Find the One Who Abandoned Me - Chapter 79

“Oh, really now.”

“Please don’t breathe! You’ll mess it up!”

“Why not just tell me to stop breathing altogether?”

“Oh my, I could never say such a thing.”

“Haven’t the other maids already fixed me up enough?”

“Still… this is your first formal birthday party since coming of age. I think you should look flawless.”

Susan took a moment to examine her, then quickly corrected herself.

“Actually—you already look flawless. I’ve been fussing for no reason. Let’s go, My Lady.”

“Honestly.”

With Susan’s reluctant approval, Calliope was finally allowed to leave her room. Standing right outside the door—when had he even arrived?—was Illan. For one’s first public birthday, it was customary to enter the ballroom on their father’s arm.

Illan said nothing, merely offering his arm. Calliope took it without much expression, and the two began to walk toward the ballroom. Not a word passed between them. The air between them was cold, but the servants trailing behind were used to this tension and remained completely silent.

It was Illan who finally broke the silence.

“The dress suits you.”

“Money works wonders, doesn’t it.”

“…”

“I’ll be changing into another dress for the second half of the party. From a different designer.”

Illan opened his mouth, hesitated, then sighed softly.

“The moment I saw you in that dress… I thought of Itiel. You look so much like her.”

Calliope didn’t respond. She had no interest in replying to that. Of course she looked like her mother. She was her mother’s daughter—born and raised by her alone. If anything, it was only right that she resembled Itiel, not the man walking beside her.

“I know. That’s probably the only reason you care even this much.”

After that, they didn’t speak again. The silence between them stretched as they arrived at the ballroom. Outside, carriages packed the front driveway, signaling that the guests had already arrived.

The grand doors to the hall stood open. The moment father and daughter stepped inside, the music began to swell.

“Happy birthday, Sister!”

Carolie pushed through the gathered crowd on quick steps and proudly handed over her gift. It was a portrait she had drawn herself—so detailed and skillfully done, it was hard to believe it came from someone her age. Calliope’s eyes widened as she took it.

“So this is what you’ve been hiding away working on? It’s incredible.”

Beaming at the praise, Carolie stepped aside.

“My gift’s probably the best, but Kaphir brought something too!”

“Carolie, you’re too loud.”

Kaphir approached with a scowl and a large book in his arms. Clearly, Carolie’s present had left an impression on him. He held out the hefty volume, which was nearly half his size, and muttered:

“Happy birthday.”

“Thank you, Kaphir.”

Calliope smiled brightly and accepted the book. The velvet cover and gold embellishments suggested it hadn’t come cheap. She wondered where a kid could’ve even gotten something like that. Not recognizing the title, she passed it to a servant nearby for safekeeping.

“Happy birthday,” Circe said flatly.

A maid standing beside her handed Calliope an envelope. She opened it to find a deed—commercial property in the capital.

“Well. That’s… generous.”

“It should be useful for your business plans. Consider it an investment.”

“Of course. I’ll make the most of it.”

Calliope took it without a hint of modesty. Circe just scoffed.

With the family gifts delivered, the guests began approaching one by one, offering their congratulations and gifts. The surrounding staff and maids were quickly overwhelmed, struggling to manage the mountain of presents piling up.

Amid the growing commotion, Calliope scanned the room for someone. Black hair, black formalwear, pale eyes—her love. And then she whispered softly,

“Isaac.”

“Yes, Lady Anastas.”

His reply came clearly, even through the crowd. And she heard him just as clearly.

Isaac began walking toward her, one slow step at a time. Everyone around instinctively stepped aside, knowing how deep the connection between them ran.

In his hand was a sword—one she had never seen before. Its sheath was sleek black, while the hilt gleamed in silver. It wasn’t ornamental. Though it looked elegant, it was clearly forged for use. The blade appeared slightly short for his height, but no less commanding.

“My Lady.”

Once he reached her, Isaac dropped to one knee. Calliope’s eyes widened. He drew the sword—still sheathed—and offered it up to her with both hands.

“I, Isaac Esteban, pledge upon my name as a knight.”

Unconsciously, Calliope raised both hands to cover her mouth. She had known this moment would come eventually—but not so soon. And not in such a bold, public declaration. Her breath caught in her throat.

“I swear to protect Lady Calliope with all that I am.”

The Knight’s Oath: a vow of absolute loyalty made by a knight to a single lady. A promise of one’s name, honor, and blade.

Calliope’s hands trembled as she lowered them. Slowly, she reached out and took the sword from his hands. The grip fit perfectly into her palm.

