The Abandoned Empress Decided to Become a Villainess

Chapter 19 – Part 6

Before them stretched an endless emerald sea. It gleamed in the light, sometimes even deeper blue than Eliana’s eyes.

The sea of Moira was beautiful, but the waters around Nisios Island were vivid with diverse colors—sometimes bright, sometimes dark, and sometimes so clear they tempted one to reach out and touch.

“The sea on Nisios Island is charming, don’t you think, Your Majesty?”

Eliana addressed Calix behind her, using honorifics.

“Are we not in the palace, my Empress?”

Calix stepped beside her with a smile. The sight of his smile, reserved just for her, never ceased to dazzle her.

“Oh, right.”

“I actually love it when you speak to me like before, Eliana.”

After their marriage, Eliana began addressing Calix more formally, but he told her he preferred it when she spoke casually. Though Eliana believed formality was necessary for his status, Calix’s wish made her reconsider.

“Then, how about formal speech in front of others?”

“Agreed.”

They had reached that compromise and were now alone on their honeymoon.

Logan had proposed assigning several guards to the trip, but Calix refused.

“I want it to be just us.”

“But that won’t do, Your Majesty.”

“This is a place Eliana had always wanted to visit. I can protect Eliana alone, so don’t worry.”

“You already spend every moment together, yet you wish to reduce the escort staff further?”

“You already know the answer.”

Logan shook his head with an air of disbelief.

“Well then, let’s try this instead, Your Majesty.”

Logan proposed a new approach. They would travel to the island with a contingent of imperial guards but arrange separate accommodations so the couple could be alone within a designated space.

“We will remain outside the building.”

It was a reasonable solution, and Calix agreed.

“Eliana, it seems like using formal speech has become a habit for me,” Eliana said, linking her arm in Calix’s and looking up at him. His solid build always gave her a sense of safety.

‘I feel like he’d protect me no matter what happened.’

She felt content and fulfilled knowing Calix was her husband, the one person she could hold such thoughts about.

‘Though nothing dangerous could ever happen on this peaceful island.’

A breeze swept through, rustling Eliana’s hat, which looked like it might blow away. Calix held it gently in place.

“The weather’s perfect. Let’s explore more of the island.”

Calix nodded.

Everywhere they walked was breathtakingly beautiful.

Calix knew this was the place Eliana had considered moving to, leaving everything behind in Moira. Quiet and utterly peaceful, no one here knew her, so she could have lived a life under a new identity if she’d wanted. She had craved such a place. The thought that he could have lost her to such a remote paradise sent a shiver through him.

‘I would have found her somehow, though.’

No matter where Eliana went, he’d follow her to the ends of the earth.

Knowing it was her long-dreamed-of destination, Eliana was bursting with excitement. She constantly remarked on how colorful the landscape was or how fresh the food tasted.

Calix, however, noticed nothing but Eliana’s delight.

“Are you that happy?” he asked.

“Yes, it’s just like the book described. Exotic and serene, like it belongs to another world. I wondered what it would feel like, and it’s exactly as I imagined.”

“You love Nisios Island so much that I’m starting to get jealous,” Calix teased.

“What?”

Eliana assumed he was joking.

“Are you jealous of an island?”

But Calix’s gaze was anything but playful.

“Oh…”

Realizing what he meant, Eliana softened. She had once intended to escape to this place alone, leaving Calix behind, and now that memory was probably surfacing for him.

“You silly man,” she chided, pouting a little.

“What? Are you calling me silly?”

“Yes, Calix, you’re silly.”

“Why?”

“That was a long time ago. I’m so happy to be here now because I’m here with you.”

“…”

“If I had come alone, I wouldn’t be as thrilled as I am now. I’d probably regret coming to a beautiful place like this without you. Don’t you understand that?”

Her words were filled with sincerity. She wasn’t saying this just to comfort him; it was all true.

‘I struggled to change my plans because I knew I’d regret it if I left without him after he confessed his feelings.’

“This island is beautiful, Eliana. It’s full of sights you’d never see in Moira.”

“…”

“But to me, nothing is more beautiful than you. Understand that you’re the only thing I can truly see.”

“…”

“When I look at you, everything else around me fades.”

Since opening his heart to her, Calix has expressed countless times that there is nothing he would trade for Eliana in this world. No matter how precious or irreplaceable, it all paled next to her.

It was a love so wholehearted that it sometimes left her wondering if she was worthy of it. Yet it was unwavering and endless.

“I know. I do.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

“That’s why I wanted to come here with you. This place is like a secret treasure for me, and I’m glad to share it with you.”

A delighted smile spread across Calix’s face.

The night began to fall. Eliana dipped her toes in the sea one last time, wanting to feel the sparkling water before the sun disappeared completely.

They returned to their room, where attendants were waiting to assist them.

After guiding them inside, one of the attendants asked, “Would you like to take a bath first? A separate bath area has been prepared, and assistance is available if you wish.”

Eliana entered the bath. The room was so spacious that sounds echoed. She politely declined the offer of assistance. Washing up was fine, but her heart suddenly began to race at the thought of sharing a room with Calix.

Since his coronation, although she stayed at the palace, her room had always been separate from his.

‘Marriage…’

The idea of sharing the same space through the night left her feeling a bit unsettled. From today, they would genuinely be husband and wife.

‘Calix and I as a married couple…’

“Eliana.”

Just then, Calix’s voice came from outside the bathroom door. Hearing it as she’d thought about him made her jump a little.

“Yes? I’m in here, Calix.”

“You’ve been in there for a while. I just wanted to check if everything was alright.”

“Oh, I’m fine. I’ll be out now.”

Eliana stepped out, her cheeks flushed.

“Let’s go to our room.”

A large bed was prepared. Eliana sat on the edge carefully, and Calix gently pulled her to lie beside him, facing him. Their faces were unexpectedly close, but Eliana didn’t turn away. Though shy, she had no reason to dislike it—she was happy just looking at him.

Calix gently stroked her cheek.

“Were you warm?”

“No.”

“Your face is red.”

‘I wish he’d pretend not to notice.’

But he didn’t.

“It’s not because I’m warm.”

“So, is it because of me?”

“…Yes.”

Calix’s heart swelled at her answer.

“Eliana, do you remember when we made a wish at our estate?”

His words brought the memory back to her.

‘The statue of the goddess Datria… yes, I remember making a wish then.’

“Yes, I remember.”

“My wish came true.”

“What did you wish for?”

“I wished to be with you forever.”

“That’s amazing! It really did come true?”

Eliana marveled in genuine awe.

Calix, however, felt overwhelming happiness rather than amazement. The statue was indeed believed to have mystical powers, but even if it hadn’t granted his wish, he knew he would have made it happen somehow.

No matter what, he had always been determined to make it so. The intensity of his feelings for Eliana even surprised him.

“I want to kiss you,” he whispered.

Eliana blinked her wide eyes at his low voice, giving him permission. Calix slowly brushed his lips over her forehead, then her nose, and finally her lips. His touch conveyed respect, love, and longing, making her shiver as before.

Gradually, there was no place his lips hadn’t touched. Eliana accepted his warmth fully, surrendering herself to him.

‘I’ve waited for this moment. For so long, through difficult times, even through sorrowful moments…’

Calix held her tightly.

“I love you, Eliana.”

“I do too…”

“I’d love to hear you say it aloud, as naturally as you speak in formal language.”

He whispered close to her ear.

“I want to hear it.”

“There’s no reason I wouldn’t say it.”

“Say it now, so I won’t feel uncertain.”

His anxieties existed solely around her.

“I love you, Calix. I’ll love only you, forever.”