RTPM 12

Chapter – 12

“Careful, you’ll hurt your hand. Better give it to me—I’ll do it.”

“Getting my hand hurt is nothing to worry about.”

“……”

Phillip swallowed his words at the resolute look in Evangeline’s eyes as she pried off the last jewel from his shoulder. Her slumped shoulders, already battered elsewhere, reminded him of a bird drenched in rain. He couldn’t even begin to imagine what it must feel like for her—someone who had never suffered injury or insult in her life.

“I wish I could offer you other jewels I have, but all of them are registered with the gem authority. If mishandled in a situation like this, it could cause even bigger trouble.”

“Then I’ll make do with this jewel. So that the head of the family can use it in urgent matters,”

“Now is the time, isn’t it?”

“Eh?”

“Find traces of my father.”

She had endured the wounds left in her heart just for the hope of that one thing. It didn’t matter what motives the princess had in doing this. If it could give even the tiniest hope of finding any part of her father, she could willingly endure the petty, foolish, and pure malice behind it.

“It’s not the finest jewel, so it won’t fetch a huge sum, but we can send someone to gather news or items related to your father.”

“But the duke is probably already searching around.”

“What he’s looking for… is probably my father’s body.”

“……”

That day, his expression had been like that. He had sent someone as he said, so he wasn’t lying—but he probably didn’t have much hope. Having known him for a long time, she could tell just from his voice and eyes. Still, even she, as his daughter, couldn’t just give up.

“Find anything you can—even a single strand of hair.”

“My lady.”

Phillip’s voice darkened at the sight of her pale face. Yet Evangeline forced a smile, as if trying to muster her strength.

“I think it would be good to check the nearby waters following the birds, or even the black markets in that village. All the items are high-quality; whoever found them wouldn’t have just thrown them away.”

“……Yes, my lady.”

“I’ll be going then. Let me know if there’s any news.”

“Ah, actually, Kirion came by this morning.”

Phillip carefully began as he saw her off at the merchant caravan station. She turned, seemingly disappointed at the news that wasn’t about her father—but hearing an old friend’s name after so long gave her a small comfort.

“Kirion? When did he arrive in Loark?”

“He must have come when the navy ship docked recently. He hurried here as soon as he heard about you, my lady.”

“Ah… I see.”

“He said he desperately wanted to see you. He requested that you contact him when you come to the guild. Shall I tell him you visited today?”

Phillip’s gaze cautiously held her hand as she got into the carriage. It wasn’t the best time to meet, but the two had been close since childhood. Even a small comfort would be welcome.

“No.”

Evangeline hesitated briefly but then lifted her eyes, calm despite the coldness in her voice. She gestured subtly with her hand, pressing her robe closer as if to hide herself—a quietly poignant gesture.

“……Someday, I suppose, we’ll meet.”

◇ ◆ ◇

Evangeline frowned at the smoky haze as she entered the reception room. How many people would dare enter the duchess’s private space and even smoke there? Yet she approached the Duke at the window without surprise.

“When did you arrive?”

“Is it not allowed?”

“……No, this is your house.”

She lowered her head at his silent smile. Even without a cigar between his fingers, the room was thick with smoke, showing he had been there for some time. When she reached to open the window, Decarno pushed the frame back sharply. She laughed faintly at his clumsiness.

“Thanks.”

“You say it’s my house, but should I be thankful?”

“……I didn’t know.”

His words were tinged with subtle barbs. From the moment she opened the reception room door, she knew his mood was off.

He simply did not want to acknowledge her.

“Did you enjoy it? You went to quite an interesting place today.”

“…….”

His voice was cold, like peering through a hazy night fog. He had only recently forbidden her from going out; his resentment was understandable. He had never experienced anyone defying him.

“The princess sent a carriage, so I had no choice. How could I refuse her invitation?”

“And afterward?”

“…….”

Decarno finally turned slightly, eyes flashing gray. Such rare displays of emotion made Evangeline hesitate. She didn’t know how much he knew, and she didn’t want to reveal it herself.

Bowing her pride wouldn’t mean she had discarded her own plans entirely. If she admitted to going to the guild, it would inevitably lead to talk about the dress—and she hated the thought of him knowing how she acquired it.

“I just needed some fresh air, so I lost track of time.”

“Fresh air?”

“…….”

No words could express the futility of her emotions. As her silence stretched, Decarno’s eyes narrowed. Evangeline shook her head gently, as if to reassure him.

“I’m fine now. I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“……What exactly did you hear at the palace?”

She tried to act casual, and his gaze regained its icy composure. He asked not what happened, but what she heard—perhaps trying to infer what the princess might have said.

“Did the princess insult you?”

“No, not at all.”

“Then?”

“……She invited me to an upcoming banquet at the palace.”

Decarno seemed surprised at her ability to deflect, but she handled it with composure. Bellona the princess may lack patience, but she was no fool. Unless she wanted to make an enemy of him, she wouldn’t bring up the incident herself.

And the banquet invitation was plausible. Not a formal invitation, but she wouldn’t have been refused if she attended.

She would only be noticed if she openly celebrated the spectacle with both hands raised.

“So what did you say?”

“I said I’d think about it. It’s not a decision I can make alone.”

“…….”

Fortunately or unfortunately, Decarno asked no more. Even though his interest in her life was unusual, she expected this. Any misstep now could affect the reputation of the Teze Ducal family. Perhaps it was inevitable.

“I should go up now… ah, Duke.”

“Why? Was this unexpected?”

He caught her wrist as she turned. She gasped, feeling the pressure tighten.

“You prepared other answers like a doll so easily, but this one seems difficult.”

“…….”

Despite his displeasure, the corner of his mouth twitched. He despised crying women but had never wanted a doll-like girl either. For him, the goal was never to force her—he only sought to break the mask she wore and discover what she was hiding.

Yet Evangeline’s breathing calmed. She met his gaze steadily, unflinching.

“……Tonight is impossible.”

“Hah!”

Decarno’s derisive laugh was grim. If she were trying to provoke him, it might have been easier—but she wasn’t. Her resigned eyes, showing she only desired what she had stated, weighed heavily on him.

“Then I’ll say in advance next time.”

“Everything works if you say it beforehand, huh.”

Her lips curved faintly. Since the day of their engagement, on nights when he had grabbed her wrist while drunk, moments like this had often occurred.

After dinner, he might ask if she had other appointments or stare at her intently, holding her hand. Though he usually caressed the back of her hand with his thumb, she no longer had the strength to distinguish the gesture.