Ciela blinked slowly. The fact that Calix was always busy was something that even a three-year-old knew – something that heaven and earth knew very well. And yet he claimed not to be busy…?

“Are you all right?”

“If I can’t handle this much, how can I call myself a duke? The important things have already been taken care of. Besides…”

Pressing his fingers lightly against his furrowed brow, Calix spoke in a serious tone.

“If we part ways this early, the Marquis Arcel will find it suspicious.

Considering how well known his hectic schedule was, most people would probably dismiss it as normal. Ciela hesitated, her lips parting briefly before looking away. His eyes, shining with a fervent intensity, made her words catch in her throat.

‘Well, he’s not entirely wrong.’

She finally nodded in agreement.

“There’s somewhere I’d like to go with you.”

As if he had been waiting, Calix escorted them to the theatre. As the Icarus family’s carriage pulled up in front of the theatre, the onlookers began to whisper as soon as they saw them get out.

Aware of the glances, Ciela placed her hand on Calix’s arm, playing the part of a harmonious couple as they entered the theatre together. When they reached the VIP box, the stage was in full view. They sat in the couple’s seats and as the opera began, Ciela looked down at the stage.

‘This story…’

It was identical to a novel she had once read and found memorable.

[“Huh? What are you reading?”] 

[“Oh, it’s a novel I’ve been enjoying lately. I usually steer clear of romance novels after being burned by a few, but I bought this one thinking it was a mystery. Turns out it’s quite good.”] 

[“Meow. “]

[“Shall I tell you more about it?”] 

[“Meow!”]

As fragments of a past conversation flashed through her mind, Ciela turned her head towards Calix. He was sitting up straight in perfect posture, completely absorbed in the opera.

‘Did I ever tell him I liked this novel?’

She didn’t think she had. Ciela’s lips parted slightly as if to ask, but after a moment’s hesitation she turned her eyes back to the stage.

‘It’s just a pointless thought.’

He was so considerate that it must have sparked some unfounded ideas.

On stage, actors in elaborate costumes performed in perfect harmony. A male lead sang a heartbreaking aria mourning the tragic death of his lover. The performance was so gripping that even Ciela’s breathing was muffled.

“…”

Crimson eyes shifted sideways to catch a glimpse of her. She was completely absorbed in the performance, her eyebrows slightly furrowed and her gaze unwavering. It was her characteristic expression when she was deeply focused.

‘It seems that concentrating on the stage is out of the question for me.’

A satisfied smile spread across Calix’s lips as he watched her.

Time passed and the opera finally came to an end. After sitting for so long, they both felt stiff and decided to take a short walk. Ciela rubbed her dry, tired eyes. She had been so absorbed that she had forgotten to blink and her eyes felt dry.

“Did you enjoy the opera?” 

“Yes, I really did. I didn’t realise it at first, but it seems to be based on a novel I like.”

“The title of the novel you like – is it The Garden of Tragedy?” 

“Oh, that’s right! Calix, do you know that novel too?” 

Ciela removed her hand from her eyes and looked up at Calix. The question she had hesitated to ask earlier came back to her. 

“Yes, I found it quite memorable.” 

Relieved that she hadn’t asked earlier, Ciela let out a small breath. They began to discuss the opera and the novel, their conversation flowing effortlessly. The warmth of their interaction was so palpable that passers-by couldn’t help but turn to look at them. 

“The most fascinating moment for me was when it was revealed that the heroine wasn’t really dead, but had faked her death.” 

“You have good taste. That was also one of the most memorable scenes for me. Oh, and there was another scene that I found fascinating too…” 

Ciela’s voice became more animated as she told the story, and Calix listened intently, his expression soft and attentive.

Ciela, deep in conversation, suddenly glanced at Calix’s face. His soft gaze and gently curved eyes showed how much he enjoyed listening to her. When she finished speaking, she rubbed her lips lightly with her fingertips. Walking and talking in the warm weather had left her lips dry.

“Are you thirsty by any chance?” 

Calix asked before she could even express her discomfort. Startled, her eyelashes fluttered as she hesitated for a moment before nodding. 

“I guess I am, probably from talking so much.” 

Glancing around, Calix seemed to spot something and asked her to wait a moment. At the end of his purposeful stride was someone selling ice cream. 

‘He’s going to get ice cream.’

Ciela stared blankly at Calix’s broad back.

‘Was my thirst that obvious on my face?’

He had an uncanny ability to read her so quickly. He was often meticulously attentive to her, something she had always noticed, but had begun to notice more during their recent dates.

For example, his expression would change dramatically over the smallest of things, such as the joy he showed when she accepted the fairy’s gift of an apple tree, or when she simply called his name. Even before that, when she mentioned extending their date, his excitement was palpable.

‘What does he want that makes him try so hard?’ 

Lately, she’d found herself wanting to ask that question more often, even though she knew it wasn’t something she needed to dwell on. She brushed away the crumbs of curiosity that lingered in her mind. At that moment, the sun, hidden behind the clouds, burst through, casting its light with an almost blinding intensity.

‘So bright.’

