Chapter 10 – Part 4

“Wait. I still have something to say.”

Calix stopped her just as she was about to turn and leave.

“We’ll step aside for a moment,” Logan said, guiding Thompson and Violet away to give them space.

Once the others had moved away, Calix stepped closer to Eliana. Their height difference made it difficult for her to meet his eyes unless she deliberately looked up. After a brief pause, she finally made eye contact with him.

“What is it?”

“Why are you in such a hurry to leave? Do you not even want to talk to me anymore?”

His low voice carried a trace of emotion, causing Eliana to shake her head.

“No, it’s not that. Don’t misunderstand.”

That wasn’t the reason. She felt that since this moment seemed intended for someone else, it was right for her to step aside.

“Your actions make me misunderstand. As soon as you saw me, you tried to disappear. Is it because my confession made you uncomfortable?”

That wasn’t the reason either.

“You were talking with others.“

“That’s it? Don’t worry about that.”

“…”

“No matter who I’m with, you can stay and talk with me for hours.“

“But you have company.“

“You can do that, Eliana. I seem to be the only one here who wants to talk to you for as long as possible.”

Calix responded, sounding self-deprecating.

“Are you looking for a new house with the real estate agent?“

“Yes, I found a place two blocks behind the main street.”

He wished it could’ve been a place where they could stay together.

‘If that’s too much to ask, I at least wish she would consider staying at my estate in the capital.’

Calix couldn’t help but feel a lingering attachment.

‘I know you’ve decided, but I can’t help wanting more.’

He couldn’t shake off his desires.

‘It’s great that Eliana is leaving the Leiberte family, but living alone in a new house can be dangerous.’

But the reality was different from his wishes. Eliana only seemed intent on saying goodbye and leaving quickly.

“Where is it? Let’s go see it together. I need to check if it’s safe.“

“It’s a safe place. You don’t have to worry.“

“I want to see it with my own eyes.“

“The real estate agent guaranteed it. I’m also planning to hire two new servants.”

However, Eliana clearly drew a line between them.

‘If it had been before the confession, she would have shown me the house right away, right? That kind of favor would have been easy for her to pass off as a friendship.’

But after the confession, Eliana was trying to distance herself from him. Thinking that this might continue forever, Calix felt heavy-hearted.

Calix quietly looked down at Eliana. He didn’t ask her again to show him the house.

‘If I do, she seems to only retreat further.’

It didn’t feel like she hated him because of his confession. But at the same time, there was no sign she had changed her mind. His chest tightened.

‘If we just stay as “not bad“ acquaintances, and if this is all there is, forever stuck at this limit…‘

“Are you really not going to invite me in?“

“...”

“Is it that difficult?“

“No. I can handle something like this on my own. If I rely on you for everything, then there’s no meaning in being independent from my family.”

It wouldn’t be right to keep seeking Calix out after rejecting him.

“You can rely on me as much as you want. I’m not foolish enough to think that just because you ask for my help with something important, you’re accepting me.”

Those words sounded like he was saying he’d continue to help her even if rejected, which made Eliana feel both sorry and grateful toward him.

“If it’s something I really need to ask, I will. But I don’t plan to bother you with too many questions.”

Calix was about to tell her she didn’t need to think that way.

“Calix, Mila’s waiting for me, so I’ll get going. I don’t want to keep your companions waiting because of me. You should head back, too.”

But Eliana moved quicker. She immediately turned and walked toward the maid.

When Calix returned to Logan and Thompson, his expression had noticeably hardened. Seeing Calix’s face, Thompson sensed that the atmosphere between the two had changed entirely from how it had been at the mansion. Even Thompson, who wasn’t as quick to pick up on things as Logan, could tell.

“Did Lady Leiberte say she’s just returned from somewhere?”

Logan asked.

“She seems to have found a house in the capital.“

“A house? So she’s been to the real estate agent. We might have seen her there if we had arrived earlier.”

At Logan’s words, Calix slightly furrowed his brow and glanced again in the direction Eliana had gone. It was apparent he wasn’t satisfied with their recent conversation.

Violet quietly listened to the conversation between Logan and Calix. Violet was the daughter of Liam Harvey, a Viscount. The Harvey family was acquainted with Calix’s father and Calix’s uncle, John. With the royal family’s permission, Viscount Harvey had been staying in the Tempton Kingdom for a long time, raising his daughter there.

“Father, I want to live in the Empire of Moira for a while.”

“The Empire of Moira?”

“Yes, I’ve only ever heard about it in stories, and I’m curious.”

If Violet hadn’t asked her father, she would never have left the Tempton Kingdom.

“You can’t go alone.”

“Why not, Father? You have friends there, don’t you? It’s my wish.”

At first, her father refused, but when Violet persisted, saying she wanted to stay there for a few years, he finally agreed, saying she must have inherited his wanderlust. However, since he couldn’t just send her alone, he asked his friend John if he could help her adjust during the initial period.

“Of course, I’ll help. After all you’ve done for me.”

John gladly accepted. Viscount Harvey had not only helped John in many ways but had also sent a letter to Calix when the previous Duke of Vartica passed away, inviting him to come to Tempton to rest.

John and his wife, Linda, started helping Violet settle in, as she was the daughter of a close family. For the first month, Violet stayed at John’s estate, near the Vartica territory, but now she was looking for a house in the capital.

“Calix, help Violet find a house.”

Linda intentionally gave Calix this role because she liked Violet’s lively and cheerful personality and wanted to bring the two closer together.

“Violet, if you need anything, ask Calix. I told him to take good care of you. Don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I will. Thank you, My Lady.”

Linda, Calix, and Violet had all ridden in the same carriage, but—

“I suddenly have some business to attend to, so I’ll have to step out.”

Linda deliberately stepped away, hoping the two would get along well.

Violet had only met Duke Calix Vartica a few times since arriving here. Still, she liked him, partly because Linda had praised him so highly.

But not everything went according to Linda’s plan. Calix called Logan and Thompson, who were in town on errands, and soon, they were not two but four.

Violet approached Calix with her usual charm, but he only took care of the tasks he had been asked to do. Still, after spending a few hours together, she felt they had grown closer and began asking him for favors when Eliana Leiberte appeared.

‘So that’s Eliana Leiberte.’

Violet knew a little about Eliana—she had read about her in the news. The Crown Prince’s former fiancée.

‘The woman who was dumped for her rude behavior.’

The honest Eliana was more beautiful than Violet had expected. She didn’t seem odd or brazen like the rumors said, but rather overly cautious in her manner.

Duke Calix Vartica was watching her.

‘Even though she’s trying to leave, he’s stopping her to talk.’

Violet thought to herself.

“Shall we head to the real estate office now? If we’re any later, they might close. Duke, which real estate office around here is good?“ Violet asked Calix.

“I know a suitable place nearby. Let’s go,“ Calix replied briefly.

Linda had told Violet that the area near Calix’s second estate had good security, and it didn’t take long to decide on a house since a suitable property was available. Viscount Liam Harvey willingly provided a hefty sum for his daughter, so there was no issue with the payment.

“You’ve been so considerate of me, so before I return to my estate, I’d like to treat you all to a meal. I even found a nice restaurant this morning.“

“There’s no need to treat us,” Calix responded curtly.

“Why not? It’s my way of expressing gratitude.“

“I’ve heard that our family owes the Harvey family’s lady a favor.“

“Oh…”

Violet tensed momentarily, wondering if that meant he didn’t want to eat with her, but then she relaxed, relieved.

“I was worried you didn’t want to, Your Grace.”

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