Chapter 88

Evelyn shot her a look as if to ask if she’d lost her mind, but Chloe only pointed outside with her chin.

“Well, that man over there has been watching you for quite some time.”

“Who’s been watching me… huh?”

Following her friend’s gaze, her green eyes widened for a moment, then softened in surprise. Bathed in sunlight, golden hair shimmered in the gentle breeze. When she met his warm blue eyes, the man seemed to fluster, bowing his head slightly.

‘Duke Rikeran?’

Tilting her head, Evelyn offered a light nod in return. It seemed the order of knights he led had yet to be called, and they were still waiting to depart.

‘There’s no way he was looking at me…’

Maybe he was searching for Dahlia instead? Evelyn glanced around, looking for the woman with snow-white, silver hair. But Dahlia was nowhere to be seen, as if she’d slipped away for a moment.

‘Strange. I thought I saw her just a minute ago.’

Chloe studied her friend for a moment, then leaned in to whisper conspiratorially.

“Come on, Evelyn. Tell me the truth.”

“Tell you what?”

“What’s going on between you and the Duke of Rikeran?”

It seemed she was thoroughly convinced that she had caught the duke’s eye.

“I know what you’re thinking, but it’s nothing like that.”

“Oh, please. Was that a normal look in his eyes?”

She couldn’t exactly explain that this was simply the way the male lead looked, full of sunshine, eyes always warm and gentle. Evelyn recalled a conversation she’d once had with Khalid at the Imperial Library.

“Then let’s start as friends.”
“…P-Pardon?”
“Does being friends make you uncomfortable?”
“I look forward to getting to know you.”

Well, there’s no harm in admitting we’re friends, is there?

She rolled her green eyes thoughtfully, then answered honestly.

“The Duke and I are just friends.”

“What?”

“It just sort of happened that way.”

Perhaps it was the shock of learning her friend had somehow become close with the captain of the Holy Knights, but Chloe was left speechless, her mouth half open.

‘Honestly, I’m still surprised myself.’

It was still something of a mystery why Khalid wanted to be friends with her in the first place. Not that being close with the protagonist was a bad thing.

While she drifted in her thoughts, Chloe’s eyes sparkled with a new kind of interest.

“Looks like your fiancé will have to watch out.”

Evelyn blinked in surprise, staring back at her friend’s bright, knowing gaze.

“Why would he have to watch out?”

Chloe’s expression grew mysterious as she slowly shook her head.

“Never mind. It’s better if you don’t know.”

What on earth am I not supposed to know?

Bwoooom—

Just then, a triumphant fanfare sounded, marking the official start of the hunting festival.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

“Evelyn, are you sure you’re not coming?”

“Yes, I’ll stay here.”

Every year, the imperial family hosted a small event for young ladies not participating in the hunt.

‘This year, it’s a treasure hunt, isn’t it?’

Whoever found the ribbon bearing the royal crest would be granted a special reward, or so the rumors went. Supposedly, the prize was a private luncheon with the crown prince. Women with their eyes on the empty position of crown princess threw themselves into the search with startling enthusiasm.

The thought of the crown prince, said to be as cunning as the emperor himself, made her wrinkle her brow.

‘Ugh, I feel queasy just thinking about it.’

Time passed as the treasure hunt began, yet no one had managed to find the elusive ribbon. After sitting in the tea room for so long, Chloe stretched her stiff back and rose to her feet.

“Well, it would be nice if you’d come with me.”

“I’ll be fine. Have fun.”

Evelyn replied, waving her friend off with a gentle smile. The hunt would last until evening anyway, so she intended to enjoy a few quiet hours to herself.

Settling in, she opened the book of myths she’d brought along and lost herself in its pages. As expected, there wasn’t a single clue about the spells she sought. Even so, she pressed on, and by the time she reached the latter half of the old volume, something made her green eyes widen in surprise.

‘The Moon Goddess…?’