Upon spotting Calix, Ciela gently bit her tongue. The memory of their last encounter flashed through her mind like a lightning bolt, and she quickly stood up.

“I didn’t expect to see you here.”

She casually moved to cover the Sirka with her body and spoke to him with a playful tone.

“I’m also pleased to unexpectedly run into you, Ciela.”

“What brings you here?”

“I was passing by and happened to see you, so I stopped by.”

“I see. Well, now that we’ve greeted each other, let’s be on our way. I have company with me.”

As Ciela tried to send him away, she carefully studied his face.

‘He hasn’t shown any signs of seeing the Sirka yet.’

If he had, there was no way he would be smiling so smoothly like he was now.

‘By now, Ken must have hidden the Sirka.’

She continued to discreetly wiggle her fingers behind her, sending silent signals. He wasn’t completely oblivious, so he likely understood how to behave by now. Just as she was about to relax her stiff shoulders.

“Before I leave, may I have a moment?”

Calix took a step towards her. The distance between them, already close, grew even closer. His face, shaded by his cloak, radiated a dangerous aura. In such proximity, their breaths almost mingled, and Ciela couldn’t even close her eyes, clutching the hem of her dress.

“What is it…?”

Just then, Calix turned his body in a different direction.

“Where do you think you’re running off to?”

At the cold, icy voice, Ciela turned her head.

‘Uncle?’

Calix grabbed Ken’s shoulder and pressed down firmly from above.

“…”

Ken, half-standing, was frozen in an awkward position. For a brief moment, his usual air of difficulty showed, but soon he grinned with his characteristic sly smile and grabbed the Duke’s wrist.

“Running? These days, are even trips to the bathroom considered running away?”

“You don’t sneak off to the bathroom without making a sound.”

“I was trying to be considerate because the atmosphere seemed a bit tense… but now you’re making a scene, it’s almost making me cry with frustration.”

Ken spoke teasingly, yet his voice was slightly altered. Suddenly, Ciela recalled the events from the original story.

‘Now that I think about it, Uncle always seemed to avoid the male protagonist in the original story.’

Though the exact reason was never mentioned, considering his profession, it wouldn’t have been surprising if he had clashed with Calix at some point.

“Please don’t do that to my companion.”

To prevent any further conflict, Ciela stepped between them, blocking their path.

“…Understood.”

Calix’s response seemed calm on the surface, but to Ciela, it was clear that his energy had shifted. It didn’t feel as though he had completely let go. His hand, still gripping Ken, displayed veins bulging along his knuckles.

‘Did that bastard give Ciela the Sirka?’

A cold sweat trickled down Ken’s face. The overwhelming, ominous pressure directed solely at him felt like it was slicing through his chest with each breath, as if his lungs were being pierced. As Ken braced himself, muscles tensed in preparation for any sudden action, Calix leaned in closer, bringing his lips near Ken’s ear, and whispered softly.

“You have a lot of hair.”

Hair?

“I’ll let you go, but if I see you like this again next time, I’ll shave that beard myself. Be grateful.”

As soon as those words left Calix’s lips, the crushing pressure that had been bearing down on Ken vanished as if it had never been there. With no trace of menace in his demeanor, Calix offered a bright smile and gave Ken’s shoulder a light pat.

“Sorry for holding you up like that. You’re free to go now.”

Wasting no time, Ken quickly stepped away from the tense scene. Catching a moment when the Duke wasn’t paying attention, he flashed a sly grin in Ciela’s direction before making his exit.

‘Is the Duke crazy?’

‘What?’

‘No matter how I think about it, he’s definitely crazy. That guy is no good. Absolutely not!’

What on earth was he talking about? Ciela was bewildered as Ken, seemingly the only one bouncing around, continued. Just then, as Calix turned to leave, he reached out to Ken once again.

“I almost forgot one thing.”

Whoosh.

This time, Ken managed to step back without being restrained. His hand swept through the air, but Calix didn’t seem to mind, maintaining a composed smile. It was a calmness rooted in confidence, the assurance that he could catch Ken anytime he wanted.

“Leave the box you got from Ciela where it is.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Isn’t it better that way? Not knowing keeps things simpler and less troublesome for both of us.”

Calix’s words, spoken with an air of certainty as though he already knew everything, made Ken shift his gaze toward Ciela. His expression asked her for guidance, silently questioning what she would do next.

Ciela, letting out a deep breath, pressed her hand to her forehead, clearly weighing her options.

‘I didn’t get away with it after all.’

When did this happen?

With a slow, deliberate motion, Ciela wiped her face from top to bottom, nodding as if to signal that it was fine to leave the box behind. After placing the box on the table, Ken left the room, and silence fell between the remaining two.

“…”

Calix sat on the seat where Ken had been, crossed his legs and lifted the box. His long fingers, thick at the joints, moved gracefully as he opened it, revealing the golden fruit inside.

“I think you remember what I said recently.” 

“I was going to eat it today anyway.”

Ciela, sitting naturally with a fluid gesture, subtly indicated that she hadn’t planned to sell it. She reached out, intending to take the Sirka, but Calix was one step ahead.

“Did you know that a Swordmaster’s hearing is more acute than that of regular people?”

