HSFCWH 34

Chapter 34

Rosie slowly caught her breath and glared at Evelyn.
In the end, she was losing to her again.
Frustration welled up inside her.

“Rosie, it’s okay if you hate me. This isn’t about helping me. It’s about saving the entire continent.”

Rosie grew even angrier at Evelyn’s words, as if she could see right through her.

“Fine. Like you said, it must be true that the North needs help if we’re to save the continent.”

If the Evil God really did resurrect, then it was necessary to help the North, which would be the front line of defense.

And to support the existence called the Hero.

Rosie’s eyes dulled.

Evelyn was always the main character.

It was unbearably horrible, but this time, lives were at stake.

“I’m not helping you. I’m doing it for the people.”

“Okay.”

Evelyn nodded at Rosie, whose voice had finally cracked.

It didn’t matter if Rosie hated her. As long as she could protect the people—and the North.

Evelyn stood up to see Rosie off.

“If I agree to your request, then you need to do something for me too.”

“Rosie, this isn’t a deal.”

Evelyn had no reason to agree to Rosie’s request. That girl was simply reaping the consequences of her own actions.

“I promise I won’t make you regret it.”

But Evelyn let out a soft sigh as Rosie opened her mouth with an expression as if she was barely holding something in.

“What is it?”

“Help me become independent from my family.”

Evelyn couldn’t respond for a moment—Rosie’s request had been completely unexpected.

“Please. I’m begging you.”

***

“You agreed to sponsor Lady Clover? Even though the Count’s family is wealthy? What on earth are they lacking?”

Tinya exploded with frustration when she heard that Lady Clover had visited Evelyn.

It was obvious that girl was just jealous of the lady sponsored by the Grand Duke and came to cause trouble—how could Evelyn agree to help her?

“That’s why I’m sponsoring her personally.”

Evelyn had no intention of giving a single penny to the Clover Count family. The Count, just like Rosie, had always disrespected her parents.

But now Rosie wanted to become independent from that family.

Since she hadn’t become a knight or an administrator, Rosie had no way to leave her family except through marriage.

Evelyn never expected the chance to turn Rosie’s heart around and finally get back at her for all the contempt she’d endured.

“Just give her the smallest amount, okay?”

“Pfft. Got it.”

Evelyn burst into laughter at Tinya’s sulking face. She liked how Tinya always got angry on her behalf.

Even if there had been some misunderstanding, if Rosie could fulfill her role and shift the capital’s public opinion, a little support wouldn’t be a problem.

If she could sway people’s hearts with a small amount of money, Evelyn was even willing to spread her funds wider.

“Send this to the Count’s family.”

It’s done.

Finally finished!

She had completed all the paperwork that needed to be handed over to her brother.

“You look so happy?”

Tinya asked as she saw Evelyn unable to hide her smile.

“Because I don’t have to work anymore!”

“But you still have to take on the duties of the Grand Duchess in the North, right?”

Evelyn paused at Tinya’s words. Was she supposed to do that? It was a contract marriage, and she was planning to focus on training to fulfill her role as a Hero.

“You weren’t planning to skip out on it, were you? If you don’t take hold of power, you might be treated poorly in the North. The Grand Duke won’t just let that happen!”

Tinya believed that, even if it was a contract marriage, the Grand Duke would treat Evelyn fairly.

After all, wasn’t power the main concern of a noble family?

“You even received the key.”

“……”

Evelyn fell silent at Tinya’s puzzled tilt of her head.

The day after their wedding night, Evelyn had received the key to the Grand Duke’s treasure vault—right in front of the household staff.

As she accepted the golden key, she’d broken out in a cold sweat from their sparkling, excited gazes.

“He only proposed to me because I’m a Sword Master. As long as I fulfill that role, that’s enough. I don’t expect anything more.”

“There’s no way that’s all. The Grand Duke clearly cares about you!”

Tinya shook her head, thinking of the longing gaze the Grand Duke had given Evelyn. It couldn’t be just duty.

But Evelyn had no intention of getting involved in the affairs of the Grand Duke’s household.

In the long run, that was the right thing to do.

Once she defeated the Evil God, she might divorce him. It was a marriage without love, and once their goals were achieved, it would be best to go their separate ways.

