🌷 Chapter Seven –
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“I thought you were just playing around for a bit, but it seems your skills have improved quite a lot.”
“Some of my skills have sharpened, but yours, Mother, seem to have declined considerably.”
Karina’s eyebrows twitched at Arsyn’s teasing remark.
“You’re quite the arrogant one.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Karina clicked her tongue briefly and lowered her sword.
Only then did Arsyn lower his as well.
As the tense atmosphere gradually eased, Evelina—who had been watching the two with growing concern—approached them.
When Arsyn saw her coming, he smiled broadly, hiding the sword behind his back.
“Evelina, did you come because you were worried about me?”
“No, Arsyn. My little one came because she was worried about me.”
Feeling embarrassed, Evelina dropped her gaze to the floor.
She hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked,
“Are… are you both alright? Any injuries? Even a slight cut from the sword?”
Karina chuckled and answered the question brimming with concern.
“There’s no way I’d get hurt by this child’s sword. Evelina, even if Arsyn trained for hundreds of years, he still wouldn’t be able to so much as scratch the edge of my clothes.”
“Mother, it seems you are the arrogant one now. Who told you that I can’t cut a single thread of your clothing, huh? Have you ever thought that perhaps I’ve just been going easy on you out of respect for your age?”
Karina and Arsyn locked eyes, sparks flying silently between them.
“Ahem…”
But both of them froze the moment Evelina let out a soft cough.
“Evelina, are you feeling cold? This place is underground. I should’ve brought you a blanket. Let’s go back immediately.”
“The air is chilly, and the dust may have irritated your throat. Let’s return at once and prepare some hot tea.”
The two practically flew her back into the palace without even changing their clothes.
Noel, who happened to pass by, widened his eyes in surprise and approached them.
“Milady, are you heading to the underground training hall?”
“I’ve already been. Please see to the cleanup. And since Evelina seems to have gotten a bit of dust in her throat, I’d like you to bring her some warm tea.”
“As you wish.”
Noel bowed and vanished quickly.
Before Evelina could insist she was fine, Karina and Arsyn had already whisked her off toward the parlor.
“Evelina, please wait just a moment. I’ll change and be right back.”
Since he’d been sweating from the duel earlier, Arsyn needed to wash up quickly.
“I’ll stay here. Take your time.”
As Evelina spoke with a smile, Arsyn leaned back, barely resisting the urge to embrace her.
“I’ll be back soon too, my darling.”
“Alright, Mother.”
Karina and Arsyn left the parlor at the same time, as if in competition.
Both of them were determined to finish first and return to spend time alone with Evelina.
Left alone, Evelina quietly stood, then carefully sat down.
Taking advantage of the moment, she looked around the parlor.
It had an old, nostalgic atmosphere.
And since she couldn’t touch anything carelessly, she didn’t dare stand or wander—only her eyes wandered, exploring silently.
At that moment, the door creaked open, and Evelina instinctively stood up.
Before she even realized it, Arsyn—now dressed in a neat outfit—was entering the room.
He scanned the parlor quickly, and upon realizing Karina hadn’t arrived yet, his face brightened as he approached her.
“Evelina, I’m sorry I took so long. I sweated more than I thought, so I took my time bathing.”
“Ah? You weren’t late at all. It hasn’t even been thirty minutes.”
Arsyn quickly sat beside her.
Evelina placed a small distance between them, but she didn’t shy away completely.
“Is anything uncomfortable? Is the sofa too firm? If it is, I’ll replace it with a more comfortable one immediately.”
Though she hadn’t even replied yet, Arsyn looked ready to summon the head butler at any moment.
Startled, Evelina hastily grabbed his hand and shook her head.
“It’s not uncomfortable at all! The sofa is very soft and…”
As she rushed to reassure him, Arsyn stared blankly at one spot.
Curious, Evelina followed his gaze.
He was staring at her hand.
More precisely, the hand that held his.
Her cheeks flushed a deep red at the realization that she had grabbed his hand without thinking.
She quickly let go and apologized.
“S-sorry. I acted on impulse and didn’t even realize I was holding your hand.”
“It’s alright. After all, aren’t we a married couple now?”
“… Pardon?”
“So holding hands shouldn’t be an issue between us.”
Arsyn naturally reached out to hold Evelina’s hand again.
But before his fingers could brush against hers, the door opened.
Startled, Evelina sprang up, and Arsyn clicked his tongue and stood up as well.
Karina entered the room, wearing a simple dress.
Behind her, a maid followed with a tray.
On it sat a delicate teapot and a matching teacup, surrounded by a variety of sweet treats.
