~Chapter 83~
Inside the imperial palace, simple duties were temporarily handled by Prince Adrian.
The prince had already been told by the emperor before she left.
“You should use this chance to learn the sense of managing the government.”
Only a few of his closest aides knew this fact.
So when the prince’s chief attendant, Markal, heard his master suddenly declare he would leave the palace, he could not hide his surprise.
The emperor was already gone from the palace, and now even the prince wanted to leave? Someone had to stay and guard the imperial palace.
Normally, Adrian would have stayed and faithfully done his duty. But this time, he acted strangely.
“Your Highness, forgive me for saying this, but leaving at such a time is…”
“That’s why I said not to tell anyone, didn’t I?”
Adrian cut him off, speaking quickly.
‘Is that really possible?’ Markal thought.
Not only was it strange to leave secretly, but also, why was the usually sincere prince suddenly behaving this way? Markal carefully asked:
“May I ask the reason?”
The prince was usually hardworking and responsible. Markal believed if he asked, he would hear a proper reason.
“No.”
Adrian refused bluntly. Markal was shocked.
Seeing his silence, the prince smiled as if to calm him.
“Markal, it’s not because something serious happened. I just want to clear my head. It won’t take more than a few days.”
“…”
Why did it have to be now? Markal wanted to ask but held his tongue. The prince didn’t seem like he would explain. Instead, Markal recalled recent palace matters.
A few days ago, the emperor had called him into her office. She had done this before, so it was not unusual.
But somehow, it felt strange this time.
The emperor asked about Prince Adrian’s daily life—his friendships, his social activities, volunteer work, and most of all, his health. She especially worried because she heard he had insomnia recently.
It was true. Adrian had been unable to sleep at night and often called servants to bring snacks or medicine. Markal reported this honestly, saying it was not serious. The emperor nodded as if satisfied.
Then, a few days later, Duke Hertio came to see the prince. Though they rarely interacted before, the two spoke as if familiar. It made Markal wonder if they had known each other all along.
At the same time, strange explosions were heard from the back mountain of the palace. Adrian himself went with magicians to investigate, but the cause was unknown.
All of it felt strange.
Still, Markal knew asking the prince now would give no answer. Adrian’s usual obedient attitude had changed. Yet he was clever, and surely would not cause trouble later.
“Then at least, Your Highness, please take a few attendants with you. Reliable ones.”
This was Markal’s compromise. The prince finally nodded.
“I will, Markal.”
“…No.”
“You have to eat it.”
“No!”
I was sleeping soundly when suddenly something awful-tasting was shoved into my mouth. Of course, I was furious—especially since it was bitter medicine.
I woke up to see Calix forcing it into my mouth. He was firm.
“You’re sick. Take the medicine quietly.”
“No!”
I shook my head and clamped my mouth shut. Even though I knew I was being stubborn, I couldn’t help it.
Not only did he leave me so coldly the night before, now he was feeding me like a nanny. It made me feel even more upset.
Maybe it was also because of the pounding headache and the burning throat that hurt even to swallow.
“It tastes awful. I don’t want it.”
Even I could hear how weak and broken my voice sounded.
Calix should have sighed, but he didn’t. Instead, he patiently endured me. Seeing that made me almost cry, but I held it back, glaring at him.
“…You left like I’d never see you again.”
“Where could I go, leaving you behind?”
He muttered. Strangely, those words comforted me. He held the cup out again.
“…If you drink this, I won’t bother you anymore.”
“No.”
His words scared me. Without thinking, I grabbed his sleeve. My voice trembled.
“Don’t go. It’s my fault.”
“…Rena.”
Calix gently removed my hand from his sleeve. That coldness felt like proof he was angry at me, and tears rose again.
“You did nothing wrong.”
“….”
I lowered my head. He only pushed the cup at me again, urging me to drink.
Finally, I took it. The medicine was, of course, horribly bitter. But I stared at Calix the whole time, afraid he would vanish if I looked away. I didn’t even notice the taste. Soon, the cup was empty.
“Good girl.”
Calix took the cup. But when it seemed like he would leave, I grabbed his clothes again.
“…Don’t go.”
He looked at me. I stammered out a pitiful apology.
“I’m sorry.”
My voice cracked. My eyes blurred with tears, and soon they overflowed. Once I started, I couldn’t stop. I cried like a child, clinging to him.
“I’m sorry, it’s my fault… Don’t leave me. Please stay with me.”
Calix bit his lip, looking troubled. That only made me cry harder. Finally, he spoke.
“Alright. I won’t go anywhere. I’ll stay here, so stop crying.”
I hiccupped and asked:
“Really…?”
“Where could I go, leaving you?”
He declared firmly.
I nodded, finally relieved. Wiping my face, though it was still wet, I watched as Calix brought over a basin and a towel. He wet the cloth and wiped my face carefully.
When he was done, he put everything back.
“…”
“…”
Silence fell between us. I couldn’t speak from fear, and he stayed quiet too. Only my occasional sniffles filled the air.
At last, Calix spoke.
“…Rena. You should sleep.”
It wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but it showed he still cared. A small relief spread through me.
“I can’t sleep.” I pouted.
“You need to, so you can recover.”
“You’ll leave if I sleep, won’t you?”
He paused, then whispered:
“You told me to stay by your side.”
“…Since when do you listen to me so well?”
I grumbled, but I liked his answer. Smiling faintly, I lay back down. He sat in a chair beside me.
Lying on my side, I looked up at his face. I was holding his hand now instead of his sleeve.
“Calix.”
“…Yeah.”
He met my eyes. I took a deep breath and said clearly:
“I’m sorry.”
It was something I should have said long ago. Once I started, the rest came easier.
“I’m sorry for leaving you back then.”
His body stiffened. His grip on my hand tightened.
His serious face showed he was listening carefully. That gave me courage.
“I knew what would happen to you, but I still ran. It was my fault.”
Silence fell, heavy as stone. I continued, slowly:
“At the time, I thought there was no other way. I knew you’d be hurt, but I turned away.”
“….”
“I’m sorry for leaving you alone.”
It was an apology five years late.
Calix gave no reply. I couldn’t meet his eyes, afraid he might scold me—or worse, abandon me for good.
But our hands were still joined. He hadn’t pushed me away.
So I waited, tense, for what Calix would say.
Why don’t you tell him the truth? It would at least make more sense