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Chapter 12
“…Calib?”
“Please don’t misunderstand. It’s just, uh… whenever I look at Calib, I feel like lost memories start to return little by little.”
Of course, that was a lie.
But it was true that seeing Calib reminded her of Yoon, whom she had tried so hard to forget.
“Maybe… it’s because he resembles someone who was once very precious to me. That’s probably why I feel such warmth toward him.”
The truth was, under the same sky, there was a child who looked exactly like Yoon—and she couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing him again.
She wanted to watch him grow and feel a kind of vicarious satisfaction.
Because her Yoon’s growth had stopped forever at the age of seven.
Coincidentally, Calib was seven years old now.
So she thought—if Yoon had lived past seven and grown safely, maybe he would have become like this.
It was a selfish desire for vicarious comfort.
“But of course… it’s not possible, is it?”
Because Calib was not Yoon. He was the heir of a grand ducal house, destined to be the future Grand Duke.
No matter her personal circumstances, the idea of meeting such a noble child for personal reasons was absurd.
She had blurted it out recklessly, but upon thinking about it, she realized it must have sounded strange and was about to correct herself when—
“I understand.”
“…What?”
Cedric accepted her request without hesitation.
“I’ll ask Calib for his opinion, and if he has no objections, I’ll add that condition. We can arrange the specific days later.”
He even offered to bring it up to Calib himself.
Her mind went blank, and she just stared at him before letting out a light laugh, like a sigh.
“Thank you.”
Honestly, in this moment, more than the ten billion gold alimony, what made her happiest was knowing that she would still be able to see Yoon—no, Calib.
She would only see him little by little, carefully, without drawing suspicion—just enough to indulge in memories.
With that thought, she shook Cedric’s gloved hand and left his office.
Click. After Elia left the office, Cedric dissolved the barrier.
Noticing this, Edwin approached and said,
“She’s… really stunning, sir. I’ve never seen such mysterious eyes before.”
“They call it ‘gem eyes.’ It’s a rare mutation, said to appear in only a few fairies. Perhaps that’s what she has.”
“Then… Lady Elia is a fairy?”
“There are no pure fairies left these days. Likely a mixed blood.”
“Hmm. But it suited her so perfectly… as if she were born for it.”
What had caught Edwin’s eye earlier was her long hair flowing past the partition.
And then, in front of Cedric—who left people breathless with just his presence—her clear, natural voice that carried so easily!
Edwin’s face had softened into that of a boy smitten with love when—
“Edwin.”
A sharp, chilling killing intent suddenly prickled his skin.
It was coming from Cedric.
His calm hydrangea-colored eyes gleamed strangely as they fixed on Edwin.
The glare left Edwin dazed.
As the one who had drafted the alimony contract, Edwin knew of Cedric’s arrangement with Elia.
But right now, Cedric was looking at him like he was some scoundrel who had dared covet his lover.
“I-I wasn’t thinking anything improper.”
Edwin, who very much valued his life, hurried to clarify.
But Cedric’s expressionless, silent gaze lingered on him for a long time before finally turning away.
It felt like a warning—that next time, he wouldn’t be so forgiving. Edwin swallowed a low sigh without realizing it.
Is it because of his orphaned childhood, or the fear of being disowned unless he proved his worth?
From a young age, Cedric never asked for much, but once something was in his hands, he would never let go.
Be it knowledge, talent, or even people.
This didn’t change even after he became an adult.
And Cedric never forgave anyone who tried to covet or touch what was his.
He even disliked when others simply showed interest.
But Lady Elia isn’t Cedric’s woman yet… is she?
The thought flickered through Edwin’s mind, but he quickly brushed it aside.
He must simply value her more because she’s the one who can break his curse.
For the sake of his stable job, Edwin resolved never to so much as utter Elia’s name again.
Not long after his silent vow, news reached Cedric.
“Young Master Calib is waiting in the garden.”
“Is it that late already?”
The brothers always had lunch together unless something serious came up.
It had started because Cedric noticed Calib often felt out of place, but now it had become an important routine for him as well.
He checked the clock: 11:50.
“If I don’t hurry, I’ll disrupt his meal.”
Cedric clicked his tongue, grabbed his jacket, and left.
On his way out, he didn’t forget to scold Edwin for informing him so late.
Ignoring Edwin’s sulky look, Cedric strode quickly down the corridor.
Honestly, I still don’t understand why I felt so irritated earlier.
He knew Elia was beautiful.
Even in a shabby hut, dressed simply, she had shone so brightly it was hard to look away.
And now, having made an effort to dress up, she was so beautiful she barely seemed like the same person.
Even if she weren’t merely descended from fairies, I’d believe she was a pureblood fairy straight out of legend.
But it wasn’t just her looks that pulled at him.
What was that scent from her?
A fragrance that began with the sweetness of peaches and ended with the freshness of grapefruit.
It was strange.
Was it an illusion?
He shouldn’t have been able to smell it.
Yet moments ago, he had definitely been enchanted by it.
And when he came to his senses, the first thing he saw was Elia’s profile as she looked intently at Edwin.
Her jewel-like eyes sparkled under the sun, reflecting Edwin so clearly—and it unsettled Cedric.
The thought of her facing him like that the whole time while discussing the contract only doubled his discomfort.
So, even though it was originally Edwin’s task, Cedric had snatched the contract away and explained it himself.
But one thing still bothers me.
The additional clause she wanted wasn’t money or privilege—it was simply the wish to meet Calib.
I thought she’d be after something greater than money if she was willing to marry so readily… but to request regular meetings with Calib at the Grand Ducal estate?
Her request had left Cedric conflicted.
After all, Calib was the heir to the Grand Duchy.
It wasn’t a matter of letting just anyone meet him so easily.
Yet the way her face had fallen, as if about to give up, weighed on him.
Maybe what she said was true—that seeing Calib brings back fragments of memory.
Having no memories was surely terrifying, no matter how much she pretended to be fine.
If looking at Calib helps her recall even a little… then clinging to him would be only natural.
Cedric nodded to himself, understanding her.
Besides, Calib is very fond of her. It wouldn’t be bad for him to spend time with her now and then, like with an old friend.
Though Cedric couldn’t predict how Calib himself would feel.
If he can’t live with her, he might refuse to see her at all.
Calib knew he wasn’t welcomed in the Grand Ducal household.
Because of that, he seemed determined not to grow attached to people.
And now, for the first time, he’s opened his heart to someone other than me. If it ends only in separation…
With that thought, Cedric quickened his steps.
Soon, he arrived in the garden.
“Brother!”
Calib, who had been sitting primly with a world-weary expression unfit for his age, lit up with a bright smile.
It was a sight Cedric hadn’t seen in a while, since Calib’s disappearance.
He let out a breath of relief and approached.
“Did you wait long?”
“No, I just got here.”
Though Cedric had rushed after being told Calib was already waiting, the boy offered a considerate lie.
Cedric found him endearing and patted his small head before taking a seat.
The brothers enjoyed a quiet lunch together, and when the lemon sherbet dessert was served—
“Calib, there’s something I want to ask you.”
“Hm?”
“This morning, I finalized the contract with Elia. She signed it, and the marriage will proceed soon.”
“I see. Okay.”
Calib looked at him calmly, as if waiting to hear what else he had to say.
“But… she made an unexpected request.”
“An unexpected request?”
Calib’s eyes widened.
