Chapter 24

Will said that Sean has gone up to his room. He’s probably sleeping by now. Talking with him can be done a little later.

Alice went out to pick up Letizia, and I came down to the living room with Will. We sat face to face and talked.

“Alice said that I don’t have to worry about infertility because it hasn’t been long since I took the poison. That’s why······ you don’t have to worry too much, Will.”

“······.”

I tried to comfort Will. However, his face was still full of guilt. He had reached out his hand to me to help me, but by making such an offer, he seemed to think that he’d just put my life in more danger.

“Will, it’s not your fault. And don’t worry. I’m not planning to inform Cali······ Lord Rochester anything about this incident.”

I wasn’t going to tell Calix. Because we don’t know what’s going to happen if he ever finds out. In the worst-case scenario, he might try to kill Sean······. I didn’t want that kind of ending. Sean may have only made a wrong choice, but it’s a fact that he and Will had taken good care of me.

“I’m really sorry, Laure. I have nothing to say. It’s all my fault······.”

Will bowed his head and apologized repeatedly. I felt sorry for him. How was this his fault? I’m sure he didn’t know either.

It was clear from his expression and reaction. Will would have never dreamed that Sean would do such a thing.

“Will, it’s not your fault. So don’t blame yourself. Okay?”

“Laure·····.”

His wet gray eyes looked up at me. And with a sad smile, I recalled the first time I learned Will’s secret.

-It was when I was nineteen. I received a request from a noble lady to solve her husband’s sexual dysfunction problem, and I made a fatal mistake while manipulating the magic formula. ······That’s how I ended up not doing my duty right and as a consequense······

-······.

-The lady threatened that I should not reveal any details of her request, no matter, and wherever I am, I shouldn’t tell anyone. Or else my life will be at stake. And as it turns out, infertility caused by a magic accident is incurable.

At that time, Will even tried to reassure me by revealing his private part. That even if we enter a fake marriage, he won’t ask anything more than that.

His honesty made me feel so much empathy for him. That’s why I trusted them with my whole heart. Will, and his father, Sean.

‘But I never imagined that Sean······ would do something like this.’

It was not that I couldn’t understand Sean’s motives. He feared that one day, his son would be alone after he dies. That’s why he wanted me to stay by Will’s side.

‘However, he shouldn’t have done that to me.’

I heaved a sigh. When I came back to my senses and looked at Will again, he carefully brought up a question.

“Laure. You’re thinking of leaving here, aren’t you?”

“Perhaps······. I think so.”

I said vaguely. It was because there were still some disturbing things that were troubling my heart.

I’ve decided to be by Calix’s side from now on, but I’m worried if Letizia would be able to adjust well. Wouldn’t it confuse the child if the environment suddenly changes?

The most important thing in my life right now is Letizia. And I always consider Letizia first in my every decision, before I had to act it out.

Even if I could go back to the past and go back to that night, I would make the same choice.

Because living my life without Letizia, was truly unimaginable.

Letizia was the light, joy, and hope of my life.

“I think it’s time for you to leave, Laure.”

Will said in a low voice. I got out of my thoughts and listened to his words.

“As you know, I have a body that was impossible to produce a child. So unless I cultivate a student or adopt a foster child, there’s no way there will be a new member of our family.”

“······.”

“It was my greed that I offered to be your husband and to keep Letty as my daughter. What other options would you have had then? Strange guys keep getting attracted to you, and you can only rely on Alice. You’re a single mother who was on a run from some distant place, and the people around ostracize you······ You made the best choice for Letty and yourself. Laure.”

Will looked at me and smiled faintly.

“I want you and Letty to be happy. That’s all I want. If you want to leave, you can leave whenever and however you want. You’re always free to make your own choice. Your life is yours anyway.”

“······Thank you.”

This time, a Will with a bright, clear smile rose from his seat. He approached me and reached out his hand. I held that hand and stood up. With a smile on his face, Will said.

“Over the last 7 years I’ve spent with the two of you, mother and daughter, I’ve gained a bit of confidence.”

I lifted my head and asked.

“What confidence?”

Will replied with a slightly shy face.

“I used to be like that before, hasn’t I? I used to be not sure if I can raise a child well. But I think I can do it now. So I’m going to seriously consider adoption later. All thanks to you and Letty.”

“That’s great.”

I smiled at Will. The expression of feeling sorry reappeared on his face, then Will said in an apprehensive voice.

“I was genuinely sorry······ for what my father did, Laure. I’d do anything you tell me just to compensate.”

I shook my head.

“Though I have to talk to Sean, I don’t want you to take any responsibility, Will. I’ve already told you many times, but it’s not your fault.”

“······Thank you, Laure.”

I was astounded to see Will’s eyes who answered me suddenly turning red, and in an instant, tears rolled up from his eyes. The moist gray orbs looked at me. I blinked in bewilderment. W-What do you expect me to do crying all of a sudden······.

Rub, rub. Will wiped away his tears off with his sleeves, then he smiled as he looked at me. Remorse, regret, and sadness. It was a smile concealing those feelings. Pity filled my heart.

“Will·····.”

“Laure. Could you do me one last favor?”

“Yes. What is it? If it’s something I can do······.”

As I accepted his request with a nod, Will smiled a little brighter.

And the next moment, Will suddenly embraced me unceremoniously.

I was startled then immediately turned stiff.

