<CHAPTER 8>
So You Can’t Run Away
Evelyn swallowed a sigh inwardly at the subtle gazes of the nobles.
How could I refuse when Aksion publicly asked for the first dance?
“Don’t blame me if you regret it.”
At her words, the man merely pulled at the corner of his lips elegantly instead of answering.
Soon, on the dance floor where a variation piece flowed, the two received the dance steps together.
Evelyn repeatedly admired his skilled lead that concealed her shortcomings in dancing.
“Wow, it seems like you’ve improved.”
Even if she didn’t like Aksion, his dancing skills were undeniably outstanding.
I should at least admit what deserves to be acknowledged.
At her rare praise, Aksion gave a small shrug.
“I don’t really have a choice if I don’t want to be a burden to you.”
In that moment, the fleeting thought that her fiancé seemed a little different today completely disappeared.
As Evelyn glanced at him briefly, Aksion’s gaze shifted somewhere else.
For a moment, his expression subtly stiffened, and then he pulled her closer by the waist.
Was this originally part of the choreography?
Puzzled by the sudden closeness, Evelyn tilted her head and followed his gaze.
Then she finally discovered the Emperor watching them from not too far away.
Even though it was clearly a tense situation, perhaps thanks to Valentino’s protection, she felt slightly reassured.
I didn’t expect Aksion to be this considerate.
With a somewhat surprised look, Evelyn asked casually.
“No way… did you ask me to dance to help me?”
At her bold question, the man let out a soft laugh.
Then he lowered his head and murmured quietly.
“I just made sure you couldn’t run away.”
You really are something.
A faint, helpless smile slipped onto Evelyn’s lips, thinking that he was just like her fiancé after all.
As she bickered with him as usual, the tension she had been holding onto seemed to melt away.
***
Only late at night did Evelyn return to the Marquis Marshall residence, finishing her bath and leaning by the window.
The cool breeze coming through the open window made her pull the blanket closer around herself.
I thought I’d be fine…
Perhaps because it had been a long day, she needed time to sort out her restless thoughts.
Closing her eyes gently, she recalled the original story where the Emperor took the lives of countless Inevassel territory residents.
Taking advantage of the chaos that followed, the Imperial Family fabricated evidence of treason against the family.
They even framed a member of the family as the one who spread deadly poison throughout the territory.
In the end, the future where every member of the Inevassel family was executed was nothing short of dreadful.
“I won’t just sit back and watch.”
Now that Evelyn had come of age, she could free herself from many of the restrictions surrounding her.
That was why she intended not only to continue her secret research on antidotes but also to involve herself in family affairs and gradually tighten the noose around the Emperor.
Thinking of everything she had carefully prepared, a faint smile formed on her lips.
Then her gaze suddenly landed on the dressing table.
The ruby bracelet she had yet to place in the jewelry box was shining brilliantly.
I can’t believe the day would come when I’d receive help from Aksion.
Recalling what happened at the banquet hall, Evelyn scratched her cheek awkwardly.
Then and now, he was the only one who truly understood her temperament.
With a faint, ambiguous smile on her lips, she reminisced about her childhood.
***
Ten-year-old Evelyn was a rather self-centered girl.
Perhaps because the Marquis and Marchioness of Inevassel had doted on her endlessly, her arrogance seemed to reach the sky.
She believed she was the best among her peers and that she was always right.
Worried about their daughter, the Marquis of Inevassel repeatedly reminded her.
“You understand, Apolin? When the young Duke Valentino arrives today, you must get along with him.”
Despite his concerned words, Evelyn tilted her head arrogantly with a displeased expression.
“Father, I don’t want to get along with that child.”
Maxion Valentino, whom she had met just a few days ago, was a child from the family with whom marriage talks were ongoing.
Thinking he might become her fiancé, she had tried to intimidate him and send him back to the Duke’s residence.
“What are you looking at? Want me to gouge your eyes out?”
“Why don’t you try looking at the ground instead?”
When he retorted without hesitation, she had been left speechless.
It was the first time her pride had been hurt by someone her own age.
Moreover, since she had been a commoner until just a few years ago, noble society still didn’t feel very real to her.
Thanks to her biological father, a powerful figure among the rapidly rising bourgeoisie, she had grown up freely in a wealthy environment.
But isn’t this different from what my parents said?
Her parents had said one should meet someone they truly love as a life partner, but the nobles didn’t seem to be like that at all.
Recently, the gossip magazines she had started reading were always filled with scandals among nobles.
“Did something happen between you and the young Duke?”
The Marquis asked carefully, his expression not very bright, as if he were worried about something.
At that, Evelyn shook her head and answered calmly.
“No, nothing happened between us.”
She had thought about saying she didn’t want the engagement, but she didn’t want to trouble her parents.
Still, unable to hold back her curiosity, she asked her father.
“But why the Valentino Ducal House?”
She wondered why someone with such a bad personality was being considered as her fiancé.
At that moment, a trace of sadness flickered in the Marquis’s green eyes before disappearing.
He hesitated for a moment before speaking in a way his young daughter could understand.
“I can’t explain the details, but it will be of great help to you in the future.”
Helpful to me…?
For some reason, just the thought of it made Evelyn feel displeased, and she pouted.
Even if she didn’t like it, since her parents wanted it, she decided to deal with the young Duke Valentino just this once.
Heading toward the garden where the evening light had settled, Evelyn spotted a boy already waiting on the terrace.
Sensing her presence, Aksion looked at her with an indifferent gaze.
Startled, Evelyn hesitated before greeting him.
“Eternal glory to the Valtian Empire. Greetings to the young Duke Valentino.”
The boy also stood and returned the greeting politely.
“Eternal glory to the Valtian Empire. Greetings to the young lady of Inevassel.”
After the greeting, Evelyn awkwardly took a seat across from him.
With a slightly haughty expression, she sipped the cocoa placed before her and spoke.
“I behaved rudely last time.”
At that, the boy raised an eyebrow slightly before replying calmly.
“You don’t need to worry about it.”
Thinking he seemed fairly mature for his age, Evelyn gave a small nod.
Mother and Father definitely wanted me to get along with him.
Since she had made a mistake before, she decided to generously extend her hand first.
“Ahem, I’ll make a special exception and be your friend.”
Since they might end up engaged, she thought it wouldn’t be bad to get to know each other first.
Then, unexpectedly, the boy curved his lips slightly and spoke in a low voice.
“No.”
“What…?”
Caught off guard by his answer, Evelyn blinked in confusion.
Did I hear that wrong?
As if confirming it, Aksion rested his chin on one hand and replied indifferently.
“I said no.”
Evelyn’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s.
It was the first time someone had rejected her goodwill so casually.
She had no intention of clinging to someone who didn’t want her, but she still needed to know why.
Clenching both hands on her lap, she asked in a slightly sharp voice.
“Why not?”
The boy, looking momentarily annoyed, answered dryly.
“I don’t need friends.”
Well, that makes two of us.
Feeling a bit awkward, a small hope soon formed in Evelyn’s heart.
Perhaps Aksion felt the same way she did.
“Then… are you not going to get engaged to me?”
