Chapter 16
“Your Grace, what brings you here?”
“It seems you remember me.”
A low, resonant voice drifted in like mist.
How could I ever forget him?
Duke Calypso was a striking figure in many ways—appearance and background alike.
“Let’s go. This isn’t the place to talk.”
“Go where?”
“I don’t think we should be having a conversation while getting drenched like this.”
Sir Aiden snatched the bag from my hand and headed for the carriage. He appeared to be moving alone, without any attendants.
He tossed the bag into the carriage and shouted back at me.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and get in.”
I didn’t know why Aiden Calypso had sought me out, but I couldn’t just stand there.
He motioned for me to come, so I quickly approached him. He was already inside the carriage and extended his hand to help me in.
Feeling wary of the unfamiliar touch, I hesitated, only staring at him. He wiggled his fingers.
“Pardon me.”
I placed my hand in his. Just as I felt the roughness of his palm, he pulled me in with surprising strength.
In the blink of an eye, I was swept inside the carriage.
I was hesitant to sit down, afraid my wet clothes would soak the seat.
“Sit down already.”
“Oh, yes.”
As I took a seat across from him, he handed me a dry cloth.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
After drying my face, he offered a blanket. The warmth of it nearly brought me to tears.
“You look unwell.”
His careful gaze scanned me thoroughly.
Embarrassed, I raised the towel again to hide my face.
By then, the carriage had already started moving.
Where is he taking me? More importantly, why did he even approach me?
“You’re probably wondering why I came to see you. It’s nothing much.”
It was as if Sir Aiden had read my thoughts.
“Still, I think you should focus on recovering first. We can talk after we arrive.”
“I… I’m okay. You can tell me now.”
“You don’t look okay at all. Do you even have somewhere to go?”
“…”
“I didn’t expect Count Estarion or Amelia Rophen to be so cold. People with status are often the worst—so educated and yet so cruel. Don’t you think?”
I was the one who should be bitter, but it was Aiden who wore a scowl.
“They were good friends… once.”
When I was still Estarion.
The rest of my words faded into a sigh. I clutched the blanket and sank deeper into the seat.
Exhaustion weighed heavy, and the sadness clinging to me like the rain slowly grew hazy.
I tried to stay awake, but my body was too weak, and my eyes shut on their own.
Sharing a space with a stranger, I pinched my thigh to keep myself from dozing.
“If you’re tired, you can sleep for a bit.”
“No, it’s fine.”
“Don’t lie. You look like you’ll pass out any second. I won’t do anything—just get some rest.”
As I searched for a response, he added again:
“If it’s about your safety, I swear—nothing will happen to you.”
I couldn’t fully trust his words, but I couldn’t fight the fatigue either.
Half in worry, half in fear, I slipped into unconsciousness.
My whole body burned. Every joint ached, and my skin was so tender it felt like I could cry.
Even under soft blankets, the pain was unbearable—like I was about to scream.
I couldn’t stay conscious. I was parched, shivering violently from the cold.
“Roshia… Water…”
The cold sweat made it feel like I’d freeze to death.
I called for Roshia, the maid who used to assist me, but there was no answer.
Where are you, Roshia?
Ah, right. I’m not Estarion anymore.
Of course you’re not here.
“She’s delirious! Call the doctor now—get her fever down!”
A loud, familiar voice rang out. A low, resonant one.
Who are you…? It’s so cold. Give me a blanket, please…
“You have to endure it. If the fever rises any more, it’ll be dangerous.”
He whispered to me. I curled up, chilled to the bone. Someone gently patted my back.
Though clumsy, the warmth of the touch was overwhelming.
The emotion in that warmth calmed me, and sleep returned again.
In that deep slumber, I heard a voice:
“I searched so long for you… How could you end up like this…”
A confession I couldn’t remember.
“Ugh…”
The sunlight pouring through the window stung my eyes.
Morning birds chirped, heralding the new day.
As I opened my eyes, I saw a canopy ceiling I didn’t recognize.