After being frozen for some time in that position, I furtively pushed him away. But Will did not let go of me.

“W-Will······. Is this what you’re asking for? It’s so abrupt······.”

“For only a moment····· I want to stay like this for a moment, Laure. Please. It will be the last.”

“······.”

Will’s voice was tinged with a snivel of tears. And I had no choice but to stop pushing him away.

‘Oh, but if anyone sees this······’

It might be misunderstood.

No, this can’t be. I tried pushing Will again and put some strength onto the hands that were lifted on his shoulders. However, at that very moment,

Thud-

The sound of something falling on the floor was heard.

Then I shifted my gaze towards the direction of that sound. And at the open door, the person standing blankly in front of it and was incessantly glaring at the two of us was none other than,

Calix······ It was him.

“Ca······.”

I was about to call him, but my words halted. It was because my whole body was frozen with the terrifying glare of his blue eyes.

Worried that Calix might’ve misunderstood the situation, I pushed Will away in a hurry.

But that seemed to have caused further misunderstanding.

“Did I just caught you in a very crucial moment? Is that it?”

I was stunned speechless for a while. Crucial moment? What the hell is he talking about? I shook my head quickly.

“Calix, you’re misunderstanding······.”

“Except me, you were uncomfortable with the touch of the opposite sex, Laure.”

“That·····.”

That was already seven years ago. I was about to say that, but Calix suddenly snatched and pulled me, that I accidentally bit my tongue.

“Ugh·····.”

There was a fishy taste of blood in my mouth. Calix hid me behind his back and strode towards Will. Then grabbed Will by the collar.

“Ca, Calix! Stop it!”

I hurriedly tried to block him. However, what I did cause only more misunderstanding.

“Hah, I can’t believe you’re defending this bastard······.”

“I’m not defending anyone! Please, can you just listen to my words·······!”

Will gasped as if being suffocated. I was afraid Will would die at Calix’s hands, so I tried to separate him from Calix. I eagerly pulled and pinched Calix’s arm, but he didn’t budge.

I shouted desperately.

“Calix, it’s a misunderstanding! I just said goodbye to Will! I and he are not the way you think we are······.”

“Misunderstanding?”

Calix suddenly let go of Will and turned to me. As he approached, I stepped back without even realizing it.

That reaction seemed to have provoked him even more. Calix’s eyebrows wriggled and his expression turned grim. He growled out.

“I’ve missed you all this time, I longed for you over and over again until it turned me insane. But with this jerk, without even thinking twice, you’re always willing to stand by his side. Even in front of my eyes·······!”

His eyes flashed with madness.

He was completely carried away by hatred, and I don’t think he would listen no matter what I say.

I sighed and shook my head.

“Calix, you’re out of your mind.”

“Yes, finally you’ve said something right. I’m no longer sane, Laure. Do I have to demonstrate it properly for you to even realize?”

And the next moment, suddenly, my body was lifted. There was no time to comprehend what had taken place. With a blink of an eye, I was fling on Calix’s shoulder.

“Ca, Calix! What are you doing?! Put me down!”

He quickly exited the living room, and I kept shouting.

I stomped my feet and slammed him on his back. But Calix only ignored my trifling struggle.

“Calix! What are you going to do!”

“I’m still thinking about it. If you don’t want to provoke me any more than this, you should know to be quiet, Laure.”

“What the······.”

I sighed as I kept myself from causing more blunders. It seems that Calix still had some remaining reasons, but I was scared that he would try to lock me up.

So I closed my mouth and stayed still. It was certainly dangerous to provoke Calix beyond his current condition. I just have to wait for him to calm down.

Calix took me into the travel wagon. Then he sat in the seat while holding me tight.

He buried his face in my shoulder and took a slow, deep breath. His appearance was like a bruised and wounded beast that I felt sorry for for some reason.

“Calix······.”

I called his name in a baffled tone. Calix remained reticent without any answer.

I gently stroked him. I felt like I have to say something, but nothing comes to mind. So I just soothed him quietly.

“Laure.”

I’m not sure how long the silence has passed but Calix first opened his mouth.

“I know that you don’t trust me.”

“That······”

I tried to answer that what he said was not the case, but I stopped, feeling so frustrated with not knowing the right thing to say.

I felt so distressed as if something was squeezing my heart.

‘What is it?’

I felt so embarrassed for I can’t figure out the reason myself when I heard Calix’s cynicism.

“Do you really think of me as someone who is not trustworthy?”

“I, I·····.”

I tried to say anything. However, the more I did, the more my throat choked and my heart constricted.

I pressed my fist down over my heart. It was as if my whole body was shouting, ‘Do not trust him.’

‘Why is it like this?’

As I breathe in confusion, Calix’s words continued.

“Okay, fine.”

He had a resigned look on his face. Making an expression that it doesn’t matter to him anymore. That even if I don’t believe in him, even if I could not trust him, his face is making an expression as if saying······ there’s no helping it.

“The most important thing is the fact that you are with me.”

His abysmal longing seeped through his eyes. The longing to restrain me beside him completely. Revealing the impulse to do whatever he wants and to just entirely ignore my opinions.

My body trembled for some reason. Probably because of fear. I was scared of him when he behaves like this. He has become so mercilessly cruel.

Was my tremor transmitted? Because Calix’s expression loosened, then he gently kissed me on the forehead. His big hand slowly swept down my back.

Soon after, he softly whispered.