Chapter 32
“Not bad for someone like Evelyn. Try it next time you hunt a monster. You’ll share the results with me, right?”
It seemed that a magician would die if they were stripped of their curiosity. Despite just being in a precarious situation, Raven asked with a desperate voice.
“You’re not even surprised that I’m the Hero?”
“The gods will do as they will. How could a foolish human fathom the will of a god?”
“You’re quite faithful for an atheist. I couldn’t believe it at all.”
The frustration from not being able to confide in anyone was lightened a bit.
“My friend is a Hero, huh. Then was that curse of yours a trial?”
Evelyn chuckled at the plausible guess. The only thing that had changed was her status as a Hero, yet the idea that she couldn’t possibly be cursed was oddly amusing.
“Something like that. It’s more like harassment from an evil god.”
“It’s still strange that you’re the Hero. With that soft personality, can you really lead people?”
“I’m focusing on defeating the evil god first. The Grand Duke said he’d help with the rest.”
“…You as the great Hero… What a bleak future.”
Raven squinted at Evelyn, then shook his head slowly.
“Should I be glad the Grand Duke took you in? Or should I thank him for voluntarily choosing to suffer?”
At Raven’s grave tone, Evelyn grabbed a cushion and threw it at him.
With a thud, the sofa cushion hit the shield Raven had put up and fell to the floor.
“The Hero hits people now?”
“A mage on the verge of becoming 7th Circle is barely even human.”
Evelyn snorted and crossed her arms.
“Anyway, you’ll be joining me as a companion, right?”
“I’ll have to think about it.”
“I’m the Hero and you’re not going to be my companion?”
Isn’t that obvious?
Where Evelyn went, Raven always followed.
“What, just because I became the Hero, you’re thinking of leaving me?”
“I don’t want to save people.”
Evelyn’s mouth dropped open at Raven’s firm expression.
“As a member of the Mage Tower, I’ll do my best. But I don’t want to stand on the frontlines for the sake of others. And I absolutely refuse to be the one to give the Hendrick family more prestige.”
His red eyes didn’t waver in the slightest.
“Should I just wipe out the Hendrick family first?”
Evelyn gritted her teeth. Damn Hendrick.
She realized then—Raven truly had no interest in saving people.
Was he thinking there’s no one worth protecting in this world?
Because he had no one dear to him?
“Can’t you fight for your bright future?”
Evelyn asked, dumbfounded.
“If you can’t kill the evil god anyway, it’s all over. What’s the point?”
“You pessimistic jerk. You’re always holed up in the lab, no wonder your thoughts are so gloomy.”
Evelyn huffed loudly and jumped to her feet.
“How can you say you have no one precious to you!”
“How on earth did you get to that conclusion?”
Raven jumped at her sudden outburst.
“There’s me, the Tower Master, all the other mages in the tower! And even a few minor acquaintances!”
As Evelyn’s face turned red, Raven shook his head.
“It’s not that I don’t have anyone I care about. I just don’t feel the need to step forward.”
“You really need your head rewired.”
“You could just say you’re sad I’m not joining you.”
“Fine, I’m sad.”
She didn’t even hesitate.
Raven shut his mouth at the sight of her golden eyes filled with genuine disappointment.
“…Alright.”
“You’ll come with me?”
“No. I meant I’ll think about it a little more.”
Raven sighed as he saw her eyes curve into a hopeful smile. When Evelyn’s nagging soon followed, he fled the capital as if escaping.
***
“Your Grace, Lady Clover is requesting an audience.”
“…”
“Your Grace?”
Evelyn snapped back to attention at the cautious call. She hadn’t realized they were addressing her.
The title “Grand Duchess” still didn’t feel natural.
She thought they would leave for the North right after the wedding, but due to the Grand Duke—no, Elliot’s schedule, they had remained in the capital for a week.
As a result, Evelyn had been staying at the Grand Duke’s mansion in the capital, growing sick of the endless stream of audience requests.
