TISND Chapter 101

Chapter 101

One of the most frequently discussed topics among the people of the Empress’s palace was none other than Duke Frantor.

The private life of the most attractive and wealthiest man in the empire was a matter of curiosity for everyone. Not only did he rarely visit the capital, but whenever news of him arrived, it was always shocking.

In particular, his divorce from Melissa York was still a subject of gossip.

And now, that very Caligo Frantor was finally remarrying—to none other than the daughter of Eskel.

What’s more, his bride hadn’t even properly debuted into society!

There was, of course, some initial surprise, but in the Empress’s palace, such scandals were regarded with a certain benevolence. Surely, before the wedding, the bride would at least come to pay her respects to Her Majesty the Empress.

Yet, the daughter of Eskel never once set foot in the Empress’s palace. Instead, she went straight to Frantor and settled there.

And finally, the day came when they would meet Helena Eskel, the woman behind all the rumors.

How arrogant she must be, to have not even appeared before the Empress. An impolite woman who knew nothing of custom or courtesy.

Not to mention, she had already caused a scandal, with no regard for consequences.

Having already dealt with Melissa once, those in the Empress’s palace assumed Helena would be similar—or perhaps even worse.

“I greet Your Highness, the Empress.”

However, the Helena Eskel they met in person was nothing like they had imagined.

“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Helena of the Frantor family.”

A soft, composed voice. A calm and serene gaze.

They had expected a loud, ignorant woman, yet her etiquette was impeccable, leaving no room for criticism.

“Welcome, Helena.”

“I should have come to pay my respects sooner, but I have been discourteously late. I offer my deepest apologies for this offense.”

In a way, she was entirely different from what they had envisioned—different even from Eskel himself.

The “Eskel” they knew was not like this.

She was neither like Melissa nor like Rosalith Eskel.

“I am pleased to see you at last. I accept your apology, so lift your head.”

Even the Empress reacted in an unexpected manner.

She scrutinized Helena with a meaningful gaze before offering a smile.

No one knew the reason, but since the mistress of the Empress’s palace had smiled, her ladies-in-waiting had to quickly adjust their attitudes.

“It is a pleasure to meet you.”

“Duke Frantor seems to have found himself a fine bride, Your Majesty.”

If there was one flaw, it was that Helena lacked sociability.

Most young ladies who entered the imperial palace for the first time struggled to discern what should and shouldn’t be said.

But Helena made no effort to befriend anyone and remained silent.

“I hope to see you more often in the future.”

Helena could not grasp the Empress’s intentions.

But one thing was certain—

She could not obey her words.

She didn’t have long to live.

How many more times could she possibly meet the Empress?

“If Your Majesty calls for me, it would be my greatest honor.”

Her flawless politeness seemed to satisfy even the usually haughty ladies-in-waiting.

—

Before coming to the Empress’s palace, she had a dream.

A dream about the night before she arrived at Frantor.

A dream about the time she spent with Caligo.

“This looks like an edible mushroom.”

“No, you can’t eat this one. It’s poisonous.”

They were the days when she had been in love.

“Still, in some regions, it’s used as medicine.”

Helena often shared meals with him during their visits to the forest, spending time together in idle conversation. Sometimes, they would take naps under the warmth of the sun.

She used to watch Caligo as he leaned against a tree, fast asleep, and feel her heart flutter.

A time she longed for had come to her in a dream. In it, Caligo was kind to her. He even smiled.

But Helena no longer felt longing or excitement, even when he appeared in her dreams.

She had come to realize that neither the dream nor he held any meaning for her anymore.

You’re just waiting for me to disappear now.

The only version of Caligo that remained in her life was the cold man who wished for her death.

That was why, even in dreams, she no longer felt happy.

It was merely part of the process of resignation.

—

“What am I doing right now?”

After leaving the Empress’s palace, Helena was consumed by an empty feeling.

She felt like a useless creature—one that did nothing but consume food and take up space.

That was the truth, wasn’t it?

In Frantor, she had no role.

