Chapter 126

“….!”

Evelyn’s green eyes widened in surprise. The original story had never revealed his name, and for him to share it now meant the first step toward trust.

Her gaze bright with a quiet thrill, she clasped his hand and offered a warm smile.

“Pleased to meet you, Marcen!”

It seemed like today was going to be a very lucky day.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

Never mind. I take it back.

Leaving the Aclo Foundation, Evelyn stared down at the art purchase contract in her hand, a hollow laugh slipping from her lips. Somehow, Marcen’s silver tongue had maneuvered her into buying an outrageously expensive piece.

‘Did I just get played?’

Frowning in sudden seriousness, she rubbed her chin. Still, the hope of building a strong connection with the guildmaster of Hermes remained unchanged.

Even so, ugh.

This was something she must never, ever mention to Viaton.

If her brother ever found out, he would no doubt mock her mercilessly, demanding to know what on earth she had spent so much on and laughing at her for it. Evelyn vowed, more than once, to hide the piece away in her room where he would never see it.

“My lady, are you heading back now?”

At Gideon’s question, who was currently holding the painting she had purchased, she shook her head slightly.

“No, there’s somewhere I want to stop first.”

Once inside the carriage, she told the driver to head for the street of grocers. Lately, Jactor had been throwing himself into his magical studies with admirable dedication, and she wanted to buy him a treat he would enjoy.

Wasn’t it bear-shaped jelly that was popular among children these days?

As she pictured the boy’s delighted face, a faint smile curved her lips.

“Come to think of it, my lady, there’s news of the Lord Valentino.”

Gideon, seated across from her, let out a short sigh and spoke up. Meanwhile, at the unexpected mention of her fiancé, Evelyn tilted her head.

“Hm? Why bring up Axion all of a sudden?”

Lowering his voice as though to share a secret, Gideon continued.

“I hear he utterly defeated His Highness the Crown Prince at the recent horseback riding competition.”

During the height of the spring social season, contests of skill like equestrian tournaments were especially popular among the male nobility, much as tea gatherings were among the ladies. Evelyn, who was largely unfamiliar with the news circulating among gentlemen, usually heard such things secondhand.

But hearing her fiancé spoken of so suddenly, she couldn’t help a flicker of unease. His communication had already been few and far between these past few days.

‘He hasn’t been hurt, has he?’

Evelyn’s brows dipped slightly as she hesitated, then finally asked.

“Ahem… he’s all right, isn’t he?”

“….!”

At her question, Gideon’s pupils widened noticeably, as if feigning surprise.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

When she asked back with a puzzled expression, he let out a light chuckle and replied.

“I just thought the Lord would be pleased if he heard you say that, my lady.”

Pleased…?

She pictured her fiancé’s face for a moment, then narrowed her eyes faintly.

Hmm. I doubt he would.

Deciding her retainer clearly didn’t know Axion as well as he thought, she shook her head.

‘If anything had happened, he would have contacted me by now.’

And wasn’t there a saying that no news was good news? Satisfied with that conclusion, Evelyn turned her gaze toward the window.

“Oh, it seems we’ve arrived.”

From the sound of the lively bustle outside, the carriage had indeed reached the street of grocers.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

Jingle—

“Thank you for your purchase!”

The cheerful voice of the shopkeeper rang out along with the clear chime of the doorbell. As she left the jelly shop, Evelyn’s lips curved into a soft smile.

“Jactor will like this, don’t you think?”

“I’m certain he will.”

Gideon agreed, glancing at the neatly wrapped bear-shaped jelly before giving an easy nod.

By now the sun was sinking low, and they had just turned to head back to the marquis’s estate.

At that moment, Evelyn caught sight of a woman emerging from the shop next door, her gaze wavered, rippling with sudden emotion.

Dahlia…?