Where… am I?
This was a strange room.
Not a friend’s home either—the view from the window didn’t match the capital.
Then, the door creaked open, and a maid entered.
As I tried to sit up, she rushed to my side and supported me.
“Please lie down. You’ve been sick for three full days.”
“Three… days?”
“Yes. Your fever was terrible. It’s a relief you’re awake.”
“By the way, where am I?”
“You’re at Duke Calypso’s estate.”
“Duke… Calypso?”
Memories of riding his carriage came back.
I must’ve fallen ill after succumbing to the cold and passing out.
“How do you feel?”
“Bearable… No, not good.”
“I can tell. I’ll call the doctor.”
“What about His Grace?”
“He stepped out for a bit. I’ll let him know you’re awake when he returns this evening.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
The maid brought me medicine and food, then left to fetch the doctor.
After drinking the soup, I began to grasp my current situation.
I had no home, no money.
What should I do now?
Even basic food and shelter felt out of reach.
Working as a tutor in the countryside wouldn’t be bad, but that’s only a temporary fix.
I want revenge. For that, I need money and power.
Earning that much as a tutor is nearly impossible.
First, I need money. Even just to verify the truth.
Sienna’s words echoed in my mind.
The malice in her twisted words and gaze was unforgettable.
Live as a fake… There’s definitely something I don’t know.
A massive secret.
I need to find out why I resonated with Estarion’s treasure—even if faintly. For that, I need money. Maybe I could contact Heraiz… No, not yet.
While lost in thought, the doctor arrived and checked on me.
“You’re naturally frail, so you must take extra care.”
“I get frequent headaches. Can you prescribe something for the pain? I’ve tried all the known remedies, but nothing works.”
“As you know, there’s no specific medicine for pain.”
“But if I take completely different ingredients together, it sometimes works as a painkiller, right?”
“You seem quite knowledgeable about medicine.”
“Anyone in as much pain as I am would be.”
“As you know, painkillers can work, but the side effects are severe.”
“That’s fine. I can handle dry mouth and dizziness.”
“Understood. Since you know your condition well, I’ll prescribe a small dose first.”
The doctor left after giving a strong prescription and strict warnings.
As evening approached, the sunset gave way to darkness.
I rang a bell to summon the maid and ask when I might see Sir Aiden again.
Jingle. Jingle.
The clear sound echoed as I waited, straightening my appearance.
Regardless of my situation or health, I wanted to maintain some dignity.
But the pale reflection in the mirror looked like someone on death’s door.
Disliking what I saw, I turned my gaze away.
Knock knock.
“You may come in.”
I coughed to clear my hoarse throat, expecting the maid.
But it wasn’t her. It was Sir Aiden.
“Your Grace.”
I jolted upright, but he gestured for me to remain seated.
He entered confidently and looked down at me with a stiff expression.
As he examined me, I finally got a good look at Aiden Calypso.
A man with striking black hair and eyes.
Thick brows and sharply defined eyes exuded masculine charm.
His firmly closed lips suggested stubbornness.
His tanned skin and posture gave him a slightly rough edge, but…
He was by far the most handsome man I’d ever seen.
“Your Grace?”
“You still look unwell.”
“…Excuse me?”
“Eat well and rest. Get rid of that corpse-like complexion.”
He clearly didn’t like the situation.
But why? We barely knew each other.
“More importantly, I haven’t thanked you properly. I owe you a debt. Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”
“No, really. I’ll return your kindness one day.”
“How?”
“…?”
Caught off-guard by the sudden question, I looked up at him.
He checked my baffled expression and smirked, shaking his head.
“You seem curious why I helped you.”
“We hardly know each other.”
“Ah, from your perspective, I suppose that’s true.
Once you’ve recovered, I’d like to talk more.”
Watching me hesitate with questions, Aiden finally got to the point.
“Alright. Let’s get to the point. You have nowhere to go, right?
How about staying here at my estate?”
“At your home…?”
Aiden Calypso—he was the hero who appeared like a comet one day…