Love? With him?

The very thought was absurd.

Even now, he used a sweet tone of voice, but his eyes were cold.

Tinya said he looked at her differently than at others—but Evelyn knew the truth.

She had to be careful not to get the wrong idea.

As she watched Tinya leave for the Count’s house, Evelyn silently made that resolve.

***

“What are you doing, sir?”

Princess Isabel naturally held out her arm, and Leonel awkwardly lifted the corners of his mouth.

“What brings you to the Count’s estate?”

“Didn’t I tell you to be my partner today?”

Cough. Cough.

A few servants gasped and started coughing in surprise. Seeing the princess’s cold gaze, Leonel motioned them to leave.

All he had done was escort her briefly at Evelyn’s wedding, but ever since then, the princess had called on him at every party and event she attended.

Rumors were now spreading across high society that the princess had given up on the Grand Duke and was now aiming for Count Barrett’s son.

“I’m here to see my sister off.”

Today was the day Evelyn was leaving for the North. Leonel had politely declined the invitation and sent his regrets.

He didn’t expect the princess to show up at the Count’s estate herself.

“Did you now?”

Her face betrayed no interest at all, and Leonel gave a helpless laugh. The princess stared at him intently.

“Well, it can’t be helped. I’ll join you for the send-off and then we’ll go to the gathering together.”

“Pardon?”

“You can’t be my partner dressed like that. Go change.”

“Princess, I don’t have—”

Time, he was about to say. But at her expectant look that said “Well, what are you waiting for?”, Leonel let out a shallow sigh.

“Tamy, please explain to my parents and ask for their understanding.”

“Yes!”

Tamy, who had been secretly peeking at the princess, quickly left the drawing room.

“Please wait just a moment.”

“I think navy blue would look good today.”

As he was just about to step out the door, the princess casually added that, and Leonel couldn’t help but let out a wry smile.

Hmmm.

Not bad.

Isabel looked over Leonel, now dressed in a formal suit, evaluating him from head to toe.

Her father had instructed her to look into matters in the North, and the easiest way was to go through Count Barrett’s family.

The marriage between the Grand Duke and Evelyn Barrett had far too many suspicious elements.

And the most annoying one of all was Rosie Clover.

For some reason, she had suddenly attached herself to that woman and was now actively supporting the North.

Rosie never moved unless it benefited her—something had to be going on in the North.

“Is something wrong?”

As Isabel was lost in thought, Leonel gently called out to her.

“Oh, um. No, you look fine.”

Isabel nearly gasped at his soft smile and glittering eyes but held it in.

Why does he look so gentle?

No wonder young ladies always try to flirt with him so easily. Tsk.

She took his hand. It was large and firm. She’d thought this before, but—his physique really was…

Wait, what was she thinking?

Shaking off her wandering thoughts, Isabel raised her chin and walked confidently.

***

“Princess Isabel??”

Standing in front of the teleportation circle at the Mage Tower, ready to leave for the North, Evelyn blinked in surprise.

She thought only her family would come to see her off, but there was an unexpected guest.

“Grand Duchess, thank you for choosing to go to the North. The empire is safe because of the North.”

Before Evelyn’s family had the chance to begin their farewells, the princess took Evelyn’s hand and greeted her first.

As the highest-ranking person present, it was only proper.

“Thank you.”

Evelyn glanced awkwardly between her brother and the princess as she nodded. Her brother, caught under her gaze, looked away with a guilty expression.

No way…

Suspicious, Evelyn narrowed her eyes. Her brother, standing behind the princess, shook his head furiously.

“I’ll come visit you in the North soon.”

Leonel gripped his sister’s hand tightly. Then he bowed to the Grand Duke, asking him to take good care of her.

“Evelyn, wherever you are, always put your happiness first.”

The Countess embraced her daughter.

“I wish you and the Grand Duke happiness. May the guidance of the gods be with you always.”

From behind, Elliot quietly observed Princess Isabel as she watched the Count family say their goodbyes.

Why is she hanging around my son?

The Emperor had clearly stated he would marry her off to someone else—and that someone couldn’t possibly be the Barrett boy.