Chapter 56
Filina didn’t know what to say to Callis’s whisper, so she just kept listening.
‘Callis… I’m sorry. I think I need to stay by your side for a while.’
Knowing already that Callis liked her, Filina felt even more apologetic that she couldn’t reciprocate his feelings yet still had to remain beside him.
“I want to go home.”
“Alright. Let’s head back to the duke’s mansion.”
After a while, Filina spoke, even though she clearly knew this house wasn’t the duke’s mansion. Callis, however, ignored that and helped her onto the horse, then mounted behind her.
“This place looks even more beautiful when it snows. Let’s come here together on a snowy day sometime.”
“……”
Callis felt a twinge of disappointment at her lack of response, but thinking about how hard the day had been for her, he pushed down his feelings and began to ride.
“Alright. We’ll come on a snowy day.”
Filina hesitated, wondering if it was right to keep creating memories with him, before finally speaking.
‘Just a little more… just a little more of good memories… it should be okay…’
At her words, a soft smile spread across Callis’s face.
He pulled Filina’s shoulders closer so her back rested against his chest, then, with one arm around her, slowly guided the horse toward the duke’s mansion.
+++
After Callis and I arrived at the duke’s mansion, Dylan soon arrived with the rest of the group.
“Milady. I’m so glad you returned safely.”
The butler welcomed me with such joy it was as if I had returned from a battle. Even before I had dismounted the horse, everyone else rushed out, beaming.
“You all worked hard.”
I gave a brief greeting to those who had guarded the empty mansion in the duke’s absence, then went upstairs with Callis.
Margaret and Stella, who arrived late, were told that enough time had passed today and that we would resume work tomorrow.
“Margaret! I missed you so much!”
“Hoho. I’ve wanted to come to the mansion so badly too. Come to my room—I brought all the royal palace desserts with me!”
“Margaret! You’re the best!”
Margaret, who must have been as disappointed as I was today, happily mingled with everyone, chatting excitedly with the household staff she hadn’t seen in over a month, then went into her room.
After a quick wash and changing into a comfortable sky-blue dress, I was having a late dinner with Callis in my room.
“You’re saying Oliver and Ebony are here?”
About halfway through the meal, Callis told me that Oliver and Ebony had arrived, and that Oliver had lost consciousness for several hours but had woken up by evening.
“He’s still very weak. They’re feeding him a soft diet and letting him rest. We can go see him after dinner.”
Seeing that I was eager to visit Oliver, Callis set down his fork and began feeding me my portions one by one.
“I’ll eat it myself.”
Not wanting to be delayed, I picked up my fork again and ate my food carefully, making sure to finish everything.
“It’s a relief to see him getting lively again. I’ll have to reward Oliver… Oh, some sauce got on you.”
Callis laughed and rubbed my lips with his thumb, then leaned closer as if to kiss me.
‘This guy… I can’t let my guard down for even a second!’
I bit his finger sharply.
“Where did you see that lie? I just wiped my mouth with a napkin!”
“Oh… caught me.”
Callis smirked mischievously, took my hand, and lifted me up, leading me to the room where Oliver was staying.
+++
Oliver regained consciousness and ate the soft meals provided by the maids, then met Ebony.
The maids had been taking care to feed little Ebony well since she was so thin. In just a few days, she had gained so much healthy, pale skin that even Oliver was surprised.
“Ebony, you’ve become so pretty.”
Ebony beamed at Oliver, holding his hand tightly, only to frown when she noticed his hands were red and chapped.
“It’s okay. You won’t get hurt anymore, don’t worry.”
Oliver gently stroked her head so as not to frighten the young girl.
“Oliver! Did it hurt a lot? Are you feeling better now?”
Filina, entering Oliver’s room, frowned as she saw his face and hands resting on the bed.
Embarrassed by his red, chapped face and hands, Oliver avoided Filina’s gaze and buried his hands under the blanket.
“I heard you’re the duchess. I’m sorry for calling you ‘sister’ all the time.”
Oliver, who had learned that Filina was the duchess and that he was receiving treatment in this fine room thanks to her, felt both happy and somewhat sad.
“Call me sister. I wish I had smart, pretty younger siblings like you.”
Filina ruffled Oliver’s hair as she used to, and though he shrank his neck, he felt happy again.
“Yes. I’ll call you sister.”
“Hmm!”
As Oliver shyly responded, Callis cleared his throat loudly, showing disapproval, but Oliver just grinned, keeping his eyes fixed on Filina.
“Oh, sister! Look at what I brought.”
Now fully aware, Oliver asked for the stone he had been carrying in his clothes.
“Callis?”
Seeing the stone brought by the servant, Filina showed it to Callis with a serious expression.
