Chapter 70

‘No.’

Melissa’s lashes trembled faintly.

Of course, she was glad. Seeing familiar faces again filled her with genuine joy.

But not like this.

She was someone who would eventually have to leave. She couldn’t allow herself to think as if she would always be here.

And today, she had even met his fiancée, Lady Ines.

Her gaze wandered in confusion before she lowered her eyes.

…But still.

If only for a little while.

If Lady Ines allowed it… couldn’t she stay like this for just a short time?

Only for a brief moment.

Throb.

Her chest ached again.

Should she prick her hand?

It seemed her nausea from earlier hadn’t fully gone away yet.

Remembering Father Leben’s old folk remedy, Melissa’s lips curved faintly in a smile.

Yes.

Exactly one year.

No, now it was about ten months left.

Even without the promise with Lady Ines, once the time of their contract was over, she would have to return.

Melissa turned her gaze toward the siblings still bickering noisily nearby.

She watched them closely, as if trying to carve their image deep into her memory.

* * *

After her bath, Melissa sat behind Natalianne, drying her long hair with a towel, her face serious.

As if weighing the most important decision of her life, a small wrinkle formed on her nose as she murmured inwardly.

‘Should I stop working in the garden for today?’

Hmm… hmmm…

Water droplets sprayed off Natalianne’s hair as Melissa thought hard, then finally made up her mind.

‘Yes. Let’s do that.’

She had already weeded the beds once this morning. It wouldn’t be a problem to rest today and continue tomorrow.

She did want to see her lovely sprouts pushing up green and fresh, but tomorrow would bring new shoots anyway.

Thinking of the scene she would see in the morning, Melissa’s lips curved in quiet satisfaction.

“All done!”

“Already?”

Natalianne muttered regretfully as Melissa turned toward the wardrobe.

When she opened the doors wide, rows upon rows of dresses filled her view.

‘Come to think of it.’

She had mostly been wearing the clothes that Mother-in-law had given her.

Melissa closed her eyes for a moment, recalling the days that had passed.

Now that she thought about it, except for the outfit she wore to the tea party today and the time she received gifts from Mother, she had barely opened this wardrobe.

‘Demius must have been a little disappointed.’

Realizing this all of a sudden, Melissa lightly knocked her own forehead.

“Why did you hit yourself!”

Natalianne shouted in alarm from behind, but Melissa just smiled awkwardly and waved her hand.

“I’m fine.”

It wasn’t herself she was worried about. It was Demius.

He must have felt sad that she never wore the clothes he had chosen for her.

And yet, he had never shown any sign of being upset.

Melissa thought of his quiet kindness again as she looked through the dresses.

“Are you picking one?”

Natalianne trotted over, resting her chin on Melissa’s shoulder as her sharp eyes scanned the wardrobe.

Before long, she frowned and spoke bluntly.

“He bought these, didn’t he? His taste is terrible.”

“I love them. They suit me perfectly.”

“They’re so pretty.”

Melissa laughed sheepishly and nodded before turning her gaze back to the dresses.

Natalianne pursed her lips and rolled her eyes, then suddenly pointed to one.

“That one looks good on you.”

“Does it?”

Melissa stood on tiptoe to reach for it, but Natalianne stretched her arm first and took it down for her.

“Thank you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Natalianne pouted and grumbled, looking for all the world like a real cat.

Melissa felt a soft ache in her chest as she accepted her help and changed into the dress.

When she twirled once in front of the mirror, the layers of lace and ribbon fluttered like butterfly wings.

Natalianne watched her quietly and muttered,

“Well, it’s not bad.”

“Isn’t it pretty?”

“Yeah.”

Natalianne nodded readily but then quickly followed Melissa as she walked toward the door.

“Are you going to talk to that guy Demius? I’m coming too.”

Just then, there was a polite knock on the door.

“My lady.”

“What?”

Natalianne answered curtly, and the butler entered, bowing his head.

“His Grace the Grand Duke requests your presence.”

“What?”

Natalianne scowled.

“I’m busy.”

“He said it concerns the Ethics Committee of the Magic Tower.”

“…Damn it.”

Natalianne pouted, then trudged reluctantly toward the door.

She really did look like a cat.

Melissa watched her go with a fond smile and followed her into the hall.

Natalianne tapped her foot against the floor like an irritated feline, but even so, she didn’t say she wanted to come along with Melissa. Instead, she followed the butler down the corridor with slow, reluctant steps.

Melissa watched her for a moment before turning in the opposite direction.

Toward the room where Demius was.

Her chest began to ache again.

‘Ah right.’

She had forgotten to prick her hand.

Melissa thought she would look for a needle after speaking with Demius, then continued down the corridor.

Finally, she reached one particular door.

Just as she lowered her gaze and placed her hand on the doorknob—

Click.

The door opened quietly, revealing the silhouette of a man inside.

“Li… Melissa.”

His hair was damp, water still clinging to the ends as he tilted his head slightly.

A drop slid down his slanted forehead.

He brushed his wet hair back with one hand, fingers touching the back of his neck as he spoke, still avoiding her eyes.

“Please, come in.”

“Yes.”

Melissa lowered her gaze and stepped inside.

Click. The door closed behind her, and a faint awkwardness filled the room.

Even someone as oblivious as Melissa could feel the heavy air between them.

After a long silence, she finally looked up and spoke.

“Lord Demius.”

“I was wrong.”

Thud.

Demius dropped to his knees.

Before Melissa could even react, words began spilling out of him all at once.

“I’m sorry. I promise it will never happen again. When I left home a year ago, I thought the engagement had been annulled, but I was wrong to bring you here without confirming anything. No matter how many times I think about it, it was unforgivably reckless. I deserve to die for it. Saying I was distracted because of the monster outbreak is no excuse. What matters most right now is how you feel. Whatever you want, I’ll do it. Just please, give me one more chance and I’ll—”

“Um.”

“Yes!”

Demius’s head snapped up.

Melissa was looking down at him with a troubled expression he had never seen before.

Oh no.

His heart dropped.

Should he have apologized sooner?

Yes, that must be it.

‘You fool.’

He should have knelt down sooner.

Saying that he had never knelt to anyone in his life was no excuse.

Who cared about that now?

If anyone saw him like this, they’d probably faint on the spot, and his mother, Lady Seres, would clutch her chest in shock. But right now, Demius couldn’t care less.

All he could do was watch Melissa’s face, nervous and desperate.

‘What should I do?’

How could he possibly avoid a divorce?

Think, Demius.

Harder.

He had never in his life thought so frantically.

Melissa wasn’t someone who cared for wealth or status or power.

Then what could possibly appeal to someone like her?

All he had left was his face and maybe his body, slightly better than most men’s.

‘I should have done better.’

Demius bit his lip hard.

He didn’t want to use the excuse of being busy.

Yes, he had been constantly working day and night to prevent his mother from finding any fault that could harm Melissa, attending early training sessions and endless meetings. But that didn’t excuse the lack of time he had spent with her.

Even during the rare moments of rest he managed to carve out, he would rush to her side, only to find Shilen or Natalianne always nearby, leaving them no chance to be alone together.

‘Damn it.’

What now?

How could he possibly stop her from leaving…?