Chapter 11 – Part 2

“Calix…”

“Whether you accept me or not, my feelings won’t change. No matter how much time passes, it will stay the same.”

He let out a short breath.

“After all, I’ve been waiting since we were young.“

‘He’s been waiting for me all this time?’

His confession felt even more poignant than the last.

Calix said his feelings for her weren’t recent but had been growing for a long time. Even without specifying the time, Eliana immediately understood that he was talking about feelings that had started long before her engagement, perhaps years ago.

And yet, she had made a baseless assumption about him. It was as though she had dismissed his feelings as something light and insignificant.

“I feel like I’ve been so foolish.”

At her self-deprecating words, Calix simply looked at the scars on her hands as if gently touching each one with his eyes.

“Just by looking at the wounds on your hands, I can tell how foolish you’ve been.”

“...”

“If you’d only asked me for help, you wouldn’t have a scar.”

Calix reached out his hand.

“Huh?“

“Give me your hand.“

“Why…? I put ointment on it, so it’s fine.”

But Calix didn’t pull back. He kept his hand outstretched, gesturing lightly. When Eliana didn’t offer her hand, he gently took hold of her fingertips.

Calix gazed at the scars on Eliana’s hand, almost as if caressing them with his eyes. His gaze felt so much like a touch that Eliana quickly withdrew her hand.

“Really, it’s fine.“

“...”

‘If it were up to me, I’d kiss your fingertips. No, even that wouldn’t be enough.’

But Calix felt frustrated, knowing he couldn’t do that.

‘You seem like you could disappear at any moment.’

This incident made Calix realize the depth of his feelings for Eliana once again. He wouldn’t let the same misunderstanding happen twice, as he had promised her. No more favors for the sake of mere acquaintances.

“Isn’t this place too small compared to the Leiberte estate?”

This was the house she had found on her own. Though she had likely chosen it after careful consideration, it looked far too cramped to Calix’s eyes.

“No, even though the old house was bigger, my personal space was smaller than this. It was inconvenient to leave my room. Now, I can arrange things however I want, which feels nice.“

“...”

“Why, does it seem strange?”

Calix shook his head.

“If you’re happy, that’s all that matters. But if you need help, let me know.“

“There’s not much left to do. I hired someone yesterday and—”

Just as she was about to say that everything was almost finished, there was a loud crash as the shelf where she had placed some items tilted and fell. Fortunately, nothing fragile had broken, but the living room was now scattered with items.

Startled by the noise, Mila rushed inside.

“Oh my, are you both okay? You didn’t get hurt, did you?”

Mila hurried to clean up the mess on the floor.

“Your place doesn’t seem quite as finished as you said.”

Calix stood up from his chair. Before Eliana could stop him, he picked up the fallen shelf.

“The brackets were installed incorrectly.“

“Please, Duke, leave it to me,“ Mila said, waving her hands dismissively.

“Hold on.”

Calix went outside and brought someone back. After a few hammer strikes from one of his men, the shelf was securely fastened and wouldn’t fall again.

“You didn’t have to go through all that trouble,“ Eliana said.

“Let me at least do this. You said you felt bad about misunderstanding me, didn’t you?“

“Feeling bad doesn’t mean making you do work.“

“Then are you going to make it up to me some other way?”

Calix shrugged his shoulders.

‘She feels bad?’

As Mila tidied up, she couldn’t help but listen to the conversation between the two. In truth, even outside, her attention had been focused on them.

‘What could Lady Eliana possibly feel bad about with the Duke?’

It felt as though something unknown to her had stirred between the two. The Duke’s sudden visit and his entering without permission were unusual behaviors of him.

Even now, Duke Calix was eager to help, while Eliana insisted it wasn’t necessary. Usually, one wouldn’t refuse such a kind offer so firmly.

‘Hiring help is fine, but if the Duke is willing to assist, it would be perfect for the lady,‘ Mila thought.

Mila hoped that Calix and Eliana would grow closer.

‘I’ve always prayed for a good man to appear for my lady instead of the Crown Prince who treated her so coldly.’

That had been Mila’s nightly prayer before she went to sleep. If that good man happened to be Duke Calix, there would be nothing more to wish for.

Even after fixing the shelf, Calix didn’t leave the house.

After the move, he found other things that still needed attention, not just the shelf but even the door that didn’t close properly.

Eliana found it impressive how easily Calix noticed such details.

“You seem to have sharper eyes than I do.“

“It’s only natural.“

“Why is that?“

“Because I care about you more than you care about me.“

“…”

Eliana felt both grateful and guilty at his words.

“You seem to be deep in thought.“

“Yes, that’s true.”

“It’s much better than not thinking about me at all.”

Calix gazed at her with such intensity that Eliana felt awkward and flustered. Her ears heated up as she instinctively turned her head away. To distract herself, she fiddled with the end of the curtain.

After Calix left Eliana’s house, Mila bombarded her with questions.

“Come on, My Lady. You have to tell me! I have so many questions!”

Unable to resist Mila’s eager prodding, Eliana told her everything that had happened—from the confession to the rejection and the misunderstandings.

