Chapter 50

“Hmm? Do I have something on my face?”

When she quickly brushed her cheek in confusion, Khalid gave a faint smile and shook his head.

“It’s nothing at all.”

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

After spending the afternoon with the children, giving them her full attention and energy, Evelyn stretched her stiff limbs and let out a small yawn. Evening was fast approaching, and she intended to return to the marquis’ estate before it grew any later.

‘I did send an urgent message to my parents…’

Though they always supported and trusted her, she wasn’t confident about this particular decision. After all, bringing one of her sponsored children to the manor had been entirely her own doing, so she was prepared for a scolding. Of course, she would never dream of bringing shame to her family.

Quite the opposite, if anything.

Sending Jactor ahead to the carriage, Evelyn lingered behind to exchange a few last words with the orphanage director. As she finally rose to leave the office, she was startled to find a familiar silhouette leaning against the corridor wall.

“Your Grace, you haven’t left yet?”

She asked, her voice betraying her surprise.

“I was waiting.”

“For me…?”

A flicker of uncertainty passed through her green eyes.

Khalid gazed at her quietly for a moment, then glanced out the window.

“It’s getting late. Allow me to escort you to your carriage.”

Following his gaze, Evelyn saw the sky now awash in the glow of sunset. She had brought along a magic device just in case, but it seemed she might have to use a portal to return to the manor after all.

While she was lost in thought for a moment, Khalid spoke up, his voice somewhat subdued.

“Is it… that I’m making you uncomfortable?”

“Oh, no! Not at all.”

Evelyn stammered, flustered by his sudden question. In her haste to reply, she couldn’t help but stumble over her words. For some reason, Khalid’s expression seemed even gloomier than before.

‘I can’t just send away someone who had waited for me…’

Unable to refuse his kindness, she gave a small nod.

“In that case, would you mind escorting me just as far as the carriage?”

At her words, Khalid’s face brightened, and a gentle smile appeared on his lips.

“Shall we go, my lady?”

Since the carriage was waiting in the orphanage’s courtyard, she doubted anything out of the ordinary would happen. But as they stepped outside, she noticed several children lingering at the edge of the courtyard, and a look of puzzlement crossed her face.

“Is something the matter?”

“We should hurry and see.”

Khalid replied, his tone suddenly serious as if sensing something unusual. When the two of them hurried over to where the children were gathered—

“Huh?”

Evelyn’s eyes widened in surprise. She rubbed her eyes lightly and stared at the figure before her.

How strange. There’s no way her fiancé could be here…

‘Am I starting to see things now?’

As her expression grew more troubled, a familiar voice called out from across the way.

“What are you doing, Evelyn?”

“Y-You…!”

Her eyes widened again, lantern-bright, as she hurriedly demanded of her fiancé,

“Axion, what are you doing here?”

At her flustered tone, Axion’s mouth curved into a lazy smirk.

“Because I wanted to see you.”

His words sounded rather romantic, but his tone was as dry as ever.

‘Honestly, don’t say such dreadful things with a straight face!’

Evelyn longed to scold him on the spot, but with so many eyes watching, she held herself back. Were the children’s eyes sparkling even more now than when they’d been watching the puppet show, or was she imagining things?

Khalid, who had been observing the two of them, offered a polite greeting.

“It’s been a while, Lord Valentino.”

“I didn’t expect we’d meet again so soon.”

Axion gave a brief nod, lifting one corner of his mouth in a faint, crooked smile.

‘Why do I feel like this has happened before?’

Evelyn, feeling oddly uneasy, let out a shallow sigh.

Just then, his red eyes found hers.

“I heard something strange.”

“What… did you hear?”

Not knowing what her fiancé might say next, tension flickered in her green eyes. At that moment, a child who had been staring up at them tilted their head and chimed into the conversation.

“Huh? I thought your boyfriend was that man over there, not him, Sister?”