The night passed without a word.Just after 3:00 AM, dark clouds drifted over Silverstream, obscuring the summer stars. The humid, stagnant air vanished, replaced by a cool, refreshing breeze that set the lanterns in the Villa Residences swaying.Soon, a fine rain began to fall, pattering against the eaves and tiles with a rhythmic click-clack.Despite this, Caelum did not wake. It wasn't until a faint commotion arose outside that he groggily opened his eyes. Glancing at the dim raindrops flying past his window, he realized it was raining."Butterfly, what time is it?""Master, it's half-past three," Butterfly’s voice chirped from outside the room.Half-past three... His wife had said yesterday they would depart by dawn.Caelum’s mind cleared instantly. He climbed out of bed to stretch his limbs and called for Butterfly to help him wash and change. As he dressed, he asked, "Who’s making that noise outside?"Butterfly smoothed the wrinkles in his collar. "Just the servants helping the

The following day, the rain grew heavy and the wind fierce. The downpour was relentless, creating a continuous roar as it struck the surface of the pond in the courtyard. Caelum woke up early, and after finishing his breakfast, he skipped his usual visit to the pavilion and remained in his study. He practiced his calligraphy while listening to the wind and rain outside, finding a unique charm in the atmosphere.Butterfly stood by his side grinding ink, watching the characters he wrote and reading them silently in her heart. 'The east wind blew through the small building last night... The east wind does not grant a chance to the General... Red lips and a plain face...' There were no coherent poems, just scattered lines from various verses, yet every stroke was written with utmost seriousness.Though Butterfly was not an expert in calligraphy, her eyes were sharp enough to catch the faint brilliance within the characters. With such an aura, it was clear that Caelum’s mastery of the art

Clearly, in the vast and empty Main Gardens, the same excuse could not be used a second time. Especially not at this moment. One sat inside the pavilion, while the other stood drenched in the rain.Evangeline clutched the front of her heavy red cloak with both hands, her delicate face filled with astonishment. At that moment, she hadn't seen Caelum coming from the direction of the Four-Squares Pavilion; she assumed he had been standing there, watching her in secret for a long time.Caelum simply smiled. Even though he was soaked, and his long hair was matted messily against his face by the rain, he didn't show any agitation. However, one had to admit the atmosphere between them wasn't exactly... harmonious.After a long silence, Evangeline spoke with a mix of shame and indignation. "You... even if you can't sleep, you can't come here and... and watch me in secret..."Her younger sister, Celeste, had just left the estate yesterday, and he had snuck over like this. If someone were to se

The Fireworks Alley in the rain was perhaps the most atmospheric place in the city of Silverstream. Compared to the prestigious streets of the north, it possessed a unique charm. The mundane red lanterns and green-painted wooden buildings, washed by the rain, looked as if they had donned new clothes, radiating a fresh and transcendental beauty.Amidst the faint scent of rouge and powder, elegant courtesans, untouched by heavy makeup, saw off their overnight guests at the door, their eyes sparkling like autumn ripples as they hoped for their return. Their soft whispers and lingering voices carried far through the curtain of rain, revealing a feigned reluctance to part.However, the guests, now fully dressed, were oblivious and indifferent. Most hurried away without a backward glance, some even shielding their faces with their sleeves as if afraid of being recognized.But there were exceptions.Julian was one of them. Last night, he had stayed at the famous "Spring Rain Pavilion," exper

Caelum.The name echoed like a thunderclap in the ears of the physicians, apprentices, and the accountant of the Medicine Hall. Not only because he was the new manager appointed to replace Arthur, but primarily because of his identity as the son-in-law of the Shau family and husband to the Second Miss, Celeste. They dared not treat him lightly.Moreover, rumors about Caelum had been spreading through Silverstream recently. Though opinions were mixed, one thing was certain: he was known for being unpredictable and a rule-breaker.Thus, the physicians and staff, currently cornered by George, managed to force stiff smiles onto their faces as they bowed respectfully, greeting him as their new manager.Caelum remained calm. He took out the signed confession he had just obtained from the owner of the small herb shop next door and slapped it onto the table beside him."Even if I don't speak of the shop next door, I believe you all know the situation perfectly well," Caelum began. "I don't wa