<CHAPTER 06>
Seems Like You Liked It
At her fiancé’s ridiculous remark, Evelyn pressed her throbbing forehead.
“Forget it. What kind of conversation can I even have with you?”
Just then, people looking for Aksion approached, and she naturally stepped aside.
Then, as she headed toward a familiar group, young ladies her age warmly welcomed her.
“It’s been a while, Lady Inevassel.”
“Yes, it really feels like it’s been a long time for all of you.”
Evelyn gave them a bright smile.
They were also her classmates from Coxen Academy, where they had remained close friends.
Now, with graduation approaching, they had to return to their original positions after the coming-of-age ceremony, which made things feel bittersweet.
‘Seeing this really makes it feel like we’ve become adults.’
Just ten days ago, they had been cramming for exams together in the classroom.
While Evelyn was lost in sentiment, a woman with a sharp expression approached her.
“I heard the news, Lady Inevassel.”
Right. She was here too.
How had she forgotten someone with such a strong presence?
Evelyn swallowed a short sigh.
The woman in front of her was a classmate who had been the president of the Aksion Fan Club for three years.
The so-called fan club stood for ‘A Gathering That Loves Aksion.’
Her devotion to him was comparable to a once-in-a-century romance, and Evelyn even found it impressive at times.
And considering how she had been bothered for three whole years just for being Aksion’s fiancée…
She was like a temperamental Maltese with a nasty attitude.
Thinking she might as well play along for a moment, Evelyn deliberately spoke in a bright voice.
“What news are you referring to?”
“The correction report about your marriage with the Young Duke. You must be quite disappointed.”
The woman raised the corners of her lips smugly as she answered.
Her blunt manner of speaking instantly turned the atmosphere cold.
Saying such a thing at an official event clearly meant to humiliate her.
‘Well, it is a lifelong regret that I couldn’t break off the engagement.’
Nodding, Evelyn smiled sweetly.
“Thank you for being so concerned, my lady.”
She then held the woman’s hands and gently shook them, making sure the bracelet Aksion had given her was visible.
Perhaps because it reflected the chandelier’s bright light, the tightly set rubies stood out even more.
The surrounding ladies’ gazes all focused on the bracelet.
The woman’s face twisted unpleasantly as she slapped Evelyn’s hands away and immediately left.
‘That’s what you get for picking a fight with me.’
With a faint smile, Evelyn lightly waved at her retreating figure—
“Seems like you liked it.”
A familiar voice sounded right behind her.
Startled, Evelyn quickly turned her head.
A tall man was looking down at her with an indifferent gaze.
“What, when did you get here?”
“Just now.”
Even though he clearly seemed to have watched everything, Aksion answered calmly.
Realizing he had seen her use the bracelet, Evelyn felt her pride sting for no reason.
Even so, she pretended to be unaffected and whispered quietly so only he could hear.
“So why are you here already?”
Turning his head, Aksion looked toward a certain direction and answered calmly.
“My parents have arrived. They want to see you.”
Evelyn followed his gaze.
There, the Duke Valentino and his wife were conversing at the center of a group of nobles.
The moment she saw their imposing presence, she unconsciously swallowed dryly.
‘I can’t help but feel nervous.’
Taking a deep breath, Evelyn walked forward with her fiancé.
***
“May eternal glory bless the Valtian Empire. I greet Duke Valentino and the Duchess.”
As Evelyn bent her knees and greeted them politely, her lips trembled slightly.
Even though she had been engaged to Aksion for a long time, facing his parents was still difficult.
Raising her head, she looked at the duke and duchess, who exuded an extraordinary aura.
Meeting one’s Imprinter was never easy, but Aksion’s parents were an exception.
It was said that they had been close even before their marks manifested and married soon after.
Compared to Aksion in the original story, who lived a life of suffering, his parents were fortunate.
For a brief moment, her eyes met the duchess’s, and cold sweat formed on Evelyn’s forehead.
‘Did I make some kind of mistake?’
As Evelyn moistened her lips at the duchess’s slightly displeased expression—
Tilting her head, the duchess spoke in an elegant voice.
“Lady Evelyn, if you do not like my son, please tell me.”
Perhaps because they were not strangers, the duchess spoke as directly as Evelyn’s own mother, nearly making her bite her tongue.
‘No way… does she know I want to break off the engagement?’
Glancing at Aksion, wondering if he had said something beforehand, she saw his stiff expression.
Seeing how unusual he looked, it was clear he hadn’t told his parents either.
‘Then why would she say something like that?’
Though she didn’t understand the reason, Evelyn answered smoothly as if following a script.
“That can’t be. Aksion is the most desirable groom in the empire.”
She didn’t forget to smile brightly and appear harmless.
At that, the duchess nodded and looked at her with serious eyes before turning to her son.
“Aksion, I am quite disappointed. You prepared this as a gift?”
“Ahem, my dear.”
As the atmosphere suddenly turned solemn, Duke Valentino tried to stop his wife.
Just as Evelyn felt relieved that the duke was there—
“Please stay out of this.”
“…Understood.”
Seeing the duke back down immediately without hesitation, Evelyn’s green eyes trembled.
The duchess glanced at her son and shook her head.
“Honestly. How could you give something like this as a gift?”
At those words, Evelyn looked down at the ruby bracelet on her wrist.
‘What’s wrong with it?’
She knew the duchess had exceptional taste, but this felt like something beyond human standards.
Without giving her time to think, Aksion calmly nodded.
“It seems my judgment was lacking, Mother.”
Still bewildered, Evelyn tried to follow their conversation but ended up swallowing a sigh.
It felt almost impossible to understand what they were talking about.
The duchess, looking at her standing there blankly, smiled faintly.
“I will invite you to the ducal residence soon, Lady Evelyn.”
“Y-yes…?”
As Evelyn stammered, the duchess covered her lips with her fan and added—
“Let’s say it’s to make up for my son’s lack of sincerity.”
She said she would invite her soon and personally choose jewelry that would suit her.
“That won’t be necessary…”
Satisfied with just the ruby bracelet, Evelyn tried to refuse.
But the moment she saw the duchess’s serious gaze, she shut her mouth tightly.
“Don’t feel burdened. Eventually, all of it will belong to you anyway.”
‘My lady… that makes it even more terrifying.’
Evelyn glanced at her fiancé with uneasy eyes.
‘Hey, don’t just stand there. Say something!’
As if noticing her gaze, Aksion slightly nodded and spoke to his mother.
“Why make her feel burdened?”
Evelyn’s eyes widened slightly as she secretly pinched the back of his hand.
“How can you say that.”
Despite her smiling face, her whispered words carried urgency.
Aksion calmly added in a gentle tone.
“Let’s meet together next time when I’m present.”
At those words, a satisfied smile appeared on the duchess’s face.
“Ah, I hadn’t thought of that. It would be better if we all meet together.”
“Understood, Mother.”
Unable to keep up with the conversation between the Valentino mother and son, Evelyn could only stand there with her mouth slightly open.
