The man was the old Count's eldest son and heir, Viscount Kelvin Donovan. She had never met the man before, but the Duke already told her enough about him that she could tell at a glance.
Before Ashelia and her father could stand up to address him, Kelvin bowed respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Grace," He greeted. "And to you, Lady Ashelia, it is an honor to meet you both."
Ashelia, who was feeling a sense of formality, curtsied before her father could react. "Hello, Lord Donovan," she greeted politely. "It is our pleasure to be here."
The Duke gave a curt, respectful nod in acknowledgment.
Kelvin forced a smile. "Thank you." he responded as his features suddenly turned serious. "Please forgive my insolence, but could you tell me why you have come here, your Grace?
The Duke pursed his lips. "I apologize for not letting you know of my arrival beforehand, Viscount Donovan. But it has come to my knowledge that the Count has fallen ill," he answered. "We have come to pay him our respects."
The Viscount's eyes widened in surprise.
Ashelia's brows furrowed lightly. 'It is not unusual for a Duke to visit a sick Vassal,' she thought. 'So why does he look like that?'
Lord Donovan's eyes lowered as he let slip a pained smile. "It is truly an honor to have you here, your Grace, truly," he said, his voice slightly shaky. "I am extremely grateful that someone of your status has come down to see my father, when he is merely a Count… he would have been honoured."
Ashelia's heart sank. 'Would have…?'
Kelvin took a deep breath and looked up at them with moistened eyes, making Ashelia hold her breath in dreaded anticipation of his news.
"My Father… my Father has left us."
Ashelia's hand flew to her mouth in shock. She didn't want to see the look on her father's face, but she still dared to spare a glance at him.
The Duke looked calm, his body language didn't reveal any emotions. But she knew that was her father's way of coping with difficult news or situations.
She turned back to Count Kisel's son. "W…when did he…?"
"He passed away this morning," Viscount Donovan answered with a clenched jaw. "Only a few hours ago."
Ashelia immediately fell silent and fidgeted with the edges of her shawl. When did the Count die? Was it an hour ago or two?
She didn't really want to know. After all, it was her fault they didn't make it to the estate as early as they were supposed to.
Almost like the Duke could tell what she was thinking, he placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
Ashelia turned her attention to her father with wide eyes. Before she knew it, he opened his mouth to speak,
"May I see him?"
Ashelia was taken aback. How come he was only asking for himself?! She wanted to come too!
She parted her lips to protest but the Viscount was quick to interrupt. His eyes had circled too but he hurried to regain his composure.
"It would be an honor, your Grace," he told him slowly. "Truly. But my father… The Count has already passed. I do not wish to sully your eyes with what is remaining of him."
Ashelia looked offended as she turned on him. "How could you say such a thing?!" Viscount Donovan was bewildered by her sudden outburst. "Lord Kisel isn't just my Father's friend but his mentor as well, why do you think–"
"That is enough, my dear." The Duke interrupted as he stepped forward.
He broke into a small, sad smile. "You do not really think I'm that kind of person do you?" He asked him. "You heard my daughter, Lord Kisel isn't just a friend, he is a mentor and I wish to see the face of my mentor, even if it's for the very last time."
The Viscount's eyes welled with tears but he hurried to bow. "Thank you, your Grace," he appreciated. "Thank you for this honour."
Ashelia understood his behavior since many nobles preferred not to look at dead bodies, except if it belonged to a close relative. But some of them didn't bother seeing their relatives either.
She felt like she understood them a little now. After all, the first time she saw dead bodies she nearly threw up her intestines too. Though to be fair, they were brutally murdered.
The Viscount looked at the Duke. "If you would come with me—"
"I'm coming too." Ashelia blurted, attracting the Duke's attention.
"...What?"
"I said I wish to come with you to see Lord Kisel, father." She explained.
The Duke turned away from her. "You can't." He said simply.
"Why?!" Ashelia was disappointed. "You're going, so why can't I?"
"Because you and I are completely different, Shelia." Her Father said sternly. "While I might be able to handle seeing him, you on the other hand might not."
"I… I know." Ashelia stuttered uncertainly. "But it would feel wrong if I didn't pay him my respects too."
"Shelia…" Her Father tried.
"I want to see it all the way through, I want to see Lord Kisel." She stated firmly. "If I don't go to see him with you, then my presence here is pointless."
The Duke massaged his forehead with his thumb and index finger as Ashelia watched him expectantly.
He knew she wasn't going to give up until he agreed.
"Alright," he grunted. "You may come with me but the moment I catch any sign of uneasiness from you, you will leave immediately."
….
In the middle of the room the Viscount took them to, there was a raised platform with a large bed on it covered in rich furs. In the middle of the mattress was a body that lay stiff as a board.
Ashelia swallowed nervously as they approached the king-sized bed. Stopping only inches from it and what Ashelia saw almost made her legs give out.
Her eyes were wide.
Seeing the Count on his bed, Ashelia did not think he looked any different, except for the fact that he was utterly lifeless and still, his skin was paler than anything she had ever seen before.
No… he looked a lot like her mother when she was sleeping.
She watched her father approach the bed and kneel before it, his face took on a pained look as he took the old man's hand and rested his forehead at the back of it.
He remained in that position for a while in silence while the Viscount only watched him with moistened eyes.
Ashelia's heart beat faster in her chest.
Ah… so this was how the body of a person who died from illness looked… It didn't seem any different from her mother who was still alive!
'Mother… mother is dying.'
Ashelia stumbled and nearly fell when strong hands took a hold of her shoulders. It only took her a moment to realize it was the Viscount.
"Shelia!" The Duke called urgently. He quickly stood up from the floor and took hold of her shoulders in place of the count to steady her. "What happened?!"
Ashelia looked up at him. "I'm fine, I just feel a little dizzy."
The Duke furrowed his brows. "Dizziness does not explain your sweating and trembling, Shelia." He said tightly.
"But I'm not trembling," she protested before her eyes fell on the quivering hand clutching her shawl.
"You look even paler than you're supposed to be…" Her father said gently. "You should leave."
Ashelia didn't even bother arguing. "Yes father."
Duke Alistair turned to the Viscount. "If you would be so kind as to excuse us."
The Viscount who was still in shock nodded and they both made their way out of the room and down the stairs, in a few minutes they were outside.
Ashelia finally felt like she could breathe easier.
"Go and meet Edward, my dear." Her Father said softly. "Tell him that I have given you permission to explore the city under his watch."
Ashelia pursed her lips then nodded. She was still shaking slightly. "W–will you be alright, father?"
Her father managed a small smile. "I will be fine. I'm not the one who almost fainted."
Her lips twitched a little, making the Duke look at her with concern. "It's not a bad thing to be unable to handle a sight like that, Shelia. In fact, it just shows how human you are."
"...I understand." She said quietly.
The Duke sighed. "Tell Edward what I said." He told her. "And take as much time as you need to recover before you come back here but make sure it doesn't get dark before you do."