“…”

“I’ve already heard everything, so lying won’t work.”

His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. Realizing that further deception was pointless, Ciela unclenched her fist, a silent gesture of surrender.

“Sigh. First of all, I apologize for lying earlier.”

“It’s fine. But in exchange, let’s hear you say ‘ah.’”

The golden fruit, delicately pinched between his thumb and index finger, looked almost insignificant against the size of his large hand.

‘It’s so small.’

The Sirka, barely larger than a raspberry, seemed as though it might touch his hand as he moved it toward her mouth. Ciela, her lips parting slightly as if to speak, closed them again, feeling at a loss.

‘Should I just say that I’ll eat it myself?’

As she hesitated, the sweet fragrance of the Sirka reached her nose as it came closer. Behind it, Calix’s smile widened even further, his eyes narrowing smoothly with intent. It was a carefully crafted expression, one that anyone could see was deliberate.

Ciela finally made her decision. The awkwardness on her face faded as she relaxed, her delicate lips parting to accept the fruit. As expected, his fingers grazed her lips as the soft fruit entered, but she maintained steady eye contact with him, showing no sign of surprise. Her eyes curved gently as she savored the tartness of the Sirka spreading across her palate.

“Is that enough?”

It marked a shift—the moment when the one unable to speak took control of the situation. As she chewed, Calix’s gaze remained fixed on the fingers that had brushed against her lips. His brows knitted slightly, and a flicker of anger seemed to surface on his face.

“…Doesn’t this bother you, Ciela?”

“What are you talking about?”

“The fact that it touched your lips…”

Calix, still fixated on his fingers, slowly drew them back and exhaled deeply. The lingering heat on his fingertips seemed to sear through him, climbing up to his chest and constricting it like a vice. Yet, the intensity was swiftly replaced by a chilling wave of despair.

Could it really be possible that she wasn’t affected? By this face?

Ciela dabbed the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, casting a sideways glance at him. He had turned toward the window, his shoulders drooping in a way that was uncharacteristic of him. His narrowed eyes suggested he was lost in thought.

After a moment, he lightly stroked his smooth jawline, murmuring the word “beard” under his breath, before suddenly whipping his head around sharply.

“By the way, who was the person you just met?”

“It’s a relationship similar to mine with the Duke.”

Calix’s expression immediately turned serious.

“Affairs are not acceptable.”

“…No, I meant a partnership.”

“I see. Even if there is a trait that matches your ideal, it doesn’t necessarily mean that there will be mutual affection”

Calix’s face softened, as if it had never held a hardened expression. A radiant glow seemed to emanate from behind him, so bright that it made Ciela squint.

‘Why does he suddenly seem in such a good mood?’

‘Is he bipolar or something?’

Ciela wondered, narrowing her eyes as she pondered his shift, before finally deciding to stand up.

“I think I’ll head back now.”

“It’s still a while until sunset. Why not spend a little more time with me?”

“I’m feeling a bit tired.”

She also wanted to check on Titi. Politely declining his suggestion, Ciela tried to take her leave, but once again, Calix stopped her with another proposal.

“Then let me escort you to the estate. If anyone asks, just say it was a favor I did for the day.”

Calix lightly patted his cloak, which indeed bore a resemblance to those worn by mercenaries.

‘What should I do?’

There was no real reason to refuse, and considering the minor misstep she’d made today, Ciela hesitated briefly before giving her answer.

“Alright.”

“I’ll carry this.”

Calix easily picked up the basket, and the two of them exited the café together.

“We’ll take the carriage I hired.”

“If that’s what you’d prefer, we can do that.”

Though Calix had arrived by different means, not in the Icarus family carriage, they silently agreed to keep that detail unspoken.

“Please, go ahead…”

Calix extended his hand toward her as he spoke, but the soft chime of a bell interrupted his words.

‘What’s that bell sound?’

Ciela turned toward the clear, crisp ringing. Standing before her was Calix, his face startlingly pale, drained of all color.

“…Why already…?”

His breath was uneven, carrying an edge of anxiety as he hurriedly scanned his surroundings.

“You don’t look well. Are you alright?”

“Yes, but something urgent has come up, and I don’t think I can escort you any further. I’m sorry.”

Even as he spoke, the soft chime of the bell continued to ring in the background, echoing at regular intervals. The moment he finished, Calix quickly turned and ran into an empty alley, his figure disappearing into the distance.

As Ciela watched him leave, a thought struck her—she remembered that the direction he had taken led to a dead-end.

‘He looked really unsettled.’

After a brief hesitation, Ciela decided to follow him.

“Your Grace…?”

She hurried down the alley, tracing his path, but when she arrived, there wasn’t a single sign of him. The alley was deserted, containing only a dead-end wall, a lone tree, and scattered bits of trash.

Just then, a gust of wind blew past her, rushing from behind to the front. As she instinctively reached up to hold her hair in place, a soft rustling sound caught her attention.

Rustle.

Instinctively, Ciela jerked her head up, and her eyes widened in shock.

“Titi…?”

The yellow cat perched on the tree branch had pupils that dilated so much that she could see it with the n*ked eye.