Chapter 34

Diana’s pace quickened as she walked down the corridor. She tried to walk slowly, but her steps kept getting faster.

By this time, it should be over.

The official meeting time between Evan and Kahil was finished. But since Evan hadn’t yet returned to his office, Diana headed toward the reception room.

Were they still talking?

She hadn’t expected them to have such a friendly conversation, so it was a bit surprising. Maybe Evan had even warmed up to Kahil. As Diana walked, she considered various possibilities.

Well, in a way, it was a relief….

Kahil’s presence was so overwhelming that it could break down any walls of caution. Maybe it was for the best. If Evan came to feel a sense of family or affection for him, it would make things easier regarding Ed.

They couldn’t keep Ed at the viscountcy forever. That’s why Diana hoped Evan would think positively about gaining a new family member.

With those hopes, Diana soon arrived at the reception room. Evan’s attendants stood in front of the door.

“Is His Majesty inside?”

“He’s still inside.”

“Really? The conversation with the Grand Duke isn’t over?”

“No, the Grand Duke left first, but…”

At Diana’s question, the attendants began to hesitate.

“His Majesty hasn’t come out yet.”

“What? Why?”

“We’re not sure either… It doesn’t seem like he’s doing anything in there, but he’s just sitting and not coming out.”

So that’s why they looked so unsure. Diana wondered if something had happened during the talk with Kahil and immediately knocked on the reception room door.

“Your Majesty, I’m coming in for a moment.”

She opened the door and entered. Inside, Evan was sitting alone. Diana carefully closed the door and approached him.

“Your Majesty.”

“…….”

“I came looking for you since you hadn’t returned to your office.”

The reception room was spotless. The desk in front had been cleaned, perhaps by the attendants. At least there was no sign of blood or anything, which was a relief. Diana approached Evan.

He was sitting quietly. But Diana knew that his silence wasn’t necessarily a good thing.

“Your Majesty, did something happen with the Grand Duke?”

“…….”

“The attendants were worried. Was there any trouble?”

Only then did Evan speak.

“He just ate.”

“Pardon?”

“The Grand Duke ate an entire cake and left.”

“…That’s really impressive.”

His appetite was surprising, but what was more impressive was that he could calmly eat cake during a meeting with the Emperor.

“Impressive?”

Evan responded to Diana’s remark.

“Is eating a whole cake really that impressive?”

“I think it is. Not just the amount, but eating so much in front of you, Your Majesty…”

“So you’re a fan of the Grand Duke?”

“Excuse me?”

Diana blinked at the sudden question.

“What do you mean… Oh, are you talking about the book?”

Could it be that they talked about the book and being a fan even in the reception room? But with Kahil, it was entirely possible.

“There’s a bit of a misunderstanding. It’s true I have the book, but not because I’m a fan.”

“Then why do you have the book?”

“Well…”

“I heard it’s hard to get.”

Evan’s questions made Diana’s eyes dart around. She couldn’t possibly say she got it from the anti-Emperor faction. That was absolutely out of the question.

“Well, yes, um… Rather than being a fan, I was interested in the Grand Duke, so I got the book.”

“Interested?”

“Yes. When I heard he was coming to the capital, I wanted to learn more about him. The book was the most reliable and comprehensive source of information.”

Of course, the real Kahil was nothing like the book. It was enough to demand a refund, or even sue for fraud.

“That’s all. I’m not a fan or anything.”

“Then why did you let him grab your wrist?”

“I was so shocked by the Grand Duke that I didn’t even realize he was holding my wrist.”

Kahil’s true nature was just that shocking.

“…….”

Even after Diana’s explanation, Evan’s eyes remained cold. He looked as if nothing pleased him.

“The Grand Duke said he wants to meet you.”

“Oh, I think that’s because I’m the first person he knew that read his book. That’s probably why he wants to see me again.”

“Why did you bring the book when you met the Grand Duke?”

“Sophia was curious about him too, so I said to use the book as a reason to start a conversation. Somehow, I ended up being his fan.”

All she remembered from the garden was chaos. Kahil’s real self was just that overwhelming—for both her and Sophia.

“Oh, don’t worry. If the Grand Duke calls for me, I’ll meet him outside of work hours. Next time, I’ll be more alert so he won’t grab my wrist.”

“Why meet him? Don’t.”

“Pardon? But since he’s staying at the palace, it’s not easy to avoid him.”

He already knew she was the Emperor’s aide, and since Kahil was staying at the palace, they’d inevitably run into each other at least once or twice. Plus, Kahil had already declared her his fan, so he’d definitely want to meet her.

“I should have refused when he asked to talk, so it’s partly my responsibility.”

“…….”

“And about grabbing my wrist, I’m sure he meant no harm. He was just excited to meet his first fan in the capital. He seems awkward with women…”

The more Diana spoke about Kahil, the more Evan’s lips tightened. But Diana had her reasons for speaking well of Kahil to Evan.

In a way, this was a chance to find out how Evan felt.

A family meeting. This encounter with Kahil was a good opportunity to hear Evan’s thoughts about meeting new family.

“Well, the Grand Duke is your blood relative and family, Your Majesty.”

So Diana made sure to emphasize the word “family.”

“If possible, I hope you and the Grand Duke can get along. Right now, you have no other family in the palace. The Grand Duke could be a comfort when you’re feeling lonely.”

In fact, Kahil’s foolishness was a relief to Diana. It might help Evan see family as something familiar, not something to be wary of. If so, he’d accept Ed more naturally.

“No.”

But contrary to Diana’s hopes, Evan was firm.

“I have no intention of getting close to the Grand Duke.”

“You don’t have to be so negative… It’s only your first meeting. Maybe with time, you’ll feel differently.”

“Not at all. I don’t want to.”

This was bad. Evan almost never changed his mind when he said “no” like this. Diana, searching for another approach, asked again.

“Your Majesty, then… Compared to Sophia, how much do you dislike the Grand Duke?”

“They’re the same.”

“That much?”

To dislike him as much as Sophia—he practically didn’t see Kahil as a person. Evan’s feelings toward Kahil had dropped below rock bottom.

She hadn’t expected Evan to dislike his new family so much. If things stayed like this, even mentioning Ed could cause a disaster. In despair, Diana swallowed her tears and kept silent about Ed.