Chapter 155 – An Angel Who Has Lost His Wings

“Pardon? What do you mean, help…?”

Evelyn blinked rapidly, her eyes wide in surprise, and Khalid continued in a voice laced with quiet concern.

“Spring in the north can be as harsh as winter.”

He was suggesting that, rather than wait endlessly at the station for a carriage while the snowstorm raged, she should join him in his carriage. Truthfully, she had no reason to refuse his kindness. It was better to hasten on in the comfort of his carriage than stand shivering, waiting in vain.

Still, a pang of unease pricked her because it seemed she was always the one receiving his help.

When she hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers, Khalid added carefully.

“Please don’t feel burdened.”

He seemed almost as cautious in offering his aid as she was in accepting it.

‘It must be because of Axion.’

She could never quite understand why her fiancé bristled so violently at the mere sight of Khalid. Suppressing a sigh, she lifted her head and replied breezily.

“I’d be really grateful if you could do that for me!”

“…Is that so?”

The visible brightening of his expression was like sunlight breaking through clouds.

Ugh, it’s blinding!

Evelyn rubbed at her eyes at the fleeting halo that seemed to glow around him, then spoke again in a slightly embarrassed tone.

“What should I do? I always seem to be receiving help from you, Your Grace.”  

At the dessert fair, he had guided her through the crowd, and not long ago, in Vigo, he had even lent her a rare old book. Looking back, she seemed forever placed in situations where she owed him gratitude.

Still, Khalid only tilted his head slightly, offering a vague reply.

“I do it because I want to, my lady. Think nothing of it.”

Is this really okay?

Evelyn resolved that before long, she would find a way to repay him properly. Meanwhile, Gideon, who had been quietly listening to their conversation, whispered just loud enough for her to hear.

“It seems His Grace must be an angel who has lost his wings.”

“Are you blind? Can’t you see? He has wings right there.”

As she replied with a faint smile, his eyes then sparkled with awe.

“Ah! Now that you say it, I think I can see them too.”

Evelyn’s lips curved into a soft, satisfied smile.

However, there was one detail both of them overlooked.

Khalid could hear every word of their murmuring. While the tips of the man’s ears slowly flushed red, Evelyn remained oblivious, only giving a small, careless shrug.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

Clatter, clatter—

Duke Rikeran’s private carriage soon drew up to the central square of Rowendel. Fortunately, the snowfall had ceased along the way, allowing them to travel without further hindrance. True to its nature as a small town of ordinary folk, Rowendel exuded a peaceful and simple atmosphere.  

Having taken a disguise potion in the carriage earlier, her hair and eye color had already changed.  

Since this is the place where the heresy first arose, it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious.

With a solemn expression, Evelyn turned to Khalid and offered him a brief word of thanks.

“Thank you so much for bringing me this far.”  

“If you need any help, please don’t hesitate to let me know.”  

Since she couldn’t possibly ask him to help track down the heresy, she gave an awkward smile.

“Yes, I’ll remember that.”

But for some reason, why was it that from a moment ago she had felt a heavy presence lingering behind her? She stole a sidelong glance, uncertain whether it was only imagination.

It seemed she wasn’t the only one to notice. Unable to hold his tongue, Gideon leaned closer and murmured.

“My lady, doesn’t it seem His Grace’s destination is the same as ours?”

“…So you think so too?”

Evelyn didn’t know why Khalid was trying to find the cathedral in Rowendel.  

Could it be that His Grace has sensed something unusual as well?

Still, with nothing certain, she couldn’t ask outright.

At times like this, playing ignorant is the best strategy!

Or so she told herself, but her resolve kept wavering. After all, she had less than five hours left in Rowendel. She couldn’t help but think about the distance back to the capital, which would take hours even on the express train.  

In the end, she approached the man whose path had so coincidentally overlapped with her own.

“Your Grace, do you happen to know where Rowendel’s holy site is?”