Chapter 9 – Part 1

After finishing the dessert, Eliana toured Calix’s estate. It had been run so privately that people used to mock it, saying a wall must have been built around it. Yet, he had no hesitation in showing it to her.

Though Vartica Estate was filled with childhood memories, seeing it through adult eyes felt different. It wasn’t just a matter of appreciating its vastness; it felt like having so much required intense management.

‘Losing both parents on the same day, Calix must have felt incredibly lonely with the responsibility of owning such a large estate.’

By the time they returned from the tour, the sunset had already cast a deep glow across the sky.

“Welcome back, Your Grace. Lady Eliana,” Lamot and the servants greeted them politely.

“I hope the schedule wasn’t too taxing, my lady. You must have also been tired from the long journey from Leibertet Manor.”

“No, I’m fine.“

“That’s a relief. We’ve prepared a meal, so shall we head to the dining room?”

“Actually, I’m hungry after all the walking,“ Eliana chirped. The servants quietly followed behind the two to the dining room.

The dining room was adorned in a light green hue with a long table in the center. The seat at the left end was Calix’s, as the house’s master and the far right end was prepared for Eliana.

Although it was customary for them to sit this way, after spending the whole day together, Eliana found it a bit awkward for him to be sitting so far away.

“What’s wrong?“ Calix, quick to notice her reaction, asked.

“Is your seat uncomfortable?“

“It’s not that, but your face seems too far away.“

“Am I someone you want to see up close, even from a little distance?“

He smiled as he asked.

“No, I just feel like I’ll have to shout to talk to you. Like, ‘Calix!‘”

“Haha. Well, would you like to sit next to me, like before?“

“Can I?“

“Why not? I’m the master here.”

He was right. All the rules here were set by Calix, the master of the house. Eliana didn’t refuse and stood up.

In the past, the two had often sat close together during meals.

“Calix, do you not like sitting far away from your friend?”

“I just want to talk nearby.”

“Then do as you please,“ his mother, the previous duchess, had said, smiling.

As Eliana stood, Calix also got up. Before she could approach, he pulled out a chair.

‘Hmm…’

She hadn’t intended to sit quite that close.

‘I was planning to sit one seat further away.’

Because where he had pulled the chair from was the duke’s seat, and the chair he had chosen was where the previous duchess used to sit. She hesitated for a moment, but Calix casually offered her the seat.

“Sit here. It’s much closer.“

“I’m not sure if I should sit here.“

“It’s fine.”

“...”

“Make yourself comfortable, Eliana.”

After a brief hesitation, Eliana eventually sat in the chair he had pulled out for her. After all, sitting there didn’t make her the duchess. Calix’s face was now much closer.

Soon, the doors opened, and food began to be brought in from the kitchen.

“One, two, three, four…”

Eliana gave up counting the number of dishes. There were simply too many, filling the table entirely. It was a grand feast that made her eyes widen with amazement, ranging from her favorite foods to rare delicacies she had never seen before.

“Wow…”

Calix seemed determined to treat her with utmost hospitality. Even though she had been engaged to the crown prince, she had never received such a generous welcome anywhere else until today.

Calix quietly observed Eliana, looking at everything in awe, resting his chin on his hand.

‘It’s not surprising, Eliana. You’re the only guest to visit since the estate closed its doors. This kind of hospitality is natural. And going forward, no one else will be welcomed but you.’

Eliana was astonished by how warmly Calix was receiving her, unaware that no one else would ever be invited again.

“Everything looks so delicious that I don’t even know where to start.”

When Eliana mumbled to herself, a maid approached to assist with the meal. After asking about Eliana’s preferences, she portioned the food onto her plate and disappeared as if she had never been there, solving her brief dilemma.

“Thank you for the meal, Calix.”

Eliana took a bite. The flavor was just as she remembered it, but now it had a deeper, richer taste.

Calix had previously ordered that only essential meals be served. After a shocking accident, he had long lost his appetite, and the meals at the estate were always modest, hardly befitting a noble household.

“You must eat more, young master. You’re too thin.”

Lamot had desperately urged him, but Calix had never listened.

“This is enough for me.”

Such futile debates went on for quite some time. Although the portion size eventually increased, eating never became his primary concern. Calix had always focused on managing the estate, the knight order, and maintaining the family’s income.

Another significant concern was keeping a close eye on outside events to prevent the same tragedy from happening again.

But today was different. Watching Eliana enjoy the food so much naturally stirred his own appetite. Seeing her eagerly eating the meal he had prepared was almost infectious.

“Calix, why aren’t you eating? You must be hungry. You worked hard showing me around.”

Eliana noticed one of Calix’s favorite chicken dishes and pushed the plate closer to him.

“You like this, right? Still the same?”

When Calix nodded, Eliana smiled, pleased that her memory was correct. Soon, Calix also began to eat.

By the time they finished the meal, it was completely dark outside. The candles, lit in advance, created a cozy and elegant atmosphere. It had been such a wonderful day that both of them felt reluctant to let it end.

* * *

As they left the dining room, a maid was waiting for Eliana.

“Good evening, Lady Leiberte. I am Cosette, the maid assigned to serve you tonight.“

“Thank you. I’m Eliana Leiberte. I’ll be in your care tonight.“

“Please, this way.”

Calix led Eliana to a room on the right side of the main staircase.

When he pulled open the double doors, a large bedroom was revealed.

“Good night, Eliana. If you need anything, just tell the maid.“

“Okay. Good night, Calix.”

Just as he had done during his visit to the capital’s outskirts to see Doctor Vero, Calix gave one last look around the room where Eliana would be staying.

“Make sure she is cared for without any shortcomings.“

“I will serve with all my heart.”

After instructing the maid, Calix left the room.

Eliana watched as he walked down the hallway toward his own room.

‘Oh, come to think of it, I haven’t visited Calix’s room yet.’

The thought briefly crossed her mind.

“The bathwater is ready. Would you like to use it now, my lady?”

Cosette asked, and Eliana nodded.

“I’ll be waiting by the door once you’re finished.”

Cosette closed the door after explaining how to use the bathroom and where to find her nightgown.

Eliana carefully immersed herself in the warm water. It was just the right temperature, soothing her body and making her feel wonderfully relaxed.

‘It was such a busy day, but it was so enjoyable.’

Eliana gazed up at the water-beaded ceiling.

Her father, Count Austin, had not been pleased about her coming here. Even though Calix had once helped him after being struck by the crown prince’s arrow, he still didn’t seem appreciative of the favor.

‘Is he still wary of Prince Cedric? Or does he simply dislike my leaving home to form new relationships…?’

She couldn’t understand her father’s thoughts. Perhaps she never really wanted to. Even though she had come this far, the idea of returning home or informing him of her well-being didn’t cross her mind.

“The Leiberte estate was more uncomfortable than this place, even though I hadn’t been here in a long time.”

After finishing her bath, Eliana stepped out, and Cosette guided her back to the room.

“I’ll be waiting outside. Please call if you need anything. I’ll leave the light on.”

After adjusting her bed, the maid left. Eliana was now alone in the spacious room.

The room was filled with all sorts of furniture, thoughtfully arranged for comfort. The space was so vast that she felt small in comparison.

She could see the path leading to the estate’s entrance when she pulled back the curtains. The numerous servants who had greeted her earlier were nowhere to be seen, and no soul was outside.

“The welcome from earlier feels like a dream.”

The moonlight was the only thing illuminating the night, signaling that it was time to sleep.

“I should get some rest, too.”

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