Chapter 24

“Pardon?”

Evelyn, confused, widened her eyes as she finally understood the meaning behind Seth’s words.

“Then… did you read my letter?”

“No, I didn’t read it. I was only briefed on its contents.”

That’s practically the same as reading it!

Seeing Evelyn sulk, Seth, flustered, tried to comfort her.

“I’ve already instructed them not to touch your letters anymore. This won’t happen again.”

Strictly speaking, this wasn’t Seth’s fault. He hadn’t intentionally stolen her letter; it had simply been reported to him. Being upset about it any longer would be unreasonable.

“You should’ve told me back then.”

“I wanted to hide it because I thought it might upset you.”

Seth answered honestly. Evelyn couldn’t argue with that, though it still felt a little annoying.

Pouting, Evelyn suddenly remembered the messenger’s suspicious behavior.

“Then does Her Majesty also know my letter wasn’t private?”

“…Yes.”

“Really?”

Seth silently nodded.

Oh no. 

Overwhelmed by embarrassment, Evelyn covered her face and flailed her arms.

“Eve?”

Alarmed by her strange behavior, Seth quickly lifted her into his arms. Thinking she was in shock, he repeatedly stroked her head and apologized.

“I’m sorry. I’m really, really sorry. Please calm down, okay?”

“I’m so embarrassed I could die.”

Sniffling, Evelyn leaned against Seth’s shoulder. As mortifying as it was, Seth’s comforting strokes felt nice. She thought to herself once again—she really ought to appoint Seth as her personal “comfort slave.” 

Keep stroking me, Slave.

After some time, Seth whispered softly.

“Are you feeling better?”

“Uh, no?”

Seth chuckled, clearly seeing through the lie. Embarrassed, Evelyn buried her face into his shoulder. Stroking her hair gently, Seth said,

“I didn’t realize how desperate you were to write such a letter. I thought you had already given up. I’m sorry for misunderstanding.”

Evelyn winced internally, remembering how she had briefly given up in the middle.

“I couldn’t acknowledge the letter, so I was prepared to follow Her Majesty’s orders. If I had known it would cause you such trouble, I wouldn’t have stayed silent.”

Hearing his quiet voice, Evelyn felt tears welling up. She hugged Seth’s neck tightly and murmured,

“I’m sorry too. For secretly writing the letter, for scheming, and for losing something so precious.”

“Asking for Her Majesty’s help wasn’t wrong. And I can’t impose my definition of ‘precious’ onto you, so you don’t need to apologize.”

But saying it like that makes me sound like trash. Evelyn lifted her head and protested.

“It’s precious to me too!”

Anyone listening would think she casually threw the badge around. 

If I hadn’t fainted, I wouldn’t have lost it!

Pouting, Evelyn saw Seth’s eyes widen in surprise as he asked,

“Then will you treasure it from now on?”

“Yes, I’ll never lose it again.”

Even if it disgusts me, I’ll wear it every day. 

As she grumbled internally, something soft touched her forehead. It felt like being enveloped in feathers, warm and tender. Overwhelmed by the sensation, Evelyn blinked.

“What?”

Did Seth just… kiss me?

Looking at him in disbelief, Evelyn saw that Seth looked just as surprised.

“Sorry, you were so cute I couldn’t help myself.”

Suddenly, her face burned. Seth probably didn’t mean much by it—just a casual kiss, like one you’d give a cute puppy. But Evelyn’s heart felt like it was about to explode, pounding even in her ears.

Desperate to break the tension, Evelyn blurted out without thinking,

“I-I’m kind of cute, aren’t I?!”

Oh no, what did I just say?

As her sanity returned, Evelyn was overcome with embarrassment. She buried her flushed face into Seth’s shoulder. Seth laughed softly.

“Yes, you’re the cutest in the world.”

Stop laughing like that. It’s too embarrassing. Please.

If Evelyn died now, the cause of death would undoubtedly be humiliation.

As she trembled, Seth held her tightly and whispered,

“Eve, can I carry you like this all the way to my room?”

For some reason, his words sounded dangerously suggestive.

“Huh? I just wanted to wash up and eat together. Is that not okay?”

Get out of my head, you filthy thoughts. 

Seth probably just meant washing up and having a normal meal.

Trying to regain her composure, Evelyn bit her tongue lightly and slowly raised her head.

“I-I’ll just go back to my room.”

