Chapter 86

I walked down the long corridor, staring only at the floor. I worried that my words had caused Bastien to change like that, and I agonized over why he was suddenly so obsessed with me.

 

‘If Bastien is bold enough to declare this to me, surely the Empress must know as well?’

 

I had thought the Empress had changed her strategy—approaching with friendliness instead of open hostility. I assumed that strategy was aimed at the Duke’s house.

 

But her real target was me. The Empress still had no intention of leaving the Duke’s house alone.

 

Tense and stiff, I agonized over how to best convey this fact to Evan.

 

“Lep, you’re late.”

 

I slowly looked up. Evan was waiting for me. His earlobes were flushed red from the cold.

 

“Have you been waiting long?”

 

“No, not really.”

 

‘Liar….’

 

I lunged into his arms. Evan, not knowing why I was acting like this, tilted his head, but I tightened my grip around him. He studied me and asked, “Did something happen?”

 

I shook my head from side to side.

 

“You know I like you incredibly much, right?”

 

“……Of course I know.”

 

Bastien had called it an “opportunity,” but to me, it sounded like he was implying I didn’t like Evan that much. Since we had hit a rough patch once before, I was even more sensitive to it.

 

I ground my teeth. Forget “favorable impressions”—Bastien was now officially on my “dislike” list. I wouldn’t even be kind to him anymore.

 

‘Just you wait…. I won’t show you even the slightest opening.’

 

“Lep…. Are you going to answer me?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Had I missed what Evan said because I was lost in thought? When I looked up, he had a grave expression on his face.

 

“What did Bastien say?”

 

His tone was certain. I subtly avoided his eyes. Even though I wanted to look him straight on, it was impossible not to feel guilty after hearing a confession-of-sorts from another man.

 

“You aren’t interested in him, are you?”

 

Evan growled.

 

In that moment, the dim night sky brightened. The moon, which had been hidden by clouds, slinked out into view. In contrast to his silver hair sparkling in the light, his amethyst-like eyes were cold. It looked as if he might charge at Bastien at any second.

 

“Why on earth would I be interested in him!”

 

However, Evan’s expression didn’t soften.

 

“Then what did he say? I told you never to be alone with him.”

 

“Evan…. Are you feeling anxious?”

 

Even when I told him I liked him, he was still uneasy. While that meant he was sincere about me, it was also no different from saying he didn’t fully trust me yet.

 

Clenching his jaw, Evan spoke with a serious face, as if he had made a decision.

 

“I think everyone is suspicious because there’s no talk of marriage.”

 

Evan spoke as if the problem was that while our union was a settled matter within the Duke’s house, other nobles didn’t believe it.

 

“That’s why Bastien is testing the waters.”

 

The only time Evan had publicly shown his intent to marry me was at the banquet for the Duke’s vassals.

 

‘I suppose it’s not unreasonable for Bastien to think he has a chance….’

 

Usually, when the fiancé turns of age, the marriage takes place. This is even more true for engagements made in childhood. Furthermore, a wedding isn’t something that happens overnight; since there is a preparation period, everyone starts planning early. Especially for a house with the status of a Dukedom, that period would be longer and the scale would be enormous.

 

‘There’s so much to prepare….’

 

Evan spoke with a serious face.

 

“If getting married right now is too much, let’s at least have a covenant ceremony. Hmm?”

 

Evan pleaded as if he were throwing a tantrum.

 

“A-A covenant ceremony?”

 

A covenant ceremony was literally a ritual where one swore before God to spend their life with another. It was a bond much stronger than an engagement, usually performed by those whose wedding was imminent.

 

“Yes. If you become my wife, I can handle things legally.”

 

What kind of “handling” are you talking about? Has… has he always been like this? Or has he been under a lot of stress lately because of Bastien’s behavior?

 

‘He’s probably guessed the gist of it, but if I told him Bastien officially declared war on me, the aftermath would be catastrophic.’

 

“Lep, you might not realize it, but Bastien has feelings. The same feelings I have.”

 

“……You noticed?”

 

“Of course. There’s nothing I don’t know.”

 

I thought about it carefully. Since Evan had already made his declaration, adding a covenant ceremony wouldn’t make things difficult for me.

 

‘In fact, isn’t it better?’

 

Just as I had ended up in this situation, there was no guarantee Evan wouldn’t face something similar. Just as Evan was angry and impatient, I would feel the same if he were talking to another woman. And since I had hidden it even though Evan clearly knew….

 

“As I thought…… you still have no intention of sharing a future with me?”

 

Huh? I snapped my head up. Evan’s purple eyes drooped, shimmering like glass beads. He looked like he was about to burst into tears at any moment.

 

“The annulment papers are still……”

 

“Wait……?”

 

I tilted my head. Evan had torn up the annulment papers; why was he suddenly bringing them up?

