Find the One Who Abandoned Me - Chapter 55

While Susan was quietly fighting her own internal battle, a carriage rolled into the Marquess’s estate. Compared to the grand carriage Calliope had been given when she first arrived, this one was much smaller—but still elegant and refined. It came to a smooth stop at the front gate.

“Isaac.”

The young man who stepped down had his dark hair still falling gently over his eyes. But Calliope smiled more brightly than anything else as she greeted him.

“Lady Calliope Anastas.”

He looked a little flustered to see her already waiting. Understandably so—he had arrived thirty minutes early. But Calliope had already expected that. He was always like this. Every time they met in the past, he would show up early and wait for her.

“Did I… keep you waiting?”

“No, I just came out.”

She answered smoothly. It wasn’t even a lie. Knowing his habits, she had timed her exit perfectly.

Calliope extended her hand, and Isaac carefully took it to escort her. His gesture was delicate, like he was afraid of damaging a feather. As they stepped into the carriage, she looked up at him and smiled.

“Looks like we’re perfectly in sync today.”

“…In sync?”

“Yes. You were thinking about me, and I was thinking about you. Our thoughts met.”

Isaac pressed his lips together tightly. To others, it may have looked like stoic silence, but Calliope could tell—it was just shy hesitation.

“…I see.”

He hesitated for a moment longer, then quietly added, mustering his courage:

“I… really was… thinking of you, just now.”

“I think about you all the time.”

“Ah…”

Isaac blinked, caught off guard.

“I’ll… always think about you too. From now on.”

Calliope smiled, clearly pleased. Behind them, Susan and Jack stared blankly into space. The sun was high and summer was here, but it somehow felt like a soft, spring breeze had just brushed past—sending chills up their spines.

Should’ve stayed out of this, Jack thought.

Why did I come…? Susan silently echoed.

But as her servant and attendant, where else could they go? The carriage carrying the four of them soon rolled out of the estate.

They arrived at Auticle, the boutique Jack had reserved in advance. Known for its strict appointment-only system, Auticle was famous for allowing customers to consult directly with expert artisans in clothing, hats, shoes, and accessories—all under one roof. Nobles flocked to it for that reason.

With excellent design, impeccable quality, and a price tag that screamed luxury, it became a favorite among the nobility. And in their world, a “great price” meant expensive—the more, the better.

Especially after they became famous, Auticle limited themselves to only thirty clients a day. That restriction alone had noble families scrambling for a spot. After rumors spread that the queen had bought a gift for the king here, the place was basically revered.

Though it was a one-story building, the inside was more spacious than most noble mansions. It was Isaac’s first time visiting a place like this, and his nervousness was obvious. He’d been tense the last time she brought him to a tailor and jeweler, but today his expression was even stiffer.

As Jack opened the door, Calliope walked inside with Isaac and smiled.

“Today, we’re getting everything fitted—head to toe.”

“Ah, yes. That’s why… I was told to clear my whole day.”

“Exactly. You need something fitting for our engagement ceremony.”

Isaac blinked in surprise.

“I thought… the ceremony was going to be simple?”

Calliope waved to the staff, responding casually.

“Yes, simple. We’ll clear out one of the halls in the marquess’s estate and limit the guests to about fifty. It would be wonderful if the Duke and Duchess of Dylas—my stepmother’s family—could attend too, though I’m not sure if they will. Oh, and I still need to hire a band and choose the food. I’ll probably have to bring in an outside pastry chef. The marquess estate does have one, but he mostly makes Carolli-style desserts, and there aren’t enough options.”

“Th-this is… simple?”

His stammer clearly asked, how is this simple, but Calliope just tilted her head with an innocent smile.

“Yes. It doesn’t get simpler than this, does it?”

Isaac immediately started nodding, as if to say she was absolutely right, and that agreeing with her was the best strategy.

Following the staff’s lead, Calliope took a seat and began flipping through a catalogue of formalwear. Like Isaac, she had cleared her schedule for the day and was ready to give this her full attention.

She didn’t trust the Esteban family to handle things properly—not even a little. Judging by the carriage he had arrived in, it looked like they’d tried to make an effort… but since he hadn’t come with a single servant or attendant, things clearly weren’t running smoothly over there.

As Calliope flipped through the catalog, she lifted her head—intending to ask Isaac which outfit he liked best. His fashion sense, both past and present, was hardly trustworthy, but asking was still the polite thing to do.

