Kallian’s arrival naturally brought the meeting to an end. Some of the more relaxed ladies laughed openly as they looked at Elliope. 

“He must really love you.” 

“Indeed! Our husbands should take a leaf out of the viscount’s book!” 

Hearing such friendly teasing, Elliope stepped outside. 

Kallian was leaning against the wall of the Baron’s mansion, no carriage or horse in sight. His eyes met Elliope’s as soon as she appeared. 

“…” 

Before Elliope could say anything, Kallian slowly reached out and pulled her towards him. 

Unsteady from the slight buzz of alcohol and the lingering unease that was gnawing at her, Elliope fell lightly into his arms. 

Held in his embrace, almost as if seeking comfort in front of everyone, Elliope felt a pang of embarrassment at the scene they had made. 

“Sir, I mean, Viscount.” 

“Are you feeling unwell?” 

“No, it’s not that…” 

“Then why does your face look like that?” 

Kallian gently lifted Elliope’s chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze. His eyes seemed to search her, as if he wanted to uncover every secret she was hiding. 

When Elliope tried to look away, Kallian gently turned her face back to him. 

“If you’re not feeling well…” 

Kallian was still pressing her for answers when a melodious voice interrupted. 

“Viscount Elsen.” 

Hearing the beautiful voice, Elliope felt momentarily dazed. 

Charlotte, who had left with the other ladies, approached Kallian with a beaming smile. Kallian turned to look at her, his expression neutral and unreadable. 

At that moment, Elliope felt a sudden urge to pull away from Kallian’s embrace. The urge only grew stronger as Charlotte stepped closer with practiced ease, her fingertips brushing lightly against Kallian’s arm. 

“Will you be holding a banquet to celebrate your new title?” 

“If you’re referring to that, it’s already been replaced by donations to the poor, Miss Marte.”

Elliope was taken aback by Kallian’s words. 

‘He already knows Charlotte.’ 

For how long? Had it been the same in her previous life? 

The people of Elsen seemed to have subtle connections with Kallian even before his appointment, and perhaps Charlotte was no exception. Her thoughts tangled in a confusing jumble. Elliope could barely resist the urge to cover her mouth and flee the scene. 

Just as she closed her eyes to calm herself, Kallian’s voice was at her ear. 

“Shall I call the carriage?” 

As Elliope slowly opened her eyes, she found his face unexpectedly close to hers. 

“If something is wrong, I’d appreciate it if you told me now.” 

“I…” 

“Viscount, now that I think about it…” 

“Later, Miss Marte.” 

Kallian abruptly cut Charlotte off and began to walk, holding Elliope’s hand. She could hear Charlotte’s voice faintly behind them, but Kallian seemed completely uninterested. 

“Wait…” 

As they walked, the delayed effects of the alcohol hit Elliope like a wave, making her feel like her body was being tossed around. Dizzy, she stopped in her tracks and Kallian moved as if to pick her up. Startled, Elliope quickly declined. 

“I can walk.” 

“It doesn’t look like it.” 

“I mean it. In fact, I’d rather walk.” 

“I was going to call for a carriage.” 

“No, I just… need some time to collect my thoughts.” 

At that moment, all Elliope wanted to do was walk quickly, putting as much distance between herself and Charlotte as possible. Perhaps sensing her discomfort, Kallian held her carefully and began to walk at a steady pace. 

The sun was beginning to set and a cool breeze brushed against Elliope’s cheeks. The chill of the wind helped clear her mind, if only a little. 

“Elliope.” 

Hearing her name, she looked up at Kallian. His expression seemed strange, as if it revealed a side of him she hadn’t seen before. 

“You don’t have to trust me.”

Elliope blinked in surprise, caught off guard by his words. Before she could reply, Kallian quickly continued. 

“But if you’re ever hurt or unwell…” 

“…” 

“Please don’t hide it from me.” 

At that moment, Kallian looked both intimidating and desperate. Elliope, almost unconsciously, reached out and gently took his wrist. 

“It’s not like that.”

“…” 

“I just… have a few things on my mind.” 

The thought of Charlotte staying and even acknowledging Kallian with familiarity was enough to make Elliope’s head hurt. 

She immediately felt guilty. 

‘After all, he had come here for my sake.’ 

Yet here she was, worrying and thinking about things he didn’t even know about, causing him unnecessary worry. 

‘I came here to help him.’ 

And yet, faced with the ghosts of the past, she found herself helpless, unable to act, lost in her own tangled thoughts. 

‘I can’t afford to be weak.’ 

She whispered it to herself, trying to summon strength, but it felt as if the scent of Charlotte’s rose perfume still lingered in the air, unsettling her. A sigh escaped her lips as her troubled heart weighed heavily on her. 

Kallian waited patiently, giving her time to find her words. After a short pause, Elliope finally spoke. 

“I just… don’t know what to do.” 

