Chapter 15

Unable to understand, she remained trapped in his embrace. Kallieon held her warmly for a long moment before softly murmuring.  

“Rope, do you know?”  

“Know what?”

“That this is the first time you’ve referred to the Onyx family as ‘our family.’”

“……!”  

“That makes me so incredibly happy.”  

Asterope couldn’t even move the fingers she had placed on his back at Kallieon’s heartfelt voice. His expression, filled with happiness over such a trivial statement, made it seem as if he had everything in the world.  

‘What have I done to deserve someone like this?’  

Asterope felt guilty even for breathing. As that thought filled her mind, she found herself unable to do anything. Seeing her frozen, Kallieon gently stroked her hair. After a while, she slowly leaned her head against him.  

“Of course, it’s natural. I am the Grand Duchess of Serpiewood.”  

“Yes, that’s right.”  

“I’m sorry it took me so long to realize something so obvious.”  

Asterope spoke in a very small voice. Kallieon chuckled and then pulled her away from his body. He met the eyes of the now quite embarrassed Asterope.  

“Rope, it’s not something you should apologize for. You’re making me happy right now.”  

Kallieon’s voice was tender. For him, family was a matter of utmost importance. The Onyx family had no roots. Its name had been derived from the Julmano pattern found where Kallieon was discovered.

There were no ancestors, no descendants. Relatives were out of the question. He had risen to become the master of Serpiewood all alone. The Onyx family had grown immensely but had always been a lonely family. This was also why Kallieon cherished Asterope, his first family member, so dearly.

Yet, she had continued to think of herself as part of the Lunette family, as she had been before marriage. She had acted as though she were ashamed of the Onyx family. Kallieon knew she deliberately avoided mentioning it, but he never said anything. He believed it was his fault that someone from the prestigious Lunette family had come to him. In the past, Asterope had taken his reaction for granted. She thought of herself as merely a temporary guest here.

‘If I had known that such an unconscious remark would bring him this much joy, I should have said something like this back then.’  

Asterope thought this as she brushed down Kallieon’s arm. Then she looked up at his face.  

“Your Grace, I’m hungry.”  

“Shall we go straight to the dining hall?”  

“Yes, that sounds good. Let’s talk about the banquet hall while we eat dinner.”  

“Alright. Since you like tender lamb, I’ve arranged for it to be the main dish. I hope you’ll enjoy it.”

“I like any kind of meat.”  

Asterope naturally took hold of Kallieon’s arm. The sight of the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess walking closely together made the attendants smile slightly. Although Asterope had treated Kallieon well over the past year, there was something strangely irksome about it. It seemed as though she was using his status and wealth rather than genuinely giving him her love.  

She always kept a certain distance from Serpiewood and the Onyx family, acting like an outsider. However, today’s appearance was far from that. Even the Grand Duke felt that way. The attendants exchanged glances, thinking that perhaps the two had finally come to face each other’s hearts.  

The only ones with strange expressions were the knights. In particular, Sommer and Chester watched the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess walking away with uneasy looks.  

“Now you understand why I had trouble guarding the Grand Duchess, right? She has really changed.”  

“The problem is that His Grace doesn’t seem to have any reservations about her.”

“With such a beautiful face acting so coquettishly, even His Grace would find it difficult.”

At Chester’s words, Sommer shook his head.  

“It’s not such a simple issue. There have been dozens, if not hundreds, of women who have approached His Grace in that way until now.”  

“What are you trying to say?”

“She’s different. By every measure.”

“I don’t understand what you’re trying to say.”  

Sommer spoke as he took the first step forward.  

“Perhaps the Grand Duchess has become a far more dangerous presence than we think.”  

“Is that so?”  

Chester scratched his belly as he followed Sommer. It was a habit he displayed when he wanted to avoid a conversation. Chester’s thoughts differed slightly from Sommer’s. While he agreed that something seemed off and that they should keep an eye on her, he felt it was too early to judge her as a threat. Chester watched the couple’s retreating figures with softer eyes than Sommer’s.

‘I hope Sommer’s concerns are unfounded. If this change carries the warmth of spring, perhaps Serpiewood will become a bit warmer too.’

Chester thought this as he walked down the long corridor, alongside Sommer, whose serious expression showed he was lost in thought.  

* * * 

Delicious food was being served at the dining table. As news spread that the Grand Duchess’s appetite had increased, the cooks at Serpiewood Castle became busy. 

