Chapter 14
After Tiana and Lucious left, a subtle tension lingered in the drawing room. Marquis Calvino, who had been staring at the closed door for a while, finally spoke to Edwin, who also couldn’t take his eyes off it.
“The young lady’s demeanor has changed quite a lot. Even if she’s lost her memory, it feels like I’m looking at a completely different person. She’s nothing like how she used to be.”
“…There were some effects from the accident. But since it’s not a negative change, I think we should be thankful.”
“A negative change, you say… Right. Actually, she seems better now. Before, well… even out of politeness, one couldn’t say she had a pleasant personality.”
“…I apologize. There were many things going on with that child back then… It’s my fault for not being more attentive.”
“I’m not blaming the Duke. A young lady of that age is bound to be sensitive and complicated. And… there was the matter of the Duchess as well.”
“…Yes.”
At the mention of the Duchess, Edwin’s expression turned complicated. No matter how sensitive and troubled she may have been at that age, the former Tiana had been… strange.
She spent most of her time alone, was extremely wary of others, and avoided not only strangers but even her own family. She looked down on everyone and wouldn’t even face them.
Her face was constantly filled with anxiety and dissatisfaction, making it hard to see even the faintest smile.
She gradually withdrew from social life and stayed confined indoors.
Edwin and the rest of the ducal household had tried to reach out to her, but every attempt at conversation was met with panic and aversion. Eventually, she became increasingly isolated.
‘…At first, I thought it was because of Diana…’
He had believed it was due to the shock of his wife’s death two years ago. The girl had loved her mother so dearly—it was understandable if she couldn’t accept the truth.
And on top of that, he had his own guilt.
He had left her to be alone during her mother’s final moments. How terrified must she have been, left to face death alone as a child?
Edwin had never imagined that not being present at his wife’s deathbed would become such a lifelong regret. Nor did he foresee it would ruin his relationship with Tiana.
“…It’s already been two years since the Duchess passed.”
Marquis Calvino, noticing Edwin deep in thought, resumed speaking. He tapped his fingers twice on the armrest before continuing, watching Edwin’s darkened expression.
“Come to think of it… not long after the Duchess passed, the young lady was in that accident. If I recall, the carriage overturned. Both then and now… she came out of it relatively unscathed. That’s a relief.”
“…Yes.”
“With her mother’s death and a major accident following right after, it’s understandable how she changed. She must’ve been emotionally overwhelmed. She probably wanted to deny everything that happened with her mother. She was so devoted to her.”
Marquis Calvino also remembered how close mother and daughter had been. They were remarkably alike.
“That strong emotion may have caused the change after the accident. She seemed to reject everything… like she wasn’t even the same person.”
“…”
“…Ah, yes.”
Seeing Edwin’s silent agreement, the Marquis suddenly released his hand from his chin, as if something had clicked.
He gave Edwin a strange look and continued.
“Now that I think about it, the young lady today didn’t resemble how she was after the accident… but rather how she was before it—two years ago. In other words… the original young lady.”
“…!”
Edwin flinched in surprise. The Marquis watched him closely and went on.
“She used to be so bright, with clear eyes… She had a confident, attractive presence—like today. Back then, the Duchess was still alive, and the accident hadn’t happened yet. Perhaps… this accident caused her to forget the last two years. Maybe she wanted to forget them.”
“…”
“They say people who lose their memories often erase the painful or traumatic ones.”
“…Yes.”
“Usually, that includes even the good memories. But seeing the young lady act like her former self—like who she was two years ago—it feels like she forgot only the bad ones. Doesn’t it seem that way to you, Your Grace?”
Under the Marquis’s sharp gaze, Edwin struggled to compose his expression.
It was just like Marquis Calvino to see through everything with so little information. His insight was impressive.
Indeed, everything he said was true.
The sense of déjà vu he had felt ever since Tiana woke up and was found to have lost her memory… The growing sense of hope each time they spoke…
Even when discussing alternatives before visiting the Marquis, Edwin had been certain.
That the girl from two years ago—his original daughter—had come back.
She used to smile so brightly, just like her late mother Diana. Her inherited silver-gray eyes always shone beautifully.
When the mother and daughter were together, they looked so alike it was impossible to look away.
‘Edwin.’
‘Father.’
When they called him together, smiling with those familiar faces, there was no greater joy.
They were the two people he had loved more than anything.
‘If she returned because she wanted to forget everything… then…’
He couldn’t imagine the extent of the trauma Tiana must have suffered. Her rejection of everything after the carriage accident had seemed like a form of self-defense.
If forgetting the truth could help her heal, if that allowed her to move on—even if it was denial—then he welcomed it.
“If she can return… if she has returned…”
“…”
“…I would be truly glad.”
Perhaps his heart, unable to hold on for the past two years, had let go all at once with this incident. Seeing her old self again was a desperately welcome sign.
Even if she had forgotten everything—even if the last two years were erased—as long as she was still herself, then even such selfish thoughts were forgivable from a father’s perspective.
“…”
“…Yes. Whatever the case, it’s good news for both the Duke and myself. If she’s truly back to her old self, then we can treat the past two years as unfortunate but behind us—and move on.”
