Chapter 7 – Part 6

“Does that answer your question?” Calix asked.

“…Yes.”

It was colder, sharper, and far more menacing than she was used to seeing from him. Calix had rarely allowed his feelings about Cedric to surface, even around her. But Cedric’s behavior had gone too far, shattering Calix’s restraint until now. There was no reason for him to bow down like a meek lamb when Cedric acted like he would strike at any moment.

“If he tries to cut me down, I’ll strike back. Don’t worry about it. If it’s fate for us to clash, then so be it,” Calix said resolutely.

Eliana remained silent.

“The Crown Prince knows I have a sword, too. He won’t act recklessly. Trust me,” Calix added, his voice calm but firm.

He had already prepared for whatever more significant conflict might come. Calix was ready, even for a confrontation that could shake the foundations of everything.

“He won’t be able to harm you, either,” Eliana clarified, her voice soft but steady.

Calix’s lips curved slightly into a smile.

“Exactly,” he replied.

As he spoke, Calix reached out to touch one of the flowers Eliana had admired earlier. Their hands brushed briefly, the tips of their fingers grazing. The moment felt oddly intimate despite being friends, sending a strange flutter through Eliana’s heart. She quickly pulled her hand back.

“These flowers are the same as the ones in our family’s garden,” Calix remarked. “Your taste hasn’t changed, Eliana. You loved these flowers the most back then, too.”

“You remember that?“ she asked, surprised he recalled such a minor detail.

Even though it had been a long time, Calix still remembered the flowers she had once praised for their beauty—flowers that she had almost forgotten.

“The colors are so beautiful. I’m still amazed every time I see them. Aren’t you?“

“Yes,“ Calix replied softly. Though in his heart, he thought,

‘You’re more beautiful, Eliana.’

“Is the garden at your estate still the same?“ Eliana asked. After Calix had retreated into seclusion, she couldn’t visit his estate. Later, as she became engaged to another man, she never had a reason to go. But now, she could freely express her curiosity again.

“What do you think my garden is like now?“ Calix asked in response.

“I’m sure it’s even more magnificent than before. Your steward, Lamont, was always so dedicated to keeping it beautiful,“ Eliana answered, her voice filled with hope and expectation.

However, a shadow of bitterness passed over Calix’s face. During his seclusion, no one—besides a few of his family members—had set foot on the estate. The once-vibrant atmosphere had changed entirely, as if the mansion had been cloaked in darkness. The garden, which had once flourished in all seasons, still stood, but it no longer shone with the same brilliance as it had before.

‘As if it knows its master is gone…’

No matter how many lanterns were lit, the estate still felt enveloped in shadows.

“If you’re thinking of how it used to be, you’ll be surprised,“ Calix said, his voice carrying a quiet melancholy.

Eliana’s heart sank at his words, a sense of unease settling in.

“Is it gone?“ Eliana asked hesitantly.

“No, it’s still there. But it’s changed a lot,“ Calix replied.

“…I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.“

“You don’t need to apologize,“ Calix reassured her.

“It’s only natural if you remember how it used to be. You haven’t seen it since.”

Even though Calix said there was no need for an apology, Eliana couldn’t help but feel guilty. She hadn’t considered how much Calix must have suffered during that time, and she thought she had carelessly touched upon painful memories.

“Perhaps it’s because no one is left to love or care for it,“ Eliana mused softly.

Calix remained silent.

“Maybe, if you were to visit, it might change,“ he added, his voice filled with a quiet hope.

Eliana’s eyes brightened at his words, her expression showing she welcomed the hidden meaning behind them. The estate, which had been closed off to everyone since the incident, now had a special guest standing right before him—the only one he wished to invite.

“Can I go?“ she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.

Calix paused for a moment, then nodded.

“You’re always welcome.”

Eliana beamed, her face lighting up with joy. Seeing her like that, Calix felt that even if she hadn’t wanted to visit, he still wanted to invite her.

The tightly closed gates of his estate had remained shut even after Calix had emerged from his seclusion. He had conducted all his interactions outside, keeping the estate sealed. But Eliana Leiberte was an exception.

“When will you invite me? Hm?“ Eliana asked, her voice bubbling with excitement.

Just then, Calix’s hand moved closer, his fingers brushing Eliana’s hair.

‘What is he doing?‘ she wondered. But soon, she realized. Calix plucked a flower petal from her hair and held it out to her. At that very moment, the sound of a bell rang in the distance, signaling the end of the party. The dancing had come to an end, and the final social gathering of the evening was about to begin.

“Just say the word anytime. I’ll always accept your invitation,“ Calix said.

Eliana turned toward the direction of the mansion, smiling.

“This time, I won’t leave early.”

Trying to avoid repeating her earlier mistake, she added playfully,

“Unless, of course, you want me to.“

“Who said that?“ Calix replied with a slight smirk.

“You’ll kick me out if you get tired of me?“

“No, let’s go together.”

Their shadows stretched out side by side in the garden, growing longer and eventually merging into one.

***

Meanwhile, the nobles engaged in conversation, and Rachel stood confidently beside Cedric, eager to be involved. She refused to step away from his side, fully aware that not everyone viewed her favorably. Because of this, Rachel raised her chin even higher, determined to hold her ground.

Noah remained by their side, assisting them.

‘Sigh’

His heart felt heavy.

‘The Empress will soon hear about the incident with the Marquis of Norte…‘ he thought, deeply concerned.

Although Cedric seemed unconcerned, today, he had seriously offended the Norte family. Until now, the royal family had enjoyed good relations with the House of Norte.

But today, Cedric had not only ignored the Marquis but had also made Christina Norte cry. After Cedric had stormed out with Rachel in a show of defiance, Christina had been left in tears.

“His Highness, the Crown Prince doesn’t care about other people’s feelings,“ muttered Elesio, who had witnessed everything nearby. He made sure Noah could hear his snide remark.

“That’s not true, Your Highness,“ Noah replied politely, trying to defuse the situation as he apologized to the Marquis and consoled Christina Norte.

“Not true? You saw it all yourself, and yet you can say that?“

“There seems to have been a misunderstanding today—“

“A misunderstanding? You think it’s a misunderstanding that he’s openly parading Rachel Slonian around?”

Noah had no words in response. He could only close his mouth, knowing that continuing the conversation with Elesio would lead to further problems. Despite Noah’s best efforts to smooth things over, there were limits to what he could do when Cedric behaved like this.

“Lord Noah,“ came a voice. It was Marquis Cane calling for him.

“Yes, Marquis?“

“I’m leaving now. We’ll talk later. Today is not something I’ll forget,“ Marquis Cane said before coughing and walking off with a somber expression, his daughter by his side.

Noah was left alone with Elesio in the VIP section. Elesio appeared to be enjoying the situation immensely, as it was clear that Cedric was in trouble.

As always, Elesio delighted in exploiting any opportunity to undermine Cedric, who held the upper hand at court. This was how Elesio operated—waiting for gaps to strike, finding opportunities to provoke Cedric.

‘I didn’t want to give anyone an excuse to criticize him, but His Highness seems determined to make it difficult for me…‘ Noah sighed inwardly.

Then, he noticed Eliana entering, her face more relaxed and content than ever, accompanied by none other than Duke Calix Vartica.

‘How did Lady Eliana and the Duke become so close suddenly?‘ Noah wondered. Tonight’s party truly showcased the twists of fate.

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