Originally, Asterope had a knack for draining the energy of those who prepared her meals. No matter how carefully the food was made, she usually picked at it without really eating. The only time she had any appetite was when the Lunette family sent food from Sodel.  

However, after falling seriously ill, Asterope changed completely and began to finish every dish served to her. Today was no different. She cleared her plate with her small mouth, enjoying various dishes.  

“Rope, slow down.”  

“But this lamb is really delicious. What did you marinate it with?”  

Asterope popped a piece of cut meat into her mouth and chewed it with delight. Kallieon couldn’t take his eyes off Asterope, who was enjoying her meal. She didn’t notice his gaze until she felt full and realized it later.  

Asterope wiped her mouth with a napkin and, feeling a bit embarrassed, spoke up.  

“What kind of meat do you like the most, Your Grace?”  

“I don’t have any preferences. What you want to eat is what I want to eat.”

“Not that. You must have a favorite food.”  

“After eating anything I could find on the battlefield, I’ve lost my taste.”  

Kallieon took a sip of red wine after speaking. Ever since Kallieon saw Asterope gulping down ouzo at the dining table, he had removed all ouzo from sight. At least in her presence, ouzo was nowhere to be found. Instead, wine or refreshing fruit juices were served. Following his lead, Asterope took a sip of wine and continued,

“Still, there must be something you want to eat more.”  

“As long as I don’t starve, anything is fine.”  

Kallieon had never really thought about what food he liked. If it was there, he ate it; if it wasn’t, he didn’t. Asterope felt a bit bitter at his seemingly indifferent demeanor.  

“You know so little about yourself, Your Grace. I might as well ask Tama instead.”

Kallieon chuckled briefly before continuing.  

“Old Tama might know. He’s unnecessarily meticulous.”

Asterope bit her lip and let it go. She suddenly lost her appetite. Kallieon, who could remember her love for lamb, didn’t even care to know his own preferences.

Asterope ate boiled and mashed beans. Eating it with whole peppercorns and lemon made it perfectly seasoned and enjoyable. It was one of her favorite dishes from Serpiewood.  

“Then, what color do you like the most, Your Grace?”  

“Color?”  

Kallieon scratched his cheek at that question. Asterope narrowed her eyes and continued.  

“You wouldn’t just say any color would be fine, right? This is important. We’re going to choose the color of the drapes and curtains for the banquet hall.”  

“Is my favorite color really that important?”  

“Of course.”  

“What if it’s a color you dislike?”  

“Well…”  

Asterope pondered the unexpected question for a while. Kallieon looked at her face, which was seriously contemplating his question, with affection. After some time, Asterope seemed to have made up her mind and spoke.  

“I’ll listen first and think about it later.”  

“I like dark colors. Especially deep black, like your hair.”

“Alright. Then how about using black velvet fabric with silver thread that has a hint of blue for the drapes?”  

“But you like gold thread.”  

“How did you know that?”  

“Because the dresses that you cherish have a lot of gold thread.”  

Kallieon knew Asterope’s preferences in detail, even though he didn’t know what food he liked. Asterope pouted her lips, bit them, and then continued speaking.  

“But the silver thread would suit the black velvet very well. It resembles the scenery of Serpiewood.”  

“That might be true. I like anything you want.”  

“And… it also resembles the color of your eyes, Your Grace.”  

Kallieon blinked at Asterope’s unexpected words. Asterope shyly lowered her head and stirred the boiled beans. Kallieon smiled as he looked at her cheeks, which were tinted like a pretty peach, and took another sip of wine.  

“I don’t really like my eye color.”  

“……”  

“But hearing you say that makes me think I might start liking them from to

Asterope lifted her head and met his gaze.  

“Then you should start liking it from today.”  

Kallieon couldn’t help but smile at Asterope’s bold command. Asterope straightened her posture and continued with a cheeky tone.  

“As the Grand Duchess of Serpiewood, I have a good eye for things. Especially when it comes to beauty, so you can trust me.”  

Kallieon enjoyed her playful voice and listened quietly. Asterope looked into his eyes and sweetly said,  

“Your Grace, Kallieon Onyx.”  

“Yes?”  

“Your eyes are as beautiful as the sky of Serpiewood when it snows.”  

She spoke as if casting a spell. In her mind, she recalled a time in the past when his beautiful eyes had dimmed with the approach of death, but she kept those thoughts to herself, managing only a faint smile.