Chapter 23

“Eek!”

Startled, Evelyn let out a strange scream. Lord Neville, misunderstanding her reaction, raised his voice even louder.

“Despite the unreasonable nature of the command, the Young Lady has declared her willingness to obey Her Majesty’s order! For the honor of the Duke’s household! Fearing that Her Majesty might doubt the loyalty of the Duke’s household, she has endured the pain with her frail body, struggling to this very moment.”

When did I ever say that?

Evelyn cringed at the exaggerated praise, feeling her hands and feet curl in embarrassment. Seth, looking at her with a curious expression that seemed to say, “Oh, is that so?” made it all the more unbearable.

“T-That’s not true!”

No matter what others believed, Evelyn could never deceive Seth.

After all, the King’s command to run ten laps around the training grounds matched Seth’s condition exactly. It was obvious to anyone that Evelyn had tattled to the King. In the end, Evelyn squeezed her eyes shut and confessed the truth.

“This is all my fault. I actually asked Her Majesty to issue such a command. I wrote to her, asking if she could reduce the laps from ten to three, as you, Duke, had instructed me to run ten laps to become Her Majesty’s maid. I didn’t expect her to issue such an order, but it’s entirely my fault. I’m truly sorry.”

Evelyn had no desire for the King and Seth to clash. She would rather break her legs running ten laps than let that happen. At this point, she felt like she could even run the laps on her hands if necessary.

Once her confession was over, a deathly silence filled the air. Evelyn held her breath, waiting for Seth to get angry.

“Eve, do you truly want to become Her Majesty’s maid?”

Contrary to her expectations, Seth did not get angry. He merely looked at her with an expression of utter incomprehension. Hesitant, Evelyn cautiously nodded. Seth, as if trying to scare her, spoke in a low tone.

“It’s much harder and more painful than you think. You might end up hurt or heartbroken.”

“I don’t care.”

What scared Evelyn more than getting hurt was being of no help to Seth. Seeing her resolute expression, Seth chuckled softly and draped his coat over her shoulders.

“You’ll catch a cold if your body cools down.”

Though Evelyn was sweating from the heat, she obediently wore the coat as instructed. While she adjusted the coat, Seth waited patiently before asking.

“So, would you prefer to be carried on my back or in my arms?”

“What?”

“I can’t disobey a royal command, so I’ll carry you and run all ten laps if I must.”

Evelyn felt every hair on her body stand on end as she shouted.

“No, I’ll crawl on the ground if I have to, but I’ll run all ten laps myself!”

She would rather die than be carried piggyback by Seth while running laps around the training grounds!

At Evelyn’s desperate outcry, Seth smiled faintly.

“Answer one question for me, and I’ll let you do as you wish.”

“Yes! Ask me anything!”

“The clothes you’re wearing right now—whose are they? They look like training gear for a knight-in-training. Why is my wife wearing another man’s clothes? And what’s the name of this brave man?”

…That’s not one question! 

Unable to answer, Evelyn eventually found herself quietly climbing onto Seth’s back. Despite carrying her, Seth effortlessly completed all ten laps around the training grounds.

* * *

“Thank you so much, Young Lady. I will never forget this kindness.”

The messenger, now freed from the chair, looked at Evelyn with the gratitude of a magpie repaying a favor.

Feeling awkward as she had done nothing but stand next to Seth, Evelyn replied, 

“It was the Duke who freed you.”

“Haha, but had you not asked for my release, I would’ve remained tied up until my dying breath, Young Lady.”

“Haha, you’re joking.”

“I’m not joking.”

The messenger’s expression turned serious. Lowering his voice, he whispered.

“I caused the Young Lady trouble by delivering Her Majesty’s command. If I were to disappear and my body was never found, the culprit would surely be…”

Following the messenger’s gaze, Evelyn turned to see Seth. He appeared to be deep in thought as he stared at the chair where the messenger had been tied. At first glance, his expression seemed as though he was contemplating burying someone today. Truly a man easy to misunderstand.

“The Duke is not like that. Though he looks scary—well, he is a bit scary—he has a kind side too.”

“Young Lady, you should carefully reconsider whether you’re being deceived.”

The messenger openly scoffed, and Evelyn pouted in response.

“You saw him carry me around the training grounds, didn’t you? And he didn’t even get angry when I made a mistake.”

“There are exceptions to every rule.”

“Well said.”

Startled by the voice from right next to her, Evelyn turned to find Seth standing there, his expression unchanging as he looked at the messenger.

“You must also know you’re not one of those exceptions.”

“If you get rid of me, Her Majesty will be furious.” 

The messenger stammered, retreating with trembling hands clasped in front of his chest.

Why would you say something like that if you’re so scared?

“What nonsense. The Duke would never do such a thing.”

When Evelyn looked at Seth for help, he smiled faintly and agreed.

“Of course not. Getting rid of you would be less efficient than targeting your family.”

“Gah!”

The messenger’s eyes rolled back as he collapsed, foaming at the mouth.

Evelyn stared at Seth in disbelief as he shrugged.

“It was just a joke.”

What kind of joke is that in this situation?!

Dust settled on the messenger’s face as he lay sprawled on the dirt floor.

How am I supposed to handle this?

Fortunately, the messenger regained consciousness shortly after. Though he screamed upon seeing Seth, he finally calmed down after Evelyn reassured him about twenty times that it had been a joke.

With a face that looked ten years older, the messenger handed Evelyn a piece of parchment.

“This is the decree appointing you as Her Majesty’s maid. You must bring it with you when you enter the palace.”

Evelyn took the parchment with a bewildered expression. To bring both the order to run ten laps and the acceptance decree at the same time—how strange.

“Did Her Majesty believe I would succeed?”

“Well, of course…”

The messenger glanced at Seth before continuing in an unnaturally stiff tone.

“Of course, Her Majesty trusted you and issued the command.”

Something’s fishy.

Avoiding Evelyn’s suspicious gaze, the messenger quickly added, 

“You are to enter the palace in one week. You will receive further guidance on what to prepare and be mindful of. Now then, I’ll take my leave.”

“Oh, but would you like some tea…”

“No, thank you! As much as I regret it, let’s save it for next time!”

Rejecting her offer, the messenger fled like a rabbit escaping a predator.

As Evelyn waved goodbye, she turned to Seth, staring at him intently. Feeling her gaze, Seth smiled faintly and asked.

“It’ll take a while to return to your room. Would you like to wash up in my chambers and have dinner together?”

Hmm, that smile is suspiciously sweet.

Narrowing her eyes, Evelyn asked accusingly, 

“You think I’ll blush and go along with it if you say it like that, don’t you?”

“Huh?”

Feigning innocence, Seth sighed.

“Others fall for it easily. Why doesn’t it work on you?”

“I’ve already figured out all your patterns, Duke.”

As Evelyn shrugged, Seth smirked and pulled something from his pocket.

“This too?”

“Eek!”

What Seth held was the ugly lion badge Evelyn had lost at the palace. She had planned to sneakily retrieve it and pretend she hadn’t lost it, but how had it ended up with Seth?

“Well, that’s actually…”

“Eve, let me explain first.”

Seth’s serious tone silenced Evelyn’s attempt to explain. With nothing to say, she nodded obediently.

After a long pause, Seth finally spoke.

“Every letter sent from here is thoroughly screened for security. It’s to ensure no information about the household is leaked. The letter you sent to Her Majesty was also screened and brought to me.”