*******
"Lady Pristina… finally we are able to meet… how have you been? I apologise for not being able to welcome you and your family last night… yet as you are able to see, I have become a tad… unable to move as freely as I used to." — A visibly ill woman who remained as elegant as I reckoned said as she welcomed myself into her chambers. Resembling her son who stood tall next to me, used to the sight while I swallowed my concerns since the duchess's demeanour had gone paler from what I could remember. — "Clemente, dear. Thank you for bringing the Ninth to my presence."
"It is no trouble, Mother."
"Fufu… yes…" — She smiled nicely. Adding something else once Clemente made a gesture to enter the room. – "Do leave us alone now."
"Huh?"
'Huh?' — I froze just as he did.
"What is it, son? Do you have something to tell me?"