With her heart still pounding, she felt the need to retreat and calm herself. The cravat Seth had given her, embroidered with a puppy design, proved highly effective in distracting her.

“Well, if I take you to my room, the head maid might eat me alive.”

Seth joked playfully. Worried that the head maid might get scolded again, Evelyn quickly defended her.

“She’s just worried because I don’t know much. She’s not a bad person.”

The head maid, despite her stern demeanor, was quite the worrier. Every morning, as she brushed Evelyn’s hair, she would give her earnest advice.

“All men are enemies to unmarried women. Don’t even trust the Duke before marriage. Never be alone with him.”

Though unnecessary advice for a two-year contract “puppy,” it felt motherly and wasn’t unwelcome.

“She’s always looking out for me, teaching me things I don’t know. She’s not bad at all…”

As Evelyn trailed off, glancing at Seth, he frowned slightly.

“Still, don’t get too close to her. I get jealous.”

His sudden remark made Evelyn burst into laughter. For some reason, Seth’s sulky expression reminded her of a dog trying to monopolize its owner’s affection. Leaning closer, she whispered in his ear,

“Actually, I like you the most, Duke.”

Seth’s shoulder twitched, as if tickled by her words.

Curious about his reaction, Evelyn looked up. But before she could fully register his expression, Seth’s lips brushed against her forehead again. Reflexively, Evelyn closed her eyes.

It felt like being tickled by thousands of flower petals. Warm and soft, yet it made her body tense up. Overwhelmed by the surge of emotions, Evelyn found herself short of breath. As she panted, Seth gently pressed her back against his chest and asked,

“What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”

“No.”

Evelyn managed to reply, though she still couldn’t open her eyes.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take you to your room safely.”

Seth’s voice was lower than usual as he whispered. Instead of answering, Evelyn clung tightly to his clothes.

Adjusting his hold to make her more comfortable, Seth began walking. Leaning against his chest, Evelyn absentmindedly touched her forehead. It felt as though a balloon inside her was floating, carrying her away.

***

Under the shade of the Sun Palace, the attendants were chatting leisurely.

“Have you heard the rumors about the young lady the Duke of Elmaier brought?”

“You mean the arrogant woman who refused Her Majesty’s command to become a maid?”

A mustachioed attendant chimed in smugly. The one who had started the conversation clicked his tongue.

“You’re behind on the news. It wasn’t the young lady who refused Her Majesty’s command—it was the Duke.”

“The Duke refused Her Majesty?”

“Yes. He didn’t want to give her up, so he smuggled her away in a carriage. If she became a royal maid, she wouldn’t be able to marry freely.”

The attendants, shocked at first, quickly understood. After all, even the most loyal man couldn’t resist a beautiful woman. However, not everyone was convinced.

“But if that’s true, wouldn’t Her Majesty have punished him? No matter how much she cherishes her nephew, she wouldn’t let that slide.”

Smirking, the first attendant replied, 

“Of course she punished him.”

“What kind of punishment?”

“She ordered the Duke to carry the young lady on his back and run laps around the training grounds.”

“What?”

“That’s ridiculous!”

Before the mustachioed man could react, others exploded in disbelief. The first attendant remained calm.

“I heard it directly from Sir Brett, Her Majesty’s messenger. He witnessed it with his own eyes.”

“So the Duke really carried a woman and ran laps?”

“Exactly ten laps, according to the testimony.”

“Incredible. You see all sorts of things in this world.”

The attendants shook their heads, calling it a disgrace to men. Then, the mustachioed man, eager to stand out, said,

“I’m more curious about how beautiful the Duke’s woman must be.”

Suddenly, the conversation shifted, and everyone agreed.

“The Duke’s former fiancée, Lady Clemence, was a great beauty. I wonder who’s more beautiful.”

“Didn’t Sir Brett see her? Surely he has an opinion.”

“For some reason, Sir Brett avoided talking about her.”

Without testimony, opinions were divided.

Those who had seen Lady Clemence insisted Evelyn Hynes couldn’t possibly be more beautiful.

But others argued that since the Duke had melted for Evelyn while being cold to Lady Clemence, she must be the greater beauty.

As the debate continued, the first attendant concluded,

“Why don’t we just see for ourselves? Her Majesty appointed her as a maid, so she’ll enter the palace soon.”

And so, the attendants decided to watch Evelyn’s entrance into the palace.