Chapter 9 – Part 5

“Stay with me.”

His voice was so heartfelt it seemed like he might drop to his knees.

“Don’t leave.”

His voice was filled with desperation.

“I don’t want to let you go.”

For a moment, Eliana couldn’t find the words to respond.

The side of him she was seeing now, which she had never seen, felt almost like a confession from a lover.

‘A confession…? That can’t be.’

She knew it couldn’t be, yet her heart started to race uncontrollably.

His flawless features, fiery red eyes that seemed capable of burning everything, and sorrowful expression overwhelmed Calix’s presence. Even though they were just friends, it was impossible to tear her eyes away.

As if to mark the deepening night, the hoot of an owl echoed eerily in the background, heightening the tension between them as it repeated again and again.

“Calix, I can’t promise you that.”

She didn’t say she was sorry.

Calix stayed silent, gazing at her with those intense, burning eyes. The more she looked at him, the faster her heart pounded, making her feel like she couldn’t sit there any longer.

‘This isn’t good.’

“I’m going to bed.”

Eliana abruptly stood up.

“You should rest, too.”

She clutched the book tightly against her chest. It had been handed to her to help her sleep, but now she felt that sleep would be impossible.

“Wait.”

Calix spoke just then.

“What…“

“You can’t go alone.”

“What does he mean?”

She was puzzled but soon understood what he meant. Calix had picked up a new lantern from the room. Since she had dropped the other one earlier, it would be too dark to walk through the hallway alone.

“…”

But somehow, the thought crossed her mind that he might not let her go so quickly.

‘What am I thinking? How foolish.’

Expecting him to hand her the lantern, she reached out. But instead of passing it to her, Calix stepped into the hallway ahead of her.

The dark hallway stretched out before them. Usually, several candles would be lined up to light a wide corridor like this, but near Calix’s room, there were none.

They passed by the mirror that had shocked Eliana earlier. She glanced at it briefly, wondering if she would appear blurry again.

‘It’s a magical mirror that distorts the reflection when someone’s emotions are unsettled,‘ Calix thought. ‘So it’s likely neither of us will see ourselves clearly tonight.’

His heart had pounded harder than ever after hearing Eliana talk about leaving for good.

As they approached the door, Cosette, who had been stationed outside, quickly stood up. Her expression made it clear that she hadn’t realized Eliana had left the room. Seeing Eliana return with Calix, she appeared flustered and unsure what to do.

“H-how are you two together…?“

“I specifically ordered you to attend to Lady Leiberte with utmost care, did I not?” Calix’s cold words made Cosette’s face drain of color. Realizing her mistake, she immediately bowed her head.

“I’m so sorry, Your Grace.“

“Why did you leave your post?“

“I-I only stepped away briefly to use the bathroom. I deeply apologize.“

‘Calix…‘ Eliana shook her head subtly, indicating that it wasn’t Cosette’s fault.

“You made a promise to me earlier,“ Eliana reminded him. She didn’t want the maid to be scolded over something so minor. It wasn’t Cosette’s fault that she had left her station briefly; Eliana had moved ahead without waiting.

“Since Eliana asks for leniency, I’ll let it slide this time. But tomorrow morning, report to the head maid for additional training.“

“Yes, Your Grace.”

Cosette bowed repeatedly, grateful for the second chance.

Calix personally opened the door to Eliana’s room. The space was untouched, just as they had left it. Eliana’s belongings were neatly placed, and the bedcovers were pulled back precisely as they were when she had stepped out.

Eliana sat on the edge of her bed. He still wanted to say so much to her—he hadn’t even expressed half of what was in his heart. But the night had grown late, and he had no choice but to leave.

“Good night, Eliana. Though I doubt I’ll be able to sleep because of everything you said.“

“…”

Leaving those heavy words behind, he exited the room.

