Chapter 60

I wiped the sweat from his face and looked down at the sword Evan was holding. It hurt to see him push himself this hard, as if he were trying to make up for all the sickly years spent bedridden.

 

Maybe he saw the worry on my face. He suddenly leaned his face close.

 

“Huh? Why…?”

 

“Are you still worried?”

 

Then Evan opened his mouth and showed me the inside of his throat.

 

“See? No irritation. Which means I haven’t coughed up any blood.”

 

If he moved too much, his body overheated and the poison flared again. It was natural that Evan restricted his movements as much as possible. But now things were different—he hadn’t even coughed up blood on the pirate ship.

 

“Of course, it’s a shame I can’t whine to Lep anymore…”

 

“You knew you were whining?”

 

“Of course. But you like it when I do.”

 

He said it with such shameless confidence that I couldn’t help but laugh. With his eyes curved like a crescent moon, he knew I was weak to his face and used it often.

 

“Yes, I do.”

 

“Still, moving this much after so long makes me dizzy.”

 

I panicked and quickly helped him rest against a nearby tree. Evan chuckled as if amused. He naturally leaned his head on my shoulder, like a cat rubbing against its owner. I couldn’t help but smile.

 

The breeze rustled gently around us when Evan suddenly spoke, his voice serious.

 

“Stop worrying only about me.”

 

“What?”

 

I looked up at his earnest expression. Was he talking about the kidnapping?

 

“The day I’m fully healthy isn’t far. No matter what happens, I’ll protect you. So instead of worrying about the one who came to save you, worry about yourself when you’re in danger. Take care of your body. And don’t hesitate to make me worry.”

 

“But Evan, because of me, you end up in more danger—”

 

“Lep.”

 

He opened his eyes, determination glinting in them. Evan suddenly wrapped an arm around my neck and pulled me close—so close I could hear his breathing.

 

“You seem to be forgetting, but I’m not your brother. From now on, I’ll be the one protecting you. I’ve wanted to say that for a long time.”

 

‘I’ve felt it for a while now…’

 

His silver hair shimmered in the breeze. My cheeks warmed on their own. I felt like I was being drawn into those amethyst eyes.

 

 

***

 

 

I ignored Mary asking how my day had gone and went straight into my room.

 

“……”

 

Evan had decided something. And he had changed. But not in a way I wanted.

 

‘Protect me? Sure, that makes me happy but…’

 

I shook my head.

 

‘He’s grateful because of all the time I invested in him. That’s all. It’ll pass.’

 

And though Liman denied it, Elena and Evan always seemed close. As for me? His interest in me was nothing more than gratitude for curing his illness. Even though we were technically engaged, we’d never gone on anything resembling a date. He’d never said he liked me.

 

‘It’s just fondness. Why would he love me? I’m nothing more than his fiancée on paper.’

 

After taking care of him for years, of course he’d feel thankful. I repeated it to myself as if trying to brainwash myself, then opened a drawer.

 

I didn’t know why, but with his feelings deepening, it seemed best to sever things quickly. Then Elena could take care of Evan the way he deserved. She and Evan were meant to be—this was the game’s true ending. The best one.

 

Besides, Elena was beautiful and kind even in my eyes. This was what was right for her too.

 

The annulment papers I’d prepared for this day were waiting. I walked toward the drawer as if drawn.

 

They were the papers I’d sworn never to forget. Written in my youthful handwriting, stamped with my family seal, glowing in the orange light of sunset.

 

 

***

 

 

Evan watched Lepina leave with an expression as if his soul had fled.

 

“What in the world is she misunderstanding about Elena and me? Should I just dismiss Elena…?”

 

He truly considered sending Elena far away, thinking that was the only way Lepina would believe he wasn’t interested in her.

 

“The baron will be furious. And she is an excellent physician.”

 

Evan clicked his tongue.

 

“If the young master shows it through action, the young lady will understand. Frankly, I’m relieved.”

 

“Why?”

 

“I feared you two had fought…”

 

“Her thinking I like another woman is worse than fighting.”

 

“Misunderstandings can be cleared. But you should prepare now. Isn’t today the day you meet the Empress?”

 

As Liman reminded him, it was nearly time to head to the Imperial Palace.

 

“There’s something far more urgent. Reconciliation can be done while you’re alive. Once you’re dead, you can’t.”

 

“I’ll help you prepare.”

 

Neatly dressed, Evan and Camille rode in a carriage toward the palace.

 

 

***

 

 

“Camille, it’s rare for you to seek me out like this.”

 

“Oh my, is it? I must’ve been so busy lately. I can’t believe I failed to greet Your Majesty properly. I’m terribly sorry.”

 

Rishana glanced at Camille. The words could have sounded mocking, but her gentle smile made them seem sincere.

 

Rishana clicked her tongue, remembering the banquet—how Camille had humiliated her by bringing up Bastien’s mistake. Even though nobles defended her, everything went silent the moment Camille invoked the family of the former warden—one backed by the Empress herself.

 

“Well, we’re not exactly the type to enjoy tea together.”

 

“I’ve always felt close to Your Majesty. How… tragic to hear otherwise.”

 

She wiped a tear and smiled. Rishana gestured impatiently to get to the point. Tea alone with Camille was hardly pleasant.

 

Camille obliged immediately.

 

“No matter how much Your Majesty denies it, we already know the truth. And there is a hawk—furious—who must be appeased. If permitted, I would like to bring him in.”

 

After finishing, Camille calmly sipped her tea—as if the choice belonged solely to Rishana. The Empress’s brow tightened.

 

Inside, she twisted with frustration. The ducal house was closing in like a tightening noose.

 

‘If not for that damn ducal family…!’

 

The same thought always echoed. She had meant to elevate her incompetent son as emperor and rule through him. But the duke’s family attached themselves to the Emperor—not to support him, but to restrain her. As long as they stayed neutral, she could never seize the throne.

 

‘A hawk, she says…’

 

“Bring him in.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Camille lifted her dress and stepped aside. And in came—

 

“…A young hawk indeed.”

 

Evan entered and bowed politely.

 

“I greet Your Majesty the Empress.”

 

“I heard you were ill, yet you come to see me. It must be important.”

 

“Yes. It is.”

 

Rishana snorted, already guessing what he’d say.

 

“All members of the ducal house seem determined to torment me.”

 

“Wouldn’t Your Majesty know the reason better than I?”

 

Though his expression showed mild distress, his eyes were sharp. Rishana disliked that bold look. She gestured for him to sit.

 

Surely the duke’s family had been gathering information on her, just as she had on them. But she was confident they lacked decisive proof.

 

Unfortunately, she was wrong.

 

Her hand froze before lifting her teacup.

 

‘A cub is still a cub of that house, after all.’

 

She set down her cup roughly. Tea time was clearly over.

 

She finally looked at Evan—so like the young Duke Weiss she once met. The last time she saw Evan had been at Bastien’s birthday, where he had been coughing blood across the room.

 

‘Who would look at him and call him sick now?’

 

She laughed—sharp and cold. Like a hawk slashing the air, ready to strike the moment prey faltered.

 

Evan silently held her gaze, then took out a letter and set it on the table. The one used to bribe the pirates.

 

Rishana’s expression flickered, but she feigned ignorance.

 

“My lord, what is this paper you’ve brought?”

 

“…A letter sent to the pirates who targeted someone precious to me.”

 

So he knew everything. Rishana smiled thinly.

 

“Is that so? And what of it? Why show it to me? I don’t have much time. My talk with your mother has tired me. Be quick.”

 

But Evan ignored her tone and continued calmly.

 

“There are people who freed the pirates.”

 

“……”