Chapter 11 (1/2)

To think that Judith badgered Luca so much about money while growing up that he wrapped up all of his thoughts with it…

I chuckled as I stood up with the jar of medicine in my hands.

As soon as I rose from the bedside, his eyes shuddered nervously, alarmed.

“Busy?”

He probably wanted me to stay by his side a little longer. From last night’s response, approving of my going to the May Day Festival, his reaction now was completely different, not that it was a bad thing.

A child needed to be a child. However, Luca tended to bottle up everything too much.

As much as I wanted to stay by his side, this situation didn’t allow me to, regrettably.

“I’m not busy per se, but a guest is here.”

“…A man?”

“Yeah, how did you know?”

“I heard something outside.”

“Was he really loud?”

“No, was he trying to look for you?”

‘He was looking for you, not me. He’s your uncle,’ was at the tip of my tongue but I had to restrain myself.

“No, it doesn’t look like he was looking for me… but I should talk with him more to figure that out. Get more rest in the meanwhile, Luca.”

I pulled the blanket up to Luca’s shoulder and patted his chest lightly before I left.

I didn’t want my conversation with Rüdiger to be heard so I closed the door behind me, but

Luca’s expression changed as if he sensed something was wrong.

An air of uneasiness lingered…

Whatever suspicion Luca had envisaged, it wouldn’t happen so I let that concern go and walked away.

***

Rüdiger remained seated unchanged as if I never left upstairs.

“May I offer you a cup of tea?”

“I will gladly take your offer.”

I placed the tea kettle on top of the fire.