Dominic frowned, pausing before concluding. He released Galen's hand. "Come take a look, too," he said.

Austin, bewildered, hesitantly touched Galen's wrist. The little one's pulse was regular and steady, indicating good health. A slightly faster pulse was normal for Galen; Austin detected no abnormality. He looked at his granduncle, perplexed and curious. Dominic merely smiled, seemingly waiting for Austin to reach his own conclusion.

Austin withdrew his gaze, continuing to feel Galen's pulse. After a time, he still found nothing unusual. He paused, then withdrew his hand. "Uncle Dom, Galen is very healthy."

"Yes, he is," Dominic nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. He felt a sense of satisfaction. Galen's health, regardless of the circumstances, was excellent news.

"B-But..." Austin hesitated. He'd intended not only to assess Galen's health, but also to investigate the red spots on his body. What could those spots be?

"We can't discern anything from Galen's pulse, can we?" Dominic voiced Austin's unspoken concern.

Austin nodded. He'd hoped to detect a difference in Galen's pulse, to find a solution.

"What are you talking about, Grandpa?" Galen blinked, confused.

"Grandpa just said you're in great shape, my little one. You must be eating well, haven't you?" Dominic said, half-jokingly.

"No!" Galen unexpectedly rejected the praise, shaking his head. "The food lately has been terrible, and I haven't been able to eat properly."

Austin was speechless. Dominic, after a moment of surprise, burst into laughter. Austin's cooking, it had to be admitted, was truly terrible. Dominic had been unwell for days, subsisting mainly on porridge and protein shakes. He'd tasted Austin's culinary attempts before—during Austin's apprenticeship—and the memory remained unforgettable, though not in a positive way. He'd since refused to let Austin cook for him. But circumstances were different now; the mansion was largely deserted, leaving Dominic reliant on Austin. Galen must have suffered, too, but there are no other options.

"I'm sorry for what you've experienced these past few days," Dominic said with a smile. "Once I get better, I'll bring you some delicious food!"

Galen's face lit up. "Okay! Grandpa, you need to get well soon!"

Although Austin hadn't achieved his goal, seeing his granduncle's cheerful demeanor offered some relief. Perhaps the most difficult days are behind us. Uncle Dom has managed to endure, relying on his own immune system. Could he have recovered even without a cure? With that thought, Austin could only hope for the best.