Eliana crawled under the blankets, pulling them up to her neck. She, too, couldn’t shake his voice from her mind—the voice that had begged her not to go. Even the book she had brought to help her sleep remained untouched. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to escape her thoughts.

Outside the door, Cosette stood anxiously, waiting.

“I’ll watch over her closely from now on, Your Grace. I won’t take my eyes off her for a moment. Please believe me.”

Since Eliana had asked for leniency, Calix had no intention of imposing further punishment. He wasn’t the type to keep untrustworthy people around his household, but because Eliana had interceded, he was willing to show mercy. It was the perfect reason to extend a bit of tolerance.

Calix walked down the hallway alone, his mind echoing with the thought of Eliana leaving Moira. He couldn’t let her slip away so easily.

—

The morning came, marking the day Eliana was scheduled to leave for the capital.

After breakfast, they took a brief walk in the garden. Unlike the day before, the walk was quiet and subdued.

Calix watched Eliana as she stood among the flowers. In the past, he had always passed through this garden indifferently, everything appearing in shades of black and white. But with her here, everything seemed different.

It wasn’t just the garden. During breakfast, the two of them had eaten together—something Calix had grown accustomed to. Though her visits had been brief compared to all the time he had spent alone, it felt like a light had pierced through the darkness of his world.

Yet that very light was now telling him she had no attachment to the empire and would soon leave.

“Calix, the butler is coming this way.“

Eliana’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. As she had said, Lamot was approaching them.

“What is it?“

“Your aunt has arrived, Your Grace.“

“My aunt?“

“Yes.”

It was unusual for her to visit without any prior notice. Calix glanced at Eliana.

“Let’s go inside.“

“Alright.”

As they stepped inside, they saw his aunt, Linda, standing in the center of the main hall. She had been one of Calix’s closest relatives since his parents passed away, and she and her husband had visited the ducal estate occasionally over the years.

As Eliana and Calix approached, Linda quickly gave Eliana a once-over, her eyes scanning her from head to toe.

“Aunt, what brings you here without any notice?“

“I was in the area and thought I’d stop by for tea. It seems you have company.”

Calix glanced at Eliana. He hadn’t planned on introducing her to his aunt in such an informal way, but now he had no choice.

“This is Eliana Leiberte from the Count of Leiberte’s family. She came to visit yesterday at my invitation.”

Calix formally introduced her.

“Hello, My Lady. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Eliana Leiberte.”

As soon as Eliana introduced herself, Linda’s sharp gaze bore into her.

“Nice to meet you, Lady Eliana. It’s our first in-person meeting, but I’ve heard plenty about you. Being the daughter of a noble family and the former fiancée of the Crown Prince, it’s hard not to hear stories.”

Linda gave a smile that seemed forced.

*The daughter of a noble family. The former fiancée of the Crown Prince.*

The way she emphasized those two things made it seem like she wasn’t pleased to see Eliana.

“But you two, are you close? Inviting someone to stay alone at your home and accepting that invitation seems like a good idea, as you have quite a relationship.”

Linda directed her question at Eliana.

“We’ve been close friends since childhood.“

“So, it was just a friendly invitation? I heard she even stayed the night. The Count of Leiberte must have given his permission for that.“

“…”

Eliana hadn’t received explicit permission, but this wasn’t a situation where honesty was advisable.

“Your silence seems to suggest more to the story, doesn’t it?“

“Aunt,” Calix called her name, his tone carrying a warning.

“I think that’s enough for today.”

Linda fixed her gaze on him.

“You seem to think I’m asking too many questions.“

“It’s not how many questions you’re asking. It’s that they’re inappropriate for a first meeting.“

“How can you say that when I haven’t even gotten to the interesting questions? I was merely surprised that the daughter of the Leiberte family was visiting the Vartica household. I could ask so many more if I had the time. And I want to.”

Her words dripped with a stern, almost condescending tone. Eliana started to suspect that Linda hadn’t just stopped by on a whim.

“That won’t be possible,“ Calix responded firmly.

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