Chapter – 14
“They’ll probably say I ran away because I grew tired of my bankrupt fiancée.”
Several sensational newspaper headlines already came to mind. But by now, even that stirred no emotion in her.
“Look over there. I thought it was a lie, but she really came.”
“My goodness, just look at how high she’s holding her head.”
“I always thought she wasn’t ordinary. From the moment that lady—who never once showed her face in Roark’s social circles—started acting as if she’d become a queen overnight.”
“……”
The very poise and elegance that had once made her stand out now seemed to serve only as fodder to tear her apart. With Duke Teje absent, there was even less reason for anyone to hold back. Evangelin stopped at an appropriate spot and lifted her glass, while the gazes dissecting her from head to toe cut as sharply as blades. Those who had long sided with the Crown Princess were especially blatant.
“But even so, dressed like that? How astonishing.”
“I thought she might at least dress modestly as a sign of reflection. But she looks no different from before.”
Though she could surely hear every word, Evangelin stood firm, her profile like marble carved to perfection. Irritated by her composure, the women grew bolder, their sidelong glances increasingly audacious.
“I suppose being the Duchess of Teje is quite pleasant. Judging by how she’s shut even her ears.”
“Of course. I heard His Grace settled all those debts in one stroke.”
“……”
Debt.
At that single word, Evangelin—who had been staring straight ahead—turned toward them for the first time. Despite the strange look on her face, the conversation, once ignited, only began in earnest.
“My husband told me that His Grace has put the Rodka Plains and the vineyards up for sale.”
“What? That land has belonged to the House of Teje since the founding of the kingdom!”
“Well, it’s no wonder the duke’s family is called the master of the south. Anyway, I heard His Grace plans to sell the land through a lawyer to settle the debts. The creditors were pressing so hard that he couldn’t even wait for a proper price. Truly, bringing the wrong person into your household…”
…What on earth are they talking about?
She nearly dropped her glass but managed to steady it with effort. Social rumors were always exaggerated—but if they were naming specific places like that, it couldn’t be entirely baseless.
In fact, one of those women’s husbands was the head of a renowned law firm. Only then did they sense Evangelin’s unwavering gaze and falter mid-turn.
“Oh my, what is it?”
“……”
“Surely you didn’t hear us?”
Strengthened by their numbers, they lifted their chins higher. None of them truly believed Evangelin would ever become the real duchess. As was customary in society, a tilted engagement would inevitably break one way or another.
“My apologies. We didn’t realize you were standing there, my lady. You were so quiet.”
“That’s right. It’s not as if we said anything untrue.”
“Yes. I’m sure.”
At Evangelin’s cold smile, they all frowned. They had known she was no ordinary woman, but they hadn’t expected her to respond so calmly.
“My, what is that tone? This is a banquet personally hosted by Her Highness the Crown Princess. Surely you don’t intend to spoil the festivities? Even in urgent circumstances, one must observe decorum.”
“And you, ladies, ought to observe decorum toward me.”
“…Excuse me? You’re not even a duchess yet. Why should we?”
“Well, it seems I’m the greatest source of entertainment at this banquet.”
“……”
Her voice was low, as though reading from a book, as she glanced around. Indeed, every eye in the room had been fixed on them—yet the moment their gazes met hers, they hurriedly looked away. A faint smile touched her lips as she turned back to the women.
“I may not yet be a duchess, but let me offer a word. If you are truly concerned about Her Highness’s banquet, perhaps you should refrain from provoking me to the point that I leave early.”
“H-how shameless! Everyone knows your circumstances!”
“Did I borrow money from any of you?”
“……”
“At the very least, I believe there is no one here to whom I must bow my head in repentance.”
Through this ordeal, Evangelin had learned painfully that when it came to money, dignity and pride meant nothing. She might not know every creditor by name, but none of these women had ever shaken the gates of her estate. Which meant that here, at least, she was blameless.
“Since you seem to have exhausted my value as a topic, I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening.”
“How can she be so—!”
The moment she turned away, snickers erupted as if they had been waiting. Knowing they would fall silent if she looked back, Evangelin spared them no further thought. In truth, there was only one thing she truly feared.
“My husband said His Grace put the Rodka Plains and vineyards up for sale.”
“His Grace intends to sell the land through a lawyer to settle the debts.”
“Hah…”
Stepping hastily onto a balcony, Evangelin finally released the breath she had been holding. It burned hot in her chest, and even her eyes stung. As if to cool herself, she gripped the iron railing tightly with both hands.
Perhaps it was only natural.
She had guessed that Decarno must have intervened when the countless creditors suddenly stopped coming. She had even heard him say as much.
But the Rodka Plains?
Her knuckles whitened against the railing. The jeers of those women hadn’t shaken her—but this made her heart drop belatedly. The only man who had every right to mock or condemn her had said nothing at all. That, more than anything, made her chest tighten.
What was he thinking?
She had believed she knew him well enough over the past two years, yet the more time passed, the less she understood him. Surely he knew the value of the Rodka Plains. Even she had heard her father praise its abundance countless times.
A land blessed by the gods.
Brilliant sunlight, clear blue rivers, a gentle climate—so prosperous that not a single pauper lived there. It was not a matter of money. It was a place beyond price, her father had often said.
And Decarno intended to sell it.
To pay her debts.
“…What am I supposed to do now?”
It had already been difficult enough to know how to face him. Now she felt she could scarcely meet his eyes at all. Confusion, embarrassment, and a swelling tide of emotion surged through her as she lowered her head.
But even that seemed a luxury.
At the quiet sound of someone stepping onto the balcony, Evangelin erased all emotion from her face, like a doll sealed behind glass. All she could give Decarno now was the flawless role of a duchess he required. She could close her eyes and ears, smile, dance—do whatever he wished.
So long as she did not have to face him.
“I’m sorry. I seem to have monopolized this space. I’ll take my leave—”
“Eva!”
“……”
Her pink eyes widened in surprise. It was not Decarno—thank goodness—but it was someone she had never expected to meet here.
“Kirion?”
“Yes, it’s me! Eva!”
“Ah… it really is you!”
At the bright crescent of his smiling eyes, she covered her parted lips. Not even those who had seen her earlier had been this shocked. More than anything, Kirion was a dear friend from her past.
“What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean? I came to see you.”
“…Kirion.”
“I stopped by the trading company several times. Didn’t you hear about me?”
The carefree light in his eyes grew cautious. Only then did Evangelin recall what Philip had told her, and she offered a small, well-intentioned lie.
“I’m sorry. I was just about to contact you.”
“I knew it!”
“……”
“And here I was, agonizing over how to reach you.”
With a hand over his heart, he let out a relieved sigh. Kirion still carried the innocence of their boyhood days. His golden hair shone brightly even in the night. In their youth, when gold and silver stood side by side, people would joke that just looking at them together made one’s eyes ache from the brilliance.
