Chapter 39

“E-Evan…! You mustn’t do that!”

 

His tone was skirting a rather dangerous level, and that only made me more anxious. I glanced sideways at Bastien to gauge his reaction. But he welcomed Evan with a completely unbothered expression.

 

“Evan, are you feeling better? I assumed you weren’t attending because I didn’t see you.”

 

“My condition has improved greatly.”

 

“It’s good to see you here at the banquet.”

 

“Yes. I would have been glad as well, ordinarily. But the moment I discovered Your Highness making advances on Lep, the sentiment vanished.”

 

Evan’s voice was sharp and irritated. With tension thick enough to snap, I fretted on my feet, but Bastien remained unfazed. In fact, he seemed to find the reaction natural, laughing in amusement.

 

“As fiery as always.”

 

I looked up hesitantly to meet his gaze. Evan’s eyes, upon first meeting them, had been like frozen slabs of ice. But as soon as his eyes met mine, his gaze softened and folded into a gentle smile.

 

“Your fiancée is here—I can’t very well steal you away. We’ll continue that conversation another time. Lady Clies, I will send you a letter separately.”

 

Bastien released me with a refreshing smile. But even after the unwanted guest left, Evan didn’t let go of me. Rather, he scanned the surroundings like a guard dog, bristling with tension.

 

“By the way, what were you talking about?”

 

“M-More importantly, Evan… how are you even here…?”

 

“Was I not supposed to come?”

 

His smile was gentle, but there was something threatening beneath it. And then I remembered what Evan had warned me about. Feeling guilty, I scrambled to make excuses.

 

“Evan… that wasn’t exactly a romantic approach…”

 

“The fact he spoke to you at all is the problem. It shows he’s very interested.”

 

He stated it so firmly I had nothing to say. He had dragged himself here despite being sick—just because of me. And the first thing he saw was me holding Bastien’s hand, seconds away from dancing with him.

 

Now that Bastien was gone, whispers from around us drifted into my ears. People murmured about how unexpected Evan and I seemed together.

 

“He seems to cherish Lady Clies greatly. It doesn’t look like a political engagement.”

 

To that comment, I nodded inwardly.

 

“He doesn’t look sick at all.”

 

At that comment, I nearly choked. They had no idea! Sure, I’d seen him practice swordsmanship occasionally, but I was still worried. With that thought, I looked up at him guarding my side. Evan was scanning the crowd with a sharp glare, clearly annoyed by something. He didn’t look sick, at least.

 

“Lep.”

 

“Hm?”

 

“Was Bastien the first one to ask you to dance? No other man approached you?”

 

I awkwardly rolled my eyes away at his question. I remembered the nobleman who had spoken to me and danced with me before Bastien. His face was now blurry in my memory, but he had even talked about marriage with me.

 

‘He’d get mad if he heard this, wouldn’t he?’

 

“No one did that to me. No one except His Highness. And he only approached because he had something else to discuss.”

 

“…”

 

Evan scanned the surroundings like he still didn’t believe me. I grabbed his arm, telling him to stop bristling like that.

 

“More importantly, Evan, are you truly okay? Didn’t Baron Perio say anything? Are you sure attending is fine?”

 

I fussed over him, touching here and there to see if anything seemed off. Evan let out a small laugh—a relaxed, mellow one, as if his mood had softened.

 

“Lep, that’s enough worrying. More importantly—how do I look? I paid a lot of attention to my outfit since I didn’t want to embarrass you.”

 

Only then did I look at his clothes. He wasn’t wearing the comfortable clothing he usually wore in the estate. He wore a formal white suit like Piote’s banquet attire. Pure white.

 

Very few people could pull off a white suit. But he made it look as though he’d been born wearing it. His snowy silver hair matched the white suit perfectly. He was stunning—more radiant than the chandelier overhead.

 

Others seemed to notice too, judging by their gasps.

 

“His condition must be improving. His face is glowing.”

 

He was always like that! I felt oddly proud.

 

It had been ages since Evan had appeared in public.

 

People who had been speculating about his illness and reasons for hiding themselves fell silent in awe at the sight of his face. Perhaps because of the traces of illness, he looked slightly decadent—making him even more attractive.

 

Because of that, noble ladies started debating whether they could ask him for a dance.

 

I immediately glared at them.

 

‘How dare you? Evan belongs to the heroine!’

