Dylan finally agreed to take Hugo. He had no choice – if he didn’t, he’d not only lose his job as director, he’d never set foot in a theatre again.

When Floina heard the news, she smiled quietly and congratulated Ailee, who burst into tears again.

“Thank you for helping Ailee and Hugo on behalf of the children.”

“I only stepped in because there happened to be an easy solution. If you want to thank me, thank the person next to me. They’ve agreed to fully sponsor the children.”

“Thank you, um…”

“Call me Lix.”

“Yes. Thank you, Lix.”

After thanking Lix, she whispered to Ailee to bring Hugo in. The tearful child finally got up and walked out. With Ailee gone, the three people left in the Deputy Director’s office discussed the things they hadn’t been able to discuss earlier.

“I see. So Dylan was involved in illegal gambling.”

“First of all, I don’t plan to report this. Even if Dylan is expelled, the Stein family will just send someone else.”

“I agree. We don’t know who the new director might be.”

It was better to keep Dylan, who was under control, as director. The three came to a unanimous decision.

“Deputy director Floina! Sister Ciel! I brought Hugo!”

Ailee beamed as she held the hand of a young boy. The boy, who looked like a puppy with his grey hair, caught his breath before greeting her politely with a maturity beyond his years.

“Thank you for letting me stay with Ailee.”

“Sister Ciel, I’ll bring Somi back. Just as you said, I played with Somi without crying.”

Somi? Ciela was confused for a moment, but when Ailee handed her a doll, she immediately realised what Somi was.

“You must have had a great time playing together.”

“Yes! I even called her Somi, and since she said she wanted to be my little sister, I told her she could be.”

“That’s wonderful. You have done a great job.”

Ciela put the doll back in its box. At that moment Floina, who had been watching them, lowered herself to Ailee’s level.

“Ailee, I have to tell you something.”

“What is it?”

“Remember your mother promised to come back in a year?”

“Yes. I know there’s one year left of the five years Mom said.”

She had promised to be back by Ailee’s birthday, but if she was late, it would be the next year, and if she was late again, the year after that. No matter how late, she had promised to come back within five years. But she hadn’t kept her promise to come as soon as possible.

“I know you’re disappointed in your mother for not coming yet. But if she does come in a year, I’m planning to send a letter to Lady Ciela. Would you be willing to come and see your mother then?”

Floina made her suggestion with concern. She understood how exhausting it was for children to wait endlessly. She had seen cases of children rejecting family members who returned after long absences, and she feared that Ailee might feel the same way. The image of Ailee crying and asking if she’d be left alone when Hugo left lingered in her mind.

“Yes.”

Despite Floina’s concern, Ailee nodded slightly.

“I want to see my mother, too. If she doesn’t come even after a year, I’ll be sad, but for now it’s okay because I have Hugo.”

“I’ll stay by Ailee’s side, no matter what.”

Hugo said firmly, as if he was making a vow.

At that moment, Ailee reached out with the hand that wasn’t holding Hugo and grabbed Ciela’s hand.

“And now I have Sister Ciela too.”

Ciela’s eyes widened in surprise and Ailee looked at her sheepishly as she bowed her head shyly. Despite the short time they had spent together, Ailee seemed to have grown fond of her.

“……”

Ciela lifted her free hand and gently stroked Ailee’s head again. The soft texture was different from when she stroked Titi.

“Someone will come for you in a week.”

“Will I see Sister Ciela again?”

“I’ll visit you from time to time.”

“Okay!”

After saying goodbye to Ailee, Ciela straightened her back. At that moment, her eyes met Floina’s, who was watching her with a warm expression.

“Floina?”

“Oh, I must have been staring at you again without noticing. You remind me so much of someone who once helped me.”

“You see my grandfather in me?”

“Yes. You are so much alike. You remind me of him even more than the current Marquis Arcel.”

“I’ve never heard that before…”

“The others must not have eyes.”

Floina said firmly, blaming the others for their lack of perception, causing Ciela to smile faintly.

The two climbed into a carriage that said nothing of its prestigious owners. Despite its modest appearance, the interior was optimised for long distance travel, allowing Ciela to lean back comfortably.

“Finally, we can enjoy a boat ride.”

Calix said with a lazy smile, resting his chin on his hand. His eyes, peering at her through long, thick lashes, had the lazy look of a well-fed predator.

Although their work was done, they had decided not to return directly to the capital. Instead, they would spend a few days at Calix’s villa.

‘I told the Marquis of Arcel, so I have to keep up appearances.’

If they didn’t return for a few days, the Marchioness would probably start nagging the Marquis again, which wasn’t a bad outcome.

“A boat trip sounds good. I hope the weather is fine this time.”

With these few words the carriage picked up speed.

—

Three days later, the carriage with the two of them arrived at the estate of the Marquis of Arcel. Getting out, Ciela placed her hand lightly on Calix’s arm as they made their way towards the grand residence.

‘Something feels wrong.’

Since their arrival, a strange feeling of unease had pricked Ciela’s skin, making her nervous.

