Chapter 78

The Marchioness, unable to ignore how her daughter kept picking at her food, asked with a worried frown.

Still lost in thoughts of her fiancé, Evelyn felt heat rise to her cheeks. She quickly composed herself, not wanting to worry anyone, and offered a vague excuse.

“It’s nothing. I’m just a little tired, that’s all.”

From across the table, Viaton, in the middle of slicing his steak, interjected with a drawl.

“Hm, you looked completely spaced out to me.”

His remark hit the mark, and she shot her brother a small glare. But, oblivious as ever, Viaton just shrugged as if to say, ‘What?’

Meanwhile, her father, watching her closely, worry flickering in his green eyes, spoke up.

“Are you feeling unwell?”

Perhaps because she had only recently left her sickbed, Evelyn shook her head at her father’s concerned question.

“No. I’m really fine.”

When she replied in an intentionally cheerful voice, a look of relief flickered across the faces of the Marquis and his wife.

“By the way, Evelyn. Are you free two days from now?”

At her mother’s question, she tilted her head curiously.

“Yes, I should be. Is something the matter?”

Her mother answered with a gentle smile.

“It’s nothing urgent. A close friend of mine is hosting a charity gathering.”

Evelyn immediately understood what her mother meant and asked without hesitation.

“You mean the Lorenheim family’s charity event?”

“That’s right, Evelyn. It seems you already know.”

There was no way she could be unaware of it. The only reason the countess was organizing the event was to help Dahlia make her social debut.

‘Felix’s mother truly is a kind person.’

Unlike the Count, who had taken Dahlia in purely for political advantage, his wife treated her like her own daughter. Evelyn had heard that, having only three sons, the countess had always wished for a daughter. She had even been one of the strongest supporters of her adoption.

As in the original story, the countess often worried about Dahlia going off to hunt monsters.

She was likely concerned that, as a central noblewoman, Dahlia might struggle to adjust. This charity gathering, too, could be said to exist entirely for the female lead’s sake.

‘If I recall, in this episode…’

With her innate warmth and kindness, Dahlia had already won the favor of the nobility and was soon to be fully welcomed into society.

As Evelyn was lost in thought, the gentle voice of the Marchioness reached her.

“If you don’t mind, would you join me at the charity gathering?”

“With you…? You mean, together?”

“Yes. And as it happens, it’s being held at the city residence, so it would be lovely for us to attend together.”

At her mother’s invitation, she recalled seeing Dahlia in that secluded alleyway.

‘It’s still bothering me.’

Some part of her remained deeply curious about the female lead from the original story. As it turned out, Gideon had failed to track Dahlia down.

“I apologize, my lady. I was attacked by some assailants suddenly.”
“It’s all right! I’m just grateful you’re safe.”

Even after that, he continued to search for Dahlia, but for some reason, she seemed to have vanished without a trace.

‘I can’t keep doubting the female lead, who’s supposed to be so pure-hearted.’

Perhaps this is the perfect chance to see for myself.

Resolving herself, Evelyn’s bright green eyes lit up as she replied.

“Then I’ll attend with you, Mother.”

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

In the late afternoon, with glaring sunlight streaming through the windows, fresh buds were beginning to sprout on the dry branches outside. Evelyn, having accompanied her mother to the charity gathering, leaned against the trunk of a tree. The sparse leaves offered little shelter from the sun, but she didn’t mind.

‘Hmm, staying here is kind of boring.’

She had hardly any acquaintances among the attendees at the charity gathering.

Maybe I shouldn’t have come…

A brief wave of regret washed over her, but she quickly shook her head. After all, this might be her chance to resolve the questions she had about the female lead.

While she was lost in thought, a familiar voice sounded in her ear.

“What are you doing here, Evelyn?”