Chapter 147

Enria tried to draw a line, telling him not to misunderstand since it wasn’t seduction at all, but she became flustered as Caldeon grabbed her hand and pulled her along, not listening to a word she said.

From behind, Blizzan asked if the two of them were slipping away alone again, while the others simply laughed, as if it were nothing new. While Enria was busy offering excuses to the group, Caldeon held her wrist and quickly led her out of the room.

“Prepare something light to drink and send it up.”

Seeing Caldeon give orders to the butler as they stepped outside, Enria’s eyes widened slightly, and she asked if he really intended to drink wine in the bedroom. She had assumed that once they entered the bedroom, he wouldn’t be the type to like stall for time by drinking wine. After all, he always tried to touch her even a little whenever they were in there. Caldeon let out a low, vibrating chuckle as he looked at her.

“Why? Do you want to do something else instead of wine?”

His mischievous smile caused Enria’s face to turn bright red instantly. Caldeon lifted the hand he was holding and kissed the back of it.

“We’ll do other things too, but wine first. We still haven’t talked enough.”

‘We-we’ll do other things too? What does that…’

Enria’s already flushed face deepened into an unbearable shade of crimson.

***

While Enria and Caldeon were having their private time, the scene of the wine party was divided between the “White Faction” and the “Black Faction” regarding the formal wear, regardless of whether they were humans or spirits. Only Panz, having lost his favorite nest—Hayden’s head—lay sprawled across the arm of a sofa, looking dissatisfied and wondering why they were still carrying on about such a trivial thing.

“Black, the same color as his hair and eyes, definitely gives off a sophisticated feel.”

“But white, which contrasts with black hair and eyes, makes the face stand out more, so I think white would suit him better.”

“True. A child as young as Hayden doesn’t need to look ‘sophisticated’ yet.”

“Sophistication transcends age and gender. Just look at how well Caldeon carries off a black uniform.”

“That cheat-code face of Caldeon’s could pull off any color.”

Rahar interjected as Tearen agreed with Roseanne about black being the better fit. When Tearen nodded in agreement, the faction favoring black—Silri, Windel, Graum, and Lonn—remarked that black was indeed the color that suited Caldeon best among all colors. When Rahar asked Silri and Lonn why they were worrying about what suited Caldeon when he was their contractor, they both replied simultaneously, as if they had rehearsed it: “We have eyes, don’t we? Of course we can see that much.”

“We have eyes, so why wouldn’t we see it?”

As Rahar pouted, Undy and Blizzan, who favored white, each added.

“Setting Caldeon aside, Hayden is young, and children definitely seem to suit white better.”

“Anyone can see white is the choice. There’s no need for him to go around wearing pitch black like Caldeon already.”

As soon as Undy finished speaking, Blizzan agreed, and Eva nodded her head.

“A pitch-black outfit is far too un-cute for a young child. I’m sure he’ll grow up to be just like his father and seek out nothing but black clothes all day long, so wouldn’t it be nice to dress him in something bright and pretty while he’s young?”

“Oh, well said. While we’re at it, why don’t we try a water-colored outfit on him?”

Undy’s eyes sparkled, saying that a sky-blue shade would surely look amazing on him. Eva clapped her hands, wondering why she hadn’t thought of that.

“Hey, you water-attributes. Stop trying to sneak the kid into strange clothes and let’s end this conversation,” Graum said, his eyebrows twitching, causing Undy and Eva to pout simultaneously.

“Indeed, why is it so difficult to reach a consensus on something like this?”

As Lonn shook his head, Eva raised an eyebrow.

“There’s no need to reach a consensus.”

“Hayden already settled the formal wear himself, so let’s end this here.”

Blizzan stepped in as soon as Eva finished her sentence. Panz let out a giant yawn and asked them: [By the way, when are we going to sleep?]

***

“From tomorrow, we’ll look into the venue and the wedding date.”

Sitting side-by-side on the sofa, Caldeon spoke as he held out his wine glass toward Enria. Enria nodded and lightly clinked her glass against his.

“So many things have happened.”

Enria remarked that she felt as though if she closed and opened her eyes, all of this reality would be a dream and she would be back in her original world right before she died.

“Just thinking about that makes me sad.”

Enria furrowed her brow slightly, as if she didn’t even want to imagine it.

“Don’t worry about that. If this reality is a dream to you, then I will find my way into your reality.”

At Caldeon’s words, Enria let out a small, dry laugh.

“Really now, how on earth would you find the place where the original me is?”

“I can find it. Whether through death or some other way.”

“Honestly, the things you say.”

When Enria shot him a look at the mention of finding her through death, Caldeon offered her a tender smile.

“It just means that without you, this world has no meaning to me.”

