Chapter 47 – I’m Rather Fond of Them Myself

‘Why is Khalid here?’

Evelyn hadn’t expected to run into Khalid on the outskirts of the capital, not in the slightest. In the original story, there was never any mention of the male lead visiting the orphanage to begin with. She tilted her head in puzzlement but soon accepted it.

‘Well, perhaps it was simply something left unexplained.’

With that, she began to walk toward the tree where Khalid and Jactor were waiting. Whatever his reason for being here, she also had business with the boy.

Yet, for some reason, Khalid failed to notice her approaching. It was almost as if someone had gone out of their way to erase any sign of her presence. If anything, it seemed only Jactor sensed she was there. Otherwise, there’d be no reason for them to so deliberately avoid her gaze.

It looked as though the boy, seeing a stranger drawing near, had hastily thrown up a barrier.

“He really does remind me of Axion when he was young.”

When Axion was a child, he, too, would use concealment magic whenever he sensed someone approaching. Yet, there was a critical flaw in this spell. Anyone not immune to magic, even if they were within the barrier, would be just as oblivious to presences as those outside it.

“So, he already knows how to cast this kind of spell?”

Evelyn couldn’t help but admire the skill and soon began carefully inspecting the leaves scattered on the ground. After all, she had been tracking down her fiancé since childhood, her experience in such matters wasn’t to be underestimated.

‘Let’s see… the way to break the barrier is…’

Before long, she spotted a leaf marked with a magic formula. She split the leaf in two, and as she did, the barrier surrounding Khalid and Jactor slowly began to dissipate, then vanished entirely.

“Lady Inevasel…?”

Khalid finally noticed her and looked utterly taken aback. Jactor, too, seemed quite flustered that his barrier had been undone so easily.

Evelyn scratched her cheek, then offered a polite greeting.

“I didn’t expect to meet you here, Duke Rikeran.”

“I had no idea you would visit the orphanage, my lady.”

Descending from beneath the tree, he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. His blue eyes trembled ever so slightly, and she allowed a faint smile.

“I’ve been supporting this place for several years now.”

“Ah, I see. This is actually my first time here.”

Khalid explained that he had come across the orphanage by chance while returning from a business trip to the capital. It seemed there was a reason for all the unfamiliar faces at the orphanage today, after all.

While Evelyn was briefly lost in thought, a gentle voice drifted over from the man beside her.

“It seems you’re rather fond of children, my lady.”

“Oh, absolutely! They’re all so adorable!”

She nodded without hesitation, her clear voice bright with sincerity. At first, it was true that she’d begun supporting the orphanage for her own reasons, but now, she was more earnest than anyone in wishing for the children to grow up well.

As a small smile curved her lips, Khalid’s own expression softened with warmth.

“In that case, I suppose I’ll have to visit more often.”

“Pardon…?”

Evelyn tilted her head, puzzled by his unexpected words. Khalid looked at her with eyes warm as sunlight, and continued.

“I’m rather fond of them myself.”

It was the sort of remark one could easily misunderstand, wasn’t it? Perhaps it was simply that those words, coming from a man whose face could be considered a crime, sounded all the more convincing.

‘Right. This is exactly why he’s the male lead.’

If any other woman had overheard him just then, she would surely have gotten the wrong idea. Of course, how could they not?

As Evelyn gave an awkward, bashful smile, Jactor leapt nimbly down from the tree above. The boy’s bright, curious eyes widened as he hurriedly asked her.

“How did you notice?”

It seemed her ability to notice his concealment magic had piqued his curiosity.

‘Oh? That’s unexpected good luck.’

Gazing fondly at the forthright child, Evelyn let out a soft, amused chuckle. Then, she bent her knees just a little and offered a polite greeting.

“Hello there. My name is Evelyn Inevasel.”

After all, a warm smile and a proper introduction were essential for a first meeting.