Chapter 120

She swallowed the laugh that threatened to rise and instead let her lips curve in a faint, unreadable smile.

“Or is it that you hope to ensnare a high noble and climb the ranks that way?”

What on earth was he saying now?

If I’d intended that, I would’ve acted closer to Axion!

She let the Crown Prince’s absurd words pass in one ear and out the other, refusing him so much as the flicker of a reaction. Still, he seemed tireless in his needling, pressing further.

“Well, I suppose the Lord must have his own reasons for maintaining the engagement.”

His slow gaze swept over her, tracing the delicate lines of her figure with a brazen thoroughness that made her skin prickle. Just as his behavior crossed far beyond the bounds of propriety, she could endure it no longer and parted her lips to speak.

“What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

She hadn’t seen him approach, but there was Axion, his ice-cold eyes fixed in a piercing glare upon the Crown Prince. The weight of his presence rolled out like a stormfront, and yet Erden only curved his mouth into a sly, mocking smile.

“Merely enjoying a brief conversation with the Lord’s fiancée.”

Before she could speak, Axion was at her side, taking her hand and drawing her behind him as if shielding her from the Crown Prince.

The gesture must have struck a nerve since Erden’s dark brows twitched and he gave a derisive laugh.

“One might think I had been harassing the lady.”

Did he already forget how he’d just threatened and mocked me moments ago?

Shaken by indignation and anger, Evelyn’s hand trembled faintly in Axion’s grasp. His gaze flicked to her, catching that tremor, and his grip on her hand firmed.

“Then you should be all the more careful.”

“What do you mean by that?”

The Crown Prince’s expression hardened, his voice clipped.

Axion, as if genuinely surprised the question needed asking, replied with calm composure.

“I mean Your Highness’s reckless conduct.”

He had never been one to temper his words for the sake of others’ feelings, and his knack for striking straight at the mark was exceptional. Beneath his courteous phrasing lay an unambiguous warning: conduct yourself properly, and avoid giving cause for misunderstanding.

Despite his somewhat irreverent words, the Crown Prince offered no reply, or maybe it was more accurate to say he couldn’t. To press the point would mean exposing every detail of his own behavior toward Evelyn.

Erden clenched his fist so tightly the veins stood out, forcing a strained and hollow smile.

“You do make a fine pair, the two of you.”

“I’m already aware of that.”

With a flick of his wrist, Axion drew a pocket watch from within his coat, checking the time before speaking again in a tone that was outwardly polite yet edged with annoyance.

“Shouldn’t Your Highness be returning inside by now? I imagine there are many seeking your company.”

Even though the words sounded courteous, the meaning was plain: how much longer do you intend to linger here?

Even Erden, for all his pride, seemed disinclined to spurn such an exit. He inclined his head once, as if deciding against further provocation, and took a step back.

“Right. I’ll take my leave.”

He had just begun to turn away when Axion’s voice, cold and deliberate, halted him mid-step.

“Before that, there’s a request I would like to make of Your Highness personally.”

“…What is it?”

“Do not approach my fiancée again.”

It was less a request than a stern warning.

Erden paused as if lost in thought for a moment before he cast his gaze toward Evelyn, though she was hidden entirely behind Axion’s broad back. Then, a slow, knowing expression took shape on his face before he let out a sly laugh.

“She must be very precious to you, Lord.”

“….”

“I shall leave some room for consideration.”

Once the Crown Prince had withdrawn, a hushed stillness settled over the garden, leaving only the two of them behind. Evelyn gently released her fiancé’s hand and quietly looked up at him.

His lips pressed into a firm line, the man’s expression clearly shadowed with displeasure.

Wondering if she was the cause, she lowered her head and spoke softly.

“I’m sorry for disappearing without a word, Axion.”