Chapter 145 – There’s Only You

This man… this man.

Axion’s words struck without warning, and Evelyn couldn’t hide the flush of bewilderment that swept across her face. As she blinked rapidly, startled eyes wide, he added with a perfectly straight face.

“Is it really so shocking? We are engaged, after all.”

Her fiancé’s nonchalance jarred her back to her senses, and she quickly pulled herself together.

“W-Well, that’s true.”

She made sure to reply calmly to prevent another awkward silence from settling between them. Still, nothing could steady the erratic pounding of her heart.

Her restless fingers fidgeted until she clasped both hands tightly together and lifted her gaze to Axion.

Why is he always so composed?

It seemed he was never shaken, while she alone was tossed about by every word, every glance.

‘Just how many people has he been with until now?’

It was hard to believe he hadn’t been with anyone since there could hardly be anyone more adept at such things than him. She had never paid much attention to her fiancé’s private affairs, so she never bothered to keep track of who he might have been seeing.

But now, recalling the possibility of his past romances, her mood sank like a stone in water.

“What are you thinking about so deeply?”

His low voice reached her, one brow arched in mild curiosity.

Evelyn, lips drawn into a faint pout, replied.

“It’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t seem like nothing.”

Her fiancé’s persistence in prying at the edges of her words drew a soft sigh from her. Then, with sudden boldness, she lifted her gaze to meet his.

“Be honest with me, Axion.”

“What do you mean?”

She tried her best to sound casual, determined to seem indifferent to whatever romantic history he might have had.

“How many women have you been with until now?”

At that moment, Axion’s body stiffened for an instant before his crimson gaze fixed intently upon her. Soon, however, a trace of mischief glimmered in his eyes.

Evelyn frowned ever so slightly, her voice sharp with feigned hauteur.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

The man’s lips curved faintly, and in a voice rich and low, he whispered.

“I was wondering if you might finally be interested in me.”

The unexpected reply sent heat rushing to her cheeks. Flustered, she tried to steady her racing heart, but the words burst from her instead.

“Wh-what are you talking about?!”

Her overzealous protest drew a quiet laugh from Axion, who lifted his shoulders in a light, careless shrug.

“Forget it, then.”

“Ha—”

Just as Evelyn, wary of what other absurd thing he might say, hurriedly tried to quicken her pace—

“There’s only you.”

“…What?”

“The only one I’ve ever been with.”

The playful glimmer in his eyes vanished, leaving only the unwavering crimson that seemed to speak nothing but the truth. Unsure how to respond, she lowered her head slightly and gave the faintest nod.

“…I see.”

Her cheeks warmed with a sudden, inexplicable shyness, and she quickened her pace without another word.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

The moment she stepped into the auction hall, Evelyn was greeted by a space both resplendent and grand. She couldn’t help but glance around in awe, swallowing hard at its sheer scale. A thread of nervousness coiled within her since she had come here to seek new information.

‘This isn’t even mentioned in the original story.’

If fortune favored her, she might even get a lead on the forces behind Serpene.

With her resolve firm, she led the way toward the platinum seats.

From the lowest level of bronze, through silver and gold, she ascended at last to the highest tier, platinum. Unlike the lower floors, most nobles of platinum rank concealed their faces behind masks and heavy robes. After all, those who could afford such exorbitant membership fees were surely central or high-ranking nobles.

As her gaze swept across the hall, it landed upon several familiar faces.

Just as she had suspected, many of the conservative faction had come to Serpene. Although she had only circumstantial evidence, she couldn’t shake the thought that this place might serve as another gathering ground for them.

That would explain why the imperial court turned a blind eye to a black market flourishing in the very heart of the capital.