WARDV14

CHAPTER 14

‘…Should I not have asked that?’

I quickly added an explanation.

“When I was looking around the mansion earlier, I noticed quite a few butterfly patterns.”

Idris was silent for a moment before nodding with a pleasant smile.

“Yes, I do like them.”

“Is there a special reason?”

“Caterpillars completely dissolve themselves inside their cocoons in order to become butterflies. Isn’t it incredible to be able to give up everything just to gain wings and fly into the sky?”

His answer made me open my eyes wide in surprise.

“You knew that secret about caterpillars too? Most people don’t.”

Not many knew that caterpillars literally melt into liquid in the chrysalis before reforming into butterflies.

I’d only found out by chance, from a book I read as a child.

Idris, too, looked slightly surprised that I knew such a detail.

“You must like butterflies too?”

“For a similar reason. They’re weak little creatures, but I admire how they’re strong enough to give up everything for their dream.”

At my response, Idris gave me a brief, unreadable look before letting out a quiet laugh.

“I had a feeling from the moment we first met, but it seems we have more in common than I thought, partner.”

It hadn’t been a calculated answer, but it seemed to please him quite a bit.

“Alright. There’s still some time until the business unveiling, but since we’re partners now, I’ll tell you in advance.”

“Tell me what?”

“Aren’t you curious what kind of business I’m using your magic stones for?”

“What kind of business is it?”

“I’m going to build an airship. One that flies like a butterfly.”

In this world where magic and technology coexisted, humanity had conquered the ground—but the sky remained untouched.

“This will be mankind’s first step into the skies.”

As Idris spoke of his airship, he seemed like a completely different person from the one rumored for his dark reputation.

His eyes sparkled brighter than ever—like…

‘A boy dreaming an innocent dream.’

I didn’t expect him to have this side to him.

“When the time comes, I’ll invite you.”

Looking into the eyes that held such a dream, I found myself setting another goal:

This time, I wanted to see that airship take flight with my own two eyes.

After dinner, I returned to the hotel, and sure enough, things had quieted down.

‘Though a few reporters are still hanging around…’

Still, it looked like I could get into the hotel without much trouble.

I turned to Idris, who had escorted me back.

“Thanks for walking me back. Get home safely.”

“You’re welcome.”

Then Idris lifted my hand and kissed the back of it long and deliberately.

I froze for a moment at the sudden warmth of his breath, but catching the reporters watching us, I managed to smile sweetly.

Idris’ carriage didn’t leave until I had stepped into the hotel.

Thanks to that, I was able to get to my room without being harassed.

“Finally, a long and exhausting day is over…”

Stretching my stiff neck side to side, I looked down at the paper bag I was holding and smiled contentedly.

It was the panna cotta Idris had packed for me.

‘Hehe… Erin will love it too, I bet.’

Thinking of sharing the panna cotta with Erin before bed, I knocked lightly at my room door.

“Erin, it’s me.”

“Ah, my lady…”

But Erin’s expression when she opened the door was not normal.

She looked like she was about to burst into tears.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen while I was gone?”

As I hurried into the room, I quickly realized the reason behind her distress.

“…Peidan?”

“You’re wandering around at this hour? If someone saw you, they might actually believe you’re having an affair with the grand duke.”

On the sofa, sat my ex-husband, scowling as if he were the one who had been wronged.

Next to him, the hotel manager wore an awkward expression that told me all I needed to know.

‘He must’ve threatened the manager and stolen the master key.’

Peidan didn’t care that I was glaring at him coldly. He simply gestured at the sofa across from him with his chin.

“Sit down.”

As expected—such an arrogant command.

Erin approached, tears in her eyes, and whispered to me.

“I’m so sorry, my lady…”

“It’s fine. This isn’t something you could’ve stopped.”

I gave her a comforting hug while whispering in her ear.

“Go to 24 Morremont Street and bring back Wig Sebastian.”

Realizing my intent, Erin wiped her tears and nodded with determination.

Once she had left the room, I turned to Peidan and the hotel manager.

“I caused a lot of noise today, didn’t I? I’m sorry.”

The manager looked surprised by my polite tone—perhaps expecting me to complain or cause a scene.

I continued before he could say anything else.

“But it seems the Florence Hotel values currying favor with power more than the safety and privacy of its guests?”

“W-What do you mean ‘currying favor’?! His Grace the Duke is your family, after all—”

“And did I ever give permission for this man to be in my room?”

“Well, no, but—”

“My maid clearly tried to stop him. And yet you abused your authority as hotel manager and allowed him to break in anyway.”

The manager looked humiliated, unable to say a word in his defense, and just shut his eyes tight in frustration.

Just as I was about to drive in the final nail, Peidan interrupted.

“Leticia, stop blaming innocent people. You’re the one who caused all this noise.”

I let out a dry laugh.

‘He gaslights so naturally, it’s almost a reflex.’

Does he think reminding me every second why I should hate him is a hobby?

“Let’s be clear. The reporters have nothing to do with this break-in, and the break-in is entirely your fault.”

“Don’t twist things—!”

“You pressured the manager with your power, didn’t you?”

Unable to refute my sharp point, Peidan’s smug expression twisted into a scowl.

And then, like a child throwing a tantrum, he lashed out at the wrong person.

“What are you staring at? Get out!”

“Ah—y-yes, of course!”

Frightened by the sudden outburst, the manager stood up, glancing between the two of us.

I stopped him before he could leave.

“I’ll be checking out first thing tomorrow morning. Just so you know.”

Even if he had no choice but to give in to pressure, I couldn’t continue staying at a hotel that sold out its guests’ safety.

“Y-Yes, understood…”

I turned my gaze away from the fleeing manager and finally looked back at Peidan.

“I thought we had nothing left to discuss without a lawyer present. These unannounced visits of yours? Extremely unpleasant.”

But Peidan ignored my words and jumped straight to his own question.

“What’s going on between you and that guy?”

He spoke like a prosecutor interrogating a criminal.

‘So you waited here until this late hour just to ask me that?’

I replied with indifference.

“I think I made that pretty clear at the boutique today.”

“Are you really dating him?”

“Yes. I’m in love.”

“You expect me to believe that?!”

“Why not? Idris has the looks, the title, the personality—there’s nothing he lacks compared to you.”

Peidan’s face twisted up in anger at the comparison.

‘How does it feel? You used to compare me to Elize every chance you got. Not so fun on the receiving end, huh?’

I was curious to see what he’d say next. And yet, all he managed was—

“You loved me!”