had failed to amuse me. "Why the long face?" he asked, noting the somber look on my face. "It's not you who's going to die, so why worry?"
However, I remained silent, unable to respond to his joke or muster up a laugh. I was consumed by a deep sense of apprehension and worry about his granddaughter's safety. Based on what Elisa had told me, I was half-certain that the girl she had seen in her vision was none other than Shionne, the old man's beloved granddaughter. I had no idea how to bring this up, so I kept my mouth shut. Even if I did know how to address the issue, I didn't dare to speak up. I couldn't.
The old man had been observing me for some time, noticing that something was weighing heavily on my mind.
"Is there something on your mind?" he asked me, sensing that I had something to say.
I hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up, "My...my wife had another vision."
The moment I mentioned the vision, the old man's expression changed drastically, and his previously jovial demeanor was replaced by a look of deep concern and worry. He seemed to sense the gravity of the situation and asked me urgently, "What did she see?"
The tone of his voice conveyed the sense of apprehension he was feeling, and it was evident that he was deeply concerned about what the vision might entail.
I hesitated for a moment before responding to the old man's request to reveal the vision my wife had seen. It was a difficult situation to be in, as I knew that the news I was about to share would undoubtedly bring him great pain and distress. However, I realized that it was my responsibility to inform him, especially given the gravity of the situation.
Summoning my courage, I took a deep breath and said, "It is an inconvenient truth. Do you really want to know?" I hoped that he would reconsider his request and spare himself the agony of what was to come.
But to my surprise, the old man responded resolutely, "Even if it is a truth that would hurt me if I hear it, I will have to know. It concerns my granddaughter after all." I could sense the urgency and worry in his voice, and it was clear that he was deeply concerned about his granddaughter's fate.
Despite his frail appearance, I knew that I could not withhold the truth from him any longer. After all, if the worst were to happen, it was only right that he should be informed. So, taking a deep breath, I finally said the words: "Your granddaughter...is going to die."
The old man's reaction was immediate. He tried to get up from his bed, but his weakened body prevented him from doing so, and he slumped back onto the pillows.
His face was now filled with concern, worry, and confusion all at once. He struggled to come to terms with the news that I had just delivered to him. "Are you certain?" he asked, his voice trembling with emotion.
I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the situation bearing down on me. "I haven't told my wife yet about your granddaughter," I began, "but it is certain that she was the one in the vision. Considering that she heard the same name, it couldn't possibly be someone else."
The old man's eyes widened in disbelief and he shook his head as if trying to deny what I had just told him. "No, that can't be true," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "She's just a young girl, she hasn't even had a chance to live her life yet."
The old man's initial shock and disbelief quickly gave way to a sense of agitation and distress. It was evident that he was struggling to come to terms with the idea that his granddaughter's life was in grave danger. Despite his typically stubborn nature, it seemed as though he was finally beginning to understand just how severe the situation truly was.
I firmly believed that fate was not set in stone. While it may be true that certain events are predetermined, I also believed that change was always possible, no matter how difficult or seemingly impossible it may seem. I was willing to go to any lengths necessary to change the course of fate, even if it meant sacrificing my own well-being.
"Leonelle, if I were to pass away before that vision came to pass, I want you to promise me that you will do everything in your power to protect my granddaughter. She's the only family I have left, and I couldn't bear to see her suffer."
The old man's words hung heavy in the air, and I could sense the weight of the situation settling in on me. I knew that this was not just any ordinary request—it was a plea, a desperate cry for help from a man who knew that his time was running out. As I looked at the old man, I could see the fear and worry etched on his face. It was clear that he cared deeply for his granddaughter and the thought of losing her was unbearable to him.
The old man lying in front of me had always been a towering figure in my life. Despite his age, he still possessed an authoritative voice that commanded respect from anyone who heard it. He was not just a mentor to me, but also a father figure. I had always looked up to him with great admiration and respect. Aerith Alistair was a legend, a man who had single-handedly taken down hundreds of soldiers, and his name had been written in the republic's history books. He was also the head of the Alistair House, a prestigious family with a long and distinguished lineage.
But now, as I stood before him, I knew that his time had come. He was over a hundred years old, and it was only a matter of time before he passed away. I could see the lines etched on his face, evidence of a life lived to the fullest. His voice was weak, but still, he managed to speak to me one last time.
"I want you to promise me something, Leonelle," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "If I die before my granddaughter is safe, I want you to protect her. You have my trust."
Without hesitation, I kneeled on one knee and lowered my head in respect. "You have my word," I said solemnly.
There was a moment of silence, and then I heard a long, drawn-out breath. It sounded like a sigh, but I knew it wasn't. That was Aerith Alistair's last breath. But it was a breath that sounded relieved, as if he had finally found peace after a long and difficult journey.
I looked up and saw that the old man had closed his eyes. He wasn't moving at all, and I couldn't see his chest rising and falling. It was a somber moment, a moment of reflection and sadness. The legendary swordsman known as Aerith Alistair had finally descended to his eternal slumber, leaving behind a legacy that would be remembered for generations to come.
***
Shionne's POV:
My grandfather died. He wasn't here anymore. The moment I heard that, I ran outside the estate. The maids tried to stop me, but I couldn't be stopped. Not after I heard the devastating news.
"Young Lady, wait!" one of the maids called out to me, trying to grab my arm.
"I can't wait!" I said, tears streaming down my face. Even though the atmosphere was cold, my tears were hot as they came running down my face. "Grandfather has died... A-and you want me to stay here?! Not going to his side?!"
The maids looked at each other, uncertain of what to do next. "But Young Lady! The head specifically told us that no matter what happens to him, we wouldn't let you go," one of them said.
"Why did my grandfather say that I wasn't allowed to go out?" I asked, trying to make sense of the situation. I couldn't understand why my grandfather would want that. Why would he keep me from seeing him in his final moments?
The maids hesitated for a moment before one of them spoke up, "Your grandfather was concerned about your safety, Young Lady. He didn't want you to get hurt or be in any danger."
I shook my head, not believing what I was hearing. "But he's gone now. What's the point of keeping me here?"
"We understand how you feel, Young Lady, but it's for your own safety," another maid said.
I couldn't accept this. I needed to be with my grandfather. "I don't care about safety! I just want to see my grandfather one last time," I cried out.
As I stood there, feeling helpless and unsure of what to do, a sudden interruption came from upstairs. A woman's voice, gentle yet firm, echoed down the grand staircase.
"Let her go," the voice commanded.
I looked up to see an elderly woman descending the stairs, dressed in a pristine maid uniform. She had a dignified air about her, and I sensed that she held an important position within the household.
"Head maid!" the maid who had been blocking my way exclaimed in surprise.
"The head is deceased, and as the rightful heir of the estate, Lady Shionne will assume the role of head. It is only natural to comply with her orders," the head maid explained to the maid who was preventing me from leaving.
The other maid responded, "But head maid, the head had specifically ordered us not to allow her to leave, no matter what!"
Despite the younger maid's protestations, the head maid stood firm, asserting her own opinion. "I understand what the head had said, but it is a sorrowful experience to lose a loved one and be unable to visit them. We should show compassion in this situation."
The younger maid fell silent and reluctantly released her hold on me.
The head maid then turned to me and offered her assistance, "It's okay now, young lady. You can go to your grandfather's bedside. I will accompany you," she said in a gentle tone.