Raindrops started to form on the fallen violin case. I tried to persuade Roger until the very end, but mother grabbed my shoulder.

It meant to stop.

“But……!”

“Roger, next to the church at the end of Hosha Village, there’s a house with a blue roof. Lise and I will be staying there.”

Mother cut me off and spoke to Roger.

“You can come anytime. Lise will always be there.”

“……”

“A blue roof. Understand?”

Mother said just that and grabbed my arm. Before returning to the carriage, I looked at Roger’s face and opened my mouth.

“Roger!”

“……”

“You don’t have to find me. But… but I don’t want things to end like this between us.”

“……”

“Let’s meet in a week. I’ll be waiting for you in front of the fountain in Roskoff Village. At midnight a week from now. And during that time, I’ll take good care of your violin. I’ll give it back to you in a week, so be sure, be sure to come.”

You understand, right? I’ll be waiting for you there.

Roger.

I didn’t go back to Hosha Village. I waited all day in front of the forest for Roger to come out. I endured the cold, shivering, and getting wet in the rain.

I waited until it got dark, but there was no sign of Roger. Worried I might catch a cold, I carefully pulled a blanket from the carriage and ventured into the forest.

The dark forest was like a maze. I looked for where Roger had been, but he was not there.

“Roger?”

No matter how much I searched, Roger was nowhere to be found. Panicked, I thoroughly checked the small forest, but the result was the same. Roger had gone out the opposite way.

“Mother! Roger, I can’t find Roger!”

“……It might be best to have someone search for him. Let’s go back for now, Lise.”

“But……”

I looked back at the forest where Roger had been one last time.
I had to wait for Roger to come now.

The rainy season arrived.

The divorce proceedings moved faster than before. Everything in Hoshia Village was more or less settled, and my mother and siblings prepared to move to Polong Street.

Every day, I checked beyond the window.

I looked through the pouring rain to see if there was a figure, but there was nothing. If something appeared, it was Yurik’s silverywhite hair.

“…Father stopped by the capital briefly and apparently ran into Roger’s father. Though he looked a bit tired, he said he had to complete his duties. He also said that he’ll be working in the capital for a while before going to another continent for an exchange program with a royal orchestra. He should return to the mansion afterward.”

Hearing about the affair through me, Yurik also worried about Roger. If Roger’s father was in the capital, was Roger now at the mansion with Lady Bacchus? I wanted to go to Roskopf Village, but every time, I was reminded of Roger’s lifeless eyes.

I didn’t want to run into Lady Bacchus either.

“…”

I also lived as if dead.

The violin that Roger left me was the only thing I handled with care. I cleaned it every day to prevent dust from settling, and though clumsy, I also tuned it.

Three days passed. The rainy season worsened. There was no news from Roger.

‘Will Roger come out tomorrow?’

We had planned to meet in front of the Roskopf fountain. I hurriedly set the date but worried that I chose poorly. What if the rainy season worsens… If a storm comes and the carriage can’t move, that would be the worst.

‘I wish I could see the sunlight tomorrow.’

The one who responded to my words was not the sky but Rodney, who received my letter and sent a reply. His wet letter went through my mother’s hands before landing in mine.

The letter was quite shocking.

“Hello, Mother. And my loving siblings,

I have read your letter. I hope Lize has not been severely hurt.

I am still in the dormitory. I am writing this reply right after reading your letter, but due to the rainy season, I don’t know when you will receive it.

Mother, something seems to have happened to Grandfather.

To briefly explain, I have been exchanging letters with Grandfather regarding Lize’s custody.

Grandfather was greatly shocked by the serious matter of the divorce. Later, he came to understand Mother and worried about Lize.

Grandfather promised to side with Lize. He also actively promised to participate in the trial.

But I have lost contact with Grandfather for a week now. Though he would be angry, he is not the type to sever contact, so I am even more worried.

I heard that his health has not been good for a while, so I wanted to go visit him, but due to the sudden rainy season, it is difficult for me to take action.

So, Mother, since you are closer to Grandfather’s mansion, please go see him yourself. Confirm what has happened to him.

Rodney.

P.S./ The trial is just a few days away. I know it’s tough for you and the siblings, but please hold on a bit longer. As soon as the rainy season ends, I’ll return to Hoshia Village.”

“Quickly put on your coats, kids.”

Upon reading the letter, Mother and the siblings headed to Grandfather’s mansion.

The wind blew hard, causing the carriage to sway, but we somehow reached the mansion. The quiet and serene exterior was starkly different from the inside. The busy maids noticed us and guided us to where Grandfather was.

Grandfather was lying in bed, seriously ill.

His condition was so bad that even breathing seemed difficult.

They said they thought this bout of illness would also pass, like the others. They said they delayed sending a letter, fearing it would cause worry.

The next dawn, Grandfather opened his eyes.

It was a moment.

“…He has passed away.”

The doctor’s head fell to the ground.

I’m sorry.
It was Grandfather’s last will.

The rainy season continued.