Chapter 38

She just barely managed to swallow her words and let out a shallow sigh. First things first, she needed to clear up her fiancé’s utterly ridiculous misunderstanding.

She carefully picked up the inky-black kitten and held it out to him.

“This is the kitten I said looked just like you.”

At that, Axion arched an eyebrow, looking completely lost as to what she meant. Evelyn gave a quick glance at Khalid, who stood silently at her side, then continued.

“This is Duke Rikeran. There were newborn kittens behind the library, and we just came to see them together.”

Then, she turned to Khalid and introduced Axion.

“Your Grace, this is my fiancé, the one I mentioned earlier.”

Having inadvertently introduced the two men to each other, she couldn’t quite hide her embarrassment. After all, these two were destined to eventually clash over the same woman: the main and the second male lead in the original story.

Perhaps sensing her discomfort, Khalid was the first to extend his hand.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Khalid Rikeran.”

Axion, however, simply stared at the offered hand, then let a sly smile tug at one corner of his mouth instead of taking it.

“Had circumstances been a bit different, I might have mistaken your intentions. Axion Valentino.”

‘Really, must he speak like that?’

Evelyn couldn’t help but be shocked by her fiancé’s blunt, icy manner.

Khalid, his hand left hovering awkwardly in the air, lowered it naturally and managed a strained smile.

“It seems there’s been a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding, you say…”

Axion let out a faint, mocking laugh through barely parted lips, his eyes glinting.

Watching the two, she felt a sudden sense of foreboding that surely something was about to happen if she didn’t step in. So, in a hurry, she grabbed the end of her fiancé’s sleeve and addressed Khalid.

“I’d completely forgotten that I had a prior engagement.”

At that, Axion naturally took her hand in his, his eyes shining with a subtle, mischievous energy as he lifted the corners of his mouth in a languid smile.

‘…What’s with that look?’

Axion, looking for all the world as though he was enjoying the moment, murmured in a low voice.

“In that case, we’ll take our leave.”

Khalid, who had been quietly watching the two, gave a small nod and offered a faint, polite smile.

“Then, until we meet again.”

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

By the time they reached the main entrance of the Imperial Library, Evelyn awkwardly let go of her fiancé’s hand.

“Ahem, so the misunderstanding’s cleared up now, right?”

As she looked up at him with bright, questioning eyes, Axion tilted his head slightly.

“What misunderstanding?”

“You know, the sort where I was out there cheating on my fiancé…”

She started to protest that she wasn’t that kind of shameless person, but paused mid-sentence.

‘Wait a minute, why am I explaining myself to him?’

She frowned slightly and studied his face, only to see a languid smile curling at his lips.

“You knew everything from the very start, didn’t you?”

“What do you mean?”

He only gave a small shrug, feigning innocence. Meanwhile, Evelyn glared at him in mock annoyance, unable to stay angry for long.

“You’re unbelievable.”

In moments like these, Axion seemed no different from when they were children, especially in the way he found amusement in watching his fiancée struggle through an awkward situation. She shook her head with a sigh at the thought, feeling as if this day would simply never end.

She glanced at the Inevasel family’s carriage, which had arrived just in time, and opened her mouth.

“I’m going home to rest.”

“Yes, let’s return to the Marquess’ estate.”

“Huh? You’re coming to my house, too?”

“The Marchioness invited me for dinner.”

“What? When did that happen…?”

Still half-open-mouthed in surprise, she blinked slowly as her fiancé nodded toward the carriage.

“Why don’t you get in now?”

“….?”

“There are a few things we should talk about anyway.”

A quiet, enigmatic light shimmered in his crimson eyes as he spoke.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

Clip-clop—

Only the sound of the horses’ hooves echoed through the stillness, filling the otherwise silent carriage where the two sat together.

Unable to bear her fiancé’s unwavering gaze, Evelyn tilted her head and asked.

“What are you thinking about so intently?”

“You.”

Axion’s answer brought their conversation to an abrupt halt, leaving her flustered and at a loss for words.