Chapter 8

The King was startled, seeing the chamberlain laugh. Even she couldn’t believe it and had summoned witnesses to confirm the truth. Watching his laughter, the King, who had returned to her cold expression, shook her head.

“That can’t be true. It must be an act to deceive others.”

“If it really were an act, he wouldn’t have hidden her from your eyes for an entire month, Your Majesty. The fact that rumors only spread after the adoption process was completed means the Duke is acting sincerely.”

At the chamberlain’s pointed observation, the King’s face hardened. After a moment of contemplation, the King spoke coldly.

“Evelyn Gran might be an even worse villainess than Larisa Moore.”

“…How could you say something so dreadful, Your Majesty?”

The chamberlain’s face darkened at the sudden mention of the name. The King laughed coldly.

“I trust the Duke, but not when it comes to women.”

“Your Majesty, what happened back then wasn’t the Duke’s fault.”

“I know. It was the foolishness of my younger sibling. But if the Duke had cast Larisa Moore aside from the beginning, none of it would have happened.”

Though the King’s words blamed the Duke, there was also a hint of self-reproach. Unable to face the regret that surfaced on the King’s face, the chamberlain lowered his head.

Quickly regaining her composure, the King said.

“I will see Evelyn Gran with my own eyes and judge her myself.”

“The Duke will not be pleased.”

“So? Does that matter?”

The chamberlain couldn’t respond further. To argue here would be tantamount to questioning the Duke’s loyalty. The King, sneering coldly, gave her order.

“Tell the Duke to enter the palace with Evelyn Gran.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The chamberlain bowed respectfully and withdrew. Left alone, the King fell into thought, her expression icy.

“The Duke’s weakness is his softness toward those he cares for. If she’s a scheming woman, I will handle her myself.”

The Kingdom had lost its honor due to a single mistake. The King was determined never to repeat the events of that time.

***

“…What?”

Evelyn stared at Seth in disbelief. With a picturesque smile, he repeated himself.

“The King seems to want to meet you.”

“The… The King?”

“The King has ordered us to enter the palace together.”

It felt like being summoned to the CEO’s office on her first day at work. Evelyn broke out in a cold sweat and asked.

“Is there no way to avoid this?”

“Since it’s a royal decree, I doubt it.”

Of course, there was no way out. Evelyn sighed in resignation and slumped her shoulders.

“The King must dislike the idea of me acting as the stand-in, right?”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because there would be no reason to summon me otherwise.”

A month was more than enough time to investigate her. The King must have already learned that she was a slave and that she was far from suitable to become the Duchess of Elmaier.

“I haven’t even had a month of etiquette training. I haven’t even touched courtly manners yet.”

If she appeared in front of others in this state, she would only become an easy target for ridicule. The fact that she was being summoned despite this could only mean that the King disapproved of her. Perhaps he even intended to humiliate her during their first meeting.

“Eve, even if the King opposes this, I have no intention of giving up on you.”

Seth’s face turned serious.

If she were truly his lover, those words would have moved her to tears. But as nothing more than a stand-in, Evelyn simply shook her head with a resigned expression.

“I appreciate your words, but I think you should prepare another stand-in. If I get humiliated at the palace, it’ll be difficult for me to continue acting as the stand-in.”

The King outranked the Duke, so there was no choice but to comply.

Seth, who had been staring at her sullen expression, finally spoke.

“I’ve thought this before, but you’re quite skilled at provoking people.”

“What?”

“What I mean is, no man would quietly back down after hearing those words.”

Feeling an inexplicable sense of danger, Evelyn hurried to refute him.

“No? There are plenty of men like that. They’re everywhere.”

“Then I must not be one of those men.”

Seth deftly parried her words as he pulled out a small box from his coat. When he opened the lid, a small metal badge was revealed.

“I’d like to pin this on you.”

Evelyn cautiously examined the badge. On a blue shield, a silver lion holding a sword rose on its hind legs. She couldn’t understand why the lion seemed to be dancing wildly.

“What is this?”

“A memento I received when I was knighted.”

“What happens if I wear it?”

“Everyone will know that insulting you means facing my sword.”

Ah, so it was like a dog tag.

Evelyn stared at the badge with a wry smile. If she wore it, no one would dare to mess with her. It was clearly beneficial, but for some reason, she hesitated.

