Chapter 16

Allen Eustion.

Allen was a knight who, at a young age, rose to the position of captain of the royal guard, one of the few people Calix truly cherished. Even from that brief encounter earlier, it was easy to tell how close and deep the bond was between Calix and Allen.

But…

In the end, he dies.

Perhaps it was a small mercy in the midst of misfortune. It wasn’t on the southern battlefield they had mentioned earlier, but Allen meets his end in a war that, for a knight, would be considered a tremendously honorable death.

‘When was that again…?’

Not that there was much time left, either. He dies in a war that breaks out shortly after Hestia returns to the capital. At most, just a few months remain.

A sudden sense of unease washed over me.

Seeing a glimpse of someone’s future, especially one fated to die soon, was not a pleasant experience.

But could I even save him? Could I stop a knight from going to war for his country, for his liege? Did I have any justification for that?

More than anything, there was nothing between Allen and me. We had no kind of relationship. If I were to suddenly tell him not to go to war, that he would die, who would actually believe me?

‘They’d be kind enough to call me crazy.’

For now, since there’s still time, I’ll just think it over a little more. It’s not like I’ll come up with a brilliant idea by thinking about it now, and honestly, I’m just giving myself a headache.

‘So this is what it’s like.’

Knowing not only my own future, but the futures of others too. And when that future isn’t a hopeful one like Calix’s or Hestia’s, but a grim one… it leaves a terrible feeling behind and makes your thoughts spiral.

I didn’t want to think about it anymore, but tonight, sleep wouldn’t come easily. 

So that night, I ended up falling asleep quite late, and Calix still hadn’t returned by then.

* * *

I was deep asleep when the bed dipped slightly beneath me, gently rousing me from sleep.

‘He must be back…’

That familiar sensation, that familiar scent was unmistakable. Calix slid into bed and wrapped himself around me, pulling my sleeping body into his embrace.

“Mmm… Calix…?”

I slowly opened my eyes, letting him know I was awake.

“You’re up?”

I lifted my head slightly to glance outside and roughly gauge the time. It didn’t feel like much time had passed since I’d fallen asleep.

“Yes… You’re just getting in now?”

“Yeah.”

“I see… I meant to stay up and wait for you tonight too, but I must’ve dozed off. I’m sorry…”

Wearing an apologetic expression, I repeated the words I always said whenever he woke me up.

“It’s fine. I told you to sleep first.”

When I saw his face, I was relieved to find that he looked more relaxed than he had after dinner earlier.

“Still… I wanted to wait up for you…”

Both he and I knew that I was never able to stay up until he came back. But I kept doing it anyway because Ariel always had.

“Ariel.”

When Calix softly brushed his hand against my cheek, I felt a subtle tension spark between us.

“You must be exhausted. Try to sleep.”

I said it quickly, closing my eyes again. I wanted to get through tonight peacefully, in my own quiet way.

But, of course, he had other ideas.

“Ariel.”

His voice, low and filled with something unspoken, called out to me.

“…Yes?”

I opened my eyes again and looked up at him.

The full moon outside illuminated Calix’s face clearly. Our eyes met, his deep red gaze holding mine. Then, without warning, Calix pressed his lips to mine.

“Cal—Mmph!”

The moment our lips touched, his tongue pushed inside without hesitation. Soft yet firm, it moved through my mouth with practiced ease, teasing sensitive spots and making my skin tingle just from the kiss alone.

A languid heat seeped through me, and before long, I found myself giving in. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my body closer.

Calix pulled me tightly into his embrace, as if to eliminate any space between us. We kissed each other hungrily, bodies pressed together as if even a slip of paper couldn’t come between us.

But then…

‘I-I can’t breathe…!’

Breathing through my nose wasn’t enough anymore, and a jolt of clarity hit me. The kiss was growing more intense by the second, and I felt like I might genuinely suffocate.

Struggling to breathe, I began tapping his chest lightly.

But Calix, lost in the moment, didn’t let go and only held me tighter.

Feeling like I was about to pass out, I started hitting him harder with all my strength. Only when I writhed in his arms did he finally seem to catch on and pull away slightly.

I seized the moment, inhaling fresh air like I’d just escaped the brink of death.

“Haa… haa…”

“…”

Once my breathing steadied, I looked up at him, thinking I might finally survive the night. But when Calix saw I had recovered, he moved in again.

Panicking, I quickly raised my hands and grabbed his cheeks.

“W-Wait a moment…!”

Was he out of his mind?!

I couldn’t say it out loud, so I glared at him, silently hurling every curse I knew with my eyes.

His brows furrowed slightly, clearly displeased that I was holding him back. And in his gaze, I saw something else too – his desire, unfulfilled and smoldering.

‘Unbelievable…’

I had nearly died from lack of air, and he still had the nerve to act like this?

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. I had to say something.

“W-What’s gotten into you?”

“…What are you talking about?”

The way he feigned innocence left me completely dumbfounded. I let out a dry laugh.

“You were pushing so hard, I couldn’t breathe. Did something happen today?”

He’d always been intense, but tonight he was far more aggressive than usual.

Normally, even when expressing his desire for me, he maintained a certain tenderness and restraint. But that kiss just now wasn’t like that at all.

That kiss had felt like… Like he was punishing me, even as he couldn’t hide his love. A strange, bittersweet mixture.

‘Why is he acting like this all of a sudden… ah…’

While trying to make sense of his behavior, I suddenly remembered what had happened during dinner. 

‘He must’ve noticed me looking at Allen.’

Knowing how possessive and jealous he was, I had feared he wouldn’t let it slide if he picked up on it. So I had gone out of my way to act natural, as if I hadn’t seen anything.

But of course, I couldn’t fool Calix’s eyes.

‘Idiot.’

Why did I have to look at another man…

Still, Allen’s beauty had been practically impossible to ignore. It was almost an act of God. But blaming myself now wouldn’t help.

What mattered more was figuring out how to calm this dangerously jealous man in front of me.

‘What do I do…?’

As I pondered, our eyes met again.

‘Ah…’

Among the many emotions flickering in his gaze, one struck me hard – despair.

Could it be… was he afraid that my feelings for him had changed, just because I looked at someone else? Over something so small…

We hadn’t even spoken.

I’d only glanced at Allen, our eyes didn’t even meet. And yet, just that brief moment had affected Calix this much…

“Calix…”

I softly called his name.

“…Ariel.”

I didn’t think he’d respond, but he did, albeit a bit late. I offered him a warm smile.

Yes.

This desperate, needy side of him, the kind that clings to someone with everything he has, would eventually be healed once the heroine enters the picture.

So for now, I just needed to comfort him. Just for a little while. When the time comes, I’ll be nothing more than a speck in his memory. All I have to do is stick to the original story.

With that thought, I knew exactly what to do.

Still holding Calix’s cheeks gently, I spoke.

“Are you mad because I looked at the captain of the royal guard who came into the dining room earlier?”

“…”

At my question, his expression twisted again, as if the memory had resurfaced.