Chapter 5 – Part 5

After completing the annulment process at the temple, Eliana arrived back home. Matilda and Paul stared at her with cold, unyielding eyes.

“Go to your room,” Count Austin commanded. With nothing else to say, Eliana made her way to her room. The stares burning into her back were intense, but she didn’t turn around.

The atmosphere in the Leiberte household felt dark and heavy as if clouds had gathered indoors, even though it wasn’t nighttime. Mila stood by the door, clearly concerned for Eliana.

“Mila,” Eliana called, turning to her.

“Could you bring Becky and Doris to my room? I think it’s time to organize a few things.”

Eliana immediately sorted out the items she had received from the palace, so Mila quickly brought the maids.

“Bring me the large bags.”

Eliana began taking out all the gifts she had carefully stored from the palace. They had been treasured deeply, kept in the back of her closet.

‘They still look brand new, despite how much I cherished them.’

Although Cedric dismissed them as inexpensive, they were indeed valuable and of high quality.

The dresses, hand-stitched with exquisite craftsmanship, were adorned with layers of expensive ribbons and floral decorations. Though not as opulent as the jewelry worn by the Empress, the jewelry was still quite precious.

“Make sure you pack everything, not leaving a single item behind,” Eliana instructed.

“Are you planning to store them elsewhere, my lady?” Mila asked.

“No, I don’t want to keep them. I’m going to sell everything.”

“Sell them?“ Mila repeated, surprised.

“Yes, I will.“

“Are you sure about this?”

“Yes, I am,“ Eliana nodded, then began to move first. The maids quickly followed suit, packing up the items.

These things had been gifted to Eliana Leiberte; as such, they were hers to do with as she pleased. No one could interfere with her decision.

Working together, the four of them swiftly sorted through the items. Once everything was cleared out, the wardrobe felt almost empty, starkly contrasting to how it had been before.

“Everything’s so clean now. I feel so relieved,”

Eliana murmured, wiping away the sweat that had formed from the effort. As a gesture of appreciation, she handed out 20 gold coins to each maid. Mila hesitated, unsure whether it was right to accept the money for cleaning up something that wasn’t exactly a joyous task, but Eliana reassured her it was fine. By then, the evening had already settled in.

The silence at dinner was heavy.

“Father, I’ve organized all the personal items I received from the palace. I plan to sell everything,“ Eliana announced after the meal.

The Count hesitated for a moment.

“Sell them? You mean you’ll get rid of everything?“ he asked.

“Yes, there’s no reason to keep them anymore.”

Eliana could feel Matilda and Paul’s ears prick up at the mention of money.

“They are your possessions, so…”

Despite saying this, the Count’s expression suggested he was struggling with the idea.

“As you deal with this, think about what you’ll do next with your life,“ the Count added, revealing his frustration at the uncertainty of Eliana’s future. Paul glanced at Matilda, his eyes silently complaining.

‘Why does Eliana get to keep everything from the palace, Mother?’

His thoughts were clear, even without words.

‘Even over such things, you’re greedy beyond measure,‘ Matilda seemed to think, judging from her expression.

No single person in her family could guess Eliana’s true intentions or feelings. But even so, she didn’t feel weighed down. Instead, she felt lighter, knowing that others didn’t need to understand her to find peace within herself.

‘After all, I’ve finally broken free from the shackles that bound me.’

***

The lessons Eliana usually attended had been abruptly halted. The one responsible was Matilda.

“Since she won’t be going to the palace anymore, there’s no reason for her to continue with advanced lessons. Focus on Sylvia instead, tutor.”

They expected Eliana to be upset, but she was pretty pleased with the increased free time.

During the day, she read the books she wanted and took time to organize her thoughts on everything that had happened. She recorded everything meticulously so that she could look back on it later if needed.

Time passed quickly, and before she knew it, night had fallen. Eliana took a walk in the garden. The garden, filled with flowers planted for every season, was beautiful even at night.

‘It was just a thin crescent moon not too long ago…’

Now, a bright full moon hung in the sky. Eliana sat on a bench, basking in the moonlight, when she heard footsteps behind her.

‘Who could it be?’

When she turned around, she saw Mila approaching.

“My lady, you have a guest.“

“A guest? Who is it?“

“Duke Calix is waiting outside. Should I invite him in?“

“No, it’s better if I go out to meet him.”

Eliana rose from her seat immediately. She saw Calix standing alone in the moonlight when she stepped outside the gate.

“Calix.”

