Chapter 57 – My Fiancée Ran Away

Pffft—

Evelyn sputtered out her tea at her friend’s sudden words.

“Judging by your reaction, it seems there is something going on.”

Chloe’s lips twitched with amusement as she offered a handkerchief. Meanwhile, wiping her mouth in a hurry, Evelyn frowned ever so slightly, as though she’d just heard something entirely improper.

“Something? What are you talking about? It’s just you don’t know us very well. That’s not the kind of relationship we have.”

“Well, you never really know, do you? Look how even today’s weather turned without warning.”

Following her gaze out the window, Evelyn saw that the clear skies from moments before had vanished, replaced by a gentle drizzle soaking the earth. The implication was clear: if even the heavens couldn’t say what was coming, how could they possibly know their own future with certainty?

Chloe wasn’t entirely wrong, she had to admit. But still, Evelyn shook her head firmly.

“Even so… absolutely not. There’s simply no way that would ever happen.”

Chloe, watching her friend’s earnest eyes, murmured something just under her breath, so quietly it was almost lost in the patter of rain.

“You truly have no idea, do you?”

“Huh? About what?”

Chloe, absently poking at the cake in front of her with her fork, replied with something cryptic.

“Well, I suppose we should consider the young lord’s efforts as well.”

‘What on earth is she talking about?’

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

Mist rose from the rain-soaked earth, a gentle warmth lingering here and there. Perched by her bedroom window, letting the breeze cool her face, Evelyn found herself smiling at the memory of her dear friend.

“I think that’s the first time I’ve ever seen Chloe so shy.”

During that afternoon’s tea party, Chloe’s lover had arrived at just the right moment. Not wanting her to be caught in the rain, he had even brought an umbrella. The other young ladies had all looked on, barely hiding their envy at such thoughtfulness.

Trying to act indifferent, Chloe’s cheeks had nevertheless flushed the loveliest shade of pink as she greeted him. It had been simply adorable.

‘So this is what love looks like.’

Thinking of her friend’s happiness, her eyes sparkled.

Chloe had known her lover, who had also been her brother’s close friend, for many years, but it was only three years ago that their friendship blossomed into romance. Their families were closely connected, and talk of marriage between the two had long been in earnest.

Whenever they looked at each other, their eyes were always filled with affection and tenderness.

“I’m truly glad to see her so happy.”

To have met someone she loved, to have someone wholly on her side… It all seemed to set Evelyn’s heart at ease, seeing Chloe glowing with warmth and joy.

If she were honest, part of her couldn’t help but feel a twinge of envy for her friend.

‘Maybe someday I’ll find someone who loves me too.’

Of course, dreaming of a fated love might well be wishful thinking, especially considering her own role as the villainess in the original story. Still, once she finally broke off her engagement with Axion and managed to protect her family, she hoped she might find her other half as well.

‘Someone who would be entirely on my side…’

The way her dearest friend and beloved parents loved so sincerely. Lost in thoughts of those she cherished, Evelyn wore a faint, wistful smile until suddenly, her expression sobered.

“Wait, am I really that unappealing?”

She lightly touched her face, a faint furrow appearing between her brows.

Come to think of it, she had never once received a confession from anyone. Even people who are engaged usually receive at least one or two confessions in their lives.

Is it because I’m acting differently from the original story?

The Evelyn in the novel would shamelessly use any man at her disposal to get what she wanted without a second thought. Still, she had no intention of acting against her own nature now, not even for a moment.

“What is this, this strange sense of defeat?”

All of a sudden, the thought that she was falling behind her nemesis wounded her pride in a peculiar way. And it was no wonder. She had witnessed Axion being confessed to at the academy more times than she could count.

‘Ugh, how annoying!’

Scurrying over to her bed, she buried her face in her pillow and clenched her fists tight.

“This is all Axion’s fault.”

Looking back, school life had never been easy for her, all because he was always by her side. Eyes blazing, she found herself drifting into memories of her days at the academy.