“This… we need to examine it closely.”
A small crease appeared on Callis’s brow and disappeared just as quickly.
“Oliver, it’s late. Let’s sleep for now and discuss it again in the morning.”
Filina kissed Oliver on the forehead and also gave a quick kiss to Ebony, who hesitated nearby.
“Sleep well too, Ebony.”
Seeing the children’s reddened ears, Filina smiled and took Callis’s hand as they left the room.
+++
Back in my room, Callis and I sat side by side on the sofa. We laid a sheet of dark brown paper on the table, placed the white stone Oliver had given us on it, and examined it again.
The stone had a smooth surface. Rubbing it with a pen produced fine powder and left scratches.
“Callis, do you see this powder?”
I rubbed the fine stone dust on my hand and showed it to him. Judging by his frown, he seemed to recognize the stone.
“It seems related to the place I’ve been secretly investigating. We should call Dylan in the morning and discuss it together.”
“I’ll attend the meeting too, so Oliver isn’t surprised.”
Callis’s serious expression suggested that Oliver might be involved in something big.
Seeing me attend the meeting seemed to bother Callis; his expression stiffened.
“Filina, I know you’re smart. But I don’t want you involved in dangerous matters.”
He held my hands, kissed my wrists, and looked at me with worried eyes.
‘Why kiss my wrist… I could just talk!’
The spot he kissed tickled, so I pulled my hands away.
If I stayed in his grasp, who knows what might happen…
“Callis. Oliver’s in serious trouble, and there may still be kids like him there. I want to help.”
“Sigh… Alright. We’ll let you join the meeting.”
When I spoke firmly, Callis reluctantly agreed, and subtly moved closer to sit next to me.
‘Why is he suddenly getting so close…!’
“Then… shall we sleep? You owe me a goodnight kiss.”
Even though Oliver had received a kiss on the forehead, Callis’s gaze clearly wanted more, and he leaned toward my neck.
The closer his head came, the more my neck instinctively tilted back, as if waiting for his lips.
‘Gah! When did my neck…!’
I pulled myself together, straightened my neck, and placed my hands on his chest.
“Callis… stop.”
Just as his lips nearly touched my neck, I pushed him away.
Callis’s eyes briefly flashed with irritation but softened into a mischievous glint.
“Filina. We promised to be together every night…”
I glared at him, finding his words scandalous if overheard.
“Callis. This is my room, so I’ll decide what happens. Go away.”
I smiled mischievously, hinting at revenge for the last time he cornered me, and pointed to the door.
‘Hmph! Last time you trapped me all night! Taste that!’
I expected him to look disappointed, but instead, his face broke into that sly smile.
“I see.”
“Callis! That’s cheating!”
He scooped me up and carried me to his room next door, placing me on the bed.
‘Hey! …This isn’t fair!’
Failing at revenge, I briefly calculated the distance to the door and my running speed, then remembered he had already torn open the terrace door to enter my room, so I gave up.
Running would only provoke him further.
“This is my room, so I decide what happens.”
“We’ll only sleep!”
When Callis tried to pick me up again, I shouted urgently. He usually obeyed when I spoke…
“If you want, we can do more.”
His gaze already promised much more, and he lay beside me, holding me quietly.
‘Why is he so seductive even with clothes on…?’
Luckily, he was fully dressed today, but having seen him so often recently, I could almost see his bare skin and terrifying muscles under his clothes. Feeling embarrassed, I tried to turn my back to him.
“Don’t go, Filina.”
Callis didn’t like my back turned; he rotated me to face him and held me tighter.
“Callis…”
“Just stay by my side. I’ll give you whatever you want.”
His low, soft voice, like sorrowful music, made my heart ache.
I said nothing, just spent the night held like that.
+++
The next morning, Dylan entered Callis’s study and was momentarily surprised to see Filina there, then went to sit across from her.
Oliver and Scarlet were beside Filina, and Callis already sat at the head of the table, waiting.
‘Women attending a meeting…’
Dylan glanced at Filina and Scarlet before taking his seat. Two of Callis’s aides entered, startled like Dylan, and sat beside him.
Callis noticed that, unlike yesterday, Filina’s face was slightly flushed, her eyes sparkling, and her lips curved slightly as if she wanted to speak. A faint smile played on his face, subtle enough that others wouldn’t notice.
‘Has she regained her energy? Not because of me, but… that’s fine.’
Even if Filina’s renewed energy wasn’t because of him, he was satisfied that she had it back.
“Alright, everyone’s here, so let’s begin. This child here is Oliver. You all know the story. The stone he brought comes from the mine we’ve been investigating for our target.”
Everyone looked at the small white stone on Callis’s desk. One of Callis’s aides handed out documents detailing their investigations.
