The Devil's Betrothed novel Chapter 143

Chapter 143: Worse Condition

The City of Jerusha was as lively as ever, but Oriana did not have the liberty to enjoy the familiar surroundings. It was the fourth morning of her one-week break, and she only had less than a day to spend at home. She ran through the secret route through the forest towards the nameless hunter village on the other side.

A big silly grin hung on her face. From her speed, it was as if her feet had grown wings. She could not wait to see her grandpa who she dearly missed and worried about all these days.

’It has been a month.’

When she reached the first cottage nearest the village fence, the grin on her face widened. There was no one inside the house, but there were sounds of movement from the backyard. She saw the elderly man kneeling on the ground, plucking the vegetables from their small garden.

"Grandpa! I am back!" she exclaimed, excitement bursting in her chest, but there was no response from the man. She put the bag she was carrying down and hurried towards him, shouting a little louder, "Grandpa!"

Oriana kneeled beside Phil, belatedly realizing the old man seemed to be at a loss with his hand frozen midway, as if he forgot that he had been in the middle of plucking a vegetable.

Her heart sank.

"G-Grandpa?" He didn’t respond.

There was noise coming from the front of the house, and it was their neighbor who came over after hearing Oriana’s shouts. Luke’s mother, Gwen, found the heartbreaking scene of Oriana kneeling beside her unresponsive grandfather.

Gwen could not even happily welcome her back. After sighing, she approached them and wrapped a thick knitted scarf around the old man’s neck. "Old Phil frequently behaves like this nowadays. One of his medicines ran out about two weeks ago. I had to keep watch on him and take him inside before he freezes in the cold."

With moist eyes, Oriana looked at the woman. "Thank you for taking care of Grandpa, Aunt Gwen. It must have been hard."

"It’s nothing much, Orian. First, let’s take him inside. It’s cold here."

Oriana nodded and the two women brought the old man inside the cottage. Inside his room, Oriana made him sit him on the bed. Phil remained unresponsive, sitting like a wooden doll who could understand nothing of what was happening around him.

She went back out and when she returned, she was holding the bottle of dementia medicine Erich concocted. She fed a spoonful to her grandfather who took it without any hassle. She made him lay down on the bed, whispering words of support until he closed his eyes and fell asleep. She covered him with a warm blanket.

Oriana stared at the old man with tears in her eyes, and Gwen could only pat her on the shoulder. "Don’t worry too much, Orian. Old age gets everyone. Your grandpa is fortunate to have reached that age."

Feeling choked, Oriana simply nodded.

"You must have been tired due to the long journey from the capital. You should rest. I will bring food for both of you."

"There is no need—"

"It’s alright. Just rest," the woman insisted. "By the way, is Luke not with you?"

Oriana shook her head. "Apologies. We went our separate ways so I have no idea when he will be coming back."