Find the One Who Abandoned Me - Chapter 78

Carolie had come to understand what Calliope really meant when she said she would keep something “moderate.” It meant hosting an event just large enough to uphold appearances—but still grand enough to turn heads. If Calliope ever said she was planning something “big,” then it would be the kind of event where both the guests and their reputations would be coated in gold.

“This necklace is nice,” Carolie said, blinking as she admired a ruby-red jewelry set that had come in as a gift.

Calliope glanced at it. “It is. Who’s it from?”

“From the Count Andres family.”

Calliope, who had been sorting through other presents, lifted her head.

“Wait, the count’s family sent it?”

“Oh, actually—no. Now that I look closer, it wasn’t sent by the count’s household. It’s from Gillan Andres.”

“Hm.”

Calliope recalled the face of the man she had briefly seen at a party. Refined and handsome, yes—but there was something cool and shadowy about him, like moss growing beneath stone.

He definitely seemed suspicious…

And yet, in the future Calliope remembered, he hadn’t caused any real trouble. He had quietly become Berchia’s fiancé. After that… well, she died, so she didn’t know, but he probably married her without issue. His sister had likely inherited the family title, just as he’d said.

“Add Gillan Andres to the guest list.”

“Why?”

“No reason.”

“Should I send the invitation to the Andres family, then?”

“No, send it to him directly. I’m not interested in the family itself.”

“…Don’t tell me you’re interested in him.”

“Not that kind of interest.”

“Not that I assumed it was,” Carolie muttered with a pout. She, more than anyone, knew how deeply Calliope loved her fiancé. Calliope reached over and patted her sister’s head.

She still didn’t know why Gillan Andres had taken an interest in her. He’d been able to secure an engagement with Berchia thanks to his solid family background, and because he was one of the very few men Berchia had ever taken a liking to. So around this time, he should have been trying to stay close to her, not to Calliope.

Why is he lingering around me…?

Calliope continued stroking Carolie’s soft, frizzy hair like she was giving her a head massage. Then she made up her mind.

I’ll just have to meet him again to figure out what he wants. He doesn’t seem like someone foolish enough to chase a woman who’s already engaged. So maybe there’s another reason.

Trying to figure it out now wouldn’t help. She barely knew anything about him yet. So she neatly organized her invitation list and handed it to Jack.

“But won’t people start gossiping if we accept all these gifts and don’t send out invitations?” Jack asked.

“They’re not expecting one. Especially not the ones I didn’t invite.”

She recalled the list Jack had just taken away.

“Once they hear the names of the people who were invited, they’ll understand perfectly well why they weren’t.”

Calliope smiled sweetly, and Carolie gave her a slightly disturbed look. When she was younger, she thought her older sister was an angel. Now that she was older, she realized—Calliope was a natural-born noble.

Of course, the Marquess household and her fiancé Isaac would attend Calliope’s birthday party. She had also invited the Dylas family. Getting Berchia to show up alone would be enough of a win. She’d extended the invitation just in case, but knowing how busy they were, the odds of them all coming were low.

Then came the dilemma. Calliope looked down at the invitation addressed to Otis Glayderth.

He probably won’t come anyway. He’ll just say he’s too busy and send a gift to make up for it.

Given what she’d done for him, the gift would likely be something extravagant. Come to think of it, the Duchess had said she’d send something too. When would that arrive?

She hummed to herself cheerfully as she finished writing invitations. She sent them out to Gillan Andres, the families of the young ladies who’d joined her for her first tea party, and several other households known to have real social standing. When the count was complete, she realized her guest list numbered just about fifty.

“Isn’t that a bit small?” Carolie asked.

“The number doesn’t matter. Especially for someone like me, who only just debuted.”

Calliope gave Kaphir a pleased glance and reached out to neaten his hair.

“Even if it’s small, each guest carries weight. I only invited people who actually matter in society.”

“So it’s about quality, not quantity?”

“Exactly. And it’s not like I plan to show my face to just anyone. It’s a hassle.”

“Because all the guys will crowd around you?”

“That’s not what I meant—but I guess even you think your sister’s pretty?”

She teased him, and Kaphir pressed his lips together in frustration. Refusing to say the words out loud, he looked so stubbornly embarrassed that Calliope couldn’t help but think: He really is like my real little brother now. And since he couldn’t say otherwise, he was at least honest enough not to deny it.

