Find the One Who Abandoned Me - Chapter 99

Riona gently placed the sketchbook on the table and looked at her with quiet sincerity.

“Thank you, my lady.”

“Thank you. I basically threw a student at you without warning.”

Riona smiled softly in return.

“I think I would’ve taken on a student eventually. But someone like him never would’ve had the chance. I really mean it, thank you for bringing him.”

“Alright. Enough talking.”

Calliope rose from her seat.

“Shall we go meet him?”

“Yes!”

Calliope and Riona stepped out of the drawing room and made their way to the guest room on the first floor, where the young man still more boy than man was staying. Not yet used to the warmth of the room or the comfort of the bed, he was sitting on the floor when they arrived. At the sight of Calliope, he scrambled upright.

“M-My lady!”

“Have you been waiting long?”

“N-No, ma’am.”

He couldn’t meet her eyes, nervously shifting his gaze. Calliope studied him for a moment, then stepped aside and gestured toward the young woman behind her.

“This is your teacher.”

“Wait… She’s so young! I mean—sorry—I thought you’d be teaching me yourself, my lady.”

“I have no talent for painting. But her—you know the name Riona, don’t you?”

His eyes widened. He turned to look at Riona with stunned disbelief.

“Y-You’re that Riona?”

“Hello,” Riona said kindly. “Yes, I’m Riona.”

“You’re the most famous artist in the capital right now!”

“That’s a bit embarrassing to hear, but… yes, that’s me.”

The boy gawked, then spun in a small, awkward circle as if to shake off the shock. He returned to his spot and gave a deep bow.

“I—I’ll do my best!”

“I’ll do my best too,” Riona replied, smiling.

Seeing the two get along, Calliope gave a small wave to Riona.

“I’ll leave you to it, then.”

Riona nodded. As Calliope disappeared down the hallway, the young man’s gaze instinctively followed her, his eyes locked on her silhouette. Riona caught the look and had to bite her lip to keep from laughing.

“She’s taken, you know.”

“Wh-What? No! I wasn’t— I mean—I would never!”

As his voice grew frantic, Riona held up a hand and covered his mouth, signaling him to hush.

“We’re painters. If you work hard, maybe you won’t stand beside her—but you could still paint her.”

“You mean… her portrait?”

“Yes. I’ve already painted one myself. Jealous?”

The young man dumbly nodded, unable to hide it. Riona sighed and turned away, waving a hand for him to follow.

“You don’t look like you’ve got a place to stay. For now, you’ll live and work in my studio.”

“Your studio? Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. Let’s go.”

And just like that, Riona took the young painter to her studio. When he saw the small portrait of Calliope hanging on the wall, he stood in awe. She looked like a being carved from winter itself—like the most beautiful snowflake ever shaped by hand.

And in that moment, something inside him burst into flame.

While one young artist burned with new passion, the air outside only grew colder. Winter had fully arrived.

Today was the day Calliope was hosting a tea party in the glass conservatory at her estate. The suggestion had come from Circe, who had gently encouraged it after noticing Calliope’s low spirits lately.

Sensing the genuine concern behind her friend’s suggestion, Calliope finally agreed. Naturally, the guest list also included Lady Berchia Dylas of House Dylas.

“Well, this isn’t bad,” Lady Berchia remarked, crossing her arms as she scanned the conservatory with her sharp, critical eyes. Though it was cold enough outside to require coats, the inside of the greenhouse was warm—almost springlike. Perhaps it was the nature of the glass, or more likely, the heavy use of enchantments woven throughout the structure.

Calliope glanced at her, unimpressed.

“Not bad? Strange words from someone who showed up early, of all things.”

Lady Berchia, uncharacteristically the first to arrive, usually made an entrance well after everyone else, like a main character arriving late on purpose. But today, she simply turned her head with a huff, as if to say it was none of Calliope’s business. The reaction made Calliope chuckle softly.

As time passed, one by one, the noble ladies began to arrive. Each had once attended Calliope’s very first tea party.

“Welcome, my lady.”

“Lady Anastas! It’s been too long!”

Calliope greeted them warmly, and each responded with cheerful smiles, bringing a bright and friendly mood to the gathering. Fortunately, even Lady Berchia found her place easily, exchanging greetings without difficulty.

And of course, when young women of similar age gathered together, there was one topic that always stole the spotlight—fiancés.

They were all at that age now. Half of them were already engaged. The girls who had once giggled together as children were now refined young ladies, each stepping into their adult lives.

