Chapter 37 – But Before That, There’s Something I Want to Know

It didn’t take Evelyn long to find the book she was searching for. She pulled it from the shelf with ease, glanced at the cover, and spoke up in a mildly surprised tone.

“Oh? This is a book by Lotus Milton.”

“You’re familiar with this author, my lady?”

A hint of curiosity flickered in Khalid’s clear blue eyes.

“Yes, I read his works from time to time.”

Lotus Milton wasn’t particularly well-known in the Baltian Empire. His books tended to attract only animal lovers or the truly curious.

‘So the original male lead liked animals too.’

“You must be fond of animals as well, my lady.”

Perhaps Khalid was thinking the same thing. He smiled gently, the corners of his mouth lifting in a way that softened his whole expression. Now that she looked at him, he reminded her of a golden retriever, especially when he smiled like that.

Evelyn found herself absent-mindedly admiring his kind face, but quickly snapped out of it.

“Ah, right. I should get going now!”

Just as she finished speaking and turned to leave, Khalid’s low voice called after her.

“If it’s not too much trouble, could I ask you for a moment of your time?”

“Is something the matter…?”

As Evelyn tilted her head in confusion, Kalid hesitated briefly before replying.

“I was hoping you might accompany me, just for a short walk.”

“Pardon? You’d like me to walk with you, Your Grace?”

She stared at him in mild disbelief, but he nodded softly.

“There’s a cat living behind the library, and she’s just had kittens.”

At those words, her green eyes sparkled with curiosity.

‘Kittens? I’d love to see them, but…’

When she said nothing, he gave an awkward smile and added.

“Of course, I have no wish to trouble you. Please feel free to decline if you’d rather not.”

His considerate tone, a very protagonist-like kindness, reminded her of a conversation they’d had before.

“I appreciate your kindness, but I’d rather avoid unnecessary misunderstandings with my fiancé.”

‘Maybe I was a little too blunt back then.’

Khalid had only meant to be kind, yet she may have made him feel self-conscious without intending to.

Feeling a bit bad about it, Evelyn scratched her cheek and smiled faintly.

“Well then, shall we go see them together?”

After all, the path behind the library was just the start of the walking trail, and she reasoned she could simply greet the cats and head straight back.

Khalid’s blue eyes wavered in surprise as though he hadn’t expected her to accept. But soon enough, a gentle smile spread across his face, and he quietly led her to where the cat and her kittens lived.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

The mother cat and her kittens, nestled deep in a soft blanket, purred and mewled softly. Watching the tiny, endearing creatures brought an unbidden smile to her lips. When she gently stroked their silky fur, one kitten, a particularly black one, arched its back and raised a tiny, downy paw with a hiss.

Evelyn watched the feisty little thing closely, and before long, it reminded her of someone.

‘With that inky fur and sharp attitude… It’s just like Axion.’

She chuckled quietly to herself, which made Khalid glance at her in curiosity.

“Is something amusing, my lady?”

She gave a sheepish smile, pointing at the inky-black kitten.

“This little one reminds me of my fiancé.”

“Hmm? Who do I resemble?”

Just then, a familiar voice called out from right behind her, and Evelyn’s eyes grew wide in astonishment. She managed to turn her stiff neck and blinked as if she were seeing a ghost.

There, standing before her, was a man whose raven hair gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.

“Axion, what are you doing here…?!”

As her voice trailed off in panic, Axion, whose mouth set in a relaxed line, replied in a rather cool voice.

“But before that, there’s something I want to know.”

“….”

“Why is my fiancée here with another man?”

A strange tension flickered between the three of them, followed by a suffocating silence. Evelyn felt as if she had been caught red-handed in some clandestine affair, and pressed her aching head with her hand. Then, with a tone that made her frustration clear, she began.

“Honestly, how could you even—”

How could you possibly think I’d get involved with the male lead?