Chapter 50
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The Male and Female Leads Broke Up - Episode 50
After climbing the Staircase, I came to a stop before a black door within just a few steps.
It was a dark, austere door—utterly unlike Adela's vibrant, colorful entrance.
"Your Grace, Lady Belita Heitz has arrived."
"Show her in."
"Yes, understood. Please come in."
The heavy, substantial door swung open with palpable weight.
Inside, a middle-aged man sat before a desk.
I recognized his face from our meal together.
As I entered, the Duke rose from his seat and approached me.
I greeted him first.
"It has been some time, Duke Byon."
"Welcome, Lady Heitz."
When I lifted my gaze after the greeting, the Duke was studying me with a piercing stare.
For some reason, I felt that if I averted my eyes here, my family would lose face, so I met his gaze with unwavering confidence.
"You resemble the Duchess more than the Duke himself. Please, sit here."
Then the Duke uttered words whose meaning was difficult to discern.
I wore a puzzled expression, then quickly erased it.
"Yes, thank you."
And I moved to the sofa.
He took the seat of honor while I settled onto the sofa to his right.
"How are Duke Heitz and the Duchess faring?"
"Yes, both are well."
"I see. I hear this is your second visit to see our Adela."
"Yes, I was unable to pay my respects during my first visit. I apologize."
"I was away on business at that time. So, I understand you and our daughter have been exchanging letters."
It was a routine question.
The sort of inquiry parents ask when curious about whom their children associate with and how they get along.
But just as my own father disapproved of my connection to the Byon Family, the Duke's gaze toward me was equally unfavorable.
I kept my wits sharp to avoid giving him any opening to criticize.
"At the last banquet, I witnessed Lady Adela collapse, and I was so concerned that I could not help but visit her. After that visit, when I spoke with her, we found our conversation flowed naturally, and we became friends. Since we cannot meet often outside these walls, we began exchanging letters."
"I see. But regarding that day—"
"Yes?"
"The day our Adela collapsed."
When the Duke mentioned that day, tension suddenly gripped me, though I had done nothing wrong.
"Yes, of course."
"Do you happen to know why Adela collapsed that day? When I asked her, she said she suddenly felt dizzy and fell, but I was curious if there might be another reason."
The Duke didn't know what had happened that day.
I paused for a moment, considering how to respond.
Of course, I had no intention of telling him the truth.
Since the person involved was keeping silent, there was neither reason nor need for me to loosen my tongue.
"I was in the vicinity that day as well, and it's true that she collapsed suddenly, just as the lady said."
"I see."
Looking at the Duke's eyes, it was clear he didn't believe my answer at all.
However, this was a problem Adela would have to resolve herself, so there was no point in my worrying about it.
"Very well. You may leave now."
"Yes, then I shall take my leave."
A sigh of relief.
After leaving the Duke's Office, I exhaled with quiet relief.
I was grateful it had passed without incident.
"Then, Lady Heitz, I shall escort you to the young lady's room."
As I followed the Butler down the corridor, I spotted Adela's Room, which I had seen before.
At the mention of my arrival, Adela's delighted voice carried through the door.
Upon entering the room, Adela was reclining against the headboard of the bed, her beautiful face radiant with a beautiful smile.
"Belita!"
"Adela."
"It's been so long. Thank you for coming to see me again like this."
"Not at all. It's only right that someone who can move about comes to visit."
"Hearing you say that touches my heart so."
The Maidservant placed a chair near the bed where Adela lay.
I sat there and handed Adela the flowers I had brought as a gift.
"Here."
"Oh my! Are these for me?"
Upon seeing the bouquet, Adela's expression became enchanted, and she was deeply moved.
"Yes, they are."
"They're so beautiful. I'm always the one receiving—what shall I do?"
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Thank you so much. I'll treasure these flowers and make sure they never wilt."
It was a promise she could never keep, but understanding how Adela felt upon receiving the gift, I nodded with a contented smile.
"How is your health?"
"Much improved."
Though she said she was better, by Aiden's account and by my own observation, Adela's complexion didn't look good at all.
If anything, her condition appeared worse than before.
Noticing my expression, Adela quickly changed the subject.
"The Harvest Festival and the equestrian competition are coming up soon, aren't they?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Are you competing in the equestrian tournament as well, Belita?"
"Yes, it seems I'll be representing the Heitz Family."
"You must be quite skilled at horseback riding."
Her eyes gleamed with unmistakable envy as she gazed at me.
"If only I were a bit healthier, I could do it too. It's so disheartening when my body is this weak."
"Once you recover, let's go riding together. Promise me?"
Watching Adela respond with slumped shoulders and a dejected expression, I felt compelled to encourage her.
So the invitation to ride—words I had turned down when Aiden Byon asked—flowed naturally from my lips before Adela.
"Thank you, Belita."
After that, we continued our conversation, letting the discussion blossom naturally.
Then Adela suddenly asked me something.
"You met Father, didn't you?"
"Yes, I saw Byon Duke before coming here. But..."
I hesitated over whether to mention it.
I was reluctant to dredge up that day's events for someone still recovering.
Yet I also thought that telling her Byon Duke was suspicious and questioning me about what happened would help her prepare her response going forward.
As I deliberated, Adela was watching me with curiosity written all over her face.
"What happened?"
"No, nothing."
I decided her recovery came first, so I kept my mouth shut.
"Did Father not ask you about what happened at the banquet?"
But Adela's sudden question caught me off guard, and my expression betrayed my shock completely.
And that was answer enough.
"...Yes, that's right."
"What did you tell Father?"
"Well, I didn't say much."
"Actually, I never properly explained to Father what happened that day. I was afraid of what might happen if he found out..."
It was a wise decision.
From our earlier conversation, it was clear that Byon Duke cherished his daughter no less than my own father cherished me.
But if he learned that his beloved daughter had suffered such heartbreak at the banquet that she'd lost consciousness, trouble would surely follow, just as she said.
'My father probably would have reacted the same way.'
Especially if Cain Maxius was involved—this wasn't speculation but certainty.
'So is Adela hiding it to protect Cain Maxius?'
"I understand. I thought there must be a reason you didn't tell him, so I didn't say much either. Though it seemed Byon Duke didn't quite believe me."
"Was that so?"
"Yes."
"Sigh..."
Adela exhaled a deep breath.
"I must seem foolish to you, don't I?"
"...."
I couldn't bring myself to deny it, so I simply closed my mouth.
"I know. I'm being foolish. But I don't understand why I can't let go of these feelings."
Tears glistened at the corners of Adela's eyes.
"Ah, I'm sorry. You told me not to bring this up, and I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry."
Remembering what I had said before, she apologized to me repeatedly.
'Perhaps her heart's affliction runs too deep to heal.'
That certainly seemed to be the case.
A heart she could confide in no one about, the frustration she felt toward herself, and the helplessness of being unable to do anything about it—it seemed these were why her suffering wouldn't easily fade.
"It's alright. I'll listen today."
Seeing someone in pain languishing before my eyes, I found it impossible to remain cold.
"What?"
Adela's eyes widened at my words.
"Today, I'll listen to whatever Adela has to say. Tell me everything you wish."
"Belita...."
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