EVHE 63

Chapter 63

Even though the sun had risen the next day, I couldn’t get out of bed.

I was supposed to go to my temple service, but I didn’t feel like it. My body felt heavy and lethargic, as if it had drunk water and sank into itself.

Why am I so depressed?

Is it because Saint isn’t on my side? Or because Olivia might take revenge on me?

I pulled the blanket over my head. Even though a whole day had passed, those thoughts wouldn’t leave my mind.

“Miss, here’s the chocolate cake from Velvet Point you wanted to try last time.”

Ally quietly placed a plate on the table beside my bed. She looked at me with concern, then tiptoed back out.

Today, she had done this more than once. I think it had already happened at least four times.

“…Miss, I’ll leave this here for you.”

Ann, who had found it difficult even to approach me, had brought some decorations from somewhere and was decorating the room.

Other maids also kept bringing things into my room. They even boasted about how beautifully the flowers were blooming in the garden and outside the mansion.

I wasn’t foolish enough to miss their intentions. So, in the end, I forced myself to get out of bed.

“Shall we go for a walk?”

“Yes, yes! I’ll get ready right away!”

Ally’s face visibly brightened at my words. She quickly called the other maids to help me get ready.

I didn’t say where we were going. Yet the result made it seem as if I were going to the palace immediately—it was dazzling.

At this point, I could tell how much the maids wanted me to feel better.

It’s not good to stay down all the time.

I forced a bright smile and stepped out of the mansion.

The nearby shopping street was lively, full of bustling crowds. I stared blankly at the energetic people around me.

Surely the surroundings were crowded, the sky was blue, and the air was clear. Yet there was no sign of my mood improving.

Huff…

All I seemed to do was sigh.

My chest felt tight. I wanted to vent this suffocating gloom to anyone immediately. But there was no one close enough for that…

Then, someone came to mind, and I blinked slowly.

Calix.

He had said that I should find him if I needed him.

I didn’t know if he could help in this situation, but it was better than nothing.

After all, he had helped me several times when I was at my limits.

But to find Calix, I had to go to the palace. And there was no guarantee he would be there, waiting quietly.

…

Thinking this made my energy drain again.

Let’s just go eat something delicious.

I barely remembered the strawberry cake Ally had bought last time. It had been so good it had even appeared in my dreams.

I think that shop said the wait was an hour…

And now it was daytime, so there would likely be even more people.

After a brief hesitation, I decided to go to the dessert shop. If the line was too long, I planned to just leave.

But when we arrived, the shop was unusually empty. Only one person sat at an outdoor table, and two inside.

“What luck,” I thought, about to go in—

“Oh.”

I was startled by a familiar face at the outdoor table.

The combination of red hair and gray eyes was rare around me. But it looked exactly like…

Am I imagining things?

Perhaps my brain was hallucinating out of desire to see him.

“Calix?”

I cautiously spoke.

The man turned his head at the sound, his eyes widening. It seemed to be Calix.

“Is that a disguise?”

“Well, sort of.”

Seeing him made me grin for some reason. I immediately sat in the chair across from him.

Yet Calix looked displeased. He didn’t even speak first, unlike his usual self.

“Why the face? Don’t you like seeing me?”

His lackluster reaction made my mouth pout automatically.

He remained silent, and I snorted, leaning back in my chair.

The table was full of desserts: cakes, pastries with cream, and various sweets. They looked untouched, despite being served a while ago.

“Not eating?”

“I don’t like sweets.”

He didn’t like sweets, yet he came to a dessert shop?

I narrowed my eyes and stared at Calix, who quickly averted his gaze.

Suspicious behavior.

Now that I thought about it, it was strange he was in the middle of town, especially since he had changed his hair and eye color…

“Then, why did our noble prince come here?”

I pressed him with a stare, waiting for a satisfactory answer.

“Because of you.”

Unable to endure my gaze, Calix replied shortly.

