Chapter 38

“If I made you uncomfortable, I apologize. I only wished to speak with you about what happened earlier.”

 

Was there anything left for us to talk about? I didn’t think so.

 

“In that case… instead of dancing, wouldn’t it be better to simply talk?”

 

I wished he would withdraw his dance request first. Then I wouldn’t be put in a difficult position, and Bastien could talk comfortably without having to dance.

 

“I wish to speak with you alone, my lady… so I’m afraid that won’t do.”

 

“Oh my.”

 

A noblewoman covered her mouth with her fan. I understood exactly what Bastien meant.

 

There were debutantes circling him like hyenas, waiting for even a sliver of a chance to dance with him. If he and I were talking alone, they would swarm in and interrupt with dance invitations by the dozen.

 

But the people around us seemed to interpret it in a completely different way, whispering among themselves.

 

“It will only be for a moment.”

 

Bastien urged me once more. With him asking me this earnestly, refusing became difficult.

 

I cried inside. Whatever I did, it was a losing move for me.

 

With determination, I placed my hand in his.

 

“…If it’s only for a moment.”

 

“Thank you for giving me your time, my lady.”

 

Bastien smiled gently and led me forward.

 

But the gods weren’t finished mocking me yet.

 

“Lep.”

 

A voice that should never be heard here reached my ears.

 

 

***

 

 

Liman entered Evan’s room holding a tray. Since Evan hated having his time with Lepina disturbed, Liman always checked the timing and brought the medicine immediately after she left.

 

And the moment he opened the door, he saw Evan’s face, crumpled like a crushed sheet of paper, and instantly understood what had happened.

 

‘The young miss must have brought up that subject again.’

 

These days, Evan’s number one source of stress was Lepina mentioning Elena.

 

“Liman, have I been neglecting Lep lately?”

 

“That would never be the case, sir.”

 

“Then why is Lep acting like this…? Everything was fine until recently, but now she’s desperate to pair me with Physician Elena.”

 

Evan rubbed his chin, cold fury leaking from his voice. Feeling the killing intent, Liman let out a nervous laugh.

 

Duke Weiss used to rub his chin the same way whenever he faced a knot he couldn’t untangle—and that aura had always been frostbitten cold.

 

Though not publicly known, Evan had become a Sword Master. His aura was overwhelming even for an ordinary person to endure.

 

“My lord…”

 

“Ah—my apologies.”

 

“It’s nothing. I understand completely.”

 

And Liman did understand him. Thoroughly. Why else would Evan have directly confronted Elena a short while ago?

 

From Evan’s perspective, Lepina’s affection toward Elena was strangely excessive. Elena herself showed no sign of such intentions, yet Lepina acted as if she thought Elena liked Evan and that she, magnanimously, should step aside.

 

Just imagining it irritated Evan enough that veins bulged on the back of his hand as he gripped the bedsheets. The idea of losing her because of another woman—unthinkable.

 

“But Physician Elena said she had no interest in me at all.”

 

Insulted beyond belief, he was told his medicine seemed wrong, and she’d remake it. Elena even admitted she was also baffled by Lepina’s behavior and warned Evan not to misunderstand anything.

 

In the end, the two even joined hands—literally—to correct Lepina’s absurd assumptions.

 

“So it is someone else…?”

 

Evan’s eyes flashed sharply as he asked: “What happened to that newspaper that spread the gossip?”

 

“Handled cleanly. The article’s been removed, and we secured the list of people they interviewed.”

 

“Sort them and report to me. They’ll never go near her again.”

 

Evan was referring to an article that briefly circulated before the ducal family shut it down.

 

If one newspaper ranked the most eligible bachelors, it was only natural another would rank the most desirable brides.

 

In the past, Lepina would’ve been dismissed as an eccentric young lady walking her own odd path. No matter her achievements with the merchant guild, nobles wouldn’t care—that’s for commoners, they’d scoff.

 

But at some point, she became known as the daring girl who saved Fedeshar and refused the emperor’s reward. Then her undeniable achievements in the merchant guild stacked up. People’s perceptions shifted.

 

Nobles who usually wouldn’t spare her a glance began approaching her.

 

Some wanted her wealth.

 

Some wanted to use her imperial favor for their own advancement.

 

Some were curious what exactly made the powerful Weiss family accept her as Evan’s fiancée.

