Chapter 29

Fiona scanned the flustered girls and knights, letting out a sigh.

“It seems everyone has forgotten that this is the royal palace.”

Everyone lowered their heads, looking dejected. After sending the knights back to their posts, Fiona turned her sharp gaze to Evelyn and spoke.

“Evelyn, you must not tell such vulgar stories here. Do not bring them up again.”

“I’m sorry.”

Evelyn felt a little disheartened at her story being called vulgar, but she obediently apologized. Fortunately, Fiona didn’t scold her further and changed the subject.

“Alright. Let’s review the embroidery. Those who have finished, bring yours forward.”

The problem was that Evelyn was the only one who had finished. Hesitating, she brought her handkerchief forward and held it out. Fiona gave her a puzzled look.

“What is this supposed to be?”

“It’s a cat.”

Evelyn replied confidently. She heard Camilla snicker but ignored it.

“If your embroidery is this small, you should make several of them. And why did you choose gray fabric?”

“Someone recommended this color, saying it would suit me.”

Fiona didn’t ask who had made the recommendation. Instead, she glanced briefly at Maria. Maria flinched and tried to put on a pitiful expression, but it was too late.

Taking Evelyn’s handkerchief, Fiona spoke coldly.

“Everyone else must submit theirs by the end of the day. And Evelyn, copy ‘The Proper Conduct of a Lady’ ten times by tomorrow.”

“What?!”

“This is your punishment for telling a vulgar story in the royal palace.”

“…Understood.”

Having to write a reflection on her first day made Evelyn very gloomy. Even being told she could leave for the day didn’t cheer her up.

As she trudged along, Diana approached her to offer some comfort.

“I’ve copied ‘The Proper Conduct of a Lady’ before. Writing it ten times doesn’t take long. Don’t worry.”

“Really?”

“Hey, Hamilton!”

A loud voice interrupted them. Turning around, Evelyn saw Camilla standing there with a haughty expression.

“What are you doing? Hurry over here.”

Behind Camilla, the other girls were gathered. It was clear she intended to openly divide them into groups, and Diana’s face turned pale.

Evelyn quickly nudged Diana forward.

“Go on.”

There was no need for Diana to be ostracized just for being with Evelyn.

Evelyn gave her a small smile, which made Diana’s eyes waver. Looking back and forth between Evelyn and Camilla, Diana finally spoke with a resolute expression.

“I’m sorry, but I’ll stay with Evelyn.”

“What?”

Camilla was momentarily stunned, but her face soon twisted into a venomous expression.

“Fine. Don’t regret it.”

She turned on her heel and walked away. The others silently followed her, except for Anne, who looked back at Diana with a worried expression.

“Th-that was so scary!”

As soon as they were out of sight, Diana grabbed Evelyn and started trembling. Evelyn patted her back and asked.

“If you were so scared, why did you stay with me?”

“Because if I left, you’d be all alone.”

“But you might get bullied because of me.”

“To be honest, Miss Eden doesn’t like me much anyway. Even if I went over there, I’d just be ignored.”

Diana said this with a shy smile.

What a loyal girl. 

Touched, Evelyn grabbed her sleeve tightly.

“Thank you for staying with me. I would’ve been lonely if you’d gone over to them.”

“Really?”

Diana’s expression brightened considerably.

The two chatted as they walked toward the entrance. However, just as they were about to step outside, Diana suddenly grabbed Evelyn’s arm in alarm.

“We can’t go out right now!”

“Huh? Why not?”

“There are scary people outside.”

Hmm, scary people? 

Evelyn had a good idea who they might be. She gently reassured the panicking Diana and peeked outside. As expected, the garden was filled with knights in black uniforms, casting a dark atmosphere. At the center of it all stood Seth, exuding a chilling aura. He turned his head and locked eyes with Evelyn.

“Looks like we’ve been spotted. What do we do?”

Diana whispered nervously, clutching Evelyn tightly. Evelyn pondered how to explain the situation before simply waving at Seth.

“Your Grace!”

Seth strode toward her with long steps. Diana, her eyes wide, let go of Evelyn. Acting like the beloved fiancée she was supposed to be, Evelyn ran to Seth and threw herself into his arms.

“Have you been waiting long?”

“No.”

That’s a lie. Your coat is cold.

Worried, Evelyn looked up at him. Seth, who was observing her with the same concern, asked.

“Anyone bothering you?”

“Huh? Oh, no. Everyone’s been kind.”

There had been attempts to bother her, but none had succeeded. Smiling proudly, Evelyn saw Seth return her smile.

“That’s good. Shall we go?”

“Oh, wait! I want to introduce you to my friend.”

“Friend?”

