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Chapter 13
If it were under normal circumstances, the word “condition” would have made his brows furrow and his expression turn grave.
What Cedric could never restore, despite all his efforts—Calib’s childlike innocence—Elia managed to bring back in just a single month.
But once Elia leaves, Calib will be forced to grow up all over again.
That thought left Cedric with a faint bitterness.
Children are far more perceptive than adults believe.
They quickly sense who likes them and who doesn’t.
And Calib was a genius.
There was no way someone like him could be unaware of the fact that, within the family, he was treated like an unwanted burden.
If only I weren’t here, then Brother would become Grand Duke right away and be the sturdy shield of the family…
In fact, Calib had once voiced this very thought to Cedric.
And because of that, Cedric’s heart ached whenever he saw his younger brother forced into maturity so soon.
If I had never been adopted, perhaps Calib’s life would have been a little easier.
That was the kind of thought Cedric often found himself having.
Cedric finally answered Calib.
“Right. She said that even after my curse is lifted and after the divorce, she still wants to see you.”
“…What?”
“She doesn’t want anything else. Just to see you. Regularly, here, at the Grand Duke’s estate.”
“Huh? Uh…”
Calib looked a little dazed.
Of course—because Elia had never outright said she liked being with him.
That was why Calib had thought to gain her sympathy by showing her how Jeryl bullied him.
But for her to say she wants to meet me even after the divorce… could it be…
A faint blush spread across Calib’s face.
Could it be that Elia… likes me too?
Come to think of it, no matter how much people called it a “guardian-ward” relationship, the two of them were still divided by status.
And even if Brother’s curse is safely broken, they’ll try to seat me as the Grand Duke.
That would make Calib the Grand Duke, while Elia remained just a commoner.
Elia had said she had no memories of herself.
But that was only about her own past; she still knew all the general knowledge of the world.
Maybe the reason she couldn’t answer that time was because Brother was right there beside her.
The difference in status between a Grand Duke and a commoner was not easily bridged, and it wasn’t a relationship that could exist just because the commoner wished it so.
That must be why she couldn’t answer then. But once they tied it down as a contract, she slipped it in under the guise of mutual agreement!
The puzzle pieces clicked together neatly in Calib’s mind.
As befitted the future mastermind villain, his ability to connect dots was outstanding.
Unaware of Calib’s deductions, Cedric spoke in his usual calm voice.
“I’ve agreed to the condition for now. The final decision will be yours.”
“M–mine…”
“Of course, since the contract is already signed, refusing won’t cause any problems. And Elia would understand that.”
The truth was, Cedric had noticed—sometimes, Elia looked at Calib with eyes brimming with longing.
That was why Cedric believed her when she said that seeing Calib made her feel like fragments of her memories were returning.
Calib’s heart fluttered.
He had never consciously realized it before, but Calib wanted to be loved.
I learned that while being with Elia.
Just once—just once would be enough—he wanted to be loved not as “the heir” or “the next Grand Duke,” but as Calib.
It was a small, selfish wish he could never say aloud, but deep down, it was earnest.
So Calib nodded happily.
“Of course I’d love that!”
Of course, whether he said that or not, Calib had no intention of letting Elia leave the Grand Duke’s estate.
But that’s not something I can tell Brother now.
Elia’s heart had to be won by his own abilities—by Elia herself choosing him.
Unaware of Calib’s schemes, Cedric found his younger brother’s candid expression endearing and chuckled.
“Good. Then after the divorce, the three of us can decide together when and how often you’ll meet.”
“Yeah, okay!”
For the first time since coming to the Grand Duke’s estate, Calib nodded with the bright energy of an excited child.
The peaceful dessert time passed, and soon it was time to return to their daily routine.
“You have etiquette lessons this afternoon, right?”
At Cedric’s words, Calib’s face darkened slightly.
Of course—Lady Jeryl Babylon, daughter of Marquis Renald Babylon, might have been an excellent tutor, but she was unbearably strict.
She even told him to skip dinner for weight control.
The Babylon family was the Grand Duke’s first vassal house, and they carried that pride with unmatched fervor.
They were known for their absolute dedication to the Grand Duke’s household.
But weight loss… I don’t really understand.
From Cedric’s perspective, Calib looked like he should eat more, not less.
