Find the One Who Abandoned Me - Chapter 58

“Even if you act all gentle and manage to get close to him, you won’t be able to keep it up forever.”

“I told you already, it’s just a brief romance I want to experience before I get engaged. Besides…”

Lady Berchia trailed off before continuing.

“I get bored easily. I’ll probably lose interest sooner or later.”

Her gaze wandered aimlessly over her teacup. There was a faint trace of determination in her voice, as if she was trying to convince herself. For all her talk about a secret fling, she clearly understood how impossible it was for House Dylas and House Glayderth to ever come together.

“That’s why I’m thinking of taking a break from sword lessons for a while. Go out more, look around. I’ve got to succeed before I turn eighteen.”

“Wow. You’re talking about love like it’s some sort of mission.”

“How’s it any different?”

“Well, the mindset is admirable, but what if you don’t succeed? Otis Glayderth isn’t exactly easy to win over.”

Calliope glanced down at her half-cooled tea, mirroring Berchia’s gaze. She rested her elbow against the armrest.

“He’s not the kind to fall easily.”

And that’s pride talking, not confidence, she thought.

Otis was still young, but his mind worked in a strict, rational way. He would never get involved with someone from House Dylas. Calliope chose not to point that out and instead let her thoughts wander.

If no one knew about Lady Berchia’s swordsmanship even after she got engaged at eighteen…

Then maybe she really had given it up entirely afterward.

Calliope thought that was a shame. Berchia’s skill was obvious in every sword lesson. Even to Calliope, who was still a novice, her talent shone.

I guess I can’t call her a fool, since I already threw something even more important away for love.

She scoffed at herself internally.

If she gave up her talent for love, then I threw away my life.

No matter how foolish something looked from the outside, when you’re the one feeling it, it can seem like the most important thing in the world. Maybe this was Calliope trying to justify her own past mistakes—even the ones she might still be making.

A faint glint of cold light passed through her crimson eyes. She was barely managing to handle her own life as it was.

She knew her limits. She didn’t want to waste energy on things she couldn’t control. She also didn’t want to be the cause of unintended change. So whether Lady Berchia’s unrequited love went on or not, she didn’t really care.

Except for one thing.

“Lady Berchia.”

That one thing—was her swordsmanship.

“Lord Otis Glayderth appreciates capable people, no matter the field.”

It was the kind of advice a fool gives another fool.

“Is that so?”

“I heard it from him directly, so take it for what it’s worth.”

With that, Calliope stood up.

“If you think carefully about what you’re good at, you might figure out how to appeal to him. I have to go—I’ve got another appointment after our sword lesson.”

She figured this much advice was harmless.

As she started to leave the terrace, Berchia called after her.

“How did you hear that from him?”

Calliope responded casually.

“He’s a friend of mine.”

And with that, she left without looking back, clearly uninterested in being further involved. Berchia sat quietly in her seat, staring at the cold tea in her cup.

“A friend of Otis Glayderth…”

The Otis Glayderth who was infamous for not keeping a single female companion around—and Calliope was his friend?

Something about that didn’t sit right with her, so she drank the cold tea in one go. The chill of it settled uncomfortably in her stomach.

She didn’t know what exactly was stirring in her gut, but Berchia stood and quietly returned to her room.

The engagement between the Marquess House of Anastas and the Earl House of Esteban was arranged surprisingly quickly. Though the Esteban family wasn’t exactly poor, they paled in comparison to House Anastas, so most of the preparations naturally fell to the marquess’s side.

Calliope was inspecting the decorations for the ceremony one by one when she suddenly spoke up.

“As for the engagement itself, fine—but after we’re married, I want him to move into the Anastas estate.”

Across the table, Ilan looked up from the document he was signing. It had been a while since she’d seen her father’s face. Calliope was sitting in the guest seat of his office, checking the list to finalize the engagement details.

“He’s the second son anyway, so it’s not a problem—but why?”

“His family’s situation is a mess. I don’t want to live in that chaos. Besides, we’ll have to become independent sooner or later, so I’d rather he stay here until then.”

“Fine. Do as you like.”

“Of course.”

He was the kind of father who never paid much attention to what his daughter did—firstborn or not. Whether she lived one way or another, it didn’t matter to him.

