<CHAPTER 07>
Completely Forgotten
‘Looks like I won’t be able to meet the two main characters today either.’
The male lead of the original work Eternal Salvation Relationship had already been appointed as the commander of the Holy Knights before even reaching adulthood.
That was why he was away in the North, leading the Holy Knights on subjugation missions.
As for the female lead, who came from a provincial noble family, she had not yet stayed in the capital.
Unlike other abilities, her divine power manifested significantly later.
However, she would soon possess immense divine power and was scheduled to rely on a central noble family who were distant relatives.
In the end, the male lead, a Holy Knight Commander, and the female lead, who became a priestess, would nurture their love while going back and forth on subjugation missions.
‘This is what you call fate.’
Unlike her and Aksion, who constantly bickered and found each other unbearable whenever they met.
While Evelyn was lost in thoughts of the two protagonists, her family, who had arrived at the banquet hall, approached her.
“Evelyn, there you are.”
Exhausted thanks to her fiancé, Evelyn hugged the Marchioness tightly.
“I missed you, Mother.”
“Oh my? Our daughter is acting spoiled.”
Feeling comforted by the affectionate patting, she regained her energy and was just about to step away—
“I understand everything, Evelyn.”
Seeing her older brother nodding with his arms crossed, Evelyn raised one eyebrow.
“What do you mean you understand?”
At that, Viaron smirked confidently.
“You obviously had a fight with your dear fiancé.”
“What are you talking about? That’s not it.”
How did he even rank first at the Academy?
Just as she was thinking about sewing that annoying mouth shut, the Marquis laughed heartily.
“Evelyn, now that you’ve come of age, tell me anything you want.”
“That’s right, my daughter. You can ask for anything.”
“Mother, Father…”
Evelyn was touched by the Marquis and Marchioness, who were thinking of her.
“Aren’t you being too biased?”
Interrupting, Viaron pounded his chest as if protesting.
“Oh really? I clearly remember you saying you didn’t need anything.”
“Father, that was…!”
As the Marquis ruffled his carefully styled hair, Viaron couldn’t hide his shock.
Watching her warm family, a small smile escaped Evelyn’s lips.
She hoped this peaceful time with them would last as long as possible.
But before she could even finish that thought, the grand sound of brass instruments echoed through the hall.
Booooo—
Knowing what that sound signified, the members of House Inevassel couldn’t help but stiffen.
“May eternal glory bless the Valtian Empire. His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and His Highness the Crown Prince are entering!”
As the imperial family appeared with the doorman’s loud announcement, the once noisy banquet hall instantly fell silent.
Evelyn clenched her trembling hands tightly into fists, struggling to hide her emotions.
Though it was difficult to find concrete evidence for now, she believed she would uncover the truth behind her biological parents’ deaths.
In the original story, the poison used on them was said to be related to forbidden magic.
That was why she had been researching an antidote to the deadly poison all this time.
As Evelyn bit her lip, Viaron gently patted her slender shoulder.
‘He must be worried about me.’
She felt touched by her older brother’s mature gesture, despite him being only a year older.
But before that feeling could last, their eyes met as he shivered at his own actions.
‘Seriously… figures.’
Any reliance she had felt disappeared as Viaron returned to his usual self.
***
As soon as the coming-of-age banquet began, the time came for a private audience with the Emperor.
It was a custom of the Valtian Empire for those who had reached adulthood to pay respects to the sun of the empire.
To reassure her worried parents, Evelyn deliberately put on a bright smile.
“I’ll just greet him and come back soon.”
How many times had she practiced in front of a mirror to control her expressions before the Emperor?
Unlike her childhood, when she had lost her biological parents, the current Evelyn was no longer helpless.
Having steeled her resolve, she stepped forward as soon as it was her turn.
“May eternal glory bless the Valtian Empire. I greet His Majesty the Emperor, the prophet of Valtian and the bearer of sacred glory, and Her Majesty the Empress.”
“So, you are the daughter of the Marquis Inevassel.”
As if he felt no guilt whatsoever about the past, the Emperor smiled kindly.
Or perhaps he had long since completely forgotten about it.
Though his attitude seemed absurd, Evelyn nodded with a faint smile.
“Yes, Your Majesty. I am Evelyn Inevassel.”
Contrary to her worries about losing control of her emotions, she remained calm.
Lightly tapping the armrest, the Emperor let out a short sigh as if recalling something.
“Come to think of it, you possess the same ability as your father.”
Unlike the Marquis Inevassel, who had no abilities, Evelyn had inherited healing powers from her biological father.
Her expression stiffened slightly at his words, but she answered calmly.
“…That is correct, Your Majesty.”
“Such a waste of talent. I look forward to your future contributions.”
With a benevolent smile, the Emperor offered words of praise.
Evelyn suppressed the anger filling her heart and returned a gentle smile.
“I am grateful, Your Majesty.”
After observing her for a moment, the Emperor raised one hand.
It meant he would receive the next noble.
After giving a polite bow, Evelyn stepped away, trying to forget his meaningless words.
So as not to worry her family, she put on a bright expression in front of them.
As she busily exchanged greetings with nobles congratulating her, her cluttered mind gradually cleared.
Soon, the softly playing orchestra music began to grow more lively.
‘Looks like everyone’s going to dance.’
Evelyn watched the nobles heading toward the dance floor like a distant spectator.
That was because her dancing skills were, frankly, beyond description.
She consoled herself that if she simply didn’t dance, she wouldn’t become a laughingstock.
Just then, the people around her began to murmur.
“Oh my, he must have already missed the young lady.”
“Well, a bee can’t ignore a flower.”
Wondering what the commotion was about, Evelyn looked around.
Then she spotted someone and her mouth fell open.
‘What… why are you coming here?’
While she was caught off guard, a man with a sly smile approached her.
“Y-you…!”
Evelyn’s green eyes trembled.
The man approaching her was none other than Aksion.
Glancing at him cautiously, she lowered her voice so no one else could hear.
“Why are you coming here? Go somewhere else quickly.”
“My fiancée is right here. Where else should I go?”
Aksion asked calmly, raising one eyebrow.
Evelyn opened and closed her mouth, unable to find anything to say.
If he danced with another lady while having a fiancée, it would certainly look strange.
But wasn’t this situation different?
She felt unfairly wronged at the thought of becoming a laughingstock because of her embarrassing dancing skills.
Standing on her tiptoes, Evelyn whispered into her fiancé’s ear.
“You haven’t forgotten my skills, have you?”
He had already had his feet stepped on multiple times during her debutante.
How could he possibly think of dancing with her again?
As she looked at him with clear distrust, Aksion’s lips curved slightly.
“How could I forget?”
Then why on earth is he doing this?
She genuinely wanted to know what was going on inside his head.
But before she could ask, he extended one hand toward her.
“Would you grant me the honor of this dance, my lady?”
…She was doomed.
