Chapter 56

“Where’s Ben?”

 

The informant led Evan to where Ben was located. Evan pushed the door open without hesitation, and the sight of Ben, hollow-eyed from lack of sleep, greeted him.

 

“D-Duke Weiss? If you’re here, that means the young lady…!”

 

Evan’s presence alone meant Lepina was safe.

 

“…This incident is my fault.”

 

His lack of information had put Lepina in danger. He blamed himself for not keeping a closer eye on the surrounding situation.

 

Evan grabbed Ben by the collar and hauled him up. Ben nodded, fully accepting it. A punch wouldn’t have surprised him. He was an assassin, yet Evan let him stay because he knew Ben truly cared about Lepina—and because his skills were useful. But that wasn’t what twisted Evan’s mood.

 

“What were you doing?”

 

“…Pardon?”

 

“While we waited for word that Lepina was alive—were your hands idle?”

 

Not the question he expected. Ben’s eyes widened. Evan swept his gaze across Ben’s desk. Papers were scattered everywhere, yet none were the information he wanted.

 

“You didn’t know about the mercenaries’ betrayal, nor that the Empress used pirates to target Lepina. The result was Lep being kidnapped.”

 

Ben’s head lowered.

 

“Fine. What’s done is done. But after that? This is not the time for you to sit here uselessly. The old you would’ve known her whereabouts before I even arrived.”

 

“T-that’s…”

 

Evan was right. Guilt had frozen him. He had bragged that Lepina could rely on him—and then he failed her.

 

“If it were me, I’d tear everything apart to make sure it never happens again. Bring me what I’ve missed. Anything that can shake the Empress—I don’t care what it is. Make up for this. I’ll move for Lep too.”

 

Evan’s firm tone snapped Ben fully awake.

 

“…”

 

“Move. Now. Before the Empress hides her tracks.”

 

When Ben still didn’t answer, Evan sneered.

 

“Or can’t you do it?”

 

“…Of course I can. This is what I do best. I’ll bring everything back. I don’t plan to sit here and keep losing.”

 

Evan grinned. Ben marshaled his guild members with fiery confidence. The shouts of “We’re raiding the palace!” echoed even to Evan’s ears.

 

 

***

 

 

“Young lady, you must not move!”

 

“I said I won’t…”

 

I was effectively under house arrest—but in truth, it was just forced rest. Everyone had rejoiced when they saw I was alive, but the moment they heard I’d caught a cold from everything that happened, the house became chaos.

 

“But isn’t this too much?”

 

Blankets were piled on top of me in multiple layers. I was sweating like crazy.

 

“No, this is the best way to warm the body,” Mary insisted.

 

So I had no choice but to lie still. Everyone’s frantic care made it painfully clear how much trouble I’d caused them.

 

And one person in particular.

 

“Uh… Evan? How long are you staying here?”

 

“I already got permission from your parents.”

 

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

 

Evan was practically standing guard at my bedside.

 

“I learned that caregiving is done like this. Lep used to do this for me.”

 

“…”

 

Whenever Evan collapsed from his condition, I’d sit by his bed and refuse to leave. Now he was copying me exactly.

 

He kept holding some documents in his hand. I was curious, but he raised them high out of my reach, saying he couldn’t show me yet.

 

‘If you don’t want me to see them, don’t hold them right next to my face…’

 

I pouted.

 

“Aren’t you busy?”

 

Evan tucked the papers away.

 

“I’m fine. You matter more.”

 

“No… You should rest too. And take your medicine…”

 

The moment Evan left to find me, the lily-of-the-valley herb had arrived for Perio and Elena, and they finished the medicine while I was gone.

 

Evan took out a small vial filled with a liquid I’d never seen.

 

“I’m taking it. It definitely helps. I’m much stronger now.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

To think they finished it already… Perio and Elena really pushed themselves. Evan’s complexion had improved a lot, though he still carried the little vial everywhere, so he wasn’t fully recovered.

 

“Don’t overdo it.”

 

I had to get better so he could rest. But my fever wouldn’t settle—it rose, fell, then rose again. I really must’ve exhausted my body this time.

 

Then the physician entered.

 

“If only you’d tell that to yourself, young lady.”

 

In his hands was my medicine. The bitter smell stabbed straight into my nose. I grimaced as I took the cup.

 

“Bottoms up. It’s good for you,” he said mercilessly.

 

I chugged it in one go.

 

“…Ugh.”

 

Had medicine always been this bitter? I scraped my tongue against the roof of my mouth, trying to get the taste off.

 

Something touched my lips. Reflexively, I opened my mouth—and something small popped in. The last thing I felt was Evan’s fingertip.

 

“How is it? Better?”

 

A sweet flavor spread over my tongue. Soft, melting—chocolate.

 

The bitterness vanished instantly. I nodded vigorously, chewing as the chocolate dissolved.

 

“Sweet!”

 

“Good. Lep always did this for me too.”

 

I rubbed my cheek awkwardly.

 

“Oh, it smeared. Let me get something—”

 

A bit of chocolate had melted on Evan’s finger. I went to grab a cloth, but he moved faster.

 

“No need. I’ll eat it.”

 

He sucked the chocolate off his own fingertip. A glimpse of pink tongue flashed. I stared, stunned.

 

“Lep? Your face is red. The medicine isn’t working?”

 

He leaned close and pressed his forehead lightly to mine, his breath brushing my skin. His long lashes trembled before he smirked.

 

“Or… is it because of me?”

 

“S-stop teasing!”

 

My heart wasn’t built for this. Evan laughed, delighted, while I feverishly fanned my face. Why was he acting like this all of a sudden?

 

As if reading my mind, he spoke.

 

“I was thinking… You’ve given me a lot, but I haven’t given you anything. I always took—used my condition as an excuse. You even studied medicine for me at the Academy.”

 

“Wait—that’s not—”

 

Before I could answer, Mary knocked.

 

“Young lady, a letter has arrived.”

 

“Huh?”

 

Perfect timing. I welcomed the distraction. But Evan snatched the letter first.

 

“Evan?”

 

He froze the moment he saw it.

 

“…Bastien?”

 

“Huh? Your Highness?”

 

I checked the seal. He was right—the imperial crest. Fortunately, it wasn’t from the Empress.

 

“What reason would he have to write her?”

 

His tone was sharp.

 

‘Does he know the Empress was behind it?’

 

I doubted it… but his reaction made me uneasy.

 

It was easy to guess why Bastien wrote. The freed Sea Leopard pirates, the kidnapped Clies lady—the whole empire was buzzing.

 

‘Why do I always end up in scandals…’

 

I opened the letter. As expected: “He apologizes. Says he’ll come greet me properly next time.”

 

“Greet you?”

 

“Yeah. Just courtesy, I guess. He doesn’t need to come, really…”

 

I asked Mary for stationery. I’d write back telling him not to bother visiting. Even if the Empress was the true culprit, facing him felt awkward.

 

Evan said nothing. Then suddenly: “Lep, I should get going.”

 

“…Huh?”

 

I glanced outside. It wasn’t even sunset yet—he never left this early. Strange, but I didn’t stop him. I waved him off.

 

Only afterward did I realize:

 

I’d forgotten to correct his misunderstanding.

 

 

***

 

 

After leaving Lepina’s mansion, Evan headed straight home. Seeing him return early, Liman hurried over to greet him, but Evan spoke first.

 

“Liman. Where’s my mother?”

 

“She’s resting in her room.”

 

Evan walked directly toward Camille’s chamber.

 

Lepina thought Evan was unaware that the Empress was behind the incident.

 

She was gravely mistaken.