Chapter 112

The unexpected remark made her swallow hard. Meanwhile, Axion’s brows lifted in a sharp arc, as though weighing Khalid’s intent.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I believe I’ll take my leave first.”

With an unreadable smile, Khalid turned and withdrew at an unhurried pace.

Once the tension had eased somewhat, Evelyn released a quiet sigh. Watching her fiancé with cautious eyes, she finally spoke.

“Are you angry?”

“Why would I be?”

“You know, don’t you? My only real friends are you, Chloe, and Felix.”

“….”

Even with such a clumsy excuse, the corners of his mouth twitched faintly. Axion watched her in silence, as if lost in thought, his gaze fixed intently on her.

“How could I not know?”

“Know what?”

When Evelyn blinked slowly in puzzlement, the man smiled faintly and murmured.

“Because I made it so.”

“….”

“So that no pests can come near you.”

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

On the garden terrace, the soft sunlight of early spring poured down, melting away the chill in the air. Evelyn took a slow sip of fragrant tea, savoring the taste.

“Mmm, the blend is exceptional today.”

“Isn’t it? The madam received the leaves as a gift, and she thought the lady would enjoy them.”

“As expected, Mother knows my tastes perfectly.”

Evelyn smiled faintly, then opened the catalogue sent from the boutique.

“You’re choosing a gown for the banquet, my lady?”

“Yes. My birthday happens to fall on the same day as the Imperial banquet this year.”

Despite the fact that she would have preferred to spend it quietly at the estate with her family, as always, this year wouldn’t allow such ease. By unfortunate coincidence, the imperial palace had planned a grand celebration on that very date.

She was speaking in a warm, unhurried tone with the maid serving her tea when Larie, who had stepped out for a moment, returned wearing a faintly uneasy expression.

“My lady, you have a visitor.”

“A visitor? Who is it?”

Evelyn tilted her head slightly, noting the uncharacteristic hesitation in her trusted maid.

“Well…”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Inevasel.”

The child’s voice came from somewhere nearby, and she quickly glanced around in surprise. Then, peeking out from behind Larie, a young girl revealed herself. She had long, jet-black hair, delicate features, and cheeks flushed a soft rose. All at once, Evelyn was struck by the image of someone else and drew in a sharp breath.

Hup, that girl…

“It is an honor to meet you, Lady Inevasel. My name is Elodie Sinclair.”

With one hand holding an ivory bonnet and the other lightly gathering the hem of her skirt, the girl dipped in a polite curtsey. Elodie Sinclair, the girl who appeared to be about ten years old, was Axion’s younger cousin.

Or, to put it another way…

“Ellie? She’s a sweet, innocent child.”
“Oh, so she’s grown into quite the adorable little lady!”
“But she’s quite unlike other children her age.”
“Oh? In what way?”

Elodie was the daughter of Marchioness Sinclair, Axion’s aunt, and, by all accounts, the true power within her household.

‘What could have brought her to me?’

Evelyn had never imagined she would encounter the young girl anywhere but the marchioness’s residence. She had met Elodie a few times when the child was very small, but since then their paths had rarely, if ever, crossed. Which meant, in truth, they had no real acquaintance to speak of.

At that moment, the little girl’s blue-grey eyes flashed like a sudden glint of steel. Evelyn couldn’t help but flinch beneath the gaze, so commanding it could only belong to a relative of Axion’s.

‘No, don’t be ridiculous. She’s still just a child.’

Masking her surprise, she bent to one knee so their eyes were level. Composing her tone, she spoke with calm courtesy.

“What brings you all the way here, my lady?”

Elodie answered with haughty disbelief, as if wondering whether she truly didn’t know.

“I have something I must discuss with you, Lady Inevasel.”

Strange? I’ve only seen her when she was little…

For some reason, it felt as though a sharp, cold wind swirled in the air around the girl. At Evelyn’s subtle glance, the maid attending the tea set out an extra cup upon the table.

“Young Lady Sinclair, would you care to sit?”