She had struggled for love all this time, yet to him, she was nothing.

No meaning. No value. He only wished for her to disappear.

So why had she insisted on staying by his side?

What had she feared so much that she couldn’t bring herself to leave the mansion?

“……Ah.”

In the distance, she saw Caligo.

Dressed casually, his right arm was wrapped around a woman she didn’t recognize.

Even from afar, she could almost smell the scent of alcohol and expensive perfume.

Unconsciously, Helena took a step back.

Alcohol and women. A man and a woman walking through the corridor together.

She couldn’t bear to keep watching and turned away.

She had never considered the possibility of him having another woman.

Of course, when he had grown close to Rosalith, she had felt anxious, but she had dismissed the thought—’surely not’.

Perhaps she had wished, above all else, to be the only woman by his side.

But it had always been a futile hope.

The daughter of Eskel, a woman with no use—how could she ever hope to remain by his side?

“Helena.”

She had wanted to turn around and leave immediately.

But it seemed he had noticed her first.

Caligo gently released the hand of the woman clinging to him.

Then, he walked straight toward her.

She didn’t want to see his face right now. She didn’t want to exchange a single word with him.

And yet—

“……I greet Your Grace, the Duke.”

She had come to Frantor of her own will. She should have expected something like this.

‘Foolish Helena.’

Her face already showed half-resignation as she turned away.

She offered her greeting but didn’t attempt to meet his eyes.

“Why are you here?”

He made no effort to explain or excuse the presence of the woman beside him.

As if there was no need for an explanation.

The woman standing at a distance, watching them, also seemed indifferent.

An uninvited guest. Or perhaps a troublesome rock blocking an otherwise clear path.

Maybe that’s how he saw her too.

“I visited to Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Ah, is it that time already?”

Had he been so lost in the moment with that woman that he didn’t even notice the time passing?

An unwanted image forced itself into her mind—Caligo, standing beside that woman.

She was beautiful.

Unlike Helena, who reeked of death to the point that people couldn’t help but ask if she was alright, the woman overflowed with life.

What kind of time had they spent together? What conversations had they shared? What expressions had he shown her?

Had he smiled at her the way he once smiled at me?

Had his warmth and kindness—so sweet it could melt one’s heart—been offered to that woman as well?

‘No. Stop thinking about it.’

Don’t wonder. Don’t imagine.

She didn’t want to hurt any more.

It was a place she never could have belonged to. She had held onto foolish hopes for too long, only to end up hurting herself.

She wanted to stop crying in secret.

She wanted to stop soothing her own wounds alone.

She was just too tired now.

“You didn’t offend Her Majesty, did you?”

“I apologized for not having greeted her sooner.”

Her Majesty had been gracious, so there would be nothing to worry about.

Helena finished speaking, intending to leave immediately.

She had to keep her composure. She couldn’t let him see even a glimpse of her shaken state.

“Then, if you’ll excuse me.”

Was it jealousy?

Or was it simply because the woman was so utterly different from herself?

Without realizing it, her gaze flickered toward the woman standing apart from them.

Caligo’s expression darkened.

“Where are you looking?”

“I’m sorry, I was just—”

“It’s none of your concern. Don’t overstep your bounds—just leave.”

She wished, in that moment, that she could lose her hearing.

She didn’t want to hear his sharp, thorned words anymore.

“Or are you going to whine again? I don’t have the time or the patience to deal with you. I don’t want to deal with you.”

“…….”

“You know what I’m saying, Eskel.”

Leave. Disappear. That’s what he meant.

That’s all he had ever wanted—for her to vanish completely.

“I understand.”

She looked at him quietly.

Why did it feel like she was standing at the very edge of a cliff?

There was no anger left. No grief.

Only sorrow.

She had never imagined this would be how they ended.

She had thought she would love him until the day she died.

“You’re right. This isn’t a place I should be.”

“…….”

“I apologize for my rudeness, Your Grace.”

That was all.

Helena bowed her head in a quiet farewell.

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