Snow White
It had been a week, and Gilbert had grown even more worried every day, wondering what on earth had happened to his little Snow Knight that afternoon. It was terrifying, and when the gate's weren't locked, Roderich's door certainly was. Even when Gilbert had pounded on the door, Roderich did not open it— or, maybe he couldn't, not without a key, and it wouldn't matter, as a maid or a butler would come out, pick up Gilbert by the waist, and bring him inside the house to talk with Herr Edelstein before Gilbert could even expect an answer from the other side.
And so, there were a few days, like today, where Gilbert would sit in front of Herr Edelstein, twiddling his thumbs and kicking his feet nervously. These were the days that Gilbert got to ask questions.
"Herr Edelstein, what is wrong with Roderich?"
This was the first time Gilbert had asked that, since he wasn't as worried before as he was now.
"Well," said Herr Edelstein, leaning back on the couch and setting down his novel on the side table. "When Roderich was born, he was born unhealthy, and he was choking on his umbilical cord as well."
Gilbert nodded, knowing what an umbilical cord was from some reading he had done earlier.
"At first, the problem was simply that Roderich couldn't breathe, even when the umbilical cord was taken off. Later, we learned, was that Roderich's heart was extremely weak. He needed heart surgery. Well, not need it, per se, but if he wanted to live a regular life, he would need it. The problem that was my main concern was that Roderich was young. I couldn't stand the thought of someone cutting into my child at such a young age. And my wife, at the time, agreed with me. In fact, it turned out to become her dying wish. To let Roderich grow older, stronger, and wait for doctors to be more advanced. Then, when the time arises and Roderich is not afraid, he'll acquire his heart surgery."
Herr Beilschmidt reached down, taking his cup of tea and sipping. Gilbert frowned.
"I think that's cowardly." Gilbert huffed, and Herr Edelstein quirked on eyebrow, as if amused with the child's behaviour. "You're just terrified that you'll lose Roderich within the surgery. I don't like liars."
Herr Edelstein laughed.
"Yes, that too, I suppose. There's also the fear that Roderich might suddenly get sick before the surgery. It happens sometimes, like his mother used to. They were both prone to getting colds."
Gilbert frowned further, looking down to the hands on his lap, and he glared. After a few moments of silent seething, he got up, thanked the older man for having him, and left, walking home with his head down in thought. He said nothing about Herr Edelstein's ways of changing the subject.