Find the One Who Abandoned Me - Chapter 71

“Lady, may I have this dance?”

“Aha.”

Calliope gave a faint, knowing smile. What was he trying to do? Once the new year passed, the areas where monsters appeared would expand, and their numbers would grow. That meant she’d soon be able to get engaged to Berchia. But now, in this vague and puzzling moment, where Gillan seemed to be showing interest in her—Calliope started to sort out her thoughts.

One thing’s for sure: he didn’t show even the slightest interest in me before.

Wanting to get a better read on him, she placed her hand lightly over his.

“Alright. Just one dance.”

Just then, Nina and Isaac finished their dance. Taking Gillan’s hand, Calliope stepped onto the dance floor. As she passed by, her eyes met Isaac’s again. She gave him a small gesture—just wait a little longer. Then, as the new music began, she slowly moved in time with the rhythm.

“I’m feeling something… like a sting,” Gillan said with a smirk.

“A sting?”

“Your fiancé is glaring at my back so fiercely, I’m surprised it’s not burning.”

“Then surely you expected that when you asked a taken woman to dance.”

She let out a bright, deliberate laugh. She could see Isaac’s face tightening, his expression slowly turning to stone. Honestly, if she said she wasn’t enjoying this, she’d be lying. She liked seeing Isaac focused only on her, burning with jealousy.

She supposed it had been like that in the past too—though back then, she had stayed so close to him that hardly anyone else had the chance to approach.

Still, he had always quietly respected her choices while doing everything he could to keep her by his side.

“I expected something like this, but I do hope I don’t end up getting stabbed once this is over.”

“My fiancé is a true knight. He wouldn’t challenge someone to a duel just because they don’t carry a sword.”

“Come to think of it, didn’t he receive his knighthood a year early and join the Royal Guard?”

“Yes. The ceremony was sadly reduced to a simpler form because of what happened four years ago, but it doesn’t matter. He’s destined to be a leader in the knight order. He wouldn’t let something like that bother him.”

“I was honestly disappointed I never had a knighting ceremony.”

Calliope slowly lifted her gaze to his face. He looked genuinely regretful. But the hand holding hers told another story. There were only the calluses of a man used to holding a pen—nothing more.

“You don’t seem the type to enjoy swordsmanship. Why is that?”

“I was a sickly child. Even though I come from a military family, I couldn’t train properly. My younger sister is much better with a sword than I am.”

“I see.”

So that’s why he eagerly accepted the offer to become Berchia’s fiancé. There was a reason behind it. Not many people knew about the siblings from that count’s household—they rarely appeared in public.

“Is it really alright for you to share all this with me?”

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“You don’t sound much like a noble.”

“I hear that a lot.”

He was like a smooth-talking serpent. His lips, thin and slightly curled into a long arc, gleamed attractively—but there was something about them that made her uneasy. And finally, when the music came to an end, he let go of her hand and said,

“I hope we meet again.”

He effortlessly kissed the back of her hand, and Calliope responded with matching ease.

“I’m quite a busy woman. I doubt we’ll see each other often.”

She smiled so sweetly that for a moment, he stood there wondering if he’d heard her right. But without leaving even a sliver of space, Calliope turned sharply and walked toward Isaac.

He hadn’t moved. He was still standing exactly where she’d asked him to, doing nothing more than waiting for her. That quiet patience made him even more lovable. As soon as she reached him, she wrapped her arms around his waist. He pulled her close and looked down at her, resting his arms gently around her shoulders.

“You don’t seem very happy.”

“…I’m fine.”

“What did I say would happen if you lied to me?”

“…It wasn’t great.”

“Because I danced with another man—twice?”

“Even once… would’ve been too much.”

“Oh my.”

She stood on her toes, and he bent slightly to meet her. Their lips brushed softly, then parted. To anyone watching, they looked like a perfect couple—completely in love.

As others glanced over and smiled quietly at the sight, one person frowned.

Nina.

She had come up empty tonight and was feeling more than a little irritated. She had danced with several noblemen, but none of them caught her attention. No—she had her eyes on someone already taken. That man. And she wanted him badly.

Well, we already have plans this weekend.

That would be her chance. If he had given in easily, she might’ve dismissed him as someone unworthy of interest. But watching him stay loyal to his fiancée only made her want him more. That was her nature—ever since she was young, she always craved what belonged to someone else.

“Just wait and see…”

Nina watched Calliope’s smiling lips, just after kissing Isaac, and stared coldly. She would be the one to twist that smile into something else.

