Chapter 49 – Because I Wanted to See You

“Really? Will you really let me meet him?”

Jactor’s golden eyes sparkled as if dusted with starlight.

‘Honestly, I haven’t mentioned any of this to Axion, but…’

Oh, what does it matter.

“Of course! I’ll definitely make it happen.”

A pang of guilt pricked at her conscience. However, when she saw the boy’s face so full of hope, she felt a fierce urge to make the impossible possible.

‘Because nothing would make Jactor happier.’

While she was steeling her resolve, the child spoke up, his voice brimming with determination.

“If you’ll allow it, I’d like to go with you, Lady Evelyn!”

“All right, but on one condition. From now on, will you call me ‘sister’?”

The children at the orphanage all called her big sister or elder sister. So, she hoped Jactor would feel comfortable using that name for her as well.

“Yes, Sister.”

The quick-witted boy immediately switched to the new title, and Evelyn couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.

‘Excellent. He’s got a sense for these things, too.’

At the same time, she could almost picture her fiancé’s bewildered face if he were to see this scene. She shook her head briskly, trying to banish the thought.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

Once Evelyn had swiftly finished the sponsorship formalities, she spent the rest of the day with the children, just as she had promised. She taught them the imperial language, folded paper animals together, and even played hide-and-seek. She only meant to put on a puppet show, the kind little ones seemed to love most these days, but—

“Wow, you two look just like a princess and a prince!”

One child called out in a clear voice, and soon, the others joined in.

“Yeah! Sister is so beautiful, and Brother is really handsome!”

“So, are you two going to get married someday?”

Although Evelyn and Khalid were each holding a puppet, the children’s eyes remained fixed on their faces.

‘It feels as if the puppets have been reduced to extras in their own play…’

She forced an awkward smile, stealing a glance at the man beside her. She was used to the children’s playful teasing, but for Khalid, who was visiting the orphanage for the first time, this must be rather bewildering.

So, with more firmness in her voice than usual, she spoke.

“Children, it isn’t polite to tease adults like that.”

“But you really are a princess and a prince!”

Faced with such innocent, guileless sincerity, Evelyn had to stifle a sigh.

‘Goodness, how awkward must the Duke feel?’

When the puppet show paused for a short break, she leaned in and whispered quietly to Khalid.

“The children must be making things difficult for you, aren’t they?”

He shook his head and replied gently.

“Not at all. Please don’t worry about me.”

Seeing that he showed not the slightest hint of discomfort, even in such a potentially awkward situation, she couldn’t help but be impressed.

‘He’s nothing like anyone in my family.’

Despite being the same age as Viaton, Khalid carried a maturity that seemed almost unbelievable. A quiet smile touched her lips at his considerate kindness.

“If only my brother were even half as considerate as you, Your Grace.”

“You must be quite close to Lord Inevasel.”

Evelyn nodded lightly.

“I suppose we’re much like any other family.”

Even if he annoyed her sometimes, she still relied on Viaton quite a bit.

Hearing my words, Khalid, who had grown thoughtful and quiet, murmured softly.

“Not all families are like that.”

“….”

There was a trace of bitterness in his voice as he spoke.

‘Come to think of it…’

Evelyn suddenly recalled a detail she had forgotten.

The male lead of the original story had endured a miserable childhood. Even though the House of Rikeran had produced aura-wielders for generations, Khalid himself hadn’t awakened his powers in time. The previous Duke, outraged by this, had locked the young Khalid away in the mansion and subjected him to merciless beatings, all under the pretense of training to awaken his abilities.

“I fear I’ve spoken out of turn.”

Khalid opened his mouth again, a flicker of embarrassment crossing his eyes as if he had only just realized it. Seeing that, Evelyn shook her head, determined to put him at ease.

“Not at all. Honestly, it’s a secret, but my brother and I argue all the time, too.”

When she deliberately brightened her tone to lighten the mood, he stared at her intently.