Chapter 49: BWCGD

Chapter 49

“Oh my! Goodness, how secretive His Grace is. Didn't the Grand Duke tell you anything? The article said—”

Leah excitedly began talking about the newspaper article announcing their marriage.

The contents of the article, which she recited word for word, were almost entirely fictional, yet Evelyn's face grew so hot she could barely endure it, as though every word were true.

Perhaps it was because Leah imitated his voice so vividly.

“‘There is no way to describe my feelings for her except to say that I fell in love at first sight.’ Goodness! That was the very last line of the article!”

Covering her mouth as she finished speaking, Leah suddenly grabbed Evelyn's hand. Her eyes sparkled like a young girl reading a romance novel for the first time.

“And while you were unconscious, he held your hand just like this. He neither ate nor slept, only looked at you. If that isn't love, then what else could it be?”

“...What?”

“And that look in his eyes! If that wasn't love, then love doesn't exist in this world.”

Evelyn quietly looked down at the hand Leah was holding, and a bitter smile appeared on her lips.

She thought she knew why he had held her hand.

He was probably transferring demonic energy into me.

Then suddenly—

She remembered how he had said that forcing healing power through a body that could no longer properly use mana was no different from shortening one's own life.

That she must not leave the building no matter what until reinforcements arrived.

As she recalled the frightening expression on his face when he had angrily scolded her, a dull ache spread through the pit of her stomach for no reason.

So it probably wasn't out of pure concern this time either. I used up every last bit of my mana, so whatever happens, he won't just let it slide.

Without realizing it, Evelyn slightly shrank her shoulders before asking,

“So... you're not as afraid of the Grand Duke anymore?”

“Huh? No!”

As if trying to change the subject, Leah immediately let go of her hand as though she had seen a ghost.

“I'm still terribly scared of him. It's like... if I annoy him even a little, he'll grab my neck and—crack!—snap it. I even feel like I shouldn't raise my voice around him. It's just... that kind of feeling. Though maybe you don't know what I mean, Miss.”

Just what did he do to make a child this scared?

Still, it wasn't a feeling Evelyn couldn't understand.

It wasn't the same instinctive fear Leah felt, but she too was afraid of this relationship.

The only difference was that despite everything...

She missed him unbearably.

Evelyn unconsciously turned to look out the window.

Against the beautiful yet unfamiliar scenery outside, his face drifted across her thoughts like a floating cloud.

I hope he comes back soon. I wonder how he's doing.

Knock, knock.

Just as Evelyn was staring at her unfamiliar reflection in the mirror, sorting through the feelings she had for him, a light knock came from the door.

Following Leon, who had come to escort her, Evelyn left her room.

“Is there anything I should know beforehand about the Duke? Anything I should be careful of?”

“Nothing like that, so don't worry. Just relax and enjoy the meal.”

Chatting casually, they arrived at an outdoor greenhouse garden overlooking the central garden and its three-tiered fountain.

“Wow...”

Inside the transparent garden, which resembled a small arboretum, a large table had already been set with an extravagant feast.

Seated at the head of the marble table was an elderly man with a stern, fierce-looking face.

Isaac Gordon Farminion, the master of the vast western territories.

The duke, sporting an impressive graying brown beard, silently looked at her.

His gaze alone made her tense.

Tap.

Leon, who had guided her there, lightly touched her fingertips.

When she turned, he raised his neat eyebrows and gestured with his eyes.

He was telling her to greet the Duke first.

Nervous, Evelyn immediately held the hem of her skirt and gave a polite curtsy.

“Hello, Your Grace. It's a pleasure to meet you.”

“Welcome. I heard you only woke up after a week, so I was quite worried. I'm glad you look healthier than I expected.”

Contrary to his intimidating appearance, the Duke smiled kindly and invited her to sit.

Leon naturally guided her to her seat and courteously pulled out the chair for her.

She had assumed he would dine with them, but instead he said he would wait outside and quietly left the greenhouse.

As she nervously took her seat, the Duke met her gaze and immediately spoke.

“So you're the benefactor who insisted the townspeople be quarantined. Your name was...”

“Ah, I...”

What surname should I introduce myself with?

She hesitated briefly before continuing.

“My name is Evelyn. Please feel free to speak comfortably, Your Grace.”

Her answer made the corners of the Duke's lips curve upward.

