Chapter – 39
Stupidly, just to be treated like that.
The thought of Evangeline standing blankly at the door, listening without a word, made the frustration that had been building in him almost twist into something unbearable. But that didn’t mean this arrogant brat could indulge in unnecessary hope.
“Don’t get the wrong idea. It’s not because of something like that that she would reject you.”
“…Your Excellency, do you know Evangeline that well?”
“What?”
Decarno’s gray eyes, as sharp as claws playing with a mouse, flicked with curiosity. Kirion, too, bared his teeth as if ready to fight.
“How well did you know her that you couldn’t even stop her from leaving?”
“….”
“Even if you don’t know anything else, I’d say I know better than you how much Evangeline was hurting and how her pride was wounded.”
“So? Are you going to live with her or something?”
Decarno raised his head again, regaining his sharp, cutting smile. Kirion opened his mouth to retort, but at that moment, he noticed Andis approaching from afar and changed his target of anger. Without greeting anyone, Kirion spun around and left, and even Mikael was visibly irritated.
“How can a mere captain be so insolent? I should—”
“Enough.”
Decarno raised a hand, stopping Mikael. But stopping him didn’t mean he forgave him, or that he didn’t care. He didn’t even intend to go home.
Handing the coat back to Mikael, Decarno’s eyes darkened to a deep ash gray. Slowly, his head turned toward the emperor, whose screams still echoed.
◇ ◆ ◇
Kales considered his life to have had its fair share of hardships. He had lived with only his mother, who passed away early, leaving him to be raised by his grandmother. Just when he thought life might finally ease up after becoming a doctor, his grandmother suddenly developed dementia. By this point, he found that most things in life barely fazed him anymore.
Yet, standing in front of the young lady now, he didn’t even know what expression to make.
“…So, you’re planning to sell all of this?”
“Ah, except this one.”
Evangeline carefully removed a ring from the collection of her jewelry laid out before Kales. There was some story behind it, though he didn’t know what, and the expression on her face was so wistful that he almost asked what was special about the ring—then immediately waved his hand to stop himself.
“Enough! You should at least keep what you have safe.”
“No, I have to sell it. I have to start something for myself.”
“So impulsive…”
“Given my situation, how could I plan for long?”
Instead of denying it, Evangeline smiled faintly. Her sun-like smile, which had once dominated high society, made Kales press a hand to his throbbing eyes. Sorry, but he had lived too long and endured too much to fall just for a woman’s beauty.
Though calling this young lady’s beauty “just” beauty seemed unfair.
“Ever since I decided to leave the duchy, I haven’t thought of just giving up.”
“Good grief. So you’re going into business? Doesn’t our young lady know how scary the world is?”
“Well… the thing I really fear is… that my family collapses and everyone turns their backs on me just because I have no money.”
“….”
“No matter how scary business is, I think that would be easier to handle than that.”
Looking into her eyes, which seemed to have already lived through a hundred lifetimes, Kales raised his hands in surrender. He muttered grumpily about not being able to say a word, but at least he couldn’t outright oppose her.
‘Well, it’s not even my money!’
Resting his chin on his hand in front of the jewelry, he looked especially crooked and rebellious. If his grandmother were still sane, she’d have smacked him on the back and then some.
“Alright then. Where and for how much do you plan to sell these?”
“You know best, Kales.”
“…Pardon?”
“Sorry, but I’d like you to sell these yourself. Please.”
Sliding the jewelry forward toward him, Evangeline had packed them neatly into a handkerchief. Kales’s face, which had resigned itself moments ago, was now filled with astonishment.
“I knew it! After all the bitter experiences in life, you’re still so trusting! What if I run off with it?”
“No, you won’t.”
“This girl, seriously!”
Despite her unexpected trust, he felt increasingly queasy, as if he had indigestion.
“I don’t know what you’re basing that trust on,” he muttered.
“My nanny.”
“….”
“If Kales really wanted to live well on his own, he could have left the nanny behind and gone anytime. But you’ve kept her here, in such a neat and well-cared-for home.”
Evangeline gestured toward the sleeping nanny’s room with a smile. Slowly surveying the house, her gaze was calm.
“You take care of meals, clothing, and not a speck of dust is left unattended.”
“That’s just because it’s my grandmother!”
“So, I’ll be keeping the nanny. Until you return after selling my jewelry.”
“Ha!”
It wasn’t a frightening hostage situation, but it worked. Kales smirked bitterly at the audacity of the girl, but eventually picked up the jewelry.
“I’ve prewritten the appropriate amounts. You can use that as a reference.”
“Very considerate of you.”
As her hair cascaded down over the box, Kales’s expression became conflicted. A young noblewoman with money and beauty—he felt like she was offering the world’s treasures carelessly.
“What kind of business are you planning, really?” he muttered.
“Curious?”
“…Not at all.”
He was absolutely not curious.
Yet it was too late; Evangeline had already put on her hat.
“Let’s go together.”
Though her bright hair could hardly be hidden, she didn’t look sloppy. Her meaningful glance told him to follow if he was curious, and she stepped ahead.
◇ ◆ ◇
Five days later, Kales wished he could dig out his own eyes for ever having trusted her. To conduct business, they had to survey the markets, yet not only was the market inaccessible, even people were scarce.
Even today, Evangeline was leisurely strolling along the seaside. She smiled as she brushed the flowers and grass around her, a picture of serenity—but that was only for someone at ease.
“Have you come for treatment? I mean no offense, you just look exceptionally well.”
Her smile, holding a bouquet of blue flowers, was fresh and bright. Fortunately, Kales had more or less resigned himself to her ways, so he didn’t feel shaken.
