Chapter 32

As soon as they stepped off the train, even the air felt different. Having grown used to the cool, crisp air of the North, the warm air of the South felt unfamiliar. Even the clothes Ellie had changed into on the train felt strange.

While the staff who had come with them organized the luggage and prepared the car, Cal said he would check something quickly, and Ellie decided to wait inside the station. Sitting on a bench, watching people pass by, Ellie suddenly sensed someone’s gaze and turned her head without thinking.

“……!”

The moment she locked eyes with the man standing about five steps away, Ellie was startled inside, but kept her composure outwardly.

“Elysia.”

“…It’s been a while, Senior.”

He was neither a face she wanted to see nor someone she wished to speak to, but she couldn’t ignore him outright, so Ellie forced herself to reply. As soon as she acknowledged him, the man, wearing a big smile, quickly approached. Ellie flinched and shifted her seat to put some distance between them.

“How many years has it been? Have you been well?”

“…Yes, I suppose.”

“I heard you’re working at the library. You must have some years under your belt now?”

“…Yes, I suppose.”

The man chatted cheerfully, but Ellie responded only reluctantly. He was none other than Ellie’s first boyfriend. Their relationship hadn’t ended well, so she couldn’t understand why he was so happy to see her, even smiling as he spoke.

“Elysia, are you seeing anyone?”

“…Ah, well.”

Ellie couldn’t even scoff at his transparent question. She had heard bits about him—he had barely finished at the Academy, went to the research institute, but hadn’t passed his thesis, didn’t become a professor, nor get a job, and was still an eternal research student with graduation deferred.

‘Ha. Is he regretting losing me now?’

Thinking this made facing him even more annoying.

“How about you, Senior? Did you get a job? Oh, and you must be married by now? Congratulations, even if it’s late.”

Ellie deliberately said things to needle him. She was sure he hadn’t gotten a job or married. As she watched him mumble and hesitate, Cal pushed through the crowd and approached.

“Ellie!”

“Cal!”

Seeing Cal, Ellie jumped up from her seat, a stark contrast to how she had remained seated while talking to the man. Cal approached with a bright smile, revealing a bouquet hidden behind his back.

“A gift for you.”

He said he’d bought it from a vendor outside the station, and handed Ellie a bouquet of red roses.

“Thank you, Cal.”

Ellie smiled brightly and inhaled the scent.

“Elysia, who…?”

The man, forgotten since Cal’s arrival, now spoke to Ellie. Cal’s gaze turned toward him, not kindly.

“Ellie, who is this?”

Ellie, smiling as she smelled the flowers, looked between the man and Cal and introduced them calmly.

“Senior, this is my fiancé. His name is Calix.”

“Fi…ancé?”

Only then did the man notice the sparkling ring on Ellie’s left ring finger.

Ellie was pleased to introduce Cal as her fiancé, but the man looked openly shocked, which made Cal even more uncomfortable. Who was he to react like that?

“Cal, this is someone I used to date briefly. Uh, Senior, I’m really sorry, but what was your name again?”

As she introduced him to Cal, Ellie realized she couldn’t even remember his name. At least she remembered his face.

“Eh, Elysia?”

Ellie’s indifferent attitude as she asked his name left the man stunned. Cal realized he wasn’t important and quickly lost interest in him.

In fact, he put his arm around Ellie’s waist and kissed her lips, showing his affection openly.

“He’s an unlucky man. He lost you.”

“Cal, people are watching!”

“What does it matter? You’re mine.”

Ellie laughed brightly.

The man, pushed aside from their attention, could only gape, then started observing Cal, who stood next to Ellie.

From head to toe, everything Cal wore—his clothes, watch, shoes—was high-end. Even that watch was a new platinum line from brand P, with a platinum plate and diamonds, made by P’s master craftsman, only three in existence!

He’d seen it in catalogs and drooled over it, but the price was so shocking he remembered sticking out his tongue. With that watch alone, one could buy a mansion in the capital.

A young man who could wear such a watch—who was he, really? But he couldn’t wedge himself between the couple lost in their own world.

“Young Master, Miss Nord. The car is ready.”

After all the luggage was loaded, a staff member came to fetch them. Ellie, holding the bouquet, linked arms with Cal and left the station, forgetting to even say goodbye to the man she’d just spoken with. The man unconsciously followed them slowly.

Outside the station, a sleek, shiny black car waited. With the chauffeur standing in front, people’s attention focused on them.

“Cal, you didn’t buy a car, did you?”

Ellie looked at Cal suspiciously, noting this was a different car from before. Cal shook his head.

“No, it wasn’t me. Father gave it to you as a gift.”

“What?”

“They say a father-in-law loves his daughter-in-law.”

Cal’s explanation made Ellie both happy and uneasy. Was it okay to receive so much? She also wondered how to thank the Grand Duke in the North.

Meanwhile, the man watched the car from behind, blinking in disbelief. No matter how many times he checked, it was the new model from brand C. Not as expensive as the watch, but still not something easily bought—what kind of family was this?

A nouveau riche had appeared in the capital, and the man wondered if Elysia had caught the son of that family. As he watched the couple board the car and the chauffeur close the door, he was shocked.

On the black background, a silver shield stood out, engraved with a sword and a deep blue wolf.

“Ha, Hairos Grand Ducal family?”

The unmistakable crest made the man recoil in surprise. The ducal residence’s staff passing by gave him a brief, cold glance, making him step back instinctively.

Through the window of the departing car, the man saw the couple sitting side by side. The beautiful woman’s bright smile quickly faded from view.

For reasons he couldn’t explain, the man stood in place for a very long time, feeling strangely empty.

〈Elysia〉 Fin.