“I made a new friend today.”

Evelyn slipped out of Seth’s arms and went to fetch Diana. Diana, who was pressed against the wall near the entrance, looked at Evelyn with eyes like a frightened hamster.

“Diana, can I introduce you to the Duke of our house?”

“Huh? To me?”

Diana looked as though she might have a heart attack. Evelyn scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“It’s not mandatory. I just wanted to introduce my fiancé to you. If it’s too much, we can pretend I didn’t say anything.”

“N-no! If he’s your fiancé, I should greet him.”

Diana stumbled forward, looking like she wanted to bolt. Evelyn supported her as they walked back to Seth.

Seth looked at them with a slightly troubled expression. As soon as their eyes met, Diana flinched and began trembling.

Evelyn instinctively checked Seth. The air conditioning isn’t even on.

Deciding to wrap things up quickly, Evelyn spoke.

“Your Grace, this is my friend, Miss Diana Hamilton. Diana, this is my fiancé, Duke Seth Elmaier.”

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Hamilton.”

Seth inclined his head slightly. Diana, pale as a sheet, hiccupped.

“Th-th-thank you for meeting me. Hic!”

“Yes. Please take care of my wife.”

“W-what?! O-of course…”

The conversation didn’t seem to be going anywhere. Sensing this, Seth turned to Evelyn.

“Would you like to ride in the carriage with your friend?”

“Yes, I think that would be best.”

“Oh, no, I-I have my own carriage…”

Diana stammered, clearly desperate to escape. Evelyn gently coaxed her into Seth’s carriage.

“Then we’ll ride with you to where your carriage is waiting. Walking alone would be boring.”

“Oh, you really don’t have to…”

Half in tears, Diana climbed into the carriage. Seth lifted Evelyn into the carriage before closing the door. Once they were alone, Diana seemed to relax slightly.

“W-what should I do? I was so rude to His Grace.”

“It’s fine. He doesn’t mind.”

Seth had looked a bit perplexed, but it was more like someone confused by an overturned hamster. Evelyn’s confident reassurance made Diana hesitate before asking.

“Evelyn, aren’t you afraid of His Grace?”

“Hmm, not at all. He’s actually very kind.”

Though he could be scary at times, she decided not to mention that. Diana looked at her in awe.

“That’s amazing. I was terrified just looking at him.”

Our Duke isn’t scary, though. 

Evelyn found Diana’s reaction puzzling but didn’t say anything. Diana quickly tried to explain.

“His Grace is a war hero, after all. He has a different presence from ordinary people. The closer I got, the more it felt like my head was being pressed down.”

“Oh, right. He does have a commanding presence.”

“And when our eyes met, it felt like a blade was brushing against my neck. I thought I was going to die.”

Diana shivered and hugged her shoulders. What is this, a horror story? Evelyn, bewildered, watched as Diana spoke again.

“You must not feel those things, Evelyn.”

“Hmm, I guess I’m just a bit dense.”

“I’m glad. I was worried you were forcing yourself not to be scared.”

Diana smiled in relief. Realizing she truly feared Seth, Evelyn felt a bit conflicted. Diana noticed Evelyn’s gaze and spoke awkwardly.

“I must seem so pathetic, getting scared and overreacting to nothing.”

“No. I think you’re a very kind and brave person, Diana.”

“Huh? M-me?”

“You were the first to talk to me, even though everyone else avoided me. I know that wasn’t easy.”

At Evelyn’s words, Diana’s cheeks turned bright red. She fidgeted with her hands before finally speaking.

“When I first met you, Evelyn, I was so surprised. You handled situations I would’ve panicked in so easily. I thought you were amazing!”

“Really? Thank you for thinking so.”

“Since then, I’ve wanted to be friends with you. And when you introduced me to your fiancé as your friend, I was so happy. I really want us to be friends!”

Diana’s hands trembled as she clasped them tightly. Evelyn smiled softly.

“I already think of us as friends. Don’t you?”

Diana’s face lit up. She gripped Evelyn’s hands tightly, repeatedly expressing her joy. The emotions bubbling from her touch felt like sparkling soda. It was a little ticklish but not unpleasant.

‘I’m sorry for testing you like this.’

Evelyn didn’t pull her hands away. She had wanted to confirm Diana’s sincerity.

If Diana had approached her with ill intent, dark tendrils would have clung to her the moment they touched. But Diana’s emotions were pure. She genuinely wanted to be friends with Evelyn.

‘I had to be sure. I can’t keep someone with ulterior motives close.’

Even as Evelyn justified herself, she felt a pang of guilt seeing Diana’s bright smile. Resolving to be a good friend, she held Diana’s hands firmly.