<CHAPTER 16>
Didn’t Your Heart Flutter and Pound?
Evelyn rose with a stiff body after staying up all night with her eyes wide open.
‘Why did I have to recall that moment…’
The image of Aksion looking somewhat precarious still remained in her memory.
Soon, Evelyn looked at the back of her left hand and revealed the snake seal identical to her fiancé’s.
“Perhaps it would be better to imprint.”
Even if she were to imprint, she had absolutely no intention of marrying Aksion.
She simply wasn’t cruel enough to watch someone else suffer in silence.
“Should I try negotiating with Aksion instead?”
Perhaps he was trying to bind his imprinted partner through marriage so they couldn’t escape.
Evelyn believed there must be a proper solution and lightly tapped both her cheeks.
“There will be many important matters ahead, so I must keep my wits about me.”
Rising from bed, she settled at her desk.
Then she began writing something with a fountain pen in her notebook.
With the original story’s female protagonist being taken in by the count’s family earlier than scheduled, the timing of the boat party had also been moved up.
The boat party was the day when Dahlia and Kalid would have their first meeting, making it more significant than anything else.
‘Surely Aksion will see Dahlia for the first time that day too.’
Exactly when he had harbored feelings for the female protagonist wasn’t detailed in the original story.
However, Evelyn thought that if her fiancé met Dahlia, his views on marriage might change somewhat.
‘If that happens, negotiations will become much smoother.’
Evelyn raised her clenched fist and burned with determination.
Buuuung—
The sound of a ship’s horn echoed long and loud, signaling the beginning of the magnificent boat party.
The silver sky was dyed with twilight, and the sunset-colored sea emitted brilliant light along with the waves.
‘I heard about it beforehand, but the scale is truly extraordinary.’
As the host of this party was a wealthy magnate, the boat party boasted a splendid and grand scale.
Besides the nobility, bourgeois businessmen and high-ranking officials were also in attendance.
“We extend our gratitude to the distinguished guests who have graced us with their presence!”
A short and concise address considering the young attendees,
Duke Windebolt, who delivered the opening speech, had successfully led recent business ventures while preparing for this boat party.
Chloe Windebolt, Evelyn‘s closest friend, looked at her father and shook her head.
“Really, he seems desperate to announce his achievements.”
“Chloe, the Duke would be quite hurt if he heard that.”
When Evelyn stopped her friend with an awkward smile, Chloe grinned.
“Of course I’m only saying this to you.”
Chloe was a precious friend who had been with her since she first stepped into the noble world.
Evelyn, who usually didn’t enjoy banquets, attended the boat party solely to celebrate her friend’s family.
‘But where is Dahlia?’
She had heard in advance that the Lorenheim Count’s family would also attend the boat party.
According to the original story, today the count would publicly announce the existence of Dahlia, who possessed tremendous divine power.
A woman with pure, snow-white silver hair and wisteria-like purple eyes,
Just as Evelyn was looking around to find the original story’s female protagonist,
Chloe covered her mouth with a fan and whispered secretly.
“Hmm, you seem to be looking for your fiancé.”
At those words, Evelyn furrowed her brow slightly as if she had heard something she shouldn’t have.
“You, you really say the most outrageous things.”
When she strongly denied it, Chloe shrugged her shoulders lightly and continued.
“Well, the young duke seemed to be looking for you?”
“What do you…”
Before she could finish her answer, a thick wool jacket was draped over Evelyn‘s slender shoulders.
Startled, she lifted her head and met indifferent red eyes.
For whatever reason, Aksion showed excessive kindness with a faint smile at his lips.
“The sea breeze is quite cold, so keep this on.”
‘Did he eat something wrong?’
While Evelyn tilted her head in confusion, Chloe, who was beside her, spoke as if enjoying a good spectacle.
“Oh my, how considerate.”
At those words, Aksion nodded his head calmly and composedly.
“I merely did what was natural.”
Perhaps because they had pretended to get along since childhood, the man put on a brilliant performance even in front of Chloe.
Evelyn clicked her tongue inwardly.
‘I feel like he’s becoming more shameless by the day!’
Unaware of her thoughts, Chloe smiled softly.
“Then I hope you have a pleasant time.”
“See you later, Chloe.”
Evelyn sent off her friend who left first with a regretful heart.
Then she glared at Aksion disapprovingly and spoke.
“Hey, why are you doing things you don’t usually do?”
“I told you. I’ll try to match your tastes.”
The man tilted his head crookedly and answered as if he truly didn’t understand.
To say such affectionate words with such an indifferent demeanor.
‘Save that for the female protagonist!’
As a thin sigh escaped her lips, Aksion lazily raised his lips.
“Didn’t you say so yourself? That considerate men are your type.”
“What? When did I?”
Evelyn looked at her fiancé with wide, round eyes.
She had no memory of saying so, yet he knew her ideal type precisely.
‘Aren’t we in a relationship where we would tell each other our ideal types?’
As she tilted her head sideways, Aksion left meaningful words in a dry voice.
“You don’t need to know.”
What on earth…
As Evelyn furrowed her delicate brow, she suddenly brightened her vivid green eyes at a thought that came to mind.
“By the way, have you heard that the Lorenheim Count’s family has adopted a daughter?”
“Yes, she attended the boat party.”
‘So you’ve already met!’
Thinking that things might proceed smoothly, she delivered her words subtly.
“I heard she’s incredibly beautiful.”
According to the original story, Dahlia possessed a pure and delicate beauty, enough to make passersby turn their heads.
“Aksion, what did you think?”
At her fiancé’s listless counter-question, Evelyn urged for an answer.
“Didn’t your heart flutter and pound?”
At this, Aksion deliberately hardened his expression.
Then he lightly placed his hand on her forehead.
“Strange. You don’t seem to have a fever.”
“What are you talking about? I’m perfectly normal.”
It seemed he hadn’t fallen in love with the female protagonist at first sight after all.
As Evelyn narrowed her eyes in disbelief, Aksion muttered lowly.
“Ah, so this is the reaction you wanted.”
There was mischief in the man’s eyes as he spoke.
“I know what you mean, but don’t say that!”
While she couldn’t hide her shocked expression, Aksion loosened his lips.
“You’re the prettiest, Evelyn.”
No, not to me, you fool.
Before long, pitch-black darkness had fallen upon the sky, and brilliant clusters of stars were twinkling.
As Aksion went to converse with important figures, Evelyn leaned against the railing and let the sea breeze wash over her.
Shivering from the cool air, she pulled her fiancé’s wool jacket tighter around her.
“So when are those two going to meet?”
Evelyn had come up to the deck early for the protagonists’ first meeting that would happen today.
Because she wanted to witness the historic scene between the two main characters with her own eyes, having been reincarnated into the novel.
‘Am I finally realizing my dream?’
Her clear eyes sparkled before she suddenly let out a sneeze.
Achoo!
As she was sneezing repeatedly and sniffling due to her tickling nose,
“Are you alright over there?”
Someone kindly handed her a handkerchief, and Evelyn nodded and expressed her gratitude.
“Thank you. I’m fine—”
But she couldn’t finish her words.
The moment her eyes met wisteria-like purple eyes, she could only stare blankly at the other person.
“I’m glad to hear you’re alright.”
The pure woman with snow-white silver hair smiled softly with her eyes.
