Cafe Cardinal was not far from the Duke’s residence.

“Really close.”

Lona’s chattering voice seemed to echo in his ears.

Heading towards the cafe where they once had tea together, Elleon walked alone.

The streets of the capital felt unfamiliar. He had rarely walked like this, often opting to take a carriage or ride a horse.

The perspective changes when the height does.

“Did you always see such scenery?”

Elleon savored the views of the streets. When riding a horse, one must concentrate on the road. Skillfully pulling the reins slightly twists the horse’s perspective, training it to run in the direction he wants. It was a routine, but the focus was on passing quickly. Even the scenery here, near the Duke’s residence, seemed unfamiliar as if seen for the first time.

Elleon, who had a long stride, deliberately walked slowly. He wanted to see the scenery that Lona had seen while coming and going. During the time when he could not see, he wanted to confirm with his own eyes the world that Lona had described to him.

He took a seat at a table in Cafe Cardinal and ordered coffee and chocolate.

The waiter, wearing a neat white apron, spilled some coffee while setting down his order.

“I’m sorry.”

The woman wiped the spilled coffee, crouching and wiping the mark left on the table. Her hand gradually slowed down. From his jetblack hair and beautiful red eyes to his handsome nose and attractive lips, she examined Elleon in detail. Her eyes, which were stealing glances at Elleon, were filled with awe and surprise. Elleon dismissed her without care.

“It’s okay, you can go.”

“Yes, I apologize.”

The waiter retreated, holding the rag, her attitude full of regret. Soon, she joined two other female waitresses in a corner, covering their chests and pointing at Elleon while blushing and squealing inaudibly.

“Hmm.”

It was routine. There were too many women in the world who acted strangely whenever they saw him.

That’s probably why he had no particular interest in women. How should he respond to such behavior? He couldn’t blush and squeal and jump around in a group as well.

He liked being able to converse with Lona.

She had no ulterior motives towards him. As time passed, he felt comfortable around her, and then he started having feelings for her.

Elleon looked around Cafe Cardinal.

The wooden tea tables were similar to those in the Duke’s garden, with dirt sticking in the crevices of the wooden joints. The napkin, which must have been washed and washed again in disinfectant water, was bleached white, so stiff that its original color could not be recognized.

“The sunshade is blue. There are also a few tables under it. The sky is clear and blue today, so the sunlight reflected on the sunshade is very beautiful.”

The sunshade, which needed repairs, wasn’t even unfolded. Elleon laughed to himself without realizing.

“You lied.”

The most beautiful thing here would be Lona’s voice, which remained in his memory.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Elleon rolled a square piece of truffle chocolate back and forth aimlessly and remained still for a moment.

Then he approached the cafe owner at the cashier and asked.

“Three days ago, a customer packed some chocolate here. I am looking for her.”

“Our chocolate is a specialty of our store. It’s popular as a gift, so many customers pack it.”

“But she’s a rather striking woman. Red hair, blue eyes, dark skin, and a very small face, about this size.”

Elleon lightly made a fist with his large hand. The cafe owner, who was looking at him blankly, tilted his head.

“If she is as you say, I should remember, but I can’t recall any customer with red hair and blue eyes… I’m sorry. We have so many customers coming and going.”

“Is that so?”

Elleon nodded.

“Thank you. Keep the change.”

“Oh, no, it’s not necessary.”

He threw a gold coin to the declining owner of Cafe Cardinal and stepped onto the bustling commercial district’s thoroughfare.

“Did I come too late?”

He regained his sight after two and a half years. The one who stopped him from running out to find Lona immediately was the butler, Bernard. He said that his eyes, which had not perceived light for a long time, might get hurt if they suddenly saw light.

“Wouldn’t Miss Lona be upset if she later finds out that you went out to look for her and hurt your eyes?”

Cunning butler.

At that word, Illeon promptly sat back down on the bed. After several doctors were brought in to examine him and all confirmed that there was nothing wrong with his eyes and that he could go out without any issues, Illeon was able to leave the palace.

“Cedric.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Behind Illeon, his righthand man and lieutenant appeared.

“Lead me to the courier.”

“Yes.”

Cedric, who had roamed quite far to find his medication, returned to the palace without eating or sleeping for over two days upon receiving a letter from the butler stating that His Highness had regained his vision. The man, now more solid than the last figure that remained in his memory, impassively led Illeon’s steps into a back alley in the city.