( wrath sees her genuine surprise, and yet she is aware of the time he speaks of without hesitation, without having to search her mind to know what he references. the affliction was as serious as emilia had learned, and healing so quickly from such a serious affliction is strange indeed. he is already aware of the lengths bonaccorso (or someone near to him) is willing to use to keep him alive. the dark rituals, the blood spilt, the deaths and magic were clear. there is always a cost far deeper than blood spilled for defying nature in this way. at the moment, these are all simple assumptions, guesses, theories without enough evidence to act on or speak about so he does not.

his dark-gold gaze flicks over her face briefly before he sits as well. his expression is quiet, unreadable. if her grandfather believed someone was responsible for their parents deaths, the most likely reason is a grab for powers. but they could not do so with two heirs in line and their grandfather still ruling. who could gain power in taravast if that was not the case? he will have to find out later, but it does not seem worthy of his time with vannozza to ask a simple question of politics. )

It seems your grandfather was deeply afraid of losing anyone else. I am certain he did all he could to protect and heal your cousin while fearing the loss of him in a similar way.

Do you remember feeling any differently at all while he was sick or shortly after? Did your affliction occur around the same time?