Chapter 11 – Part 5

The emperor hadn’t ordered the festival to stop despite the sudden incident with the royal family, so the people resumed enjoying the Founding Day festivities. Though many had seen Cedric collapse, the lack of further news about his condition caused the topic to fade into vague murmurs.

‘Where should I go next?’

Eliana began to slowly explore the festival.

‘I could never imagine going to so many different places during the event.’

Everything felt new and exciting to her now. It was essentially her first Founding Day, where she could freely move about, so she eagerly roamed from one place to another.

‘Wow, that’s pretty.’

Her eyes were drawn to some jewelry at a street vendor’s stall. Although they weren’t made with genuine gemstones, the designs were beautiful.

“Did you design these yourself?”

“Yes, I did. I made them all by hand,“ the vendor replied with a smile.

“They’re so pretty. You must be very talented.“

“Thank you for the compliment. Of course, they don’t compare to the real gemstones worn by nobles, but they’re lightweight and practical. Many people collect them as souvenirs. Some even buy a new piece every year.”

“Can I try one on?“

“Of course! Feel free to try on as many as you like.”

Eliana tried on a silver bracelet.

“With your slender wrists, it looks perfect on you. Here, try this one too. It’s as blue as your eyes.”

At the vendor’s skilled suggestion, Eliana tried on several pieces. She had intended to choose just one, but deciding was difficult.

“Shall I help you decide?”

At that moment, a familiar voice came from behind her. Eliana turned to see Calix standing nearby, though she hadn’t noticed when he arrived. It was the first time she had seen him since he had helped repair her house.

“How long have you been standing there?“

“Since you started struggling to decide.”

Calix flashed a charming smile, clearly pleased to see her.

“You could’ve said something.”

Eliana became more conscious of her behavior around him for reasons different from before. She didn’t know what expression to show or how to act around him, and she had become increasingly self-aware of her reactions toward him.

“If I’m interrupting your decision-making, I’ll step aside.“

“No, it’s fine.“

“Really? Hmm.”

Calix glanced at the two bracelets Eliana was considering.

“Which one do you think looks nicer?“

“They’re both beautiful.“

“That’s why I can’t decide.“

“Why bother deciding? Just take both.”

Before she could protest, Calix paid for both bracelets. It was a modest sum compared to authentic jewelry, but Eliana grabbed his arm in surprise.

“Why are you doing this?“

“Because I want to.“

“But…“

“Don’t overthink it. It’s not that serious.”

Realizing that her hesitation stemmed from their complex feelings, Calix preemptively drew a line, reassuring her not to read too much into his gesture.

“It’s just a bracelet. Founding Day is a time to buy things like this. If it feels like too much, you can always buy me something in return.“

“……“

“Here.”

Calix handed her the bag containing the bracelets.

“Come on, take it. My arm’s going to fall off.“

“Thank you.”

Now that she thought about it, this was the first gift she had ever received during Founding Day. She had never begged for things like this as a child, and even as she neared adulthood, it had been the same.

“This is the first time I’ve ever gotten something like this.“

“It’s the first time I’ve given something, too. It’s nice that it’s a first for both of us.”

With the bag clutched tightly in her hand, they walked around the festival, taking in the sights. Everything was from balloons strung high for the children to masks meant to liven up the festive mood. After a while, they came across an ice cream stand.

“Do you want some ice cream? It’s on me,“ Eliana said.

The two of them each held an ice cream cone. The sweet treat tasted delicious, and Eliana couldn’t help but exclaim after her first lick.

“This is so good.”

Calix couldn’t take his eyes off Eliana, who marveled at the bracelet and the ice cream.

“It’s going to melt. Devour it.“

“Okay.”

He took a bite of his ice cream.

“It’s sweet.”

Seeing the ice cream in his hand felt somewhat strange to her. She always pictured him wielding a large, heavy sword whenever she thought of him.