Calliope hummed as she withdrew her hand.

“Well then, since the invitations are going out, it’s about time we start wrapping up the hall prep. Susan.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

“When Jack gets back, let him know to forget about going home early for a while.”

“Oh dear,” Susan replied cheerfully.

And so came the long-awaited day of Calliope’s birthday party—a day soaked in Jack’s tears, drowsiness, and overtime. Jack, ignoring the event entirely, had stormed off to his room declaring that he’d rather sleep than celebrate anything. Susan clicked her tongue at his retreating back while helping fix Calliope’s hair.

“How does someone that lazy even get hired as an aide to the Marquess’ family?”

“Don’t be so harsh. I heard he wasn’t always like this. He’s just been overwhelmed lately.”

“Still, the other aides manage just fine.”

“Well, I can’t argue he’s a bit… unique.”

Susan muttered under her breath as she finished with Calliope’s hair and moved on to adjust the hem of her dress.

“By the way, this new dress suits you so well.”

“Ah, those girls really poured their hearts into it.”

Calliope made a mental note to help promote their boutique after the party. More work on top of work might be exhausting to some, but she found comfort in staying constantly busy.

As Calliope lost herself in thought, Susan couldn’t stop marveling at the final look—her eyes practically sparkling.

“I don’t know how they even designed something this perfect. Honestly, you made the best decision hiring them. This dress looks like it was made only for you.”

“Who else could wear something like this, if not me?”

Her gown featured sleeves puffed from wrist to elbow, draping elegantly; the bodice hugged her chest and waist before blooming out like an overturned lily. Platinum-threaded embroidery adorned her neckline, and she wore a red diamond necklace and earrings—gifts from Kirke on her previous birthday. The platinum settings shimmered against her skin, transforming her into something sculpted—like a statue carved by a master hand.

“It honestly feels strange that you’re moving. You look like you stepped out of a painting.”

“Oh my, such flattery.”

“It’s not flattery. If Sir Isaac Esteban sees you tonight, he might faint.”

Calliope burst into laughter. She imagined the scene—it did sound fun. Although, knowing him, he wouldn’t faint. More likely, he’d march right up to her and—

Knock knock. There was a knock at the door. A maid’s voice followed:

“Sir Isaac Esteban has arrived.”

“He’s early.”

“Show him in.”

With her permission, the door opened, and he stepped inside. As always, he wore black—though it wasn’t so much that he liked the color. It was more likely he wore it because she liked it.

“…”

He strode directly to her without hesitation. Standing just behind her at the mirror, he slowly reached out. His fingers trembled slightly, hesitant—like touching her would make her vanish. Seeing his unsure gesture, Calliope smiled.

In the past, he would’ve just walked up and wrapped his arms around me without a word.

It seemed that living in a more refined environment had taught him a bit of restraint. She found it slightly disappointing, but being a forward woman herself, she gently leaned in and hugged him first.

“Did you miss me already?”

“…Yes. I did.”

“I missed you too. It’s my birthday, and I kept thinking of your face.”

Only then did he finally hold her carefully in his arms. Silky strands of her hair wound around his fingers like spider silk.

“It’s your first birthday since becoming an adult.”

“That’s right.”

“And it’s the first time I’ve had the chance to give you something of my own.”

“Oh? You’ve been saving it all this time?”

Before her debutante party, Calliope had always celebrated her birthday quietly with the Marquess’ household. She never made a big deal of it, even though she visited Isaac every year on his birthday with a grand gift in hand.

She had also told him not to give her anything extravagant until he had fully established himself—he’d taken her words seriously. But now, it seemed he was ready to break that rule.

Well, the Esteban family isn’t exactly rich…

She’d already received a formal gift from the Esteban household—a solid gold bracelet adorned with tiny white diamonds. A tasteful, expensive gift, no doubt requiring a lot of consideration.

Still, what Calliope really looked forward to was the personal gift he was about to give her.

“Alright then. I’ll look forward to it.”

“I’ll see you in the hall.”

He bowed slightly. On tiptoe, she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss before seeing him out. Isaac looked back several times on his way out, but Calliope simply waved. There was no reason to linger—they could hug and kiss all they wanted later, in full view of everyone.

“Well then, Susan, is everything finished to your liking?”

“Just a moment, My Lady. That hug earlier messed up this bit of your hair…”

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