 

In that instant, a bolt of lightning struck my brain. Along with an eerie rumble, I turned pale.

 

The annulment papers Evan had given me. I had kept them tucked away in a drawer because just looking at them made me cry. Evan knew very well that I hadn’t torn them up. Since those papers already bore the seal of the Duke’s house, if I just stamped them and submitted them, the annulment would be finalized immediately.

 

“When you didn’t stop my announcement at the banquet, I thought you had made up your mind. But was that still not the case?”

 

There was no room to hide; this was my fault. No, if I had solidified my feelings, I should have cleared away everything in my path! Why did I keep those?! I finally understood Evan’s overreaction.

 

“I know you are kind, Lep. But I wish you wouldn’t give even a brief glance to anyone else, especially other men. I know I’m being oversensitive. But…… I just want you to keep loving only me.”

 

The corners of his mouth turned up and his slender eyelashes drooped. In contrast, I saw his eyes glowing dangerously, but I didn’t care.

 

“How could I not love you? Evan, you’re pretty, cool, and even cute just as you are……!”

 

Where else would I find a boyfriend who gets jealous this cutely? It was a sentiment that told me exactly how much I was loved. My heart couldn’t help but swell.

 

“I’m sorry! It’s not that I don’t want a future with you! Really! I just completely forgot…….”

 

“You forgot……?”

 

He looked somewhat stunned, but I could see irrepressible joy beginning to blossom. He smiled brightly, looking as if he owned the world. Thinking that I was the only one who could see this smile made me happy.

 

“Let’s go tear them up together when this is over.”

 

Remarking that we had been standing in the hallway too long, I led him toward the rooms.

 

“So that’s why you were so anxious. Actually, Bastien didn’t explicitly say he liked me, but he did declare war as if telling me to prepare myself. If we tear the papers and have the covenant ceremony, he’ll back off on his own, right?”

 

“……Bastien did what?”

 

Relieved, I had let the words slip. Evan’s voice, now carrying a chill, echoed down the long hallway. I stiffly turned around. He had a look in his eyes that suggested he might slice Bastien’s throat with a sword right then and there.

 

My big mouth strikes again….

 

 

***

 

 

We prepared busily from early morning.

 

Count Delta brought out several horses from the stable. It seemed he chose horses over a carriage so that we could observe the territory better as we passed through. Besides, there was much to see and the carriage roads weren’t well-maintained, so this was more suitable.

 

When Bastien appeared, Evan visibly furrowed his brow and nonchalantly wrapped an arm around my waist.

 

“What’s with you all of a sudden?”

 

“Why? We agreed to do the covenant ceremony. And I’m in a bad mood.”

 

‘I feel like his grumbling has gotten worse….’

 

Bastien was simply talking to Count Delta. Or was he? I thought I saw him give me a subtle eye-smile when our gazes met. Why has his personality become so brazen?

 

“I won’t show a single opening, so he’ll never even dream of it again.”

 

Watching Bastien, Evan muttered quite bloodthirstily.

 

To think these two, who should have been the best of friends, were in this position. Then again, since he’s getting along reasonably well with Piote, who should have been his fated rival, Bastien could certainly change too. Yes, definitely.

 

Finishing his conversation with Count Delta, Bastien slowly approached us. At that, Evan’s arm tightened and his shoulder grew heavy. It felt like a cat unsheathing its claws.

 

“By the way, My Lady, are you able to ride?”

 

Bastien lightly ignored Evan and spoke to me.

 

‘Ah, come to think of it…… have I ever ridden a horse?’

 

I had never learned to ride. Count Delta also looked dismayed, as if he hadn’t considered this.

 

“Will you be alright?”

 

Just as I was agonizing over what to do, someone suddenly hoisted me up.

 

“Eek!”

 

Startled, I let out a scream without realizing it.

 

“Lep, did I startle you?”

 

“E-Evan?”

 

It was Evan who had lifted me up. My feet weren’t touching the ground!

 

“Then you’ll have to ride with me. Now, watch your feet.”

 

Suddenly mounted on the horse with Evan, I tried to steady my thumping heart and gripped the reins tight.

 

“My Lady, shall I prepare a carriage for you?”

 

“I-I’m fine, Your Highness.”

 

The burden of his consideration in preparing a carriage was heavier than the fear of falling off the horse.

 

“Everyone, mount up. I’ll protect Lep, so you just go on ahead.”

 

He hadn’t grabbed him by the collar, but it was a touch-and-go situation.

 

Bastien let out a smirk and stepped back. Normally I would have told Evan not to be so prickly, but not now that I knew Bastien’s true feelings.

 

“Hmm……. Is there a problem?”

 

Fedeshar approached from behind, having apparently witnessed the war of nerves between Evan and Bastien.

 

“W-What problem could there be?”

 

I glossed it over awkwardly. Fortunately, Fedeshar quickly turned his gaze elsewhere.