“The Archduchess has a sore throat and seems a little sleepy, so I prepared a soothing herbal tea.”
The maid gracefully set the teacup and poured the tea.
The white porcelain cup was soon filled with a pale green liquid.
Evelina lifted the cup carefully.
A sweet, refreshing aroma wafted to her nose.
As she took a sip, warmth spread through her body.
The tea wasn’t overly hot—it was just enough to warm her throat without discomfort.
“Evelina, is your throat feeling better now?”
“Y-yes, I’m fine. I just swallowed my saliva wrong earlier and…”
Her cheeks turned red from embarrassment.
Arsyn spoke casually, smiling.
“Is that so? Then how about trying these macarons instead of just tea? We also have cakes.”
“Try the cake, too. And the tart is quite delicious as well.”
Before long, an array of sweets was piled up before Evelina.
Her eyes darted between them, hesitant, but eventually, she reached out with care.
When she picked up one of the macarons Arsyn had offered, his expression lit up as if he’d just inherited the world.
Evelina, tasting a macaron for the first time, swallowed nervously.
She took a bite, her face still a bit tense, but that expression quickly melted away as the sweetness spread across her tongue.
She muttered in amazement as her eyes widened from the unexpected flavor.
“It’s so sweet…”
The macaron was so sweet it made the tip of her tongue tingle.
Karina asked with a bright smile,
“Is it delicious, darling?”
“Y-yes…”
“Eat as much as you’d like. If what we have isn’t enough, I’ll have more brought for you.”
Evelina nodded silently.
She knew it was improper, but she couldn’t open her mouth to speak.
It was because she felt like she might cry if she did.
Karina and Arsyn watched her eat the sweets with warm expressions.
Evelina slowly opened her eyes.
The sun was rising outside.
She stood up and gazed sleepily ahead.
Even though she had just woken up, her ruby-red eyes sparkled brilliantly.
Suddenly, she snapped back to awareness and stood up to fetch some washing water.
She quickly covered her eyes and quietly left the room.
But there was one problem.
‘Where do I get washing water from?’
She felt embarrassed for forgetting to ask the day before.
After a moment’s hesitation, Evelina descended the stairs.
As someone unfamiliar with this place, she couldn’t move around freely, which made searching for water difficult.
Even if she was soon to be the Archduchess, she wasn’t married yet, so she couldn’t act recklessly.
She debated returning to her room and waiting for Berri to arrive, but she had never received service from anyone before—nor did she want to show those dreadful red eyes to the poor maid.
That’s why no one had ever served Evelina at the Duke’s house.
She used to bring cold water to wash her face, eat meals left outside her door, and return the empty dishes without a word.
‘It’s still early, so I need to be careful not to wake anyone.’
Evelina turned a corner to walk farther—but ended up bumping into someone.
She quickly caught the person who nearly stumbled.
“Berri?”
“Archduchess!”
The person who ran into Evelina was indeed Berri.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Evelina.
“You’re already awake?”
“Of c-course. I’m an early riser.”
Evelina smiled awkwardly, turning her head to avoid eye contact.
“If you wait in the room, I’ll bring you some washing water right away!”
“Oh… just tell me where it is. I’ll handle it myself.”
She replied without meeting Berri’s gaze.
She thought Berri would be relieved not to serve her.
But curiosity got the better of her, and Evelina stole a glance at Berri’s face…
Strangely, her expression seemed off.
She looked like she was about to cry.
Evelina felt uneasy at the unfamiliar sight.
“Archduchess… I enjoy serving you.”
Evelina tilted her head in confusion.
“Why…? I’m not even normal…”
“Why would you say that, Archduchess?”
“Because… I’m cursed…”
At those words, Berri gave a bright smile.
“So what? I don’t think that matters at all.”
“……”
“You’re simply the Archduchess.”
The eyes Berri used to look at Evelina were filled with sincerity.
Suddenly, a memory resurfaced in Evelina’s mind.
‘Yes… there was a maid like Berri back at the Duke’s estate.’
She blinked slowly.
‘But that maid…’
Evelina’s gaze sank into a dark abyss—but Berri didn’t notice, her face hidden beneath a veil of light.
When Evelina said nothing, Berri looked at her and spoke clearly.
“Archduchess… I’ll bring your water right away.”
“Alright. I’ll return to my room.”
Evelina smiled and turned away.
After walking a few steps, she paused and glanced back.
Berri was heading off somewhere.
‘If she sees my eyes, I’m sure she’ll regret saying she likes serving me…’
Just like that other maid who once acted like Berri.
“But it’s alright… I’ve gotten used to those stares.”
Evelina whispered softly and climbed the stairs.
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