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Chapter 04
“If milady wishes to take revenge on the First Prince, I will gladly assist you.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I will. As you command.”
“Your honor might be stained.”
At present, Calix was a great war hero, a knight bearing the title Guardian of the Empire.
Even if, for certain reasons, he had not yet been appointed Commander of the Knights, anyone could see that a golden road stretched before him.
Lizbeth had seen just how high he could rise. And because of that, she felt a flicker of guilt.
If he stood at her side, such glory might no longer be his.
“Once we begin, there’s no stopping. Think carefully about your name before you answer.”
As a final warning—worried he might be stepping into this impulsively—Lizbeth spoke.
But Calix simply smiled brightly, as if none of that mattered.
“My name already belongs to you, milady. Use it however you wish. You may trample it as well.”
And so, Calix Feion was officially added to the plan titled:
‘I’m the craziest bitch in this district.’
It had been years since Calix last visited the ducal estate, and he looked slightly tense.
Standing stiffly before the dining hall, he received a sideways glance from Lizbeth, who lightly brushed his arm as if to ease him.
Unaware that it only made him stiffer.
“When I mentioned you, Father told me to bring you at once.”
“…I see. I mean—that’s a relief.”
“After all, it’s true we’ve known each other since childhood. The rest of my family too.”
The Duke had likely permitted Calix’s visit for more than that reason.
But instead of speculating, Lizbeth pushed open the grand handles of the massive doors.
The arched doors parted, revealing the spacious dining hall within.
At the center table sat the members of House Armiersha.
At the head sat the Duke of Armiersha. To his left were the Duchess and Claude. To his right sat her older sister Marcella and her brother-in-law, Joseph.
“Sorry I’m late, Father.”
“Duke Armiersha, it has been a long time.”
With an endearing smile, Lizbeth spoke first, followed by Calix bowing respectfully.
As Lizbeth turned her head and watched his hair slide softly over his shoulder, the Duke’s deep voice echoed.
“It’s different seeing you in a private setting. Welcome back to Armiersha, Calix.”
“We should begin the meal. Lizbeth, sit down.”
At her mother’s words, Lizbeth smiled and gently took Calix’s arm.
Her seat was between the Duchess and Claude. With thoughtful tact, Claude shifted one seat over so Lizbeth and Calix could sit side by side.
Marcella, seated across from them, looked displeased—but considering today’s purpose, it was a perfect arrangement. Lizbeth gave Claude a small, grateful smile.
“Thanks, Claude.”
“It’s nothing. Please sit, Sir.”
Calix nodded slightly and took the seat to Lizbeth’s left.
Servants placed cutlery before them, and dishes specially prepared by the head chef were brought out in succession.
Warm summer sunlight poured in as the family chatted lightly, occasionally asking Calix about his well-being.
The meal proceeded peacefully.
Until dessert had yet to arrive.
“Duke Armiersha. I requested this audience because I have something to say—to you and to the family.”
It seemed Calix decided it was time.
Ah… the peach sherbet was good…
Reluctantly, Lizbeth set down her spoon, eyeing the half-finished dessert.
At his resolute tone, the Duke lowered his wine glass.
This felt ominous.
Lizbeth briefly considered telling her mother to remove the wine glass—but decided against it.
“Oh? And what might that be?”
Calix’s lips parted slightly as he glanced at Lizbeth, as if asking, Are we really doing this?
Lizbeth beamed and nodded.
“Lady—”
“Lizbeth?”
“—Please grant me permission to marry Lizbeth.”
Silence.
For a moment, no one seemed to fully process what he had just said.
Then the Duke moved.
With a hand bulging with veins, he seized the wine glass beside him—
Splash!
Wine scattered across Calix’s face.
Remarkably, not a single drop splashed on the Duchess between them, nor on Lizbeth beside him.
“Calix Feion, have you finally lost your mind?! You earn a few merits on the battlefield and think everything is easy now!?”
“….”
“Lizbeth is to enter the imperial family in a month—what nonsense is this?!”
Reddish wine soaked his hair, ran down his white cheeks and jawline, and trickled into his collar.
Not a water slap—but a wine slap.
Calix, this was unexpected.
Ah… he might get angry later.
Pressing her lips tightly as she clenched her fists, Lizbeth watched him remain still, eyes lowered.
It was her cue.
Father, forgive me. This is your daughter’s tearful effort to save the family from a madman.
After apologizing internally, Lizbeth slammed her hand on the table and stood.
She wrapped her arms around Calix’s head and cried out tearfully—
“Calix has done nothing wrong, Father!”
All eyes turned to her dramatic interruption.
“It’s my fault… all my fault.”
“……”
“On the eve of marrying His Highness, I dared… to fall for another man…”
Calix’s pupils trembled like an earthquake. Lizbeth ignored it.
Time for the climax.
Clutching her abdomen, she let her lips tremble.
“I gave Calix… both my body and my heart.”
“What—what are you saying, Lizbeth?!”
“I’m carrying Calix’s child.”
“—Cough!”
Calix made a strangled sound in her arms, but fortunately, the simultaneous chaos drowned him out.
“F-Father’s fainting! Catch him!”
“Put that sword away, Sister! Brother-in-law!!”
Fire-element filial daughter Lizbeth Armiersha looked upon the scene and swore inwardly:
Father, I’ll become the craziest bitch in this district and deal with that lunatic! Just trust me!
Lizbeth barely managed to evacuate Calix from her older sister, who was screaming about cutting him in half.
They’ll sort it out somehow.
Leaving the aftermath to Joseph and Claude—who were restraining Marcella—Lizbeth walked lightly down the corridor, feeling refreshed.
Half a step behind her, Calix followed blankly.
“A child… my child….”
Right. She hadn’t told him in advance she would lie like that.
Lizbeth lowered her brows apologetically.
“Sorry I didn’t warn you. But I didn’t think the engagement would break off otherwise.”
“That’s fine, but… still, milady…”
“Conveniently, I haven’t had my monthly cycle this month. They’ll believe it. Oh—and you’re a decent actor.”
He had dodged Marcella’s sword, but not the cup she’d thrown at him. A vivid bruise bloomed on his cheek.
Clicking her tongue, Lizbeth pulled out a handkerchief.
“For someone like you, dodging a cup should be easy.”
“…If I impregnated someone’s little sister, I suppose I should at least take that much.”
With a resigned sigh, Calix bent down willingly as Lizbeth reached up with the handkerchief.
She blinked.
He even does this.
Of course—he was a knight. Courtesy like this would be second nature.
Even knowing that, his gesture felt strangely unfamiliar.
Was that why he felt unfamiliar back then too?
When he first returned from war—
Perhaps she had been shy before the man he had become, so different from the boy in her memories.
Realizing this belatedly, Lizbeth wiped his face more slowly than necessary.
When Calix opened his eyes, sunlight caught on his lashes and shimmered down.
For some reason, Lizbeth felt oddly flustered. She cleared her throat softly and began to speak.
