Chapter 80

Today was the day Baron Zion decided to visit.

Kalcion had already spoken to him several times, but he had not found any specific peculiarities related to the incident. So it was concluded that Selena should approach him, which would be the most uncomfortable for Baron Zion.

"I'll wear something gentle today. Same with my makeup."

"Are you going out?"

Juna asked in a frightened voice.

Baron Zion—father of Irelle, and Selena—the new woman of Kalcion. It would be an uncomfortable meeting. As usual, Selena shouldn't be stuck in the room and just breathe.

"Yes. I didn't do anything wrong."

She had to know if Baron Zion's purpose for the visit was money. Otherwise, he was the only person with a clue about Irelle.

The hallways were busier than usual after a simple renovation.

"There, clean it up a bit more!"

"There's dirt on the entrance. Wipe it carefully."

"Move the light green leaf pot, the symbol of Baron Zion, to the front."

Even if it was a simple visit to only move the furniture, the servants were excessive with their work.

On behalf of the butler who was yet to be recruited, Mrs. Janet walked around the place and ordered. As she pointed to the curtains in the hallway, she found Selena alone.

She thought she would say something, but Mrs. Janet just greeted her lightly with gestures and turned her body around.

'So you've decided to let go of me completely now?'

Selena—who was clearly convinced that Mrs. Janet knew something—was slightly disappointed. If she kept picking up fights, she would spill a word by mistake.

At that time, she heard Baron Zion's carriage enter the main gate.

Even after passing through the gate, there was time to arrive at the entrance.

The servants who were working in their respective places quickly organized cleaning tools and stood in line at the entrance. At the end, stood Mrs. Janet.

Selena slipped back into the room. It was not yet time to show herself.

Baron Zion's visit was not an invitation from Kalcion, rather it was made on his request. Therefore, although he was politely welcomed, the owner was not required to entertain him in person. So, Kalcion was locked up in the study.

Selena, who entered the room, held her breath with her ears pricked toward the hallway.

Mrs. Janet said something formal, and the Baron responded briefly. Then, he went straight up the stairs and headed to the room where Irelle used to live. He was followed by several heavy make footsteps, perhaps his servants.

The noise of furniture being moved came right after. The sound of heavy wood dragging on the floor continued.

Selena counted for her turn and opened the door.

The servants were carrying furniture such as a closet and table down the stairs.

Mrs. Janet was away for a while, and the Baron was alone with his servants.

"Hey, be careful of the corners! If it gets stamped on the wall, its value will fall in half."

Leaning against the door, Selena waited for the Baron to notice.

"Be careful when you pass by the door.....! Gasp."

Finally, his eyes landed on her. Selena made way to the servants passing by the furniture and slightly bending her knees toward the Baron.

"I heard a loud noise, so I came to see. It is good to see you again."

"I had no intention to disturb your quiet daily life. Irelle's furniture will be moved over soon. I ask for your understanding until then."

"You may take your time. I just came out to see what happened."

"Thank you for your consideration."

He showed no emotion even when he saw Selena.

They might have been hidden between the many eyes at the party, but he didn't need to intentionally do so even when the two of them were alone.

"I hope my presence doesn't make you feel uncomfortable."

As she said, Baron Zion nodded his head with one eyebrow raised.

"There's nothing to be uncomfortable about."

"Even though I'm taking your daughter's place?"

Once again, his eyebrows moved. However, he still showed no apparent agitation.

"I doubt there'd be any change if I regretted over the place of my deceased daughter."

This time, Selena tilted her head.

"That's not what I meant."

"Then what is it you meant?"

"Emotions. They don't come from calculating with your head."

Baron Zion was shaken for a moment, but her heart was repaired this time.

Even though she had been explained by Kalcion in advance that it was because of money, she thought he might have lost his feelings because he lost his own child. Even if he didn't cry, she thought he would still be emotional upon seeing someone in his daughter's place.

The Baron only acted like a person who came to find the things he had entrusted and showed no feelings for Irelle.

