Chapter 21
“Who with?”
Calix’s tone was calm. Not the usual indifferent calm, though—there was something sharper underneath.
“Who are you so intimately involved with?”
Luise instinctively took a step back.
“That’s none of your business.”
Even though they were engaged, as long as no scandal leaked, having separate romantic interests wasn’t forbidden.
Calix’s annoyance with Emil was likely because he feared a scandal involving Luise and her servant.
‘No scandal with my past-life husband… that’s fine,’ Luise thought vaguely.
But clearly, Calix had other intentions.
“Luise.”
“Don’t try to lecture me, Calix.”
Luise’s sharp reply earned a long sigh from him.
“Alright… I understand.”
Surprisingly, he calmed down quickly.
Luise couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought that perhaps he wasn’t jealous after all.
“Then why did you bring me here through Sir Ilian?”
She shifted the topic to avoid unnecessary tension.
Calix simply called her name again with a sigh.
Luise braced herself for a reprimand.
“I felt I may have hurt you last time.”
He met her eyes.
“That’s why I came.”
A sudden gust of wind swept past, scattering Elise’s silver hair like silk in the air.
For a moment, Calix’s face had been hidden behind the hair—but now Luise could see it clearly.
He was looking at her with genuine apology.
Luise hadn’t expected such a reaction from the usually indifferent, cold Calix.
She exhaled and nodded.
“Alright. I’ll accept it.”
Calix stared silently. Luise added, slightly awkward:
“I’ll accept your apology.”
Another gust of wind ruffled his silver hair. A faint smile appeared on Calix’s face.
He extended his hand as if inviting her.
“Shall we go, Luise?”
She took it.
The two boarded the boat, just like before.
Perhaps to avoid the feeling of being watched, there were no guards or attendants this time.
Finally, Luise could enjoy private time with Calix.
Everything was perfect.
It was a date with all the elements she liked, and none of the elements she disliked.
When the boat reached the center of the lake, Calix slowed his rowing.
Luise assumed he did so to let her comfortably enjoy the surrounding scenery.
“Luise.”
“Yes?”
“Here.”
Calix handed her a parasol.
Luise blinked in surprise as he opened it and gently placed it over her.
“Why now?”
“You’ll see soon.”
As if on cue, the boat stopped completely in the middle of the lake.
Luise blinked, and suddenly a fountain erupted behind her.
Startled, she turned—water spouted straight up from the middle of the lake, creating a rainbow where sunlight hit the droplets.
She had never seen such a sight, not even in her previous life.
“This is…”
“I thought you’d like it.”
Calix spoke calmly, but Luise knew this was far from simple.
Even if staff carried out the preparations, the thought of arranging this just for her warmed her heart.
“Do you like it?”
Luise slowly nodded.
“…Very much.”
It wasn’t merely liking—it was a sense of fulfillment that filled her entirely.
“I’m glad.”
Calix resumed rowing, content.
He circled the fountain at a comfortable pace, disregarding wet clothes, so Luise could admire the view.
It was beautiful, yet Luise felt a mix of unease and fullness.
Calix was never someone she could feel completely at ease with—but today was different.
‘What if I hadn’t been engaged to Calix?’
She pondered briefly, realizing that without their engagement, the tragedies of her past life might have been avoided.
But then she knew:
‘And I wouldn’t be here on this boat, enjoying this moment with him.’
Calix likely wouldn’t have taken an interest in her otherwise.
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing.”
Luise shook her head, unwilling to waste a moment on worries.
She wanted to savor the memory, knowing it might be her last chance if they were ever to part.
She knew herself well.
Her eventual separation wouldn’t be out of dislike—she still loved him.
She simply needed to distance herself to survive.
“Calix.”
He turned to her.
For a brief moment, she saw a face that looked at her alone—dazzling, magnificent.
A thrill of happiness mingled with bittersweet sorrow filled her heart.
“Thank you… truly.”
It wasn’t just for the beautiful sight.
She knew the thought and care behind the moment.
He didn’t abandon her despite her reputation, and unless something drastic happened, he would marry her.
‘He did the same in my past life.’
Calix’s devotion had always been consistent. Luise’s gratitude mingled with the weight of the truth.
Soon after, rain began to pour.
The two hurried toward a nearby inn.
The inn looked old and eerie, prompting Calix to click his tongue in disapproval.
“Let’s just stay here, Luise.”
The rain made travel by carriage impossible.
They could either stay at the inn or risk returning soaked—no other options.
“We could rush back today.”
Impossible. Such a torrential downpour made that foolish.
But Calix’s suggestion wasn’t about practicality—it was to protect Luise’s honor.
Even though they were engaged, he didn’t want rumors of a lady spending the night with an unmarried man.
“I’m fine, Calix.”
Luise wasn’t worried about such things.
But Calix shook his head—not in concern for her, but disdain for the inn itself.
“I don’t want to stay in a place like this for even a second.”
“But I’m cold.”
Calix paused, finally relenting.
“Fine, let’s go to the inn. Agreed.”
Everything proceeded smoothly after that.
Calix rented the entire inn and bribed the innkeeper to keep the better room reserved.
In the end, they stayed in the same room, with Calix ensuring no interruptions.
