Chapter 5 – Issen (Part 11)

Evelyn didn’t know how she managed that awkward situation.

After finishing the walk, she returned to the main palace, holding the Duke’s arm, walking side by side without any conversation, and returned to the audience chamber. She smiled as she answered the Empress’s question about where they had toured. She praised the history and beauty of the maze garden while being served tea. She suppressed her anxious mind and answered a few leisurely questions. Then, when the Empress said with a smile,

‘Having traveled together, you must have developed quite a rapport with my uncle.’

Evelyn hoped the silence that passed between the four of them was just her own imagination.

The audience ended before they even finished a cup of tea. When the waiting maid outside announced that the next schedule was imminent, Evelyn felt relieved. If she had stayed any longer in that uncomfortable and tense spot, she might have dried up completely.

But just when she thought it was finally over,

‘I invite you to the Sun Festival banquet.’

The Empress said, looking at Evelyn.

‘I hope you will attend.’

So what could Evelyn Dale, a mere novelist caught between the Imperial Family and the nobility, say?

‘It is an honor, Your Majesty.’

She had no choice but to lower her body and smile happily.

“Looks like your visit to the homeland will be a bit longer.”

At Bryant’s words, Evelyn, who was looking down at the floor, raised her eyes. She was a step away from the man walking beside her. They had just left the main palace building.

Jared left first right after they exited the audience chamber. He said he had to leave the palace due to the next schedule. He briefly bid farewell to Evelyn and greeted Bryant with a bit more formality. Although his status was high, he had to show respect since he was related to the Empress. Related to the Empress. He was indeed someone too distant. Evelyn slowly chewed on those words. Her mind was a bit hazy, perhaps because the tension had eased.

“What are you thinking about?”

Bryant asked. It was only then that Evelyn realized she hadn’t answered his question. It was impolite, but she didn’t want to apologize. Perhaps she wanted to express her disappointment somehow.

“I heard that Her Majesty the Empress is a descendant of the Royal Family.”

She thought she was pathetic for uttering such an obviously intentional remark. But she didn’t want to pretend nothing had happened. Above all, today’s topic had to be the Empress. Her relationship with him should have been Evelyn’s concern. Not the suddenly appearing Duke.

Bryant must have sensed the reproach in her words.

“Her Majesty’s grandmother was a princess.”

So kindly, he explained even the stories she didn’t ask.

“She was the biological mother of my elder brother. I heard she passed away early due to postpartum illness. My father didn’t remarry for a long time because she was a princess. The late King must have cherished his son-in-law who remained loyal.”

“…”

“Her Majesty Reinus is the granddaughter of a Princess, so she is indeed a descendant of the Royal Family. That’s why the Kingdom of Ritten arranged her marriage with the Crown Prince here. I heard the engagement was decided when Her Majesty was very young.”

Listening, Evelyn recalled the Empress. She remembered her during her days as the Crown Princess, now a faint memory. Twenty years old. It seemed young now when Reinus became a foreign Crown Princess.

“Privately, she is a family member, but she is the Empress of Trissen. Her Majesty read your book through some channel, and since I hold the publishing rights, she asked me to arrange a meeting with you.”

Having finished his explanation, Bryant looked down at her face. They were passing in front of the spacious garden of the main palace.

“Are you upset?”

“…No.”

“You seem upset.”

He leaned in a bit more to look into her face. His determination to keep looking until she acknowledged it was evident. Evelyn had no choice but to smile at that persistent gaze.

“I’m not upset. But it would have been better if you had told me in advance. At least I wouldn’t have been surprised.”

“I’m sorry.”

Bryant apologized readily. Then, straightening his posture, he continued facing forward.

“I didn’t think it was necessary to reveal my relationship with Her Majesty. It’s not an important issue.”

Evelyn slowly walked, taking a deep breath.

“If you’d allow me to make more excuses, I don’t want people to feel unnecessary distance from me. Having a famous acquaintance only leads to unnecessary misunderstandings. It makes people constantly associate me with that person.”

“…”

“I especially didn’t want to give you that impression.”

A famous acquaintance. Unnecessary misunderstanding. Even knowing what he meant, she couldn’t avoid the feeling of something constantly pricking her heart.

What would he think if he knew? If he found out I was a woman abandoned by the Duke.

He would think it was distasteful. He would never be pleased. He might even laugh with a face of disbelief, realizing that The Blooming Mansion was based on her own experience. The mere thought was horrifying.

Ah, why did I ever put that writing out into the world?

“Evelyn?”

Suppressing her swirling thoughts, Evelyn turned her head. Her eyes met the gray ones looking down at her. Observant eyes. She shook her head preemptively, fearing those eyes might see through her thoughts.

“I’m really not upset. Truly.”

“That’s a relief.”

Bryant, smiling, took her left hand. Evelyn, startled, looked around, but he casually placed her hand on his right arm. The firm arm beneath the tailcoat. As they crossed the palace garden, the man escorted the lady again.

“What did you talk about with the Duke of Windberg?”

Evelyn had to swallow her breath again.

“…Nothing much.”

“I thought he said he had something important to discuss with you.”

“Oh, that was just… about the Artists’ Village.”

“What did he say?”

Her mind turned foggy.

‘Do you have anything to say to me?’

Only the green eyes looking down coolly and the dry smile came to mind. 

I need to think of something, anything to say.

But unfortunately, she knew nothing about the Artists’ Village.

“It seems you can’t tell me.”

“It’s really nothing important…”

Bryant turned his head to look down at her. She could feel his gaze on her side profile. But she didn’t have the courage to face him. If she showed her eyes, he might see all the anxiety in her mind.

“Well, if you don’t want to tell me.”

Bryant murmured, watching the woman who avoided his gaze. Evelyn never met his eyes in the end.

‘I didn’t think it was necessary to reveal my relationship with Her Majesty. It’s not an important issue.’

So she also didn’t need to reveal her relationship with the Duke. A famous acquaintance only leads to unnecessary misunderstandings. It makes people constantly associate her with that person. Especially if such thoughts were planted in this man’s mind.

The mere thought made her shudder.

“It really wasn’t anything important.”

What happened in the past isn’t important. It’s even less important for Bryant to know. Whoever the Duke of Windberg is, whatever happened with Evelyn Dale, it wasn’t an important issue.

“I understand. If you say so, then it must be so.”

“Really.”

“I said I understand.”

After a light exchange of words, Bryant burst into laughter. Then he pointed to a modest building ahead.

“That’s the relic museum. It’s full of things you might like.”

He spoke in a light tone, as if they were out on a stroll.

So Evelyn felt relieved. She had stepped back from the thing she most wanted to avoid. What’s already happened can’t be undone, but future events can be prevented. Even if she can’t escape the situation that binds her, she can avoid the worst-case scenario.

Therefore, Evelyn needed to keep her wits about her. Until she completed her schedule in Trissen and returned to Kingston. Until then, this man must know nothing. That was the most important thing for her.

Everything else didn’t matter.

Not at all.