No matter what Nina was plotting, Calliope’s debutante ball ended in overwhelming success. She had shown her closeness with the Lady of Dylas, made clear her deep bond with a capable fiancé, and danced with several prominent noblemen.

Calliope was already looking forward to the next event.

If she remembered correctly… it was happening this weekend.

Nina Viroantz had prepared herself thoroughly for today.

She styled her rich black hair into soft, flowing waves, wore a blue dress that complemented her eyes perfectly, and paired it with white shoes.

She knew exactly how her looks worked. A red dress made her seem bold and provocative, while a blue one made her appear calm and refined. Confident in her appearance, she kept her accessories simple and held her parasol herself. She gave her maid a final warning.

“Today’s very important, so don’t say anything careless.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Nina Viroantz wasn’t the warmest of mistresses, but she wasn’t the type to take out her frustrations on servants without reason either. Her nature was sharp—clear in her expectations, and strict when it came to mistakes. Just like most noble ladies were raised to be.

She took a carriage to the street known for its sword shops.

Usually, a gentleman would come to escort the lady himself, but that stiff man hadn’t even bothered with that—he simply sent a letter with an address, telling her where to meet him.

And yet… that’s part of what I like about him.

A man who didn’t even look at women who weren’t his own. A man who followed his fiancée’s wishes to the letter. That was Nina’s ideal—and Isaac fit that image perfectly.

The moment she stepped out of the carriage, she saw him—Isaac Esteban.

“Oh…”

He was dressed in a crisp black uniform, with a sword at his waist. It was a look she hadn’t seen at the debutante ball, and it made her heart skip a beat.

It felt like realizing the obedient, loyal puppy you thought you knew was actually a strong, disciplined hound.

“Good afternoon, Sir Esteban.”

“You’re here.”

“Yes. I didn’t keep you waiting, did I?”

“Not at all. I just arrived myself. Shall we go in and look?”

“Yes, let’s.”

Nina thought he was being polite. But in truth, he had only just arrived moments before. She had shown up within three minutes of him getting there.

He had timed his appearance precisely and was already checking the time. He had requested a brief outing from the knight order, and he needed to return on time. There were no days off for members of the Royal Guard.

“This is where I usually come to look at swords.”

He entered the store and began to explain things like a clerk would. His knowledge of swords was impressive.

“This shop works directly with a forge just a bit outside the city. That means they get new blades faster than most.”

“Wow…”

“And that forge is known for making the finest swords in the capital.”

“That’s incredible.”

“My father even owns one of their swords, which says a lot…”

Nina smiled and listened politely, but this wasn’t what she had come for.

She had imagined light, casual conversation while shopping—something a little more personal. But instead, he was completely focused on the swords.

After briefly glancing at her wrist, he began examining a few short, slim blades with a serious expression.

“I think a dagger would be best for you. You haven’t trained in swordsmanship at all, right? Using a longsword without experience would be dangerous. Once you’re more comfortable, you might want to try a rapier.”

“I-I see…”

“Oh, and I’ll buy the dagger for you.”

Nina’s eyes lit up at that. She believed in the rule: a man doesn’t spend money on a woman he’s not interested in.

“Oh, are you sure? I’d feel bad.”

“It’s fine.”

Then he added, looking oddly proud,

“Lady Anastas gave me the money for it. Despite her young age, she’s made a fortune through mining investments.”

“…Oh. I see.”

“She’s also helped grow two of her family’s businesses. Honestly, I could never dream of achieving what she has.”

“You must be… very proud of her.”

“I am. I want to be the kind of fiancé who’s worthy of her.”

“…”

Nina couldn’t say another word. Her lips pressed into a thin line.

Even now, while standing right next to her, Isaac’s mind seemed to be entirely on his fiancée.

Just look at him—the quiet man who usually said so little couldn’t stop talking now that the topic was Lady Anastas. He was practically glowing as he praised her intelligence, her wealth, and her achievements.

“Oh, one won’t be enough. I’ll just buy all of these.”

“…Is that also Lady Anastas’s suggestion?”

“Yes. She said it would be smart to try several and see what fits best. She told me to buy everything that seemed reasonable.”

“…Her generosity is truly… something.”

“It really is.”

Isaac showed no shame about spending his fiancée’s money. If anything, he looked proud—proud of how capable she was, proud of how much she had achieved.

His face stayed calm and expressionless as always, but Nina could still read it.

And it stung.

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