Still, Calib believed in Jeryl’s words wholeheartedly.
My teacher is such an excellent person. It’s only right that I follow her instructions.
Jeryl’s educational methods and Cedric’s opinions were completely at odds, but in the end, it was Calib’s choice.
All Cedric could do was respect it.
That didn’t mean he wasn’t worried.
As they walked toward the main building together, Cedric carefully began,
“How about taking the day off today?”
“Hmm?”
“You only just came back. Even if Elia treated you well, it was still a humble place you lived in.”
Cedric was trying to phrase delicately what he really meant: How hard it must have been, living in such a shabby hut.
“You could rest a bit longer.”
But Calib had already mastered etiquette to the point that even the Emperor had praised him.
Skipping a lesson or two wouldn’t dull his abilities.
Yet Calib stubbornly shook his head.
“I mustn’t neglect my studies.”
“Resting isn’t neglecting.”
“But Teacher is already here. How could a student make his teacher’s trip in vain?”
He spoke earnestly, walking forward with determination.
As usual, he was dutiful to his role as heir, mature beyond his years.
But something about today felt different, as though he had some other motive.
Come to think of it… Elia is joining the etiquette lessons starting today.
As soon as Cedric recalled that, a thought flashed through his mind.
Could it be… Calib is planning to use Jeryl for something?
Watching his little brother’s small back ahead of him, Cedric was struck with a quiet doubt.
“Welcome, Calib.”
I greeted him in front of the study.
Calib spotted me, and his face lit up as he ran over.
“Elia! How was lunch? Did it suit your taste?”
The moment he took my hand, his first words were filled with concern.
“It would’ve been nice if you were there.”
“We can eat together tomorrow.”
I comforted the disappointed Calib as we stepped into the study.
Truthfully, I had been invited to the brothers’ luncheon, but I had declined.
Not for any big reason—just to use the opportunity to get completely closer with Olivia.
In romance novels, don’t they always say—having a loyal maid who clicks with you is worth ten male leads?
Olivia might technically be Cedric’s person, but she was exceptionally kind to me.
Really, the first time I met her, I thought she was a fairy.
Over brunch, after I gave her permission (permission—or maybe I just couldn’t refuse), she smiled and said,
“No, no. If anyone is a fairy, it’s you, Lady Elia. Truly, I don’t think there’s anyone in the Empire more fairy-like than you.”
The way she said it, nodding sincerely, reassured me that she hadn’t seen through my secret.
It must just be a compliment in the Ifrecent Empire—to call someone exceptionally beautiful a fairy.
Similar to how, in the world I used to live in, we said someone looked like a celestial maiden.
Elia, contrary to her reputation as a fearsome villainess, had a gentle, pure impression.
That made it easy for people to warm up to her.
Olivia was no exception—we had become close in an instant.
She even pitied me greatly for my supposed lack of memories.
“To have no memories… You must feel so lonely. Aren’t you scared?”
“Mm, not really. Maybe because I’ve forgotten so much, it doesn’t bother me.”
I had answered with an awkward smile.
The truth was, it was Elia who had no memories—not me.
And even without Elia’s memories, I knew the original story, so nothing really tripped me up.
Well—except for not knowing how to break the curse.
Calib gestured toward the seat across from him.
“Here, Elia. You can sit there.”
I sank into the plush sofa and asked,
“What kind of person is your etiquette teacher?”
Because if I was going to crush this crazy etiquette teacher like a potato, I needed intel.
Something beyond the obvious—like how she starved him for “weight management” and beat him with ridiculous punishments.
But apparently, there was nothing normal to say about her.
“Um…”
Calib wore a deeply serious expression, thinking for a long while.
I watched him quietly, pitying his hesitation, then prompted,
“Olivia mentioned your etiquette teacher is your uncle’s daughter… so, your cousin?”
“Yeah, that’s right. My teacher is Lady Jeryl Babylon. She even graduated top of the Academy—she’s really amazing.”
Calib nodded as he replied.
Jeryl. Now that I thought about it, I vaguely remembered her from the original story.
And even then, the impression wasn’t good.
Because in the original, she was one of the side villains—the one who, when Cedric fell into his eternal sleep, prevented Calib from staying by his side until the very end.