* * *

Since the morning, there had been commotion outside. Today was the Founding Festival, and its excitement had reached even Eliana’s home.

The Founding Festival was the second most important holiday in the Moira Empire after the Emperor’s birthday. It was celebrated as a joyous occasion for all, and instead of being held at the Imperial Palace, it took place in the heart of the capital’s bustling streets. Both nobles and commoners could participate without restriction.

The Leiberte family had never missed a Founding Festival event since the previous generations. As such, Eliana was also required to attend the festival.

“My Lady, are you going to the Founding Festival today?“ Mila asked.

“Well, I’m still deciding whether to go this year.“

“Well, you don’t have to attend out of obligation anymore. But since it’s so close, you could walk and look around. They’ve set up many stalls, and I heard it will be even grander than last year.“

“Really?“

‘With the move finally finished, maybe I can relax and enjoy myself.‘

“Then let’s go out later.“

“That sounds great, miss.”

In truth, Mila really wanted to enjoy the festival, and she beamed with joy.

* * *

At the same time, Rachel was getting dressed from head to toe at the Slonian estate.

“My hair looks awful! I told you to pay more attention,“ Rachel snapped irritably at her maid, Bella.

“I’m sorry, My Lady. I did my best…“

“This is your best?”

Rachel responded with frustration, making Bella’s efforts feel futile.

“I’m sorry. I’ll redo it.“

“Forget it. Call another maid.“

“Yes, My Lady.”

A dejected Bella brought another maid.

“Redo it. From the start.”

Rachel commanded the new maid.

All morning, Rachel had been ordering Bella to style her hair up and down, repeatedly dissatisfied with every attempt. She was on edge, determined to impress the Emperor and Empress at the Founding Festival.

“Should I put your hair up?“ the maid asked.

“No. Curl it naturally and leave it down. When it’s up, it makes my face look too severe.“

“Yes, My Lady.”

The maid tried her best again, but Rachel still wasn’t pleased. She inspected the finished look in the mirror, turning her head from side to side.

‘This still doesn’t look right.’

Her thick pink hair, flawless pale skin, and large green eyes made for an extraordinary combination. Even her slender face and slightly pointed chin gave her a striking appearance. But still, she was unsatisfied.

She knew all too well that her face was exceedingly beautiful. But the thought of Cedric formally presenting her to the royal family made everything seem inadequate today.

‘It’s because the Imperial Palace didn’t summon me sooner,‘ Rachel thought resentfully.

‘Even though His Highness introduced me confidently at the Marchioness Madrino’s party, the royal family ignored me.’

It felt like complete disregard. When she danced with Cedric during the party, it seemed like she’d be entering the palace immediately, but something about the atmosphere changed.

“Your Highness Cedric, does the Emperor not like me?”

Unable to hold back her anxiety, Rachel eventually asked.

“No, that’s not it.”

Though he said this, Cedric frowned as he answered.

“It doesn’t seem like that to me.”

“..“

“Do you think I’m not good enough for you, Your Highness?”

She had expected some reaction but hadn’t thought she’d be so thoroughly ignored. She hadn’t even been granted an audience; instead, she only sensed negative things being said. Even without Cedric saying everything, Rachel could pick up on that much.

“You’re not lacking. Why are you thinking such unnecessary thoughts?”

Cedric furrowed his brow.

“But…”

“Whatever happens, on the day of the Founding Festival, I’ll bring you to the royal family’s seats. Everyone will be there, and I’ll introduce you formally.”

Cedric’s words somewhat eased her uneasy heart. He gently stroked her slender back.

“Just do as I say, Rachel. Don’t worry about anything else.”

With a firm voice, Cedric looked at Rachel. She had no choice but to trust him. No, Cedric was all she could rely on.

Rumors had already spread that Rachel had been involved with Cedric before he broke off his engagement with Eliana. To silence the gossip, the next step had to be taken quickly.

The royal family had always criticized Eliana for not being good enough. Rachel had witnessed all of it from the sidelines. As she watched Eliana cry in sadness, a part of Rachel’s mind thought she was pitiful.

“It’s because you’re so lacking that the royal family reacts that way. If they’re constantly pointing out the same flaws, maybe it’s your problem, Eliana.”

On the surface, she comforted the heartbroken Eliana, but in her heart, she sneered.

‘If I were in your place, I’d never receive such harsh judgments.’

Rachel had always been confident. Though she had less wealth than Eliana’s family, she had always been more popular and loved.

But now, Rachel had to worry about pleasing the royal family.

‘Eliana, who was so lacking, could go in and out of the palace easily, but why haven’t I ever been called? How does this make any sense?’

No matter how unfair it felt, nothing changed. She hadn’t been granted an audience; all she could do was wait and hope Cedric would act.

“Lady Rachel, how do you feel about this look? Are you ready to go to the Founding Festival like this?“ the maid cautiously asked. Rachel didn’t respond immediately, inspecting herself in the mirror instead. Even though she wasn’t entirely satisfied, time was running short.

‘Rachel, you’re perfect for the role of Empress. You’re more beautiful than anyone else. Don’t be nervous. There’s no woman more suited to be Empress of Moira than you.’

She repeated the affirmation to herself, staring into the mirror.