"Dad, honestly, you've been loyal to the Emperor your whole life, and when something finally happens, they don't even bother to protect you."
"Look at you now, lying in bed unable to move, and the whole family is falling apart because of it."
"You should take a page from your son—me. I know I'm useless, so I just look for someone powerful to back me up. Doesn't matter what happens in the end; at least I get to live day by day, right?"
"Ugh, I'll stop talking nonsense now. I don't know if you can still hear me, but I promise you."
"Don't worry. I'll try my best to keep this family going."
Inside the bedroom, Lynn sat on the chair next to the bed, rambling on.
He watched Marquis Bartleion—now an Earl—lying there with his eyes tightly shut, and let out a soft sigh.
A man who should be in his prime, now had graying hair and a gaunt figure.
If not for the occasional rise and fall of his chest, even Lynn would have thought he was dead by now.