Me? I shot him a bewildered look, and he continued reluctantly:

“I did think it would be nice if we met, but I didn’t expect you to actually show up.”

My eyes widened at that answer.

Calix ignored my expression and grabbed a pancake he hadn’t touched earlier, taking a bite.

Although he claimed not to like sweets, he forced it into his mouth—honestly inconsistent.

“Why did you want to see me?”

I asked, partly out of curiosity. What began as a serious question became playful.

“Hmm?”

I rested my face in my hands and deliberately gave a sparkling look. I didn’t know it was probably burdensome for him.

“Tch.”

Calix glanced at me and clicked his tongue, placing the pancake back in the center as if tired of its sweetness.

“Are you doing this on purpose, even though you know everything?”

“Do I look that smart?”

I challenged him, and he sulked, resting his chin on his hand, clearly displeased at my stare.

“Well, I was going to come see you too, so this works out.”

Feeling awkward, I blurted out my thoughts. Then I laughed softly, shyly.

“Why?”

I hesitated at the simple question. My reason was trivial, like seeking advice—but somehow… hmm.

This time, I picked up a cake plate and placed it before me. Avoiding his gaze, I cut a slice overflowing with whipped cream and took a big bite. Regardless of the situation, it was delicious enough to bring tears.

Calix reached out and held my left hand, interlacing his fingers with mine.

Since I was eating with my right hand, it wasn’t uncomfortable, so I let it be.

He looked at our joined hands and spoke.

“You have no plans today, right?”

“I do.”

Even though I had none, I firmly refused, as usual.

“Then, shall we drop everything and go somewhere?”

Calix smiled as if my answer didn’t matter. The hesitant side he had shown earlier disappeared; he had returned to his usual self.

Riding the carriage for a while, we arrived at a horse-riding field. It seemed famous; there were many people besides us.

Just as I wondered if we would have to wait, someone approached the owner.

Was that Allen?

I barely remembered the face from the prison. My memory was faint, but I was sure it was him.

A few minutes later, everyone else had left as if the tide had gone out. The surroundings became completely empty, silent.

The groom led the horse and bowed 90 degrees, keeping his head down. He seemed to be trembling slightly.

“…Is that why the shop was empty?”

I looked at Calix, and he answered matter-of-factly:

“There were too many people, so I rented the place for a day.”

An absurd answer.

Isn’t this causing trouble? What if others had to leave just because we were coming? …Maybe it’s weird for royalty to mingle with ordinary people.

Even so, I didn’t dwell on it.

“Wait, is this really okay?”

The horse seemed taller than I expected. I felt like I could fall with even a slight imbalance. I worried about accidentally spooking it.

“Don’t be scared.”

Calix, seeing me tense, laughed. His hair had returned to black since no one else was around.

Fortunately, Calix didn’t leave me alone. He got on behind me and took the reins.

“Let’s go.”

The horse walked slowly, almost at a strolling pace. Calix didn’t seem to want to go faster.

Reeds swayed like waves beneath our feet, and the splashing of water under the hooves was soothing.

The golden reeds were bathed in the evening sun, like a painting.

I relaxed against him, feeling lighter than before.

Maybe it’s because I’m outside.

Whatever the reason, I stopped thinking. I just wanted to enjoy this scenery.

Soon, Calix stopped the horse. Ahead, there was nothing but a clear view—a cliff, perhaps.

He dismounted first and helped me down. Below was a golden field, not too high, and a calm riverside in the distance.

“So, why did you want to see me?”

I turned to Calix. He shrugged.

I hadn’t said I wanted to see him, but I stopped myself from teasing him.

Calix patiently waited for my answer.

The silent fields and serene view seemed to organize my chaotic thoughts.

Why did I suddenly lose motivation?

I hadn’t just survived a day or two in this world. I had seen many things happen and prepared for them.

Even when unexpected accidents occurred, or scheduled events took place, I didn’t give up, no matter how much it drained me.

I tried to see a hopeful future, to plan the next steps. But now, I wondered, what’s the point of it all?