“My fiancé is kind,” one young lady said. “There’s just… one thing that bothers me, but he’s always nice to me, so I try not to mind.”

“Oh? What’s bothering you?”

“He’s a little too kind… to other women too.”

“Is he insane?”

“Right?!”

The conversation about engagements soon turned into lighthearted complaints. Since many of the ladies had only recently become engaged, it was common to laugh off their fiancés’ flaws in front of friends. Now that they were gathered among peers, they could finally let it out.

“My fiancé is sweet too, but… he listens to his mother too well.”

“Oh dear, that doesn’t bode well for marriage…”

“I’m already worried sick.”

As the engaged ladies began to share their grievances, those who weren’t yet engaged leaned in eagerly. It was only natural—they were curious about what awaited them.

Among them, Lady Berchia Dylas looked thoroughly uninterested. She sat back in her chair, a neutral expression on her face. Only Calliope, seated beside her, seemed to notice her mood and leaned over to speak softly so the others wouldn’t hear.

“How have you been lately? Still feel like you’ve hit a wall?”

She was referring to swordsmanship. At that, Berchia’s eyes lit up slightly, and she nodded immediately. It was far more appealing than listening to engagement drama.

“I think I’m starting to get it… vaguely. But I’m still far from where I want to be.”

“Well, your captain seems confident you’ll break through soon.”

“That old man? He’s known me since I was a kid. I probably look better in his eyes than I am.”

“You’re shameless, saying that with a straight face.”

“It’s true.”

Berchia smirked, and Calliope couldn’t help but laugh at her mischievous expression.

Unlike the other young ladies, Berchia was dressed in formal wear—practical and neat. It was a clear departure from her past, but it suited her now. She no longer hid the fact that she trained in swordsmanship. Her lack of interest in social niceties wasn’t a secret anymore either.

She had become someone who belonged more on the training grounds than at courtly soirées.

“You’ve grown up well.”

“That reminds me of something.”

Berchia smiled slightly.

“What is it?”

“Remember that time… when I got rejected by the Glayderth heir and was in a slump?”

“Why does that come to mind all of a sudden? Wait—were you actually in a slump?”

Berchia raised an eyebrow.

“Why else would you have come to comfort me?”

“I mean, I did try to comfort you…”

Calliope’s mind wandered briefly to that day.

She had set things up for Berchia, then stepped away and waited in the carriage. To be honest, the odds of rejection were high, and she knew it. So, she had planned to gently soothe her friend afterward.

After twenty minutes, she’d seen Otis—Glayderth’s heir—leave the building and climb into a carriage alone. But Berchia didn’t come out even after ten more minutes.

Is she angry?

Worried, Calliope had gotten out and gone to find her. And there she was, still seated inside, arms crossed and eyebrows sharply raised in pure fury.

Calliope had gently reached for her hand and said, “He was probably just too small of a man to hold someone like you.”

Sometimes, friendship meant knowing when to shamelessly use a compliment. And Calliope was never afraid to use a little manipulation if it would help.

She stroked Berchia’s hand softly and added, “You’re wonderful. Even if you don’t get what you wanted, that doesn’t take away your worth.”

Only then had Berchia looked up at her, but her scowl hadn’t faded. Calliope had thought the furrowed brow made her look just like Carolie, so she reached out and gently rubbed the end of her eyebrow.

“See? You’re already holding it together. You’re amazing.”

Berchia’s frown deepened at that, but at least she didn’t throw a fit—so Calliope took it as a win.

Now, back in the present, Calliope looked at Berchia, who was smiling faintly.

“I was really trying not to cry that day.”

“That was your crying face?”

“What else did you think it was?”

“I thought you were deciding whether or not to start a fight.”

“What?! Ugh, honestly…”

Berchia scoffed, muttering under her breath, “I don’t know what I ever saw in him…”

Calliope didn’t hear her—she had turned her head toward another lady who’d called her name.

Left alone with her thoughts, Berchia remembered that day clearly. She’d thought she’d be fine, that it wouldn’t affect her. But it had. It had hurt more than she expected.

It was her first real crush—the first time she’d ever wanted something so badly.

She’d stayed seated, too embarrassed to cry, until Calliope showed up. And when her friend rubbed her eyebrow and whispered those kind words—

“See? You’re already holding it together. You’re amazing.”

—those words had hit her hard. Hard enough that she had to blink back tears all over again. She hadn’t realized it then, but those words had stayed with her for a long time afterward.

Berchia clicked her tongue at the memory.

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