But just then, she locked eyes with someone walking behind Isaac.

“Huh?”

“…Huh?”

The other person sounded equally surprised. And then, from behind Calliope, another voice spoke up.

“…Huh?”

“…Huhh?”

Calliope turned to look—and there was someone else she hadn’t expected to see.

“What are you doing here?”

“What else? Why do people come here? But never mind me—what about you two?”

“…Buying a gift for my father.”

The voices followed one after another: Otis, Calliope, and then Lady Berchia. All three blinked at each other, slightly stunned, while Isaac—seated quietly between them—asked,

“Do… you all know each other?”

Otis seemed to recognize Isaac from a brief encounter, and Calliope wasn’t surprised. He had a sharp memory. As for Lady Berchia of House Dylas, there was no way Isaac would recognize her, so Calliope stepped in to explain.

“This is Lady Berchia Dylas, from House Dylas. And as you probably remember, this is Lord Otis Glayderth, of House Glayderth.”

“Ah.”

Isaac stood, intending to greet them formally, but Otis casually waved it off.

“No need.”

“This is quite the coincidence.”

Calliope smiled, lightly brushing Isaac’s shoulder as she spoke to Otis.

“Come to think of it, you were wearing shoes from Auticle when we first met, weren’t you?”

Otis paused for a moment, seeming to recall that day—and the flash of red madness in her eyes. His expression quickly turned sour.

“Your acting was… quite something.”

Isaac looked at Otis without a word. He still didn’t understand the subtext of their conversation—but he knew there was something there he wasn’t being told. He clenched his hands in his lap. Of course, Calliope noticed.

“I was desperate at the time. And it’s not like you wanted to be engaged to me either, right?”

“…That’s true.”

“I’m here to have Isaac’s engagement suit tailored. His family hasn’t exactly been helpful.”

“Already calling it his in-laws, are you?”

“Well, what else should I call them—his family?”

Calliope answered breezily, then turned to Lady Berchia. She wasn’t speaking—but her gaze was fixed very intently. Too intently. Not at Calliope, but at one very specific spot.

Calliope narrowed her eyes slightly, pretending not to notice.

What’s this about?

Instead, she shifted her gaze back to the catalog and showed it to Isaac.

“Well then, now that we’ve said hello, let’s get back to shopping. Isaac, which shirt color do you like? I think this off-white is nice. Pure white has a bit of a yellow undertone and might not suit you well. This one’s too sterile—this shade feels just right.”

“I… think that looks fine.”

Isaac nodded diligently, though it was clear he had no idea what the difference between pure white and off-white even was.

Then, Otis—still standing nearby—clicked his tongue.

“You’re really planning to put your fiancé in something that plain for the engagement ceremony?”

“…What?”

Startled by the sudden remark, Calliope looked up. Otis stepped over, leaned down, and flipped through a few pages of the catalog before pointing to a fabric with a faint blue tint.

“It’s an engagement ceremony, not a wedding. A touch of color like this should be fine. And if you pick a jacket in a slightly deeper shade, it’ll balance well.”

“…Where did that come from?”

“I couldn’t just stand by and watch.”

Straightening up, Otis crossed his arms. Everything he wore—his outfit, accessories, belt, and shoes—was impeccably styled and practically sparkled. Right. He was one of the trendsetters of noble fashion. Clothes, food, shoes—you name it. And when it came to men’s attire, no one matched him.

“And what, I can’t give a friend some advice?”

“Friend?”

Oh, right. They had agreed to be friends. And when it came to fashion, Otis was definitely more reliable than she was. Since he was volunteering the advice, Calliope had no reason to turn it down.

“Yes, a friend. Great. Then come here and help pick out the jacket fabric too. And the pants. Oh—and the shoes and belt. Accessories as well.”

“I see you’re not wasting any time now that I’ve opened my mouth.”

“My fiancé has to be perfect that day. Not that he isn’t already, of course. So which of these two do you prefer? I like the one on the left.”

Otis let out a deep sigh at her completely unbothered tone and sat beside her, flipping through the catalog with her.

“I agree. But if you’re going with this color for the suit, then I’d suggest red for the cuffs.”

“No, the cuffs will be diamond.”

“Diamond? Not bad, but it might come across a little safe.”

“They’ll match my fiancé’s eyes. Wouldn’t that be beautiful?”

“…Ah. Yes. Of course…”

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