Calliope dropped the paperwork on the table and rubbed her tired eyes.

“I wanted to bring him over as soon as the engagement was official.”

“That won’t happen.”

“Right, right. I knew you’d say no, so I held off until after the wedding.”

“Engaged or not, it’s improper for an unmarried couple to live under the same roof.”

“I never said we’d be sharing a room.”

“Don’t play word games. Once you’re living under the same roof, people will assume you’re sharing a room.”

“There are always too many people interested in someone else’s business.”

Calliope spoke in a singsong voice and rose from her seat. All the documents she had reviewed were neatly stacked at the edge of the table. As she headed toward the door, Ilan glanced at her profile and said,

“…And in case you happen to change your mind.”

“Excuse me?”

Calliope let out the most exaggerated scoff yet.

“Please don’t suggest that this engagement might change based on how I feel.”

Though her eyes curved softly, the crimson glow behind them was anything but warm.

“I know it doesn’t work that way. Still, you’ve gotten better at sweet-talking.”

In the past, he never bothered with such empty pleasantries. It really seemed like the world only started treating her like a person once she began making noise. When she’d kept quiet, they treated her like a fool—now that she stood out, they finally acknowledged her existence.

Calliope turned to leave the study. But Ilan called out once more.

“I’ve decided to attend the royal event in the capital this week.”

“There’s an event at the palace?”

Calliope turned back and asked. She tried to recall what it might be. Before she could figure it out, he answered.

“It’s the knighting ceremony for those newly admitted to the Royal Order.”

“Oh, right.”

Isaac was scheduled to attend that event alongside the Earl of Esteban. Normally, his older brother would have gone, but Calliope’s involvement had shifted things this time. It was Isaac’s first official appearance—and one Calliope absolutely planned to witness.

If I remember right, I didn’t go with them last time.

Now that it had been mentioned, fragments of memory returned. The Royal Knights held an honored position in the kingdom—an arm of the king’s power, and the highest station a knight could hope to reach. As such, their induction ceremonies were held with great pomp and formality.

In truth, a marquess’s entire family wouldn’t usually attend such events. But back then, the Anastas household had shown up in full force—likely to signal allegiance to the Royal Faction. Except for her, of course.

At the time, Calliope had hated being the center of attention and felt relief rather than rejection. No vivid memories lingered from the event, which meant nothing noteworthy had happened.

“Understood.”

“Good.”

Leaving the study at a calm pace, Calliope soon began walking with an energetic bounce in her step. Her heart fluttered with anticipation over how to present Isaac in his first public appearance.

This time around, he would no longer carry the image of a neglected second son with strange eyes. He was precious to her—and just because only she could have him didn’t mean others were free to treat him poorly.

Calliope returned to her room and threw herself onto the bed. She half-heard Susan’s nagging in the background, but let it pass from one ear out the other. Instead, she called out.

“Jack.”

“Yes.”

For once, Jack wasn’t napping. He responded promptly. Calliope turned on her side and looked at him.

“So you’ve just settled into being my full-time assistant now?”

“Come to think of it, the lord hasn’t summoned me in a while.”

“You really don’t seem to think much about that. Isn’t this basically a demotion?”

“But I’m still getting paid the same, so…”

“Well, glad to hear you’ve got no complaints.”

Lying belly-down on the bed, Calliope began slowly kicking her feet in the air. She seemed to be pondering something.

“It’s his first official appearance. We can’t let it be dull.”

“What are you planning now?”

“Why do you say it like I’m about to cause trouble?”

“Well… it’s not technically trouble, but…”

Susan turned her head with a look of “don’t drag me into this.” Calliope stared at her for a moment, then suddenly sat up.

“Eek!”

Susan let out a little scream of surprise, but Calliope’s eyes sparkled as she shouted.

“Let’s get ready—we don’t have much time before the weekend!”

“Ready for what?”

“Come with me and you’ll see!”

After hurrying to change clothes, Calliope headed straight for—of all places—the Dylas estate. She managed to find Lady Berchia, who was resting between sword lessons, and approached her with a smile.

“What is the meaning of this sudden intrusion?”

“Don’t be so stiff. I just need one little favor. I promise I’ll be gone before you know it.”

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