Episode 135
Under normal circumstances, she might have at least pretended, but Jenais was too flustered and furious.
Because of that, she couldn’t manage a reply.
“My, my…….”
I added quietly, as if feeling sorry for her.
“Then, unfortunately, you lack the qualification to attend my wedding. I desire genuine blessings from family. So, Sister. Goodbye?”
After Jenais left the room looking like she was about to cry, Callisteon burst into loud laughter before the door had even fully closed.
It was such a refreshing laugh, one I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen him laugh with such pure joy.
After laughing heartily for a while, Callisteon finally managed to speak.
“I’ve always wondered why you didn’t act like this sooner…… I feel utterly relieved.”
Then, he asked me slyly as I giggled along.
“So, what does our prospective Grand Duchess desire to have?”
“Desire to have, is it?”
I sidled away slowly as he subtly drew nearer.
But Callisteon paid no heed and continued to close the distance.
Then, as if he had found a weakness, he latched onto my words.
“You said you desired it. You have to say it clearly so I can prepare. A necklace? Or a merchant fleet? Do you want the Pereira’s Fey merchant fleet?”
The back of my legs hit a piece of furniture.
With no more room to retreat, I stopped and smiled at him with my eyes.
“I just… want Jenais to know what powerlessness feels like. The sorrow that comes from it.”
Callisteon shook his head as if disappointed.
“Your tone is different from before. Negotiations broken off.”
Despite his words, the hand that pinched my cheek was endlessly affectionate, and his blue eyes were filled with anticipation.
I laughed brightly and whispered.
“……Yes, darling.”
Callisteon drew a sharp breath and crashed his lips against mine.
He was desperate, as if he couldn’t bear it a moment longer.
“……As you wish.”
When our lips parted, he vowed in a deeply lowered voice.
“It will all come true. I promise.”
In the moment I was dazed, he pushed me back until I fell.
My back landed on the bed, and the man was pressed against me without a single gap.
The sound of a heartbeat, whose it was I didn’t know, pounded in my ears.
The shadow he cast was so large and deep that for a moment, I was confused whether it was morning or night.
The scent of the cool breeze that always clung to him stole away what little sense I had left.
“Since you said you remember everything, I can finally say this.”
Callisteon began meaningfully.
“That day, I wasn’t the one who laid you down. You remember that too, of course, right?”
Instead of answering, I closed my eyes.
I fully savored the blissful warmth of his hot lips tracing my skin.
I wanted it etched deep within me, so I would never forget anything about him again.
I wished for his warmth to be imprinted on my eyes and lips, the tip of my nose and the nape of my neck, and all over my body……
So that it could never be erased.
“You will come to the wedding, right?”
Even though our parting was a few days later than planned, Rurik looked utterly heartbroken.
“Yes, of course.”
“I’ll visit often even after that, Brother.”
I meant it sincerely, but he didn’t seem to believe me.
“Then create a reason to summon me for sure.”
“A reason to summon you for sure……?”
I rose on my toes and whispered to Rurik.
“Brother, you should get married too, you know?”
Rurik seemed embarrassed and avoided my gaze.
‘Could it be he thinks I still don’t know about his relationship with Helena?’
So, while hugging Helena, I said loudly enough for others to hear.
“Well then, I leave my brother in your care.”
Of course, it was natural to entrust the Emperor to the Saint, but this was a much more personal request.
Helena smiled brightly and replied.
“Stay healthy, and please visit often.”
Perhaps thanks to the humiliation I caused her, Jenais’s face was nowhere to be seen.
I next said goodbye to Ernst.
“Thank you, Erni.”
He would understand how much meaning was packed into those words, no matter how many times I said them.
After all, when it came to me, there wasn’t a single thing he didn’t know.
Perhaps because of that, instead of a formal ‘it was an honor’ reply, Ernst asked lightly,
“That wedding where only family is attending… I am invited, right? I believe I’m your only friend…….”
Choked up, I hugged him.
“Of course, Erni. You can go anywhere you wish. As long as that place is by our side.”
Ernst released me and looked up at Callisteon with a mischievous expression.
Meeting that look that seemed to ask for agreement, Callisteon chuckled.
“Thank you, Crown Prince. I’ll be expecting a congratulatory gift.”
Only then did Ernst break into a bright smile.
“You won’t be disappointed, Senior.”
A few of the Babenberg knights Callisteon had brought passed through the gate first.
I hugged Rurik one last time.
“I’ll see you in a few days, Brother.”
He kissed my forehead and both cheeks, a rare gesture.
“Above all else, stay healthy.”
I smiled and nodded, then took Callisteon’s hand.
Finally, we were going to Babenberg.
“Oogoo-goo-goo, has our baby been good……?”
When we arrived in Babenberg, Frilis greeted us with beaming smiles.
Only after cooing over the baby for a long while did I finally face my loyal maid.
“……Your Highness.”
Phoebe’s eyes were red-rimmed.
She was clearly still feeling inadequate for failing to protect the baby properly in Edessa.
“Thank you for being safe, Phoebe.”
As I hugged her tightly and spoke, Phoebe burst into tears.
“I broke my promise, Your Highness. I vowed to protect the young lady with my life, and yet…….”
I clicked my tongue, looking at Phoebe, who still couldn’t remove her bonnet due to her injury.
“The big knights in armor fell too, what could you have done, Phoebe? I am more than content that you are safe like this. Thankfully, Frilis is fine too.”
“If there is a next time, I will truly…….”
Just then, Callisteon cut in with a cold voice, interrupting Phoebe.
“Phoebe Neil, that’s enough. ‘Next time’? Do you think such a thing could happen here in Babenberg, under my protection?”
Phoebe inhaled sharply and corrected herself.
“My apologies, Your Grace. I am just so sorry that…….”
“If, by any chance, there is a next time.”
Callisteon said coldly once more.
“Survive it then, too. So that my wife does not grieve even more over your misfortune.”
Even though the wedding hadn’t taken place yet, him calling me his wife made everyone present stifle their smiles and bow their heads.
Finally, Phoebe also managed a smile and replied.
“……I… will obey your command.”
Callisteon’s expression softened, and he reached his arms out towards the nanny.
“Now, let’s see how much our daughter has grown.”
As he lifted frilly to shoulder height, the baby, who could now fully hold her head up, let out a gurgling laugh.
“Hmm, has she gained a little weight?”
When Callisteon tilted his head as if he had no idea, the nanny smiled and replied.
“Of course, Your Grace. She stays awake for much longer now too, and she looks well at the mobile decoration we brought from Edessa.”
We all moved together to the nursery, listening to the nanny’s explanations.
The corridor was warm.
Whether because of frills or not, the interior temperature of Babenberg Castle seemed much higher than that of the Imperial Palace.
Callisteon looked at Frilis with honey-dripping eyes and asked me,
“She still takes after me. Don’t you agree?”
“Of course, Carl.”
I laughed brightly and linked my arm with his.
Prillis resembled Callisteon.
It was an inevitability that made the months I had spent doubting it seem pitiable.
Because only Callisteon could ever be the father of my child.
That evening, Callisteon looked at a small, heavy wooden chest placed on his desk and asked the Head Steward.
“The Tower Master sent this?”
“Yes, Your Grace. It had a hazardous material label and was even warded with protective magic, so we conducted a security check beforehand. It contains a potent substance, but there is no risk of explosion, they say.”
Callisteon sighed with an uncomfortable expression and dismissed the Head Steward.
He owed the Tower Master many apologies.
Even if the Tower Master was only pretending to be fine in front of Louise and intended to vent his remaining resentment towards him in another way, he really had no grounds to complain.
