IOWYC Chapter 04

Chapter 04 

Kallion’s eyes shifted from the papers to the darkened window outside.

Tonight was the full moon — the night he had promised to spend with Yuliana.

Since accepting her proposal, he hadn’t seen her even once.

As agreed, they hadn’t interfered in each other’s lives at all.

It was as if they simply didn’t exist to each other.

He remembered the last time he saw her face.

Those cool, emotionless red eyes held no trace of affection.

She looked like a woman who had been forced into marriage with him.

Even though I was the one who was pushed into it…

A bitter smile crept onto his lips.

I thought she welcomed the marriage,
thought she wanted it — unlike me.

After all, he knew better than anyone how long Yuliana had loved him.

Her feelings were never hidden. That naive, open stare was impossible to ignore.

He had always believed she volunteered for this marriage.

But maybe she had another motive…?

She probably didn’t remember their first meeting as kids,
but back then, before he knew she was a Heister, but he found her… kind of cute.

When they reunited as adults, she had clearly been taken with his appearance.

How could someone fall for a man from an enemy house?

Heister.
The family that killed his mother.

They had sent countless assassins after him — the most powerful user of dark energy in generations.
In the end, his mother had died protecting him.

Just remembering that moment filled his eyes with black rage.

Dark, violet-black energy began swirling from his body.

Startled, Layla stepped back, trembling.

“K-Kallion…?”

As the thick darkness filled the room, Layla began choking, unable to breathe.

Only then did Kallion realize his energy had leaked out and quickly suppressed it.

“My apologies.”

A normal person would’ve wet themselves from the pressure, but Layla just smiled tightly, used to it.

“It’s alright.”

Even though the energy faded, Kallion’s eyes remained cold and beast-like.

Since his mother’s death, his powers had only grown stronger.
Ironically, Heister created a stronger monster.

The Heister family had tried to negotiate afterward — but it was too late.
His hatred would never fade.

But his father was different.

The old man, tired of chaos and war, had accepted the peace deal.

Heister’s close ties to the Imperial Family likely influenced that decision.

The Royal Family, rulers of the light spirits, had long been at odds with Valdormer, rulers of darkness.

That banquet, where he first met Yuliana, had been one Heister forced him to attend.

If I’d known she was a Heister, I never would’ve helped her that night…

***

“Kallion, it’s getting late. Maybe you should rest now…”

Layla gently pulled him from his thoughts.

As always, she had stayed late with him while he worked.

She meant well, but he had no desire to leave the office.

Because if he left, he’d have to go to Yuliana’s room, as promised.

And, frankly, he didn’t want to.

She’ll be asleep by now. It still counts, right?

He leaned back, closing his eyes.

“I’ll just rest a bit here.”

Layla looked concerned.

“Wouldn’t you be more comfortable in your room?”

“This is fine.”

A shadow crossed her face as she looked at him.

Poor man… Married to a woman he didn’t even want. And from the enemy house, no less.

As a daughter of the loyal Sorrento family, Layla knew all about the centuries of cold war between Valdormer and Heister.

Kallion, who lost his mother in the conflict.

Now, the only one suffering from this forced peace was him.

Meanwhile, that foolish woman from the enemy house had the nerve to show affection for her master.

Marrying a stalker must feel like this, she thought bitterly.

Layla looked at his furrowed brows and sighed.

I have to take better care of him.

Make sure he has a place to rest, where he can feel safe.

Just then, a knock broke the silence.

Startled, Layla rushed to the door, careful not to wake him.

Outside stood Yuliana, her face calm and expressionless.

“Madam? What brings you here…?”

Layla stepped outside and closed the door quietly behind her.

Yuliana watched her silently, then asked evenly:

“Is Kallion inside?”

Layla hesitated, trying to act composed.

“Lord Kallion is currently very busy with work.”

Yuliana stared directly at her.

“We have an agreement for tonight. Just let him know.”

“…I’ll let him know.”

As Layla turned to go, Yuliana added firmly:

“I’ll wait here until you do.”

Layla stiffened.

“…”

Yuliana continued, calm and sharp:

“You weren’t going to tell him, were you?”

She already knew Layla well — her past behavior had made things obvious.

Layla paused, then turned back stiffly.

“…He’s asleep. Exhausted from work.”

Yuliana replied without emotion:

“Then wake him and pass on the message.”

Layla flinched.

“Madam, that’s…”

“If you won’t, I will.”

Yuliana moved to step past her.

Layla quickly blocked the way.

“I’ll tell him when he wakes up.”

She was clearly drawing a line — one she had no right to draw.

“Move.”

Yuliana’s tone turned cold.

She was starting to lose her patience.

Even if this agreement was forced, she hadn’t expected Kallion to break it so openly, using his secretary.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t let you through, Madam.”

Layla’s firm tone made Yuliana’s eyes narrow.

She remembered the past — being ignored, dismissed, treated like she didn’t matter.

Servants like Layla followed Kallion’s example and treated her the same way.

After eleven lives, Yuliana had learned one thing well:

You determine your own worth.

“I’m the lady of this house.”

Despite her warning, Layla remained firm.

“I only follow Lord Kallion’s orders.”

It sounded almost like a sneer — Don’t act like the mistress when you’re not wanted.

Not this time.

She wasn’t that naive, foolish woman anymore.

SMACK!

Yuliana slapped her.

Layla’s head snapped to the side.
Shocked, she slowly touched her cheek.

“M-Madam…!”

She looked stunned, outraged.

Yuliana looked down at her blankly, as if to say:

“Even if Kallion protects you, I’m still the one in charge here.”

Click—

The office door opened behind Layla.

Kallion stepped out, his eyes moving from Layla—holding her cheek—to Yuliana standing tall.

His eyes darkened.

He glared at Yuliana.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

There was clear disgust in his voice.

He moved in front of Layla protectively.

Behind him, Layla trembled like a scared deer.

Yuliana stared at them both, expressionless.

Kallion growled:

“How dare you lay a hand on my people?”