“If you don’t like it, give it to me.“

“I didn’t say I didn’t like it. If you eat two, you’ll get a stomachache.“

“I was just saying.“

“Haha.”

They walked through the crowd, a cool breeze blowing around them. As more and more people gathered, their shoulders naturally drew closer together. At first, the closeness felt awkward, but it soon became comfortable.

At one point, Eliana almost bumped into a child recklessly running around.

“Be careful.”

Without hesitation, Calix reached out and protected her. Even though all he did was stretch out his arm, it felt as if there was no one better suited to shield her.

After walking for a while, they reached a deep lake near the edge of the festival grounds. By the lake was a fountain that was spraying water higher than usual today. Many people were sitting nearby, enjoying the spectacle.

“Calix, let’s sit there.”

Luckily, there was a good spot open. It seemed like the perfect place to rest, so they sat side by side. A band played nearby, the pleasant sound of the music softly reaching their ears.

‘It’s so peaceful.’

Watching the children run around and listening to the music put Eliana in a good mood. As she relaxed and closed her eyes, water droplets from the fountain lightly splashed onto the hem of her dress. She casually brushed the moisture off.

“If Mila saw this, she’d be horrified that you got your perfectly ironed dress dirty.“

“Let’s switch seats.”

Eliana shook her head at Calix’s suggestion.

“No, I actually like it. It’s refreshing.”

She smiled as she spoke.

Calix couldn’t take his eyes off her innocent, unguarded smile. Since childhood, he had always been swept up in Eliana’s emotions.

“I’m really grateful. This is the first time I’ve had such delicious food.”

“Really? Have more, there’s plenty.”

“Can I?”

“Of course.”

Eliana had always been deeply grateful for the smallest kindnesses and was happy with even the simplest of meals. That image of her, so quickly delighted by small joys, was etched into Calix’s memory.

When she was saddest, he had always wanted to bring that smile back to her. For a moment, though, he wondered if he could no longer be the one to do that. Now, it felt like the opportunity was near once again.

The only difference between his long-held hopes and reality was that she had found her smile on her own this time.

‘If that’s the case, I want to help her grow that happiness—even more, from right by her side… not from afar.’

As he thought this, a twinge tugged at one side of his heart. It was a mix of joy that he hadn’t lost her entirely and the frustration that, even now, she wasn’t entirely within his grasp.

“Eliana, when you smile, it makes me smile too as if it’s contagious.”

At Calix’s quiet words, Eliana turned from the fountain to look at him. His gaze was precisely as his words described.

‘Eyes that are happy just from being near me.’

Calix had expressed his feelings to her many times before. Only after hearing it so often did Eliana feel the depth of his emotions. His red eyes, looking at her as if she were something precious, conveyed an undeniable sincerity.

‘No one has ever looked at me like that before.‘

“I want you to be happy, Eliana.“

“I want the same for you, Calix, and I’m happy now.“

“I know. I can tell just by looking at your face. Just knowing you don’t cry anymore shows me that.“

“……“

“But I want you to stay by my side while you’re happy.”

Once again, Calix’s confession was conveyed, and her heart sank.

He didn’t say, ‘Don’t leave me,’ but he didn’t want Eliana to go to Nisios Island. He wouldn’t mention it carelessly because he knew it was something she wanted. But even without saying it, she could feel it.

‘He doesn’t want me to go far away—or even close—anywhere he’s not.’

The first time he confessed, she could easily reject him.

‘Changing my plans was out of the question back then.’

As soon as she defied death, she formed a plan to live a new life with her strength. She wanted to achieve that dream more than anything.

‘Even surviving death doesn’t make anything easy.’

Eliana sighed briefly to herself.

Unlike before, telling him it would be difficult this time wasn’t easy.

‘No, Calix. I’m going to Nisios Island.’

The fact that she couldn’t bring herself to say it surprised her.

‘In front of the only person in this world who looks at me with such eyes, it’s no longer easy to say things like that.‘

“What am I going to do with you?”