Chapter 107
“Confession (1)”
“Did you sleep well last night?”
Anna, who had just stepped outside, turned her head at the familiar voice. Ban was walking toward her with his usual casual gait.
“Thanks to you, I slept well. I appreciate your concern.”
“As expected of the Marchioness—you’re strong. I heard there were several dangerous moments during the night.”
“……”
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
Ban frowned at the steady gaze Anna fixed on him. She let out a small sigh before speaking.
“Sometimes, you don’t need harsh words to see into someone’s heart.”
“……”
“I don’t think it’s necessary to make enemies when you don’t have to, Ban.”
Startled by her gentle but firm tone, Ban placed a hand on his chest and bowed slightly.
“Thank you for the lesson, Marchioness.”
“……”
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
Anna began to walk past him, but her path was blocked by another man.
“I’d like a word with you, Marchioness.”
“……”
“It will only take a moment.”
Edwin stood there stubbornly, clearly unwilling to step aside until she agreed.
Watching the two, Ban spoke in a light tone.
“The carriage will arrive in thirty minutes. We’ll depart for the Grand Duke’s castle immediately after. Please be back before then.”
Edwin gave him a silent look of thanks, but Ban only shrugged.
Anna shot Ban a glare.
“You really ought to mind your own business less.”
“I’ll keep that in mind as well, Madam.”
Leaving Ban behind, Anna walked forward. Edwin followed, and Ban sighed deeply as he watched them.
“The road to the Grand Duke’s castle feels longer than ever…”
Anna stopped at a spot not far from where others had gathered. It was close enough that people could see them, but far enough that no one could overhear.
Seeing her deliberate choice, Edwin felt once again the distance between them.
After hesitating, Edwin finally spoke.
“I’ll go with you to the Grand Duke’s castle.”
“……”
“I don’t say this because I ignored what you told me last night. But I also must thank the Grand Duke of Esperos, who saved the count’s knight. I hope you’ll allow me that much.”
“……”
“That’s the only reason I asked to speak with you.”
Anna thought for a moment, then nodded.
“I have no right to stop someone who wishes to express gratitude.”
“……”
“As long as you keep the promise I asked of you yesterday.”
“……”
“If that’s all, then I’ll return first.”
She brushed past him, heading back toward the others. Edwin stood there, staring into the dark forest where the sunlight did not reach.
Yes, he thought. This is how it should be.
“Did you enjoy the fireworks last night?”
Mei asked while fixing my hair. I nodded.
“Yes. From the bell tower, it was amazing. You could see the whole view, and the railing was wide enough to sit comfortably.”
As I answered, memories of last night returned, and heat rushed to my face.
Noticing my flustered look, Mei asked with a half-smile.
“What are your plans today? Will you go to the library? Or perhaps meet His Grace?”
“……”
“Lady Rebellia…?”
She looked worried at the sudden seriousness on my face.
I sighed, then met her eyes through the mirror.
“I want to meet His Grace.”
“……”
“There’s something I need to discuss with him.”
“Something to discuss?”
Before I could reply, a familiar voice cut in unexpectedly.
“What is it you need to discuss?”
Startled, I turned. Calliere was leaning against the doorway, winking.
“Your Grace?”
“I came to see if you had time for tea with me. Looks like I arrived at the perfect moment.”
Smiling, he stepped inside. Mei excused herself to prepare tea and quickly left the room.
The door clicked shut, leaving just the two of us.
He walked closer, still smiling playfully.
“Did I come too early?”
“N-no. It’s not that… but surely nothing urgent brought you here, right?”
“Urgent? The only reason I came was because I wanted to see you.”
His words were so direct that my face burned instantly.
Seeing me at a loss, Calliere’s smile widened.
I tried to cover my embarrassment, narrowing my eyes at him.
“You’re saying that on purpose, aren’t you?”
“What am I saying?”
“Those kinds of words.”
“I only spoke the truth.”
“……”
“I wanted to drink tea with you. I wanted to see you.”
His warm smile left me speechless. I wasn’t used to such tender words. They left me both flustered and secretly happy.
Calliere let out a soft laugh, then grew serious.
“So… what is it you wanted to discuss?”
I hesitated, but just then, Mei returned with the tea.
“Shall we move to the table first?” I suggested.
He nodded and walked over.
I quickly opened the drawer, took out the small vial hidden inside, and followed him.
Once Mei left again, I sat across from him. He didn’t rush me. He simply waited patiently.
And I realized—time wouldn’t give me courage.
Lifting my head, I met his eyes.
“Do you remember, in Babylon Forest, when I told you to leave…?”
“I remember.”
“And when I said that one day you might resent me for not pushing you away more strongly?”
“I remember that too.”
His calm reply made me tighten my grip on the vial beneath the table.
I was afraid of what he might think once he heard the truth, but I couldn’t keep hiding it.
I wanted to tell him everything, so that—just like he had taken my hand—I could also hold his with my whole heart.
“The truth is… before you came to the forest to find me, my father had already visited me.”
“…By father, you mean the Marquess Piace?”
There was something odd in his tone, but I pressed on.
“He said he had met with my mother. To others, he told them she left for her health. To me, he said she ran away from the house ten years ago.”
“……”
“But the truth is, she didn’t go away to recover, and she didn’t run away either. She’s been locked inside a dark room with boarded windows for ten years.”
Anger rose in my chest as I spoke. My eyes burned with tears I refused to let fall.
“And after telling me this, my father handed me this vial. He said I could only save one person—my mother, or you.”
I placed the vial on the table. The thick, black liquid glimmered inside.
Calliere’s expression hardened as he looked at it.
I met his gaze, and finally forced the words out.
“It’s Girnen’s poison.”
“……”
“When you found me in the forest… I was weighing your life against my mother’s.”