Squinting, Ciela raised a hand to shield her forehead and tried to open her eyes fully under the shadow of her hand. Just as she was about to focus her gaze again –

“Ahhh! Look out!”

A massive horse pulling a carriage came barrelling towards her. 

‘Huh?’

Her mind went blank as the shadow of the approaching carriage loomed over her, as if to crush her completely. Just then, a strong hand grabbed her back and pulled her violently away. Her head collided with a firm, broad chest.

“A carriage!” 

“My God, I saw the driver dozing off earlier. Incredible, truly incredible.”

“Let’s help the injured first…!”

The murmur of the crowd barely registered in Ciela’s ears. She lifted her eyes to look at the person who had just saved her. As she’d expected, it was Calix. His rapid heartbeat echoed in her ear, pressed against his chest, reverberating through her entire body.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Her heart, which had seemed ready to collapse from shock, now beat wildly, synchronised with the rhythm of his. Trying her best to remain calm, she inhaled and exhaled slowly, trying to steady herself.

“Ah, um… Thank you. But, uh, you can let me go now…” 

She tapped him lightly on the arm. Calix, still holding her tightly, didn’t move an inch. She looked around, silently signalling for him to let her go, but the tense muscles in his neck and the loud, relentless beating of his heart told her he wasn’t going to move anytime soon.

‘Let’s just stay like this for a moment.’

For some reason, his large frame felt small, almost fragile, to her today.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

His heartbeat, still strong, made her dizzy.

[“Ciela, if I do this for you…”] 

[“If you let it go just this once, I’ll focus only on you.”]

Memories of trusting someone only to be betrayed rushed through her mind like a lantern flashing images from the past.

‘Almost wrong again.’

Ciela hid her clouded expression and instead moved her hand in a steady rhythm, patting his back. At that moment, a familiar scent tickled her nose, causing her to raise her eyebrows slightly. It had been subtle enough to be overlooked before, but now that she’d noticed it, the scent became sharper and more distinct.

‘The scent of sunshine…’

It was Titi’s unique scent.

—

The smoke from Marquis Arcel’s cigar filled the study, its acrid tendrils curling through the air. Although the stinging smoke was enough to irritate the eyes, his wife kept hers wide open as she scolded him.

“You met with Duke Icarus today while following Ciela! How could you! How!”

The Marchioness pounded her fists on her chest, unable to contain her anger. The Marquis, who had remained silent, now had bulging veins on his forehead.

“You must think of Lilia!”

Finally unable to bear her tirade, the Marquis took the cigar from his lips and held it in his hand.

“How many times must I tell you? The Duke has already lost interest in Lilia! Do you think I didn’t want her to get involved with him?”

“…”

The Marchioness fell silent, though her anger was still simmering. The room was thick with tension, the smoke swirling around them like a tangible representation of their unresolved conflict.

“If Lilia can’t be with him, we should at least let Ciela and Duke Icarus get together. That way we can still recover the value we’ve invested in raising them. Isn’t that better than the worst-case scenario?”

“Dear!” 

Her voice grew louder and more heated. Just then, the butler knocked on the door and entered. Noticing the argument between his employers, he lowered his gaze, carefully hiding his unease.

“What’s the butler doing here all of a sudden?”

The Marchioness glanced at him sharply, causing the butler to look at her nervously before approaching the Marquis. 

“Well…” 

Leaning forward, he whispered softly into the Marquis’ ear. The veins on the Marquis’ forehead bulged even more prominently as he listened. 

“… That scoundrel, of all people, here…” 

The Marquis stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray and rose to his feet, his expression darkening ominously. 

“Let’s end this discussion for today.”

The Marquis declared, his tone final, as if he were informing his wife rather than talking to her. Without waiting for a reply, he strode out of the study. 

As he entered the drawing room, he was immediately struck by the sight of bright red hair, which only added to his mood. 

“It’s been a while.”

Turbin greeted, rising from his seat with a smug grin on his lips. 

“Since neither of us finds this meeting pleasant, let’s skip the pleasantries and get down to business. What is this supposedly urgent matter you insisted on telling the butler about?” 

The Marquis tapped impatiently on the arm of his chair with his thick fingers, the gesture oozing irritation. 

“Supposedly urgent? Oh, don’t be so dismissive, Marquis. I’ve come to report the misdeeds of Lady Ciela Arcel.” 

“Misdeeds?” 

“Yes.” 

Turbin squared his shoulders and adjusted his collar, exuding exaggerated confidence. He let out a sharp breath through his nose and widened his grin, enjoying the tension in the air. 

‘Today is the day my life changes.’

Turbin thought with unwavering conviction as he opened his mouth to speak.

“The truth is, Lady Ciela Arcel was the one who urged me to say these things.”

The Marquis’ fingers, which had been tapping irritably on the armrest, came to an abrupt halt.

“She told me that if I did as she asked, she would see to it that our engagement remained intact. But in the end, it was all a lie. I’ve done nothing wrong, and yet I’ve suffered unjustly as a victim.”

Turbin spoke passionately, his voice full of indignation. The Marquis listened in silence, his expression unreadable, before finally parting his thick lips.

“And?”

“What?”

“Is that all you came here to say?”