“…Don’t say such things. If I’m gone, you have to protect Hayden, Lord Caldeon.”

While she felt happy inside at his words, she didn’t want to show her heating face and turned her gaze toward the window. Caldeon took her chin and turned her back to face him.

“If you’re not here, would Hayden even exist?”

“…”

“By the way, why aren’t you using the titles we agreed to use?”

Seeing Caldeon looking slightly displeased as she called him by his name, Enria smiled awkwardly.

“It’s just… a bit embarrassing.”

“Do you think I’m thick-skinned enough to feel nothing?”

“But you call me ‘Jagi‘ so naturally.”

“That’s because I love you that much.”

A title wasn’t necessarily a measure of love, yet he spoke as if it were an absolute fact. Enria smiled softly and nodded at Caldeon’s request that she show no shame in using the title, just as she loved him.

“Yes… Jagi.”

Feeling her heart ache with a sweet tingle, Enria leaned against Caldeon. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Feeling her emotions overflow beyond what she could handle, Enria spoke as if making a confession.

“Loving you is the best thing I’ve done in my entire life.”

At the sudden confession, Caldeon’s grip on her shoulder tightened.

“Likewise. I don’t care much for the gods, but I am truly grateful they gave me you and Hayden.”

He told her that, naturally, he would live for her and Hayden from now on. Moved, Enria looked up at him, and Caldeon’s lips covered hers. It was a kiss that was somehow soft and dearly cherished. That kiss soon turned into something hot and dense.

***

The preparations for Enria and Caldeon’s wedding entered the final countdown. Thanks to Enria, the Emperor—who had been completely cured of his long-standing fatigue and now trusted her more than anyone—personally selected the best possible date. As for the venue, after looking at many places, it came down to choosing between the Great Sanctuary and the Imperial Palace.

In the midst of this, Roseanne was the first to leave for Tearen’s mansion.

“I’m sad too, Enri. I wanted to leave after your wedding, but my father-in-law was in such a hurry.”

Ever since receiving permission to stay at the Marquis’ estate, Tearen’s father had reportedly been asking Tearen constantly when Roseanne was coming. It was understandable, given the union between the Empire’s genius mage and his illusionist son.

“I’ll visit often because of Hayden anyway, and we have our regular meetings, so don’t be too sad.”

Roseanne comforted Enria, who was already getting misty-eyed, by holding both of her hands tightly. Roseanne mentioned they could use the communication device several times a day if needed, though she expressed a bit of worry that Caldeon might smash the device if they talked too much. When Enria burst into a small laugh, Roseanne hugged her tightly and said: “Even if we’re apart, you’re my best friend for life.”

She sincerely said that for Enria, she could give her everything. Enria, too, was willing to do anything for Roseanne, who had become a friend like no other. At first, she had been terrified that Roseanne—Caldeon’s lover in the original story—would fall in love with him again, but before she knew it, Roseanne had become a precious and vital presence to her. Enria hugged Roseanne back tightly and gave a bright smile.

“Me too, Rose.”

“I hope you haven’t forgotten that I’m here too.”

Just then, Belona, who was walking from a distance, spoke as she saw the two of them embracing.

“Beli.”

“Beli, you said you were on the phone with your father; is it all finished?”

Enria and Roseanne let go of each other and asked Belona. After bonding over the wedding venue discussions, Belona had dropped formal speech and even gained a nickname; she truly felt like an old friend to both of them now.

“Yeah.”

Nodding to Roseanne, Belona reached out both arms and wrapped them around Enria and Roseanne’s shoulders respectively.

“Let me in too, friends. I know you two have a special bond, but it’s a bit sad to share a friendship without me.”

“Enri was just being so sad because I’m leaving the Grand Duke’s castle.”

Roseanne said that since Belona wasn’t as sad as Enria, the reactions toward the two were bound to be different. Then, with an “Ah,” she asked her: “You’re leaving soon too, right?”

“Yeah. Rahar said that if I’m going to stay, he’d like me to come and live there sooner.”

“Really? Beli, are you leaving the castle before my wedding too?”

As Enria asked with surprised eyes, Belona gave her a playful smirk.

“You’ll need to enjoy your honeymoon after the wedding, Your Grace the Grand Duchess.”

“It’s not like we can’t enjoy it just because you’re here.”

“Ah, well, that’s true. You two are quite serious about your public displays of affection whether people are around or not.”

Belona shook her head and frowned slightly, as if recalling memories she’d rather not think about.

“Who would have known Grand Duke Jupiter was such a romantic?”

At Belona’s words, Roseanne and Enria burst into laughter simultaneously. Their pleasant laughter echoed throughout the drawing room.