Chapter 10
Elena entered the Grand Theater, keeping her gaze forward the entire time to avoid being overwhelmed by the splendor around her. Yet, the real concern was something else entirely.
As she passed through the hall leading to the opera hall, every person she encountered bowed their heads—not to her, but to Ilias, who walked at her side. Although he had been away from Kadef for a long time, Ilias, now Duke of Heinrich, had become remarkably renowned.
Under the chandelier lights hanging from the high ceiling, his black hair shone with an unusual gloss. Among the many faces that looked similar, Ilias’s presence inevitably stood out. Walking beside a man who drew so much attention, Elena’s steps faltered.
Unlike Ilias, who remained unfazed by the endless greetings and lingering gazes, Elena didn’t know where to place her eyes. She didn’t realize that a considerable portion of the glances that initially targeted the Duke were now fixed on the striking woman beside him.
“The Duke, this way,” said a steward, guiding them.
“Thank you,” Ilias nodded.
Once Elena reached the second-floor balcony seating, she could finally escape the curious stares of the crowd. Her eyes, frozen until the curtain rose, gradually became absorbed in the performance. She had spent so long surrounded only by her own voice and silence that the soaring soprano notes penetrated her ears sharply. She stifled even her breaths in awe of the masterful vocal techniques.
Meanwhile, Ilias’s attention remained fixed on the woman beside him rather than the stage. Before the curtain rose, Elena had only studied the program book intently. Her delicate fingers turned the pages with such care it seemed as if she were handling a priceless jewel.
Does she truly enjoy opera this much? Ilias realized suddenly how little he actually knew about his fiancée. Which was only natural—he had never cared before.
When she first entered the theater, her face was stiff. Yet, over time, subtle expressions emerged, and when a performer let out an emotional cry, her brows slightly furrowed. It wasn’t mere delight—it was the wonder of someone encountering a new world for the first time.
Normally, he would have dismissed a three-hour performance as tedious. But now, the time seemed to vanish in an instant. Throughout it all, Ilias’s gaze never left Elena. It was only when applause and cheers finally erupted that he noticed the performance had ended.
“Shall we take a walk?” he asked, suggesting they stroll along the riverside through the city. Elena froze. They had already drawn plenty of attention coming and going between the opera and dinner.
And now he wants to walk where everyone can see us? While holding his arm?
A cool breeze drifted along the dark water, but it did nothing to soothe her anxious heart. Elena tried to maintain her composure, but her eyes betrayed her tension. She didn’t know his intentions and had no desire to continue a purposeless encounter.
Opera, dinner, a walk—this was a textbook example of a date. Though Elena had never been on one, she wasn’t naive enough to miss the obvious. Yet the thought of a leisurely, carefree “date” with Ilias felt absurd.
She repeatedly scanned the area to ensure no one else was nearby. It was the perfect moment to bring up what she had planned. Clenching her gloved fists tightly, she mustered her courage.
“I have something I need to say to you quietly, Your Grace.”
“Go ahead.”
“I was quite surprised by today’s invitation.”
“Really?” Ilias asked, seemingly oblivious to her unease.
Did he really not know what she was about to say? Elena began, her grip still firm around his arm.
“Since you and the Lorens are going separate ways, I assumed after our previous meeting that everything regarding that matter would be settled.”
“……”
“Out of respect for both sides, I hope this matter can be definitively concluded.”
She spoke clearly, emphasizing every word. Her heart pounded, yet she could not betray her nervousness. She waited, carefully composed, but he said nothing. Ilias continued to gaze at the flowing river, silent. Only in the next moment did he turn his eyes toward her.
“I know already. I’ve heard Count Loren is trying everything to finalize our engagement’s end. Rumor has it that everyone is certain about our separation.”
A small smirk curved his smooth lips. It wasn’t malicious, so Elena continued in a measured voice.
“Given the entanglements between our families, Ammon, who oversees the Lorens, must inevitably intervene.”
“So, do you share the same view as Count Loren?”
“…I only wish, as we agreed before, that all procedures conclude quietly.”
Elena spoke as firmly and clearly as she could. She hoped this would be sufficient, allowing her to begin a new life elsewhere. To do so, she needed Ilias’s agreement to finalize the matter.
She kept her gaze fixed on him without blinking. Finally, Ilias slowly opened his mouth.
“Now, it’s my turn to speak. To be precise, I do not wish to end things with you.”
“!!”
Elena was momentarily speechless. He didn’t want to end things? Did that mean not yet? Her mind raced, tangled in confusion, when he added softly:
“I want to continue seeing you. A walk like this, talking as we do, even watching a performance together—it’s all fine with me.”
“Huh?” Elena asked, stunned and dumbfounded. Why? And more importantly, what could be his reasoning?
“Why—why suddenly reverse your decision?”
“Well… after surviving a life-threatening ordeal, my feelings changed.”
“You mean, after the accident, your thoughts have changed?”
“That’s right. I suppose it’s most fitting to say that someone who has faced a grave moment experiences a shift of heart.”
A perfect, painted smile lifted the corners of his lips. Coupled with his striking face, Elena was left speechless.
‘A person who survived a life-threatening ordeal?’ She thought. No one facing the Duke of Heinrich could possibly believe that. Anyone would assume he’d secluded himself for some ulterior motive—but no one dared say it aloud.
Elena instinctively knew that smoothing over today’s matters would not be easy. Beside such a composed man, she alone felt a racing heart. The situation was undeniably against her.
What should I do now? She bit her inner lip nervously, when he continued:
“How about visiting an exhibition next? If there’s a particular artwork or painter you favor, tell me.”
His casual tone felt natural, as if the past—her intent to end things with the Lorens—had never existed. And Ilias wanted to continue their encounter.
Initially, his intentions had seemed suspicious. When he first sent the invitation for dinner, Elena had sensed as much. When the palace proposed another fiancée, she had been cautious. Until now, the Lorens were firmly allied with the royal court. Now, that was no longer the case. And Ilias wanted to know exactly what had changed.
