Chapter 13 – Long Forgotten

‘Looks like I won’t get to meet the two characters today either.’

In the original novel 《 Eternal Bonds of Salvation 》, the male lead had been appointed as the Paladin Commander even before reaching adulthood. Because of that, he was away in the North, leading the paladins in subjugating monsters.

Meanwhile, the female lead, a country noble’s daughter, still wasn’t in the capital.

This was because her divine power manifested much later than other abilities. However, she would soon awaken immense divine power and go to stay with a distant relative from a central noble family. Eventually, the Paladin Commander and the female priestess would fall in love while going on subjugation missions together.

‘This must be what they call fate.’

Not like Axion and her, who just bicker and get on each other’s nerves every time they meet. While Evelyn was lost in thought, recalling the two main characters, her family arrived at the banquet hall and approached her.

“There you are, Evelyn.”

Worn out from dealing with her fiancé, she melted into the Marchioness’s embrace.

“I missed you, Mother.”

“Oh? Our daughter is being quite spoiled today.”

With her mother’s warm hug, she quickly regained her spirits and stepped back from her arms.

“I understand, Evelyn.”

At the sight of her brother, standing there with his arms crossed and nodding as if he knew everything, Evelyn shot him a skeptical look.

“Get what? What are you talking about?”

Viaton grinned smugly.

“Obviously, you must’ve fought with your fiancé again.”

“What are you talking about? That’s not it at all.”

How did he even become the top of the academy? She was seriously considering sewing his lips shut when the Marquis let out a booming laugh.

“Evelyn, now that you’re an adult, ask for anything you want as a present.”

“Yes, dear. Whatever you wish.”

“Mother, Father…”

Evelyn was moved by her parents’ kindness.

“Don’t you think you two are being a bit unfair?”

Viaton cut in, thumping his chest like he was staging a protest.

“Oh? I distinctly recall you insisting you didn’t need anything when you came of age.”

“Father, that’s…!”

Before he could protest, the Marquis roughly tousled his son’s perfectly styled hair, leaving him gaping in horror. Evelyn watched her cheerful family with a soft smile tugging at her lips.

‘I hope these peaceful moments with them can last as long as possible.’

But no sooner had she finished that thought than the grand blare of the brass band’s trumpets echoed through the air.

Paaaaarp—

As a member of the Inevasel family, she knew exactly what the fanfare signified. Her face immediately hardened.

“Eternal glory to the Baltian Empire! His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and His Highness the Crown Prince now enter!”

The herald’s thunderous announcement cut through the chatter, and the entire banquet hall fell silent as the imperial family made their entrance.

Evelyn clenched her trembling fists, struggling to suppress her emotions.

Even though it might be hard to find evidence right now, she was certain she would uncover the truth about her birth parents’ deaths. In the original story, the poison used on them was said to be tied to forbidden magic. That was why she had been researching antidotes for deadly poisons all this time.

As she bit her lip, Viaton gently patted her slender shoulder.

‘He must be worried about me.’

She felt a flicker of gratitude for her older brother, who was acting uncharacteristically mature, even if they were only a year apart. But before that feeling could fade, their eyes met, and she saw him shudder in embarrassment at his own gesture.

‘Of course, that’s just like him.’

She thought as Viaton immediately reverted to his usual self.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

As soon as the coming-of-age banquet began, it was time for the private audience with the Emperor. In the Baltian Empire, it was tradition for those who had come of age to pay their respects to the empire’s sun, the Emperor.

To reassure her parents, who watched her with worried eyes, Evelyn forced a deliberately bright smile.

“I’ll just greet them and be right back.”