“…Yes.”
“I actually think it’s a blessing. Seeing her so strong and vibrant now gives me peace of mind. I look forward to seeing how she’ll support His Highness as the Grand Duchess.”
“That child… will do well.”
It might be his selfish desire, but since this opportunity had come, he wasn’t going to let it slip away. Even if he were condemned for it, even if it was unjust—he intended to seize it.
If only to fulfill the responsibilities he had failed at as a father.
Meanwhile…
“…”
“…”
A heavy silence lingered between the two.
Following Lucious out had seemed like a good idea at the time, but it had all happened so suddenly that she was too flustered to speak.
Now that they were alone, the tension only increased. Her once confident demeanor was gone, and she simply followed quietly behind him.
She watched absentmindedly as his soft hair swayed slightly with every step. Her gaze trailed down his white nape to the insignia embroidered on his collar—two crossed swords, the crest of the Grand Duchy.
The emblem, stitched in golden thread, stood out vividly. Seeing it so clearly stirred something in her.
‘Maybe it’s because I’ve only seen it in illustrations before… It feels so much more real now.’
The twin swords in the emblem represented the two blades possessed by Lucious and his older brother, Rayel. Rayel, now Emperor, had forged the blades and gifted one to Lucious.
It was revealed only later in the main story that the swords held a special meaning.
Rayel’s desire not to lose his one and only brother.
A wish to live together as siblings—not as rivals, but as cherished family. That was the meaning embedded in the swords.
When Lucious was granted the title of Grand Duke, Rayel also created an emblem bearing the twin swords—expressing his trust as a sovereign and his love as a brother.
Though half-brothers, Lucious deeply respected and followed Rayel. His gentle nature meant he could never be harsh, and his bond with Rayel was stronger than most knew.
Unlike others vying for the throne, Lucious had no desire for it. He maintained his own power to support Rayel, hoping to unify the imperial and noble factions.
‘All of that changed because of Tiana.’
When Tiana fell for Rayel instead of Lucious, he chose to betray his brother for her sake. After that, he committed countless atrocities without hesitation.
Though the main story painted it as feelings for Angelica due to a misunderstanding trope, the side stories later revealed it had always been Tiana.
His true feelings had been hidden.
A man willing to turn his back on the brother he revered for the woman he loved.
In the end, he bore all the blame alone so as not to burden Rayel, even if it meant dying with Tiana.
That he gave up everything not for himself but for others—it hurt just thinking about it.
Was it selfish of him to want to die with the woman he loved? Could such an ending be called selfish?
‘No, never. There are far more selfish people in the world.’
He gave everything for others—for the woman he loved—yet he was never rewarded.
I was heartbroken that he only chose something for himself at the very end… but also happy. Because he finally followed his heart.
That’s why this time, I want to protect him. I want him to be happy and not die a painful death.
‘I have to break the misunderstanding trope.’
I’ll eliminate the author’s manipulation and let the real Lucious be free again.
With that firm resolve, the panic in her heart settled a little.
Warm sunlight filtered through the corridor windows, gently spreading through her body, brightening her mood. The weather was lovely today.
Just as the echoing footsteps continued down the hall, Lucious came to a stop.
She looked at him curiously, having been enjoying the sunlight until that moment.
His expression was unexpectedly dark.
Why?
She watched him nervously. He slowly turned and, meeting her eyes carefully, spoke in a low voice.
“…I’m sorry for bringing you out so suddenly. I wanted to give you a tour of the estate… but did I make you uncomfortable?”
“Huh? No, not at all… Why would you think that?”
“…You hadn’t said a word for a while. I thought you might be upset because I forced you to come out.”
No! Absolutely not! I was just so distracted watching you that I forgot to speak! You looked so pretty from behind that I zoned out.
Sure, I got caught up staring at the crest on your collar for a moment, but that was related to you too.
You didn’t drag me out—you invited me politely. How could I be upset?
I shook my head while holding eye contact, but he still looked uncertain and dejected.
This won’t do. I need to clear things up.
“Not at all, Lucious. I’m actually grateful you brought me out. I was surprised when you offered to show me around, but it made me really happy.”
“Truly…?”
“Yes! I was just spacing out because the sunlight was so lovely today. Sorry. I must’ve seemed strange in front of Your Highness.”
“No, it’s all right. Now that you mention it… the weather really is nice. The sunlight is… warm.”
He smiled softly as he extended his hand to feel the warm light pouring through the window.
Can a person’s smile really be this pure and clean? My heart trembled just looking at him.
Dear readers, Lucious is so beautiful. What should I do? To all those who cried out in the comment section when he died—I’m sorry I get to experience this moment alone.
But I’m so happy. I’ll enjoy it to the fullest.
I had to collect myself before I was swept up in bliss again. I still had time to spend with him before heading back.
Though I wanted to keep staring at his smile, I couldn’t let time slip away here.
“I noticed earlier that the garden is really beautiful. Could you show me around the estate?”
“Of course, Tiana. This is where we’ll be living together—I hope it feels like home.”
“Yes, it already does. Thank you, Lucious.”
We smiled at each other, and I followed behind him with a light heart.
I was already looking forward to the life we’d share together here.
