Chapter 10 – Part 2

“Eliana Leiberte.”

Calix’s aunt, Linda, stood close to the table with her hands clasped.

“My Lady, what brings you here?”

Eliana stood up from her seat.

“You must be busy. You didn’t even notice my approach.“

“No, not at all. But what brings you to see me?”

“I have something I’d like to discuss. Can we go somewhere quiet to talk?”

Her tone was firm and serious.

Mila was curious, seeing a noblewoman suddenly appear and speak so gravely to Eliana.

“Yes, let’s do that,“ Eliana replied.

She handed her belongings to Mila and followed Linda out.

Linda chose a quiet spot deep in an alley near the outdoor café. No other customers were inside, making it an ideal place for a serious conversation.

From Linda’s demeanor, Eliana could tell she was about to make a request.

“What kind of tea do you like?”

Sensing that it was polite to offer tea before starting the conversation, Eliana asked.

“Anything will do.“

“Then let’s go with chamomile. It’s warm and has a pleasant taste.”

Even though Linda was being stiff, Eliana gently continued the conversation. In truth, Linda didn’t care about tea; she just wanted to get straight to the point.

“May I ask what you wanted to discuss?“ Eliana inquired.

“Honestly, it would’ve been better if I could’ve spoken at the Duke of Vartica’s estate, but Calix intervened, and I couldn’t.”

Her words implied that she had been waiting to say this since that day.

“I see.“

“Now that we’ve met, I’ll be direct. I hear you were childhood friends with Calix.“

“Yes, that’s right. I was often invited to visit while the late Duke remained alive.“

“It may have been simple exchanges back then, but things are different now.“

“What do you mean by that…?“

“You know that Calix doesn’t just invite anyone to the estate, right?“

“Yes, I know no one could approach him for quite some time.”

Linda shook her head slowly at that.

“It wasn’t just for a while; it was a thorough isolation. And it’s still that way today. Besides me and my husband, no one else has been allowed into the house.”

“…”

Linda’s words reinforced the weight of Calix’s invitation to Eliana.

“As you probably saw at the Vartica estate, it’s where it wouldn’t be surprising to have parties every day.“

“Yes, it’s a grand and beautiful place.“

“But ever since the tragedy in our family, there hasn’t been a single party. Not even a simple tea gathering with outsiders. And yet, the first person Calix invited was you.”

Eliana lowered her gaze for a moment, then looked back at Linda.

“So, I’m saying that Calix has romantic feelings for you. And I’m not talking about friendly affection.”

Before Eliana could claim again that she and Calix were just friends, Linda preemptively cut her off. She grimaced slightly as she acknowledged Calix’s feelings as if reluctant to admit it.

“I understand if you think it’s odd for his aunt to be so protective and say such things, Eliana.”

“…”

“But I’ve long wished for Calix’s happiness. Ever since the tragedy, I’ve visited the estate with that thought. I believe he’s mostly overcome the worst of it. What Calix needs now is a good partner who can provide stability. I’m sorry, but you’re not the right person.”

Linda had finally reached her point. She let out a long sigh as though relieved to have said it.

“If you hadn’t gotten involved with Calix, I wouldn’t be saying any of this. But now that you are, I can’t stay silent. Eliana, your life is already far from smooth. Of course, that’s just my view, so feel free to disagree.”

“…”

“You’ve drawn too much attention with your broken engagement to the crown prince, and your name has been the subject of much gossip. If you were to become more deeply involved with Calix, it would only bring trouble to the Vartica family. I’m sure you know that while we have royal blood, our relationship with the imperial family isn’t always friendly.“

“Yes, I understand.”

Eliana knew this all too well. She listened quietly without refuting anything Linda said.

“I’m not telling you this just because of your reputation. Even if your reputation were better, I’d still oppose you getting close to the Vartica family.”

This part surprised Eliana.

“Why is that?“

“When the tragic accident happened in our family, the attitude of the Leiberte family left a bitter taste. Of course, it wasn’t just your family. Many noble families aligned with the imperial faction supported the court’s position when the late Duke of Vartica died under mysterious circumstances. I know it was passive support to avoid falling out of favor with the imperial family, but my husband and I were deeply disappointed by the actions of families like yours, who had been close to us. We vowed that no one from those families would ever form ties with Calix.”

“…”

Eliana hadn’t known any of this.

She had been young at the time. She knew that the late Duke’s death was shrouded in mystery, but beyond that, her knowledge was limited to the fact that the matter was left unresolved.

‘I had no idea what stance our family took back then or how the other noble families reacted.’

She also hadn’t known how deeply Calix’s relatives had felt hurt.

“Many noble families aligned with the imperial faction supported the imperial court’s position when the late Duke of Vartica died under mysterious circumstances.”

‘Noble families acting as mouthpieces for the imperial family…’

That statement implied that the imperial family may have been involved in the late Duke’s death and had worked to cover it up.

“Was the imperial family behind the Duke’s death?”

At Eliana’s question, Linda bit her lip. Instead of answering, she stared intensely at Eliana.

‘She considers this a sensitive matter.’

From Linda’s reaction, Eliana felt she already knew the answer without needing it spoken aloud.

“I don’t think it’s my place to answer that, Eliana. Nor do I have any reason to. That’s not the main point I wanted to convey. I’m saying that I don’t like you or the Leiberte family, so I’m warning you to stop getting closer to Calix.“

Linda spoke firmly.

“…”

Eliana had turned down Calix’s confession just yesterday. Linda had no idea.

‘If I were in Linda’s shoes, seeing Calix as a child and being there to comfort him, I can understand why she thinks I’m not a good match for him. People outside the situation seem to view me that way as well.’

But Eliana hadn’t gone to Calix’s estate with any intention of marrying him. Treating her like an unwanted element felt excessive. Linda didn’t know how she and Calix thought about each other—it was meddling beyond reason.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Do you still plan on visiting the Vartica estate and staying close to Calix?“

“I’ve learned a lot from this conversation, Lady Linda.”

Eliana finally spoke.

“I especially regret hearing how the Vartica family was hurt by our family’s stance when the late Duke passed away. In a situation with a close relationship, it was wrong to support only one side.“

Linda’s expression subtly shifted. It seemed there was nothing to criticize in Eliana’s response.

“I was too young to understand then and never apologized to Calix for it.“

“Being young isn’t an excuse. You were still part of that family, and up until your broken engagement, didn’t you openly support the imperial faction?“

“That’s true.”

It was a fact.

“In the past, yes. But not anymore.“

“Well, I suppose it’s only because you were cast aside. Even if you wanted to stay close to the imperial family, they wouldn’t accept you now.”

Linda clicked her tongue in disdain.

“Regardless, our family has no desire to associate with the Leiberte family, and that fact—that you are part of it—doesn’t change.”

She drove the point home, hammering her feelings into place once more. Eliana watched her quietly.

No matter how much Linda had cared for Calix, neither the estate nor the land was hers to control. Calix was the one in charge. It wasn’t Linda’s place to dictate his personal relationships.

“Even if Calix has shown interest in you, don’t be naïve enough to think that interest will lead to anything serious. It would be better for you too. I hope you understand, so let’s end this here.“

“No. Please listen to me as well, Lady Linda.”

Linda, who had been about to stand, looked back at Eliana.

“Go ahead, let’s hear it.“

“I understand what you’re saying and can see where you’re coming from. But controlling not just me but also Calix’s personal feelings and then delivering this warning—it’s too much. Even though I understand your intentions, I won’t simply accept them.“

“What? Eliana!”

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