 

Flattering articles were fine. But calling her “the number one bride candidate”? He couldn’t stand it.

 

What about him? He was right here—who did they think they were?

 

Even mere curiosity was unforgivable.

 

“Too many thieving bastards trying to steal what I’ve guarded so carefully.”

 

His cold gaze fixed on the empty air as if enemies stood there.

 

“The academy days were better. I could watch over her all the time…”

 

Evan clenched his hand.

 

Unknown to Lepina, Evan had driven away every man who’d tried approaching her at the academy. His excessive devotion was common knowledge—except to Lepina herself.

 

Even the ones who’d been slightly interested backed off the moment they sensed Evan’s iron wall.

 

He even pretended to be weak and clingy around her, making it impossible for anyone else to approach.

 

Yet now some stray mutt dared to covet her.

 

And Lepina constantly trying to match him with Elena only made him wonder if she had another man in mind.

 

So when the imperial family announced the ball, Evan thought it was perfect—he would give everyone a clear warning: She’s mine. Don’t even try.

 

But before he could act, Lepina had already prevented him.

 

“Is it possible the informant was wrong?”

 

“He’s never been wrong, my lord. And the young miss unquestionably likes you—you can see it in her everyday actions, can you not?”

 

“…That’s true.”

 

A faint smile tugged at Evan’s lips. Even today, she had run into his arms without hesitation. Someone might argue it was because she didn’t see him as a man, but that wasn’t it.

 

She couldn’t hide her flushed cheeks and reddening ears. Lepina was simply too kind, too gentle—she showed affection to ease his anxieties.

 

“Which is why I can’t stop doing all this.”

 

Evan rose from the bed, his long legs unfolding as he stood.

 

He picked up the medicine on the desk and swallowed it without pause. His sleeve slipped down his arm, revealing a wrist far too strong for someone supposedly frail.

 

“Sweet…”

 

It was a token of Lepina’s affection. She had added sweet herbs because he hated bitter medicines.

 

“What tasted sweet was you, Lep… not the medicine.”

 

“Is the new medicine effective?”

 

“Unless I push myself too hard in sword training, there’s no more vomiting blood.”

 

“Then the poison deep in your organs will gradually neutralize.”

 

His expression brightened.

 

Though not immediately life-threatening, Alosi’s poison was still harmful. Five years of steady treatment had led to this progress.

 

“It won’t be long now. I want my body healed quickly.”

 

Evan clicked his tongue. If he were healthy, he could have attended today’s ball with her. Instead, he had fallen for her trick and agreed not to go.

 

Liman recalled the tailored formalwear prepared by a famous designer.

 

“Then what about the outfit we prepared?”

 

“Can’t be helped. I’ll have to wait for the next opportunity.”

 

Seeing Evan’s regretful expression, Liman offered carefully: “If you wish to go… then you should. Please remember the insolent ones who try to approach the young miss.”

 

Liman, too, couldn’t forgive those who dared covet the precious young lady he’d watched over. And the gossip about the Weiss family needed silencing as well. Too many busybodies whispered about their engagement.

 

With Liman supporting him, Evan’s resolve wavered.

 

“An imperial ball is the perfect place for choosing a marriage partner, after all.”

 

“…I’m going.”

 

No hesitation.

 

“I’ll prepare everything perfectly.”

 

 

***

 

 

“My apologies, Your Highness the Crown Prince. But the only one who may dance with Lep is her fiancé—me.”

 

The familiar voice stunned me. I whipped my head around—

 

But he was faster.

 

My body froze as if ensnared. Evan had an arm wrapped firmly around my waist, his chin resting on my shoulder. My hand was captured in his grasp. The soft brush of silver hair against my cheek confirmed it was him.

 

“Lep… I told you, didn’t I? If a man approaches you, reject him. This is exactly why I can’t let you go alone. You’re beautiful—of course someone would try to cling to you.”

 

The one clinging to me was none other than Evan himself.

 

And here we stood, pressed together with not even a sliver of space between us—in front of hundreds of watching aristocrats.

 

My face burned.

 

“And of all things… a bothersome little bug dared stick to you.”

 

His tone was whining, yet his voice dripped menacingly. A shiver ran down my spine.

 

I wanted to see his expression, but with his face buried against my shoulder, I couldn’t turn around.