Chapter 101 – Like Real Lovers

A mischievous glimmer danced in Axion’s deep crimson eyes, leaving Evelyn at a complete loss for words.

“Y-you…!”

A faint laugh escaped his lips as he gazed at her.

“So get well soon, Evelyn.”

Then, with a casual snap of his fingers, he vanished, leaving only those words behind.

Utterly flustered, she muttered under her breath,

“Is he telling me to get better, or not?”

Even so, her cheeks felt as if they were on fire. She pressed her hands to her flushed face, telling herself it must be nothing but the fever.

Yes, this heat was surely just the lingering touch of spring’s fever.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

“Evelyn, are you still not feeling well?”

“Oh, Chloe…”

As Chloe gently shook her arm to check on her, Evelyn snapped back to her senses.

‘Honestly, what am I doing, letting my mind wander so much?’

She shook her head with an awkward smile.

“I’m perfectly fine now. That’s why I came out with you like this!”

After three days spent bedridden, she had finally been declared recovered and had insisted on this outing. More than anything, she wanted to cheer up her friend, whose spirits had been low since the hunting festival. She would only learn later that there had been an argument between Chloe and Dahlia at the time. Chloe had apparently demanded to know how Dahlia could leave the woods alone, abandoning the person who had helped her. The incident had caused quite a stir in society for a time.

Of course, Evelyn was sure Dahlia had never meant for it to happen, but such misunderstandings were always awkward to resolve.

‘I should speak with Dahlia soon.’

Feeling the matter weigh on her mind, she resolved to meet the female lead of the original story herself in the coming days.

With her thoughts in order, she idly browsed the boutique’s display cases. The employees were busy arranging new items for the upcoming season, and her gaze landed on something in particular.

“That…”

It was a chain brooch, gleaming with a vivid red, almost the exact shade of Axion’s eyes.

It would suit him well…

‘No, why would I pick something for him?’

Flustered, Evelyn quickly tried to look away, only to meet Chloe’s sly, knowing gaze.

“I didn’t see anything, so keep picking out what you were looking at.”

As she said so, her friend’s lips curled into a playful smile.

Evelyn pouted in protest.

“I-It’s not what you think.”

She insisted, but her voice trembled as if she had struck a nerve.

Chloe’s soft smile made it clear she didn’t believe a word. And then, just to tease her further, she added.

“Your husband will be delighted.”

It’s not like that at all…!

After leaving the boutique, the two moved on to a café and continued their unfinished conversation. Though it had only been a few days since they’d last met, there was much to catch up on, and before they knew it, afternoon had faded into evening.

“Oh, goodness! I almost forgot that I have dinner plans with Josh tonight.”

Glancing at the wall clock, Chloe let out a short sigh and set down her teacup. The sky was already burning with sunset, which meant there wasn’t much time left before her appointment.

Evelyn only sipped her tea, unbothered.

“Go on, then, before you’re late.”

Perhaps feeling a twinge of guilt, Chloe cast her a quick, searching glance.

“Why don’t you join us for dinner?”

She knew full well that they wouldn’t mind her company. Even so, she didn’t want to intrude on their time together.

“I’m alright. I was planning to head home soon anyway.”

After the recent monster attack, she knew her parents were worried, so she had no intention of staying out late.

“Alright, then. I’ll get going first.”

“Take care, Chloe. I hope you have a wonderful evening.”

Seeing her friend looking so much lighter, as if a burden had been lifted from her heart, Evelyn sent her off with a bright smile. She lingered in the café a little longer, sipping her tea alone, but before long, she also rose from her seat.

Stepping outside, she heard the bell of the clock tower chime twice, signaling six o’clock.