“That’s why I’m here, to lean on when you don’t.” 

At Kallian’s calm words, Elliope couldn’t help but smile bitterly. 

‘If only I could really do that.’ 

From the beginning, there was very little she could confess to Kallian. 

To tell him the truth—that she had once lived as the Grand Duchess, died, and then turned back time to return to life three years earlier—would sound utterly preposterous.

The fact that she couldn’t say things like, I once had a relationship with you, that’s why I tried to seduce you… and the one who caused my husband’s death is none other than Charlotte Marte, whom I’ve just met... inexplicably weighed on her. 

Not being able to share the truth of her past life with him felt suffocating. 

‘I don’t want to hide anything from you.’ 

As she thought this, Elliope suddenly realised why she felt so insecure – it was because the idea of keeping something from Kallian bothered her deeply. The realisation startled her. 

As she stood there, lost in thought, Kallian reached out and gently placed a hand on her shoulder. 

“I don’t want to disappoint you.”

She said impulsively, realising the weight of her words only after they had left her lips. 

Kallian took a deep breath. Then the hand he had placed on her shoulder moved slowly upwards, first to her neck, then to her jaw and finally to her cheek, as if connecting each touch. 

“Why do you think that?” 

“…” 

“Elliope.” 

“Because I…” 

‘Because I rely on you more than I thought. Because I think I’ve come to like you more than I realised.’ 

Just as she was about to say these words, a loud bang! echoed from nearby and something shot into the sky, exploding with a burst of fireworks. The colourful sparks decorated the darkening sky in delicate patterns. 

“Ah.”

Elliope gasped, jerking back at the sudden noise. 

Kallian instinctively pulled her into his arms, holding her gently as if to calm her. The warmth of his embrace eased her unease for a moment, enveloping her in a fleeting sense of security. 

The warmth of his embrace brought Elliope a brief moment of reassurance. It felt all the more special and precious because no one had ever given her anything like it before. Kallian spoke quietly. 

“I hear there’s a night market in the centre of Elsen tonight for the first time in a long time.” 

“Is that so?” 

“I thought you might not have had the chance to visit a night market before.” 

He was right. 

During her time as a maid, she had been too busy trying to survive, and after marrying into the Grand Duchy, there had never been an opportunity for such things. 

He continued in his calm tone.

“If you have time, I thought we could go together.” 

‘Was that why he was waiting for me?’ 

‘Was that why he looked like a faithful dog, waiting for his owner?’ 

“All right.”

Elliope replied without hesitation. 

Kallian, still holding her, stroked her shoulder gently, his voice laced with doubt. 

“I don’t think this is such a good idea.” 

“I’m not that uncomfortable.” 

“But…” 

“I had a drink with the ladies, that’s all. I’m sorry I worried you.” 

“I know that, but still…” 

As he spoke, Kallian tilted her head slightly, bringing his face close to hers until his nose brushed against her lips. 

“You smell of alcohol.” 

“Is it that strong?”

He replied with a kiss. 

Elliope didn’t push him away, even though others might see them. Instead, she simply closed her eyes and accepted the kiss. 

Kallian kissed her as if her lips still carried the lingering taste of alcohol, as if he intended to drink every last drop of it himself. Any suggestive sounds that might have escaped between their lips were drowned out by the exclamations of passers-by watching the fireworks explode in the sky. 

For a moment it seemed as if the whole world had fallen silent. 

When Elliope slowly opened her eyes, she found Kallian staring deep into hers, as if he’d never closed them. His tongue moved even more boldly, exploring her with an intensity that made her shiver. 

“Mm…” 

When she let out a soft moan, Kallian finally broke the kiss. Their lips, wet with mixed saliva, parted with a faint, wet sound. He lingered for a moment, brushing his lips gently against hers before pulling away completely. 

As Elliope unconsciously leaned closer, following his retreating lips, Kallian murmured something in a low voice, the sound almost a growl. 

Then his lips brushed briefly against the area below her ear, along her jawline and down to her neck. The solid weight of his lower body pressed lightly against her, his presence unmistakable. 

Another bang sounded as fireworks burst into the sky, painting it in vibrant colours. 

“Wow!” 

The excited exclamation of a nearby child brought Elliope abruptly back to her senses. A small boy was watching her with wide, curious eyes. 

“Oh no! Allen!” 

A man, presumably the boy’s father, rushed over in a panic, covering the child’s eyes before scooping him up and carrying him away. 

Feeling the heat rush to her face, Elliope stammered awkwardly. 

“You mentioned going to the night market together, didn’t you?” 

When Elliope said this, Kallian seemed about to reply, but then he closed his mouth. 

Just looking at his face, it was clear that he wasn’t particularly interested in visiting the night market. What he really wanted was to get back to their villa, which was still being renovated, and spend some time with her in the bedroom. 

But instead of suggesting that they drop everything and go to bed, Kallian nodded silently, his reserve speaking for itself.