Chapter 105 – It’s a Little Embarrassing to Say

It seemed Axion and Jactor weren’t far off. Drawn by the trace of magic in the air, Evelyn made her way toward it. Before long, the sound of their voices reached her.

“Try to feel like you’re drawing out more of your inner strength.”

“Hmm… Like this?”

At his prompting, Jactor summoned his magic once more. This time, a far stronger gust of wind swept across the meadow, far surpassing what he’d managed before.

Watching the boy—who, aside from her fiancé, possessed the greatest magic power she’d ever seen—Evelyn was quietly moved. The majestic shift in the once-quiet field, wrought by the child’s magic, compelled her to clap her hands in admiration.

“Wow, that’s incredible!”

Startled by her exclamation, Jactor spun around, eyes wide with surprise.

“Sister? How long have you been there?”

“I just arrived. I wanted to watch for a bit.”

Though she had a separate reason for seeking out the boy, she decided to put it off for the moment. Not wanting to interrupt their training, Evelyn quietly observed from the sidelines. Axion, having sensed her presence long before, showed no sign of surprise. He simply addressed his young student in his usual, impassive tone.

“That’s enough training for today.”

“Yes! I’d like to try applying the theory you taught me, Teacher!”

At the boy’s energetic reply, he lifted his hand and gently ruffled his hair.

“Good attitude.”

After sending Jactor back toward the mansion, Axion turned and fixed Evelyn with an unwavering gaze. The sudden collision of their eyes made her look away, her fingers fidgeting nervously. For some reason, her palms felt damp, and she busied herself by smoothing her hands together.

Thud, thud—

He approached her with heavy, deliberate steps. Trying to hide her fluster, Evelyn forced her tone to remain casual as she greeted him.

“It’s been a while, Axion.”

The last time she’d seen him had been that unexpected visit to her bedroom, so it was no wonder she felt a little awkward. And as his sharp gaze held hers, she couldn’t help recalling the night before.

“But isn’t it still a little soon?”
“….!”
“Well, not that I’d mind.”

‘Why am I suddenly thinking about that night?’

Evelyn had tried to brush it off, but the vividness of the memory sent a warm flush to her cheeks. Embarrassed, she knit her brows ever so slightly.

Her expression changed so quickly and often that Axion raised one eyebrow in mild curiosity.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“N-No, what would I say?”

Either way, it seemed best not to bring up that conversation again. Things were awkward enough already, and who knew what else might come tumbling out of that man’s disastrous mouth?

When she shook her head with all the determination she could muster, Axion simply lifted a hand.

“Do you still have a fever?”

He asked before reaching out to touch her forehead without a second thought.

Startled, Evelyn instinctively took a step back.

“I don’t have a fever anymore.”

“….”

The man’s expression subtly hardened as he watched her.

Wonderful. Now I really do look like I’m avoiding him…

It was obvious he’d noticed something was different about his fiancée. Between them, a cool, uneasy hush lingered, so stark against the gentle warmth of the spring breeze. The only relief was the distant birdsong, drifting down from the trees overhead.

Axion narrowed his eyes ever so slightly, his gaze suddenly dry and inscrutable.

“Then why does it feel as though you’re avoiding me?”

“…Maybe you’re imagining things?”

Perhaps it was the feeble excuse, but a faint, mocking smile touched his lips. In the next instant, he stepped closer, lowering his head until their faces were just a breath apart.

“You can’t even meet my eyes.”

Unconsciously, Evelyn flinched and looked away, a tremor running across the bridge of her nose. She’d been caught out completely, and her green eyes flickered with a hint of turmoil.

‘Was it really that obvious?’

Unable to find the right words, she only gripped the edge of her skirt more tightly. After a long hesitation, she risked a fleeting glance at her fiancé.

Beneath his lowered lashes, a bittersweet smile played about his mouth. At least, that’s how it looked to her.

‘Why is he making that face?’