"What do you want to hear from me?"

The Baron came one step closer with a cynicism.

"Hey, Lady."

She only thought of him as a skinny, shabby old man, but there was also coldness in his eyes. It was what everyone at the party saw.

"Just live your life. When we all want the same thing, someone falls and dies, while someone luckily catches it."

"......"

"You don't need my permission to take that position. Or do you want me to hug a girl and cry because she thinks of my daughter? Will you feel comfortable? If I do that to you, will you take care of my expenses as my daughter did?"

Again. Money, money.

Though she heard the Baron's family was economically poor, it was now free from the worries of making a living right now because of Kalcion's support. However, the Baron only knew about money.

"I thought you would be sad because of your daughter."

"I am sad! Do you know much money would have come into my hands if she hadn't died in vain! I was going to be in-laws with the Duke! It's all gone! Do I not seem sad to you?!"

He screamed. There was not a grain of sorrow for Irelle's death.

".....I shouldn't have brought it up."

She didn't even know if Irelle was good or bad. She never saw her face. Still, the Baron was a person involved in her life in the past.

Whether it was suicide or murder, her death was sad, but no one seemed sad. Even her birth father. The fact was terrible.

Selena endured the nauseous feeling and turned around.

"May I give you advice, Lady?"

She paused as he said.

"I live by following the theme. You will get hurt if you're not aware."

Is it about Irelle or something he says to himself?

But without going into details, she bowed her head.

"Thank you for your advice."

Then, she finally escaped from the scene.

As soon as she hurried to walk away from the room, she became annoyed.

".....This guy."

It was uncomfortable, yet the disgusting feeling of nausea did not leave her body.

She went back to the room, rubbing her stomach, and just in time, Kalcion was back.

"Do you feel uncomfortable?"

He suddenly asked.

"That....."

Selena sat down next to him with a long sigh.

Putting down the documents he was holding, Kalcion looked back at her. She only vomited one word while choosing to calm down first.

"It's so strange. How can a father feel nothing when he takes out furniture from the room where his daughter died?"

"Hmm......"

Kalcion fiddled with his jawline with his finger.

Selena raised her head when he didn't respond.

".....Isn't this weird?"

"Perhaps not in the noble society."

"This world is weird."

Selena was twice as shocked that even Kalcion did not curse Baron Zion together with her.

"But his child died. He's been raising her for two decades. How can he be so fine? Is everyone like this?"

"There are, of course, people who love and care about their children very much. But children are usually considered tools in most families."

When he said it, it reminded her of what he said when he was playing as a patient. A childhood where he never expressed pain because he was the Duke's successor. Maybe he understood because he grew up similarly.

"Marriage is also about conditions. Parents see them as tools for their families. Is there anything called affection in this world?"

"There must be, somewhere."

At least it was not around Kalcion. In his heart, as expected.

"Her passing was unjust, but no one is sad."

"Death comes to everyone."

"You're not sad about Irelle's death?"

"We didn't have such a relationship to be sad."

Selena's heart was twisted once more by his calm recognition.

"You look like everyone in your world has grieved over your death."

"Indeed, compared to here. If I were dead, countless fans around the world would have been very sad. They'd cry a lot."

It reminded her, who was retelling what she took for granted.

There was no doubt that people in her world would be very sad. But so? Then? How long would they remember her?

With new characters coming into the scene, the thoughts about missing characters were always blurred. As if nothing had happened. Decades later, they'd just say, 'oh, there was a person like this' when they look through an old photo album.

Selena also had no one personal like she had Kalcion here. No family, no friends.

"Selena?"

"Come to think of it...... I don't think it's going to be very different there."

"What?"

"Because my death can't be everything in someone's life."

She looked back at him with a bitter smile. Coincidentally, Kalcion was the first person to know this deeply about her life. She suddenly became curious.

"If I die, will the Duke be sad?"

His fingers, neatly placed on his lap, suddenly twitched.