Chapter 101

Calyx escorted Dimla out of the banquet hall.

They only stayed at the venue for a short time, about thirty minutes, but everyone understood what Dimla was trying to say.

‘The civil war in Lagos is over, and I am behind the young queen.’

The banquet, where the Lagos delegation and the successor of Radwiell County had left, became even noisier.

***

Inside the carriage, Baiferm Guandite let out a light sigh of relief.

“I was a little overwhelmed because there were so many people.”

“As far as I know, it’s your first time coming to a banquet in Illavenia. You must have felt a lot of pressure because it was a gathering of major figures from each country. But you were very determined.”

“Well, I didn’t expect the day to come when I’d know how the bait on the fishing rod feels. I thought they were going to eat me.”

Guandite smiled and glanced at Calyx.

“Still, I could meet a Zertaye’s descendant and put my mind at ease.”

“That’s more than I deserve.”

Dimla watched the conversation between her two great-grandchildren with delight, then took Calyx’s hand and gently stroked it. Her wrinkled face was full of love.

“I see Sabek in your face, Cal.”

Sabek was Countess Radwiell’s, Edelweiss’, real name. Her Lagossian name, Sabek, meant ‘Edelweiss’, a flower that blooms in high places. When she married into Illavenian nobility, she changed the name Sabek into a form more familiar to the Illavenians. Occasionally, Count Radwiell called Edelweiss, “Sabek, you-” in a honey-dripping voice. That’s why Calyx knew it well.

“...Yes!”

Everyone in the Empire recognized the fact that Calyx resembled Count Radwiell. He didn’t know where she found traces of his mother, but he couldn’t say no because his great-grandmother said they looked alike.

“Especially here.”

The place Dimla pointed to his eyes.

Hmm... Calyx groaned inwardly. One of the things I inherited from Father was his eyes. Dimla’s eyesight seems very bad. As he thought about whether he should find foods good for her eyes, Dimla laughed out loud.UppTodated from nô/v/e/lb(i)n.c(o)/m

“Is your inability to lie a trait from your Radwiell side? Your exterior looks like a Radwiell, but your eyes look like Sabek’s. It’s a gaze that holds much kindness. I’m glad she passed on the most important thing that makes us human.”

Calyx had heard a lot about Dimla from Edelweiss. Others found her difficult or frightening, but even as a child, Edelweiss hadn’t been scared.

She said she used to visit Dimla’s villa, which was a little older than the beautiful and extraordinary royal palace. But Sabek preferred Dimla’s quiet manor and made sure to stop by at least once a year because Dimla always laughed loudly at the sight of her young granddaughter rolling around at her feet.

“But, where did Radwiell go...? I didn’t see him in the banquet hall.”

Dimla’s eyes cooled. To put it bluntly, Calyx was also a Radwiell, but the Radwiell she was looking for referred to Count Fertan Radwiell. Calyx spoke as he looked at the distant landscape outside the window.

Dimla’s expression changed. Suddenly, her eyes that looked at her cute grandchildren reflected the dignity of a Baiferm, who previously commanded Lagos.

“I can see the Radwiell, but...”

Dimla painlessly pinched Calyx’s cheek.

“...As expected, you look more like Sabek, seeing that you have the cheekiness to insist on doing things your way.”

Calyx smiled shyly and acted coyly.

“It’s been her lifelong dream to get a birthday present from Great-grandmother.”

“The day she was born-”

“It’s been a while.”

Dimla closed her eyes and shook her head with a hint of laughter. After a while, she patted Calyx on the cheek and looked straight into his eyes.

“The great thing about Sabek is that she always influenced me despite her obvious tricks.”

“I resemble my mother a lot,” Calyx lied without blinking.

***

Moonstone Castle turned upside down because of the letter Calyx had sent. It stated that he would visit the castle with Baiferm Guandite and Regent Dimla. Isserion and Ricardis re-read Calyx’s letter with serious expressions.

“I wonder who would dare say they are not siblings. Young Lord Calyx resembles Sir Rosaline.”

“Do you mean the fact that they trail in incidents and accidents?”

“In addition to their characteristic of moving quickly when no one is watching.”

It was a great opportunity, but the feeling of embarrassment came first.

Calyx had left on a carriage with Dimla. What on earth happened there that caused THAT Dimla to take action? Who will not feel the wind and the waves caused when she moves? Still, the story of her coming to the Moonstone Castle...

“What the hell have you done, Young Lord Calyx?” Isserion moaned.

“Maybe he revealed his true face as Cute Cal, who has a great reputation in Vista. I think he’s good at pretending to be a puppy in front of someone he likes.”

“I wonder if he moved the Regent’s heart with that.”

“Wouldn’t it be creepier to say, ‘he made a certain transaction’? What did you think she asked?”

“No, Your Highness. I’m more appalled by Sir Calyx’s coyness.”

“...I fully understand if it’s a matter of the heart. Anyway... Hmm. I’m going to become busy.”

He said he would accept the help of the Radwiell successor, and well, it came sooner than expected.