Time of the Blind Beast - Chapter 102

Even amid the uncertainty, Ezekiel drew out a single possibility.

“If I promise never to bring this up to Lisanne…”

“Then Miss Lisanne would assume I must have shown you this note.”

“……”

“Some things simply can’t be said directly to the person involved. And knowing Miss Lisanne’s disposition, that would be even more true. I believe just opening up this much already took immense courage on her part.”

Still, separate from understanding Lisanne’s feelings, Paulina couldn’t offer a clear solution either.

“If even you say you can’t treat her, then who should I bring in? Dr. Brehman?”

“Of course, if the doctor comes, he would be far more capable than I. And unlike me, who has focused solely on eye treatment, he’s experienced with a much broader range of patients, so he’s definitely more competent as a physician. The problem is, while I usually treat short-term surgical cases and can travel freely, Dr. Brehman has many long-term patients, so I believe it’s hard for him to take extended time off.”

Ezekiel remembered it that way too. When Paulina had been summoned for his surgery, she had come immediately and stayed at the Derosa estate, whereas Dr. Brehman couldn’t leave his existing patients unattended. He had instead traveled back and forth over the long distance or communicated by post. Most of those patients weren’t wealthy enough to afford a renowned physician like Dr. Brehman, but he had taken responsibility for them, even adjusting his fees based on their circumstances. And now, with the added distance of traveling to the capital, the chances of him accepting Ezekiel’s request were slim.

He brushed a rough hand down his face. If it were a matter that could be solved with enough money and time, he would’ve actually been relieved. He was prepared to bring in dozens, even hundreds of doctors if necessary. He had expected from the start that time would be required. It had taken a long time to restore his own vision. He wanted to encourage Lisanne so she wouldn’t lose hope, drawing from his own experience, and care for her with perseverance. Just as she had once lived as his eyes and limbs, now he wanted to become Lisanne’s voice.

But what could be done when the patient had no will to recover?

“That’s why I’ve been thinking, perhaps I could bring in my husband.”

Ezekiel asked curiously, “Your husband?”

“You might not remember, but my husband is also disabled.”

He hadn’t forgotten such a striking story. Paulina’s husband was a medical student who had gone blind in a fire.

“Most people wouldn’t understand, but my husband says he doesn’t mind being blind.”

“That’s surprising.”

Ezekiel had never had a day where blindness felt bearable. It had always felt like a storm was raging inside him. Even after Lisanne came to the estate and brought him peace, he had still felt frustration at not being able to see her with his own eyes.

“I find it surprising too. I want to cure his eyes no matter what, but he always says it’d be nice to see again, but he’s fine even if it doesn’t happen. That kind of outlook might resonate with Miss Lisanne, who says she doesn’t want treatment.”

“Is he naturally optimistic?”

“That’s part of it. Looking back, I think his presence played a big role in helping me overcome the trauma of my own facial burns. Even if I don’t feel anything about it now, it was quite painful during treatment. The process of healing melted skin was painful, and it took time to accept my changed face. But he, who was more severely injured—burned and completely blinded—just smiled beside me like nothing was wrong… and eventually, I started smiling too.”

Ezekiel nodded. If he was that kind of person, it would be good for Lisanne to meet him.

“But if one can’t see and the other can’t speak, how will they communicate?”

“They’ll manage. Communication doesn’t happen only through words.”

Indeed, even with a perfectly functioning voice, he was failing to communicate properly with Lisanne now. Even if he placed pen and paper in her hands, would she really open up and share what was in her heart?

Communication isn’t limited to conversation.

It was a painful truth, but a valid one.

Paulina declared with certainty, “I believe it’s possible.”

***

Ezekiel only happened to spot the doctor exiting his father’s office by chance. If he hadn’t been crossing the mansion frequently to check on Lisanne’s condition, he would’ve missed it entirely. In truth, on a normal day, he wouldn’t have paid it much attention. If someone felt mildly unwell, calling a doctor to the office for a check-up wasn’t unusual.

So this was a kind of intuition. A gut feeling that his father’s interest might touch Lisanne in an unpleasant way.

Ezekiel called out to the doctor.

“What business did you have in the office?”

Startled, the doctor froze in place.

“Ah… Major.”

“Is my father unwell?”

“Pardon? Oh, no, he’s fine.”

The doctor glanced back at the office, then replied casually as if it were nothing.

“His Excellency inquired about the young lady.”

“About Lisanne?”

“Yes, nothing major. He simply asked if the young lady, who miscarried in the detention center, could still bear children, whether the loss of her voice was permanent, and if having a child after being poisoned might lead to birth defects.”

He seemed to think it was truly trivial. The doctor continued to speak freely.

“Her voice hasn’t returned yet, but given that you also recovered your sight, I told him the chances of permanent damage were low. As for the miscarriage, I explained that it doesn’t necessarily mean infertility. Though she’s currently too frail for pregnancy, if she eats well and rests, given her young age… Major?”

Before the doctor could finish, Ezekiel flung open the office door.

“Do you think Lisanne is a broodmare?”

Otherwise, how could anyone speak of pregnancy and defects when the patient had only just arrived?

“You declared you wouldn’t have an heir with anyone but her, so I need to verify whether she can fulfill that minimum role. Or would you rather have a child with a different woman? I’d certainly prefer that.”

Even with Ezekiel’s sudden intrusion, his father didn’t blink. After so many family feuds and scandals shaking Astrie under the Valdemaira name, little surprised them anymore.

“From what I hear, her health isn’t great. It’s doubtful a child born from that body would be strong. At least she doesn’t stand out physically. Be grateful for that. You have black hair, and she has brown. If your wife were blonde, everyone would think the child was illegitimate. But a girl with brown hair? That’s common enough to give you options.”

At first, it made no sense. But it didn’t take long to grasp the meaning.

Ezekiel’s expression hardened. “So you want a child from Lisanne, and someone else from a family you favor to serve as the lady of House Valdemaira.”

“There are many houses eager to form a union with Valdemaira. As long as you and your wife agree to fulfill your official duties, there won’t be a problem. You can each keep your lovers, that’s your own affair. Whether you keep that girl as your mistress or not, I won’t interfere.”

Was he seriously saying this?

The more he heard, the more outrageous it became. Ezekiel clenched his jaw.

“Do you think I’m just a stud?”

“And what did you think you were?”

The response was calm.

“We are people who must pass on the name, the history, and the honor of Valdemaira to the next generation. Do you think you’re the only difficult one this house has seen? Surely there have been worse conflicts and quarrels. But even then, everyone agreed that the family must endure, and that’s why Valdemaira has lasted until now. Born with the Valdemaira name, I was a stud, and so are you. That applies to women as well. If you were a woman, you’d bear the child yourself. But you’re a man, so you must borrow another’s womb to carry on the line. As head of the house, I must weigh all possibilities.”

Ezekiel glared coldly at his father, who pressed a finger to his brow.

“Ezekiel, do you know what kind of official decree I stamped today?”