Chapter 14
‘They’re probably saying the Duke is running away because he’s tired of his bankrupt fiancée.’
Several sensational newspaper headlines came to her mind.
But by now, even that no longer affected her.
“Look over there. I thought it was just a rumor, but she really came.”
“My goodness. Just look at how confidently she’s holding her head up.”
“Honestly, I always thought there was something unusual about her. She barely showed her face in Roak’s social circles, then suddenly acted as if she’d become the queen of high society overnight.”
“…”
The confidence and elegance that had once made Evangeline stand out had now become reasons for people to attack her.
Now that Duke Theseus had stepped away, no one bothered hiding their hostility.
As Evangeline quietly stood with a wine glass in hand, countless eyes swept over her from head to toe like sharp blades.
Those who had always sided with Princess Bellona were especially blatant.
“Still, I’m surprised she dressed like that.”
“I thought she’d at least dress modestly to show some remorse. But she looks exactly the same as before.”
Even though it was obvious Evangeline could hear every word they said, she remained standing there as still as a marble statue.
Her calmness only irritated them more.
“Being the future Duchess of Theseus really must be wonderful. She doesn’t even bother listening anymore.”
“Of course. I heard His Grace paid off all of her family’s debts in one go.”
“…”
Debts.
At that single word, Evangeline finally turned toward them.
Despite the strange look on her face, their gossip was only just beginning.
“My husband told me that His Grace has put the Rodka Plains and the vineyards up for sale.”
“My goodness! Those lands have belonged to House Theseus since the founding of the Empire!”
“That’s why the Theseus family has always been called the rulers of the South. Apparently, His Grace plans to sell the land through his lawyers to repay the debts. Since the creditors were making such a fuss, he couldn’t even wait for a proper price. Imagine bringing the wrong person into your family…”
…What are they talking about?
She nearly dropped the glass in her hand.
She barely managed to tighten her grip.
Rumors in high society were often exaggerated…
But when they were mentioning a specific place by name, there had to be at least some truth to it.
One of those women was married to the head of a famous law firm.
Only then did they notice Evangeline staring directly at them.
They flinched slightly before forcing smiles.
“Oh? Is something wrong?”
“…”
“Don’t tell me… you heard what we were saying?”
Standing together in a group gave them confidence.
After all, none of them truly believed Evangeline would ever become the Duchess.
In high society, engagements that had already begun to collapse always ended sooner or later.
“I’m sorry. We didn’t realize you were standing there. You were so quiet.”
“Besides, it’s not as though we were saying anything untrue.”
“Yes.”
“I suppose not.”
Evangeline smiled coldly.
The women frowned.
They had always known she wasn’t ordinary.
But they hadn’t expected her to remain so calm.
“My, what’s with that tone? This is a banquet personally hosted by Her Highness the Princess. Surely you don’t intend to ruin the festivities? No matter how desperate your circumstances are, you should still remember your manners.”
“Shouldn’t you be the ones showing me proper manners?”
“…What?”
“You’re not even the Duchess yet. Why should we?”
“Because…”
“It seems I’m the greatest source of entertainment at this banquet.”
“…”
Her quiet voice sounded as though she were simply reading from a book.
She glanced around the room.
Everyone who had been openly watching her immediately looked away the instant their eyes met hers.
A faint smile appeared on her lips before she turned back to the women.
“I may not be the Duchess yet, but let me give you one piece of advice.”
“If you care so much about Her Highness’s banquet…”
“Then perhaps you should avoid provoking me into leaving early.”
“That would be far better for the success of this party.”
“How shameless! Everyone knows what kind of situation you’re in!”
“So…”
“Did I borrow money from any of you?”
“…”
“As far as I know, there isn’t a single person here to whom I owe an apology or before whom I should bow my head.”
This incident had taught Evangeline one thing.
When it came to money, dignity and pride meant nothing.
She didn’t know the complete list of creditors.
But she knew one thing.
None of these women had ever stood outside her estate demanding repayment.
Which meant…
At least in this room,
she owed none of them anything.
“It seems I’ve stopped being entertaining enough for you.”
“In that case…”
“I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening.”
“How unbelievable!”
The moment she turned away, mocking laughter erupted behind her.
She didn’t even bother looking back.
She already knew they would immediately fall silent if she did.
Besides…
There was only one thing she truly feared.
“I heard His Grace has put the Rodka Plains and the vineyards up for sale.”
“Apparently he’s selling the land to pay off your debts.”
“…!”
The moment she stepped onto an empty balcony, Evangeline finally released the breath she had been holding.
Her breathing was hot.
Even her eyes began to sting.
She gripped the iron railing tightly, hoping the cold metal would calm her.
Perhaps… it was only natural.
She had already guessed Decarno had done something when the creditors suddenly stopped coming.
She had even overheard him talking about it before.
But…
The Rodka Plains?
Her fingers turned white as she gripped the railing harder.
The insults from those women hadn’t shaken her.
Yet this truth made her heart sink.
The only man who truly had the right to resent and blame her…
Had never once mentioned it to her.
What is he thinking?
She had believed she understood him after two years together.
Yet the more time passed,
the less she understood him.
Surely he knew the value of the Rodka Plains.
Her father had praised that land countless times.
A land blessed by the gods.
Brilliant sunshine.
Clear blue rivers.
A perfect climate.
A land where not a single person lived in poverty.
It wasn’t simply expensive.
It was priceless.
And Decarno was trying to sell that land…
To repay her debts.
“…What am I supposed to do now?”
She had already been unsure how to face him.
Now she felt she couldn’t even meet his eyes.
Confusion.
Guilt.
And an overwhelming ache filled her heart.
She lowered her head.
But even that small moment of weakness wasn’t allowed.
Hearing quiet footsteps approaching the balcony, Evangeline immediately erased every trace of emotion from her face.
Like a porcelain doll inside a glass case.
The only thing she could give Decarno now…
Was the perfect Duchess he expected.
She could close her eyes.
Close her ears.
Smile.
Dance.
Do whatever he wished.
As long as she didn’t have to face him.
“I’m sorry.”
“I’ve been occupying this balcony for too long.”
“I’ll leave now—”
“Eva!”
“…”
Evangeline’s pink eyes widened in surprise.
Fortunately, it wasn’t Decarno.
But it was someone she had never expected to meet here.
“Kirion?”
“Yeah! It’s me, Eva!”
“Ah…”
“It really is you!”
Unable to hide her delight, she covered her smiling mouth.
Even the people who had seen her enter the banquet hadn’t looked this shocked.
More importantly…
Kirion was one of her dearest childhood friends.
“What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean?”
“I came to see you.”
“…Kirion.”
“I went to the trading company several times.”
“Didn’t you hear that I was looking for you?”
The cheerful excitement in Kirion’s eyes softened into cautious concern.
Only then did Evangeline remember what Philip had told her.
She answered with a small, harmless lie.
“I’m sorry.”
“I was actually planning to contact you soon.”
“I knew it!”
“…”
“And here I was worrying myself sick because I had no way of reaching you.”
Placing a hand over his chest, Kirion let out a relieved sigh.
He still carried the same innocent spirit he had possessed as a boy.
His golden hair shone as brightly as his smile, lighting up the night around him.
Back when they were children, people often joked that standing the two of them together—one with silver hair and the other with golden hair—was dazzling enough to hurt their eyes.