She gently touched the sword to his shoulder, and with a clear voice—though her throat was tight—she declared:

“Isaac Esteban, I accept your vow.”

She swallowed hard.

“And from this moment forward, I declare myself… your lady.”

She smiled brightly—like an angel in a white dress. Like someone truly, unmistakably happy. Tears shimmered in her beautiful red eyes.

“You are my one and only knight.”

The moment the words left her lips, she dropped the sword to the side and reached up to hold his face in her hands, pressing a kiss to his lips. A single tear slid between them, slipping through the small space where their lips met. It was a gentle kiss, with no tongue—just a soft press of feeling. And yet it tasted faintly salty.

Isaac stood, lifting the sword she had dropped.

“This is… not enough, but it’s my gift to you.”

“This sword?”

He nodded.

“When I heard you went alone to rescue Lord Glayderth… I can’t tell you how shocked I was. And the fact that I wasn’t there with you—how it haunted me.”

“Isaac…”

“So please, Lady Anastas. Accept this sword—and my vow.”

“I will. I’ll always keep it close. This will be the proof of your promise to protect me.”

Moved by her words, Isaac grew flustered and, uncharacteristically, made a light-hearted remark.

“Of course, the best-case scenario would be that you never have to use it—because I’ll always be by your side.”

“I’d like that.”

Calliope laughed, radiant, and linked arms with him. Her white hair draped gently over the sleeve of his black uniform, and despite the contrast in colors, they looked every bit the perfect pair.

“Alright, alright, you two—wrap it up! Who’s next with a gift?”

Unable to take it anymore, Carolie stepped in to break the mood. Calliope gave a playful scoff, and someone nearby chuckled in agreement.

“Standing next to the stars of the show makes the rest of us feel like stagehands.”

“So, does that mean you’re not giving a gift?”

“Do I look that stingy to you?”

It was Berchia. She wasn’t wearing a dress but a deep navy uniform, and surprisingly, she had arrived with her father. The Duke himself may have been too busy to come, but the Duchess’s consort had apparently made the time.

“Welcome, Duke Dylas. Thank you for making the trip.”

He was golden-haired and strikingly handsome—he suddenly reminded Calliope of Gillan, oddly enough. Maybe mother and daughter shared a taste.

“No need to thank me. It’s been a while since I got out, and this has been a delightful sight to witness. You two look wonderful together.”

“Thank you very much.”

“I just hope my daughter finds someone like that soon.”

“Father…”

Berchia glared daggers at him, and the Duke chuckled awkwardly, glancing away. It seemed he didn’t have the strongest will when it came to his daughter.

“Let’s not talk about my engagement at someone else’s party. We’re here to celebrate Calliope, remember?”

“Of course, of course. Lady Anastas, my daughter’s been a bit touchy lately with all the talk of marriage. Just bringing it up gets me that look.”

“Mmhlrhhgm.”

“Haha, alright, alright—I’ll stop. Still, seeing that my daughter personally calls this lady her friend… Well, I thought it was worth coming to see for myself. You two seem closer than I expected.”

“Do we?” Calliope scratched her cheek, slightly bashful.

She’d always felt that she and Berchia got along well, but truth be told, neither of them really knew much about each other’s vulnerabilities. Then again, even relationships built on shared interests and mutual benefit can be real friendships. Especially when someone once comforted you after being dumped by Lord Otis…

“Well then, enjoy yourself.”

“There are some old acquaintances here, so I might mingle a bit before I go.”

Maybe check out a few potential suitors for my daughter while I’m at it. That intent was all over his face, even if he didn’t say it aloud. Berchia didn’t say anything either, so perhaps she’d decided to let it go—for now.

After he wandered off, just the three of them remained for a moment—Calliope, Isaac, and Berchia—but then, as if on cue, young ladies and gentlemen began gathering around again. It looked like the party wasn’t going to calm down anytime soon.

Eventually, as the first part of the party ended and the second half—complete with wine and proper alcohol—began, Calliope quietly slipped away with one of the maids to her dressing room to change.

Her shoulders ached from keeping such perfect posture. As she walked slowly, Susan gently tapped and massaged her back to loosen it. Then, from a nearby terrace just off the hallway, she saw a hand waving toward her. Pale and graceful, but the thick joints revealed it was a man’s hand. Unless a ghost had shown up at the Marquess’ estate, it had to be…

Calliope instantly realized who it was—and darted straight into the terrace.

“Do you even know where you are?!”

“I sent an invitation!”

“Yes, well, sending a gift is what that meant!”

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