‘Why does it feel like a trap card?’

Strangely, the badge looked like bait attached to a fishing hook. It was tempting, but it felt as though she would never escape once she took the bait.

Seeing her hesitation, Seth gently added.

“If the King sees this, he might reconsider.”

“Then please pin it on me.”

Deciding she had to survive first, Evelyn quickly offered her collar. Seth chuckled softly, as if amused, and pinned the badge onto her lapel.

“Don’t forget to always wear it.”

“Yes.”

Evelyn fiddled with the badge on her collar. The lion was a bit ugly, but not enough to bother her. When she looked up, Seth was gazing at her with a deeply satisfied expression. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Evelyn deliberately asked playfully.

“Why? Does it suit me too well?”

“Yes. It’s very beautiful.”

She was at a loss for words. Seth, still staring at her, reached out a hand.

Startled, Evelyn watched as his hand brushed lightly against her hair. The ticklish sensation made her shoulders flinch.

“Eve.”

“Yes?”

“Why didn’t you tell me that it hurts when others touch you?”

Evelyn froze in shock. His icy blue eyes were fixed on her. Swallowing hard, she replied in a small voice.

“N-no, that’s not true.”

“Not true? What isn’t?”

“…It doesn’t hurt when I’m touched.”

Seth laughed as if amused. But even a fool could tell that his laughter wasn’t out of joy.

“Then your brother must have lied.”

“W-what did my brother say?”

What nonsense could he have spouted?

“Eve, what I want to know is why you hid the truth.”

His voice was gentle but firm. Evelyn realized there was no point in resisting any longer.

“My brother didn’t lie. He truly believes that’s the case.”

“Then it’s not true?”

“I only recently discovered that if someone I don’t dislike touches me, it doesn’t hurt. Even when you held my hand before, it didn’t hurt.”

Though she spoke nonchalantly, her cheeks burned. No matter how shameless she was, it was embarrassing to admit, ‘It didn’t hurt when you touched me.’ And Seth, being perceptive, immediately understood her words.

“Ah.”

Seth let out a sound of admiration or perhaps a sigh as he blinked. His long eyelashes fluttered like a butterfly’s wings. Though briefly shaken, he quickly regained his composure.

“So, you think it doesn’t hurt, but you’re not entirely certain?”

“Well, it’s hard to confirm.”

She would need to get close to someone to confirm it, but the people in the mansion were incredibly aloof. Sometimes, it felt like they were avoiding even speaking with her. Evelyn had never struggled to make friends before, but this place was an exception.

Seth, watching her grumble, asked.

“What happens if someone you dislike touches you?”

“…”

She wanted to evade the question, but she knew it wouldn’t work with him. Poking at a cushion, Evelyn reluctantly confessed.

“It’s not severe, but I feel nauseous or like I can’t breathe.”

“To the point of collapsing?”

“No, that time it was because I was starving. I’ve never actually fainted.”

Despite her earnest explanation, Seth didn’t seem convinced. Under his piercing gaze, Evelyn finally admitted.

“Once, in front of my brother, I threw up. Bran remembers that and is scared of touching me.”

“Who touched you back then?”

Startled by his ominous tone, Evelyn looked at Seth. Misinterpreting her gaze, he hesitated before softening his tone.

“That was insensitive of me. You don’t have to remember. I’ll find out myself.”

Why did that sound like he intended to hunt them down and kill them?

Evelyn shook her head vigorously.

“It’s not hard to talk about. It was my father. He’s already dead, so there’s no need to look for him.”

“…Your father?”

“My father disliked me a lot. But I disliked him just as much, so it’s mutual.”

After a long silence, Seth cautiously asked.

“Eve, may I touch you?”

“Yes, go ahead.”

Knowing he wanted to confirm the truth, Evelyn leaned her face forward. His hand hesitated near her cheek. She grabbed his hand and pressed it against her cheek.

“How is it? It’s fine, right?”

“That’s what I should be asking you.”

“Hmm, I think it’s fine.”

“Don’t give vague answers.”

Evelyn closed her eyes and focused. Unlike before, she felt an unfamiliar sensation from his hand on her cheek. It was ticklish and soft. It felt like a kitten rubbing against her cheek. Overwhelmed by the sensation, Evelyn resisted the urge to relax completely.