Chapter 73 – I Suppose I Must Repay That Faith

Evelyn couldn’t find the words to respond. Ever since meeting her current family, saying ‘I’m fine’ had become something of a reflex, a habit born out of not wanting to let them down. Moistening her lower lip, she finally spoke, her voice soft.

“It was because of the necklace you gave me that I was able to stand my ground.”

She hadn’t simply confronted the crazed noble without a plan. She’d thought that if she stalled for time, it wouldn’t be long before her fiancé came to find her.

Axion lifted his head, his gaze settling on her.

“Did you actually trust me?”

“…Well, something like that.”

Although she managed a reply, Evelyn had to swallow a sigh at the tangle of emotions within her.

Axion, after watching her for a moment, murmured quietly.

“Then I suppose I must repay that faith.”

“…What?”

“I’ll be taking my leave, then.”

A subtle hint of amusement flickered behind the man’s dry tone. This time, unlike before, his smile seemed entirely genuine, free of any pretense.

︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵

“You’re not thinking of sneaking outside, are you, my lady?”

Larie entered the bedroom carrying a bouquet of flowers, her eyes narrowed suspiciously as she studied her lady.

“Where would I even go?”

Evelyn let out a shallow sigh at the sight of her maid, who had hardly left her side these past few days.

‘I’m not even unwell anymore. I’m really fine now…’

Ever since returning from the banquet, she had followed her fiancé’s advice and let the family physician examine her.

Despite the diagnosis being nothing more than a mild bruise, her parents had seemed ready to summon a priest on the spot to heal her. She’d had her hands full talking them out of it, and as a result, found herself confined to bedrest longer than she intended.

“Oh, and about the Young Lord Valentino.”

At the sudden mention of her fiancé, she tilted her head in curiosity.

“Axion? What about him?”

“He sent flowers today.”

Larie answered brightly, passing her a bouquet of daisies.

Evelyn, caught off guard, found herself cradling the armful of flowers, her gaze lingering on the blooms.

‘I really am fine now.’

Ever since the unexpected incident at the last banquet, Axion had sent her gifts nearly every day. It seemed her fiancé was genuinely concerned for her well-being. Lately, however, his days had grown even busier because, during the interrogation of the young lord who had disgraced himself that night, something completely unexpected came to light.

Unable to withstand the questioning, he tried to confess, but it was as if he’d been caught by a spell binding, he collapsed, white foam spilling from his lips. It was only afterward that they discovered a strange formula inscribed around his neck, its origin unknown.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, the Valentino family requested the help of the imperial investigators.

If there was one thing that weighed on her mind… it was that the formula bore the marks of sorcery.

‘Who on earth would dare use forbidden magic?’

Sorcery, a power born from curses, was considered taboo in the Baltian Empire, much like black magic. Since the original story offered little detail about sorcerers, Evelyn resolved to investigate further.

‘I can only hope it’s nothing serious…’

As she stifled a quiet sigh, Larie, who had been studying the bouquet, gave a small, knowing chuckle.

“He’s sent you daisies again, just like always.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“You didn’t know?”

Larie blinked rapidly, as if genuinely surprised.

“Every year, when the daisies bloom, he’s always sent them around your birthday, my lady.”

Daisies, which blossom in early spring, were also Evelyn’s birth flower. Although the season was still late winter, it wouldn’t be long before the freshness of spring arrived. She had received daisies as a gift each late winter… but only because her fiancé wished to keep up appearances, or so she believed.

She couldn’t imagine Axion being so attentive as to care about such things. The very idea made goosebumps prickle up her arms.

‘Ugh, I shouldn’t have let my imagination run wild.’

Evelyn, making a wry face, shook her head firmly.

“Oh, he’s not nearly that thoughtful.”

She was sure Axion had chosen daisies simply because they happened to be her favorite flower, nothing more. On the other hand, Larie, hearing her lady’s dismissive words, looked a little put out as if frustrated by her stubbornness.

“But from where I stand, he really seems to be…”

Not taking her maid’s words too seriously, Evelyn handed her the bouquet.

“Could you put these in water before the daisies wilt?”

“Yes, my lady! Just a moment.”