“Then allow me to do so, Miss Evelyn. You must be hungry, so let's eat first.”

Most of the dishes were soft and easy to chew.

As she admired the thoughtful consideration while eating, Duke Farminion praised her for her accomplishments.

Through their conversation, Evelyn learned that the light she had created with her own power had healed the people, and that this light was being called a miracle of the Sun God.

So the reason Kalian's wounds healed was because of that light...

Feeling relieved, she was suddenly interrupted as the Duke nodded and continued.

“They say the Saintess's prayer guided the Sun God's blessing to the Grand Duke. For that, I am truly grateful.”

A Saintess's prayer?

She was startled for a moment but quickly regained her composure.

I'll ask Kalian when he returns. He must have had a reason for hiding it. Besides, it doesn't erase what I did.

Simply by separating the infected from the healthy and minimizing deaths from excessive blood loss, she had already earned the Duke's deep goodwill.

“We nearly lost even the southwestern breadbasket. Even now, I can't forget the villagers begging me to save at least their children.”

Lifting his glass of wine, the Duke shut his eyes tightly and slowly shook his head.

“This is all thanks to Your Grace for listening to the voices of your people. I'm truly glad everything ended well.”

When Evelyn answered modestly, the Duke took a sip of wine before finally saying what he had been waiting to say.

“No. No matter how much of a businessman I may be, my conscience won't allow me to leave it at this. If there's anything you want, name it.”

He smiled warmly, as though willing to grant her any wish.

Expecting the question, Evelyn answered without hesitation.

“It's alright. After all, the Farminion family is also the maternal family of the late Grand Duchess of Orpheus.”

The Duke's smile froze.

She couldn't tell whether the expression that crossed his face was discomfort... or longing.

After a long silence, he tilted his head curiously.

“Is that truly enough for you? Those two don't seem likely to stay together for very long.”

How does the Duke know that?

There was no way Kalian would have carelessly told anyone about their contract marriage.

Seeing the surprise on her face, the Duke set down his glass and laughed.

“Don't misunderstand me. I simply feel it's a waste for someone like you to remain bound to that wretched family.”

Cold sweat ran down Evelyn's back.

Even after she had saved his territory, he still called the Grand Duke's family a wretched family.

Growing even more uncomfortable at his apparent hostility toward the Grand Duke's house, Evelyn lightly touched the wine glass before speaking.

“I think... there may be some misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?”

“Yes. At the very least... this isn't because of curiosity or amusement. It may come to an end someday, but until then, I intend to do my very best.”

She meant every word.

Although the marriage had a predetermined end, Evelyn intended to willingly endure everything for his sake.

It was the path she had chosen for herself.

“Hm.”

Hearing the sincerity in her voice, the Duke slowly nodded with a look of deep regret.

“You sound exactly like my daughter...”

The Duke fell silent.

Feeling it would be awkward to add anything more, Evelyn simply waited quietly.

The long silence finally ended with the Duke clearing his throat.

“But when I owe someone a debt, I repay it properly. So stop refusing and tell me what you want.”

His tone had become noticeably friendlier.

Taking a deep breath to calm her strangely nervous heart, Evelyn finally spoke.

“Then... would it be possible for you to show me the trade records related to the Horns of Iblis?”

Silence fell once more.

Did I ask for too much?

Just as anxiety slowly began creeping into her heart—

The Duke, who had been so warm until moments ago, suddenly hardened his expression.

“Who told you that the Horns of Iblis are traded through our merchant company?”

Startled, Evelyn instinctively gripped the stem of her wine glass so tightly that the bones on the back of her hand stood out.

Why is he reacting like this?

Could it be... some confidential matter the merchant guild isn't supposed to reveal?

But rather than looking angry, the Duke seemed more puzzled than anything.

Licking her dry lips once, Evelyn answered,

“I actually found out by chance.”

There was no need to reveal that she herself had been cursed, so she chose her words carefully.

“A close friend of mine in the capital has become addicted to a drug made from the Horns of Iblis and black magic.”

“Hm... That is indeed unfortunate.”

“I thought that if I could find out who traded the horns, it might provide a clue to the culprit. If my request was inappropriate, then I apologize.”

“No, that's not it.”

The Duke stroked his beard, his face growing unusually serious.

“As you know, prolonged exposure to that drug leads to an agonizing death. There is no antidote. The Imperial Family would never have approved the distribution of such a substance on the market.”