Chapter 45 – I Didn’t See a Thing

Evelyn explained to her brother, as calmly as she could, that there were perfectly reasonable circumstances leading up to this moment. Even so, Viaton didn’t look convinced in the slightest.

‘Of all the people who could have walked in, why did it have to be my brother?’

She thought while inwardly cursing her luck. She knew she couldn’t just let him walk away, especially not with that mouth of his.

“Hey, come on, say something.”

She urged, shooting a pointed glare at her fiancé. At last, Axion, who had been standing there silently, parted his lips to speak.

“Brother, I’d appreciate it if you could keep this matter as quiet as possible.”

“What…?”

Viaton raised an eyebrow as if he had just heard something utterly preposterous. Still, Axion gently slipped his arm around Evelyn’s shoulders and continued speaking.

“It’s just that, for now, we’re not comfortable with drawing too much attention.”

Seriously, was this really the kind of thing he should say all shy and bashful? Evelyn could only shake her head at her fiancé’s shameless performance.

Looking at her with a suddenly gentle gaze, Axion added, a faint smile playing at his lips.

“As you can see, Evelyn is quite embarrassed as well.”

‘Huh? When was I?!’

Her face crumpled at those ridiculous words as though she had just heard complete nonsense. Even though she shot him a reproachful look, Axion, utterly unfazed, asked in an overly gentle voice.

“Isn’t that right, Evelyn?”

His crimson eyes gleamed as if urging her to cooperate, and she gave a reluctant nod.

“…I suppose you could say that.”

It was maddening to take part in such a farcical act, but right now, smoothing things over took priority. Besides, given how much her brother valued loyalty, she could only hope he would turn a blind eye to all this. She wanted to believe he would.

“Brother, you’ll understand, won’t you?”

Perhaps her plea got through, because Viaton cleared his throat and finally spoke.

“Ahem. I didn’t see a thing.”

‘Finally!’

He glanced at his little sister, then winked at her before adding.

“Well then, enjoy yourselves.”

‘Enjoy ourselves? What utter nonsense…’

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

The soft morning sunlight spilled into the toilette room.

Evelyn, dressed more neatly than usual, was checking her appearance in front of the vanity.

Larie, who had quietly helped her prepare for her outing, stood at her lady’s side with her head tilted in curiosity.

“My lady, if I may ask, where are you headed today?”

“I’m planning to visit the orphanage. It’s been a while.”

A gentle smile touched Evelyn’s lips, and her maid let out a faint sigh as though she was suddenly reminded of something.

“Ah, you mean the place you sponsor?”

Ever since discovering she had been reincarnated inside a novel, she had quietly supported one particular orphanage. Most nobles, seeking to advertise their good deeds, preferred to frequent the capital or well-known institutions nearby. However, she had chosen a modest orphanage on the outskirts of the city, far from society’s gaze.

She didn’t stop at sending donations, either. She regularly visited to volunteer her time, just as her own parents had done long ago, though the memory was now faint.

“Are you sure you’ll be alright, my lady? The place is rather far and the road isn’t easy.”

Larie fretted, unable to hide her concern for her lady, who always seemed to choose the more difficult path.

At her maid’s words, Evelyn gave a small shrug and replied in a deliberately cheerful voice.

“I haven’t been able to visit for a while. I should go before things get even busier.”

Of course, there was another reason she needed to visit the orphanage, but that was something she kept to herself.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

Stepping down from the carriage with the help of her escort knight, Evelyn gazed at the orphanage with quiet satisfaction.

Perhaps her wish for the children to grow up in a comfortable environment had finally come true. The orphanage, which just a few years ago had struggled to stay afloat, was now so well-kept that it was hard to believe it had ever known hardship.

“Shall we unload everything, my lady?”

At Gideon’s question, Evelyn glanced at the Inevasel family’s baggage cart, piled high with supplies for the children.

She nodded and replied.

“Yes, please do.”

As the servants began to unload the cart, the headmistress of the orphanage approached, a warm smile on her face.

“It’s been too long, my lady.”

The director, whose gentle manner always left a good impression, took Evelyn’s hand in both of hers, sharing a moment of warmth.