 

“Lep? What are you looking at?”

 

When I sharply scanned the surroundings, Evan leaned in and pushed his face into my field of view.

 

“Do you… not like it…?”

 

When I didn’t react properly, he fiddled with his tie like a dog with drooping ears. He looked so pitiful I couldn’t help shouting passionately.

 

“How could I not?! You look amazing!”

 

Is this what it felt like to be enchanted by a nine-tailed fox? At my heartfelt outburst, Evan laughed brightly.

 

“Glad my effort wasn’t wasted.”

 

Then he noticed the approaching noble ladies. There was no way I’d let him be thrown to wolves like that. For Elena’s and Evan’s sake, I had to stay focused!

 

“Evan, we can’t stay here. Come on!”

 

Evan followed me obediently like a well-trained puppy. I sat him down in a spot prepared for tired nobles.

 

“By the way, Lep—are you and Bastien close?”

 

“No, we talked for the first time today.”

 

“Right? There’s no way you would have chatted with Bastien before.”

 

His certainty was strange, and I tilted my head. More than that, I was curious why he was so prickly toward Bastien. It seemed excessive. He was the future emperor, after all…

 

“Evan, you were a bit too harsh earlier.”

 

“People shouldn’t covet what belongs to others.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

I blinked, confused. Evan chuckled helplessly.

 

“Alright. I know I went too far. I won’t do that next time.”

 

“Good.”

 

I gently brushed back his hair. Evan closed his eyes, enjoying the touch. I sat quietly beside him.

 

“This is almost our first time attending a banquet together, isn’t it?”

 

“Right. That’s why I’m so happy.”

 

“You really seem that way. But you should’ve told me you were coming. You scared me.”

 

“You would’ve stopped me…”

 

He pouted in complaint. Was the thing he wanted to say last time actually an invitation to attend a banquet together? Thinking back, I felt a little bad.

 

“Sorry…”

 

Evan gave a soft laugh and stood up. I looked up at him, confused about why he suddenly rose from his seat. He bent down and offered his hand to me.

 

“Lady Lepina Clies, may I have this dance?”

 

“A dance?”

 

“You came all the way here. To be honest… I forced myself to come because I wanted to dance with you. It’s our first official dance together.”

 

His cheeks flushed as he scratched them shyly. I stared blankly.

 

‘He came… enduring his illness… just to dance with me?’

 

My pupils trembled. Evan waited nervously for my answer.

 

With a resigned sigh, I placed my hand in his. Evan’s face lit up as though he’d gained the whole world.

 

“If you feel even a little tired, tell me. I’d love to dance with you, but I don’t want you collapsing.”

 

We had practiced dancing together at the ducal house many times, but dancing with him under the brilliant chandelier was something I thought would happen only after he recovered completely.

 

“I appreciate your concern, but I wish you’d trust me a little. Do I really seem that weak?”

 

“Well… I can’t say you don’t.”

 

Slightly offended, Evan suddenly pulled me in. Supporting me firmly with one arm, he spun me. His face came so close I froze.

 

“How about now?”

 

“…”

 

He lifted his eyelids challengingly. Our faces were so close I had to push a hand against his chest to maintain distance.

 

Seeing me stiffen, Evan chuckled and stepped back.

 

‘Wow… that startled me.’

 

I steadied my pounding heart. I wasn’t exactly light, yet he had pulled me as if I weighed nothing.

 

“My first dance partner is you, Lep. Same for you, right?”

 

His radiant smile left me dazed. And then I made a stupid mistake.

 

“No, actually…”

 

Enthralled by him, my brain completely forgot to lie, and I told the truth.

 

Evan’s brows tightened, and he ground his teeth.

 

Did I see wrong? Because in the next instant, his expression turned gentle as if nothing had happened.

 

“Who? Was I late?”

 

His voice was like metal scraping. Panicking, I answered at once.

 

“N-No! I didn’t dance with anyone! I was so startled when His Highness approached! And I only accepted because it would’ve been rude for a mere count’s daughter to refuse the prince…”

 

Evan stared as if weighing whether it was true.

 

I pleaded innocence desperately. Something in my gut screamed that this must never get out. I didn’t even know that nobleman anymore—why was I doing this for him?

 

I stared straight into Evan’s eyes.

 

‘Please don’t let my eyes tremble.’