“Ahaha… did you hear that?”

“That’s what I said… Oh! Welcome back.”

The servants chatted and laughed amongst themselves. Whenever they noticed Ciela and Calix, they stopped immediately and bowed respectfully. But their previously dull expressions, from before their departure, were now as bright and clear as a sky after rain.

The changed atmosphere brushed against her skin, making her feel as if she had stepped into an unfamiliar world alone. Ciela’s eyes dart subtly, scanning her surroundings. She maintained a calm expression, careful not to show any signs of discomfort, like someone who ventures into a tiger’s den with a calm facade.

As she prepared to climb the stairs, a voice she didn’t want to hear called out.

“Oh? Sister!”

She had met someone she had hoped to avoid.

“It’s been a while.”

Her previously sour face was now pure as milk, free of any impurities. Her sky-blue eyes looked at Ciela, who stood beside Calix, but they no longer shed tears. The lips that had snapped angrily at her during their last encounter now wore a sweet, angelic smile, as if they had forgotten everything.

Ciela’s instincts flared.

The change in the atmosphere of the estate was undoubtedly due to Lilia.

“Is it okay for you to be out of your room now?”

Lilia clung closer to Calix, her voice feigning concern.

“Yes, I’m fine. Everyone’s worried, but I can’t stay locked in my room forever!”

“That’s such a relief. Oh, while we were at Calix’s villa for three days, I thought of you and picked out a present together.”

“Thank you so much!”

Lilia held out both hands to accept the gift, her smile bright and beaming. Ciela lowered her gaze, staring at the cheerful curve of her lips.

‘She bit her lip when she heard about the three days we spent together.’

But now, when she received the gift, her eyes lit up, her cheeks flushed and her smile broadened as if she were truly happy. The contrast between their reactions was disconcerting. Just as Ciela frowned at the oddity, Lilia spoke again, clutching the gift to her chest.

“Thank you too, Your Grace.”

Calix did not answer. There were countless simple answers he could have given, but his red lips remained closed like an impenetrable fortress. At this moment, with no need to act, there wasn’t even a grain of kindness left for him to show her.

“I would like to return the gesture. If you have time, would you like to join me for tea?”

“Why Calix? I’m the one who chose the gift.”

“Of course, I wanted to invite you as well, sister. Let’s meet His Grace the next time you’re free!” Lilia replied lightly, as if there was no problem.

“I’ll pass. I don’t like my man seeing other women.”

“Well… if that’s the way you feel, there’s nothing I can do about it. But I am afraid that the Duke might find it exhausting because of you. Refusing to see him at all – that sounds stifling. I wouldn’t do that if it were me.

“This is between me and my man, so there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

Calix, who had been listening in silence, let a small grin play on his lips. My man. He repeated her words to himself, savouring them. Sliding his fingers firmly through hers, he clasped her hand tightly.

“Actually, I would prefer her to do more. I welcome any form of restraint from my woman.”

Like a sunset over water, a quiet satisfaction shone in his eyes. The rumble of his satisfaction was like the growl of a satisfied animal. Lilia’s expression twisted momentarily at his words, her forced smile faltering before she managed to smooth it out again.

“If that’s the way you both feel, I understand.”

Lilia said, nodding as she pulled her hair back over her shoulder. She flashed a bright smile, as if untroubled, but Ciela’s lashes lowered slightly, hiding her gaze.

‘Something’s definitely wrong.’

Having spent so much time observing and deciphering Lilia’s behaviour, Ciela had a solid understanding of how Lilia acted and expressed her emotions. At first, Lilia’s face had shown a flicker of irritation, as if she was suppressing her frustration, but it quickly turned into a serene smile. This wasn’t an act – it was a genuine smile.

‘What happened to her?’

Ciela decided to call Sarah as soon as she got back to her room. Then it happened.

“Lady Lilia, I was worried when you didn’t show up after I asked you to go ahead. So here you are.”

Ciela turned to examine the approaching figure. A middle-aged woman with streaks of white hair in her grey curls came into view. Despite her age, her extravagant clothes and carefully groomed appearance made her look much younger. A butterfly brooch pinned proudly to her chest reflected the light and glowed softly.

‘That brooch…’

Among the noble ladies and debutantes, there wasn’t a single one who wouldn’t recognise the person wearing that particular butterfly brooch. As if to confirm Ciela’s suspicion, Lilia spoke the woman’s name.

“I’m sorry, Stella. I lost track of time talking to my sister.”

Stella, the most famous designer in the Empire, was someone whose creations every young lady and noblewoman dreamed of wearing. But for Ciela, Stella had a different meaning.

‘She was rescued by Lilia and later became her muse.’

This was a plotline from the original story that wasn’t supposed to happen for a long time. Ciela didn’t understand why Stella was here now, but she saw it as an opportunity. Before this crucial moment came, she decided to ruin their relationship. As this thought crossed her mind, Stella chuckled softly and raised a hand to her mouth.

“It’s all right. I could wait for my muse forever.”