“She came again today?”
“Yes, she’s waiting in the reception room downstairs.”
“Sigh…”
The deep sigh drew a puzzled look from her maid. The relationship between the two women was infamous in the capital.
Sweet and kind Lady Rosie Clover versus cursed Evelyn Barrett.
Lady Clover was said to be trying her best to include Lady Barrett in the social circle, and Lady Barrett was known to always refuse.
But maybe that wasn’t the truth?
After witnessing the Grand Duchess being carried into the wedding hall by the Grand Duke, the mansion staff had erased all previous rumors from their minds.
Our Grand Duke has changed!
Never before had the Duke looked so distressed over someone possibly getting hurt.
Some suspected that Evelyn had brainwashed the Duke with a curse, but that theory quickly faded.
The Grand Duchess, whom they met in person, was calm and dignified. Surely, she had a good reason for rejecting Lady Clover.
Ceryl, who had been urgently assigned as the Grand Duchess’s personal maid from the North, respectfully waited for her answer.
“I’ll go.”
Evelyn had planned to ignore Rosie completely, but she suddenly thought of the rumors that would spread if she didn’t.
[Lady Evelyn, now a Graham, openly snubs Lady Clover.]
The tabloids would love such a juicy headline. With a reluctant expression, Evelyn headed to the reception room.
Spending time with Rosie, who only ever used their meetings to hurt her, felt like a waste.
Even though her business with the count’s household was almost finished, Evelyn was busier than ever.
She needed to forge strong ties now with people who could help her in the future fight against the evil god.
It felt pathetic to think that even personal relationships had to be formed for a purpose.
She couldn’t help but feel bitter—if not for being the Grand Duchess, no one would’ve shown her any goodwill.
‘Still, I’ll approach them sincerely.’
To Elliot, who seemed ready to give her everything… to those who approached her with ulterior motives… she wanted to do her best.
So that she wouldn’t be disappointed later.
So that she wouldn’t get hurt.
Not just to defeat the evil god—but to truly form bonds.
Evelyn wrinkled her nose slightly.
She had never made friends before, but they said sincerity would always reach people.
Standing before the reception room door, she took a moment to collect herself. Rosie’s scornful face floated into her mind.
‘Why does she even want to meet me?’
She had heard the Clover Count was greedy. Rumor had it he was constantly broke from failed business ventures.
But was he so desperate that he needed to use his estranged daughter’s old friend?
Then again, Evelyn was the Grand Duchess now. It was understandable that people would scramble to connect with her.
“Shall I open the door?”
A servant waiting beside her asked cautiously.
“Do it.”
To face her childhood friend who had bullied her for years, Evelyn raised her chin and stepped boldly inside.
Rosie, who had been biting her lip in the reception room, flinched when she saw Evelyn walk in.
It wasn’t the timid, small girl she remembered—this Evelyn walked with strength and confidence. Even her dress was no ordinary outfit.
Despite being a casual dress, the sheen of the fabric made Rosie almost gape.
The days when everything beautiful and nice belonged to her were gone.
There were now many in the world greater than her.
That time when she was always the best had passed—but standing in front of Evelyn still filled her with frustration and resentment.
Rosie clasped her hands together and rose, like someone overcome with emotion.
Her eyes flicked to the maids and attendants standing nearby.
None of them looked like loose talkers.
“Thank you for granting me an audience. You must be busy—I hope I’m not bothering you?”
She spoke with teary eyes, and Evelyn nodded.
“I’ve been very busy lately. I’m sorry I couldn’t see you sooner.”
“I’m the one who should apologize, for bothering you despite knowing how busy you are.”
Rosie’s clasped hands tightened. It was always Evelyn who looked pitiful and resentful, but now…
Rosie suppressed the burning anger rising inside. She had been sending letters asking to meet since before the wedding, all ignored.
If Evelyn had rejected her again today, she had planned to weep at the next social gathering—but, unfortunately, Evelyn had granted her the meeting.
