Chapter 29

Next day, another carriage stopped in front of the mansion. Everyone in the family walked out to greet their guests. When the carriage door opened and an old couple walked out with a bright smile, the Duchess hugged them immediately.

"You are finally here" she said.

"When our daughter is in trouble, isn't it our duty to help her" the lady said.

Alice first met them three years ago. When they first came, they stayed for a month with them. and even though she was just a step-granddaughter, they treated her kindly and equally with their own grandchildren.

Count Ashaxe, was a straightforward man always warns others sharply. Even though he looked arrogant at first sight, Alice realized that he is a knowledgeable man when he caught her reading a difficult poem in library.

"Don't you even know that? This sentence is a metaphor. Silver blade kills the rose. Silver blade are used as weapons for aristocrats, and symbolizes their dignity. Rose here represents the lady. This line means that as a lady tried to uphold the aristocratic dignity, it kills her inside."

"What? Isn't it criticizing the aristocratic dignity?" Alice asked baffled.

"Because it is criticizing the noble society, the poet wrote it using metaphors" the old man said arrogantly.

"Oh. I now understand" Alice said as she pointed another line, "then this line 'eyes made of diamond pupil'. What does it mean?"

"Diamond had always been used to make jewels of the nobles. No matter if it is men or women, they always cover themselves in diamonds. But this sentence has two meanings. One, if eyes represent heart, the diamond pupil means it is very hard in the inside. In short, they mean that they have cruel heart that do not have sympathy for others. Second, if we consider eyes just as eyes, then diamond pupil means that their eyes have seen many cruelties, that they turned into rock. A rock that shines beautifully, but are emotionless."

Alice looked at the man. Though he looked aged with white hair and wrinkles all over his face, his purple eyes were clear and sharp. As she looked into them, she understood the meaning of 'eyes made of diamond pupil'. Though he looked emotionless, he is actually knows a lot about world.

Alice started to spend time with him. Though he was a very strict teacher, who always shuns her, she still enjoyed his company. He suggested her many useful books and cleared most of her doubts. As she understood them, Alice realized that the ideals of liberalism and equality is already spreading in this world, but people are yet to understand them. So she suggested opening more schools to her father.

These texts are written by the great scholars hoping that people will one day understand the true meaning of these ideals.

While Countess Ashaxe, was different from her husband. She was more like the Duchess, a clever and smart who can easily manipulate others.

"Grandma, Grandpa" Stella and Daniel called in unison.

They ran and hugged their grandparents. The Count and the Countess hugged them back with the same warmth.

"Oh. Look at them. they have grown up so much" the Countess said as she smiled.

"They are kids. It's obvious that they will grow" her husband reminded her sharply.

She looked at him angrily and with an irritated tone shouted, "I know".

She then looked at the Alice, standing silently and walked towards her.

"Look at my dearest Alice. How beautiful you became in the short time I was absent" she said as she hugged her.

"You look healthy too, Grandma" Alice hugged her back.

"Alice, did you finish all the books I suggested last time" the Count asked her.

"You… is this the first thing you ask your granddaughter whom you meet after a long time?" her grandma scolded.

"What is wrong in that?" the Count asked, who did not understand what his wife meant.

"Really… you are seriously a dense man" the Countess continues to scold her husband.

"I have read them all" Alice interrupted, "There are somethings I do not understand grandpa, I'd like to listen your explanation."

"Then we should go to library" the Count said excitedly.

"Count Ashaxe" Margaretta who has been silently standing beside her the whole time spoke, "I believe you had been tired after your long journey. You should do things like resting in the room. Not going to library starting your classes. You will get tired."

"What?" Count Ashaxe asked, amazed at her logic.

"I mean you are already this old. Your body will get easily tired. So people of your age should think more about their body and health and make sure that you eat and rest properly."

Alice was amazed at Margaretta. She sounded caring and kind, as someone who genuinely cares about him, when she was actually shunning him. The countess laughed hearing her friend's reaction, who actually wants to spend more time with Alice. Meanwhile, the Count stood there seriously considering her suggestion.

"Father, Mother, you have arrived" Alice heard the duke's voice from behind.

She turned back. He was supposed to be sleeping in his room, but she guessed he came here upon receiving the news of their arrival. He still looked sick with the pale face. Though he smiled, he was standing with the support of railings of the stairs.

"Oh goodness. Why did you come downstairs? You should be resting" the Countess said worriedly.

"I thought I should at least greet you" the Duke said with weak voice.

"You don't need to…" the duchess was interrupted when the Duke suddenly started to cough.

Cough. Cough.

He coughed hard as his eyes turned dizzy. The Duchess ran towards him and patted him on the back. She was worried as she ordered for the doctor. And then she felt her heart skip a beat when she saw her husband collapsing on the stairs.

Everyone ran towards him. The Duchess nearly cried as she saw her husband struggling hard. Suddenly the cheerfulness disappeared and despair enveloped around them.