Chapter 128

‘Is there really something she’s hiding?’

Evelyn’s expression stiffened slightly at the woman’s attitude, which felt almost like she was testing her. When she gave no reply, Dahlia gestured toward the grocer’s shop she had just left.

“Did you also stop by that store, Evelyn?”

The casual question only deepened her confusion. Was Dahlia truly curious, or was she deliberately testing her?

Unable to discern her intent, she simply lifted the paper packet she held and shook it lightly.

“Yes. A friend recommended some foreign herbs to me.”

For the briefest moment, a flicker of doubt crossed Dahlia’s face before vanishing almost instantly. She hurried to explain, as though anxious to erase any misunderstanding.

“Oh, please don’t take it the wrong way! I meant nothing by it, only that there are so many larger, more renowned shops nearby, and yet we happened upon the same one. I simply found it curious.”

Evelyn returned a bright smile, feigning ease.

“They say the flavors are wonderfully fragrant. You must try them sometime, Dahlia.”

When she effortlessly recommended a tea she thought would suit her, Dahlia’s expression wavered with uncertainty. But soon enough, she seemed to accept it, offering a gentle smile along with her thanks.

“I will, Evelyn. Thank you for the recommendation.”

As she watched the female lead continue on her way, Evelyn released a quiet breath she had been holding.

“Are you all right, my lady?”

When Gideon asked with concern, Evelyn pressed her lower lip between her teeth before nodding, her expression firming as she gathered her thoughts.

“Gideon, will you investigate Rowendel for me?”

“The region of Rowendel, my lady?”

“Yes. Investigate it discreetly.”

That region was none other than Dahlia Lorenheim’s homeland.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

When an unwelcome guest arrived at an early hour, Evelyn crossed her arms with a sullen expression. Clearly lacking even the smallest courtesy of a gentleman, he had called at a time so improper that she could only give a short, incredulous laugh after checking the hour.

“What brings you here so early in the morning?”

“You’re here?”

The only man who would appear unannounced at someone’s home and settle himself leisurely with the morning paper was, of course, her fiancé. Evelyn, weary from a restless night and her face unflatteringly swollen, self-consciously touched her cheek.

‘Maybe I should have listened to Larie and tried a cold compress.’

When she had attempted to leave her chambers looking like this, Larie couldn’t hold back a scream. Not that Axion was the sort to concern himself with his fiancée’s appearance, whatever state she might be in.

With narrowed eyes, Evelyn cast him a sidelong glance and sipped her tea.

“Our appointment was set for three this afternoon, was it not?”

As it was Sunday, they were meant to meet at a café for yet another of their obligatory outings. Wondering what scheme had brought him here early, she studied him closely.

Axion only gave a casual shrug before delivering, in a voice as velvety as it was dangerous, words that made her blink.

“That was the original plan. But today, we’re going on a date.”

Pffft—

Startled, Evelyn choked and coughed into her hand. He gave a languid sigh, as though genuinely regretful.

“Oh dear. Would you like a handkerchief?”

“No need. I have my own.”

With a grimace, she dabbed her lips with her handkerchief. In truth, not once in the past ten years had anything between them deserved to be called a date. It was a word so dreadful that no one dared to speak it aloud, as though it were a forbidden curse.

‘He really has been acting strangely lately, hasn’t he?’

It felt as though he were about to cross a line they had ever dared to approach. Was this what he had meant that day when he spoke of redefining their relationship? One by one, fragments of Axion’s past words came rushing back, and Evelyn’s heart tightened in her chest.

She was studying him with newfound seriousness when the man’s expression suddenly stiffened subtly. Following the direction of her fiancé’s gaze with a puzzled look, she soon felt her hand tremble faintly.

He was staring directly at her left hand, completely bare, with nothing adorning it.