He was the one person who had truly shared his heart with her before the annulment. Though she had imagined he might be interested in her situation, she hadn’t expected him to visit in person.

Eliana was genuinely glad to see him. After Mila left, the two of them were alone.

“Would you like to come inside?“ she asked, feeling it wouldn’t be proper to keep him standing outside.

But he shook his head. Just as Eliana found the indoors stifling, it seemed Calix didn’t want to go inside either.

“Then let’s take a walk,“ she suggested.

Eliana and Calix began walking along the tall walls of the estate, and the sound of their footsteps was the only thing breaking the silence.

They walked until they were far from the back gate, where Eliana finally stopped. The world felt utterly still, as if they were the only two people. The faint light allowed them to see each other’s faces only after their eyes adjusted to the darkness.

‘Did I bring him somewhere too dark…?’

Eliana had thought it would be easier to talk outside, but now she wondered if it was too dim for a proper conversation.

“What is it?”

Calix spoke in a low voice.

“Are you afraid of the dark?“ he asked, misinterpreting her hesitation.

“Would you banish the darkness if I said I was scared?“ she asked with a touch of humor, but Calix’s serious expression didn’t waver.

“I could,“ he replied with a shrug. Though they exchanged the words lightly, there was truth in his statement. Facing the darkness was something Calix was much more accustomed to than dealing with light. He stepped back, gesturing for Eliana to come closer. The moonlight illuminated his face more clearly now.

“Eliana, how are you feeling?“ he asked, his voice gentle but concerned.

“I feel good. Not that anyone would believe it.“

“Looking at you, I can tell you really do. You seem much more at ease.“

“Did you come to congratulate me on my newfound freedom?“

‘Congratulate…’

He could have done that since Eliana had told him she wanted the annulment, but that wasn’t entirely what he felt. The articles that splashed across every newspaper, the details he’d heard from Logan—everything about the annulment had made Calix want to see her.

‘Now, I can finally see the Eliana Leiberte I’ve always known, unbound by anyone…’

After the decision to annul the engagement, it became more apparent than ever. He had allowed Eliana to pursue Cedric all this time, thinking it was what she wanted. But deep down, he had never indeed been at peace with it. Calix’s gaze fell on Eliana’s slender fingers.

“Oh, this…“ Eliana raised her hand, showing it to him.

“There’s no ring anymore.”

“…”

“They took it back. Just as I plan to get rid of everything I received from His Highness, he’ll probably do whatever he wants with my ring—burn it, throw it away, anything to ensure I can never wear it again. My finger feels so light now, and I love it.”

Eliana smiled, a serene expression free from any burdens. It was a face that naturally made him want to smile back.

“Congratulations on your annulment.”

Calix hadn’t come to comfort her. Nor did Eliana need his comfort.

“Everyone treats me like my world has ended, but not you. I’m glad. I have so much I want to do now. I’m more motivated than ever.”

Eliana chattered on, sharing her plans with Calix. It seemed she had needed someone to talk to about all this.

‘She’s so talkative with me just listening quietly…’

Eliana, finally free, radiated happiness. Calix quietly watched her, taking in the sight.

‘Now, there’s nothing that ties you to the palace. You’re no longer the Crown Prince’s fiancée.’

The realization made his heart twinge. Unlike with other noble ladies, he wouldn’t have to ignore how his heart reacted to Eliana.

“I have a gift for you.“

Calix’s crimson eyes gleamed with a deeper intensity.

“A gift? What is it?”

Calix handed her a box heavy in her hands.

“Open it after I leave.”

Eliana accepted it with curiosity, holding the gift gently in both hands.

“I want to open it here.“

“After I leave.“

“Alright, I’ll do that.”

After a short walk, Calix escorted Eliana back to the front of the estate.

“Goodnight.“

“Goodnight, Calix.”

He thought she had gone inside but remained behind the door until his carriage was out of sight. The carriage carrying Calix disappeared quickly as if he had never been there. The moment she stepped back inside, the suffocating atmosphere of the house returned.

‘The difference between the cool air outside and this place is staggering.’

Eliana opened the gift Calix had left her. Inside the box was a bottle of liquor.

‘It’s a drink meant for a celebratory toast!’

Eliana immediately poured herself a glass. Though the alcohol was strong, she loved the sharp, spreading aroma.

‘It would’ve been nice to drink this together.’

With that thought, she poured herself a second glass, promising to save the rest for later.

TL NOTE: A more advanced chapter of this story is already up on the site. Visit dusk blossoms for more advanced chapters and stories.