Chapter 111 – So They Can’t Come Near

He was going to say that out loud?

Unable to mask her surprise, Evelyn glanced between her fiancé and Khalid. As she had feared, Axion’s expression twisted, as though he had just heard something utterly intolerable.

“Evelyn, is that true?”

His voice was devoid of inflection, yet his expression was lethally sharp.

A peculiar tension seemed to seize every part of her, and she clutched her skirts tightly in both hands. She could hardly deny it now since she and Khalid were already friends. So, rolling her eyes in brief thought, Evelyn steadied her voice before replying.

“Yes. The Duke and I are friends.”

Axion’s lips curved into a cold, humorless smile, clearly displeased by the answer.

“I didn’t know my fiancée had made a new friend.”

From ten years of experience, she knew at once that what he really meant was, ‘Why didn’t you tell me sooner?’ It wasn’t as though he would object to her making friends…

So was it simply that he disliked Khalid that much?

Perhaps, just as in the original story, the two of them would never be able to get along.

Evelyn sighed inwardly and tried to smooth over the situation. But Khalid, inevitably, had to scatter ashes over a dish that was nearly finished.

“Please don’t misunderstand. I was the one who asked the lady first.”

Really…

It was a different sort of ruinous tongue than Axion’s, but no less dangerous. He had surely meant to defend her, yet she found little comfort in the gesture, especially when she could already sense the chill gathering around her fiancé.

‘Please stop! At this rate, you’ll get yourself killed as well!’

Axion’s lips slanted into a wry, incredulous smile. Clearly, the explanation had done nothing to placate him.

Left with no other choice, she decided to tell him the truth that she had gone to the dessert fair, lost sight of her escort knight, and ended up hopelessly adrift. Although she could already picture the mocking curve of his mouth, she clenched her fists and spoke.

“The truth is, I was swept along by the crowd and lost Sir Gideon. By chance, I met the Duke, and he offered to accompany me.”

Only then did Axion seem to grasp the situation; his expression eased slightly, and he gave a single nod. Then, he drew her closer, an arm firm around her shoulders.

Seizing the moment, Evelyn leaned in and whispered low enough for only him to hear.

“Don’t get the wrong idea this time!”

“I’m not doing that.”

Not that it sounded the least bit convincing.

Seeing the man’s expression still clouded with displeasure, she let out a shallow sigh.

“Do you see this dessert box?”

“And what of it?”

“I bought it for you. You like sweets, don’t you?”

At her words, his head tilted ever so slightly.

“You bought it for me?”

Even though the phrasing wasn’t exactly flattering, it wasn’t far from the truth either. While choosing desserts to share with her family earlier, she had also picked out a portion for her fiancé.

“Well, you could put it that way.”

When she gave a casual nod, Axion’s lips curved upward in a slow, languid arc, as if savoring some strange satisfaction.

Why is he acting like this…?

Then, realizing that Khalid was still present, Evelyn gave her fiancé a subtle glance. But when Axion deliberately avoided her gaze, she jabbed him lightly in the side instead.

‘What are you doing? Hurry up and clear this up.’

After a fleeting look of annoyance, he turned to the Duke of Rikeran and inclined his head in polite acknowledgment.

“Thank you for helping my betrothed.”

“I have merely done what was right.”

Khalid, true to the bearing of a male lead, maintained a courteous demeanor. Yet Axion, who didn’t miss the subtle, complex gleam in his eyes, spoke in a voice tinged with coolness.

“I thought you might say that.”

“….”

“You’re unfailingly kind to everyone, after all.”

There was an unmistakable weight beneath the words, and Khalid regarded him in silence for a moment. Then, with a steady, earnest look, he answered calmly.

“If that is meant as counsel, I shall keep it in mind. However…”

Axion tilted his head slightly, an unspoken invitation to continue.

“…I can’t help but think it borders on excessive interference.”