Chapter 32

Following Rachel’s departure, the house fell into silence, but the atmosphere remained somewhat unsettled.

Breaking the silence, Dyffrin spoke to Evelyn first.

“It seems there was some commotion inside.”

Although Evelyn had used the bug as an excuse, Dyffrin seemed to have sensed the quarrel.

“It was nothing significant.”

“Then that’s fine.”

Dyffrin probably knew that Rachel’s hair loss wasn’t due to baldness.

However, since he didn’t seem to care who was at fault, Evelyn chose not to elaborate and kept quiet.

Dyffrin put his hand into his pocket.

“I apologize for my mother’s actions. This time, she went too far.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened much more than when Rachel pulled her hair. Dyffrin’s apologies were always surprising.

She approached him and raised her arm, placing her palm on his forehead.

“You don’t seem to have a fever…”

“I’m just apologizing because it’s the right thing to do. My mother’s actions were clearly intended to belittle you this time.”

Dyffrin gently brushed her hand away.

“…I had no choice but to let Rachel Pinford into the house. She came because of my mother’s letter at this late hour, I couldn’t just turn her away.”

“Yes, well… You’ve already explained it sufficiently to Lady Rachel, so it’s fine.”

When she first entered the mansion, Evelyn was upset about Dyffrin meeting Rachel at such a late hour, but now it didn’t matter.

She had seen Rachel’s face subtly contort under Dyffrin’s cold demeanor.

Dyffrin’s additional reassurance made her feel even better.

“If I overlook anything, please tell me first.”

Evelyn was puzzled.

It was true that he had been kinder to her lately, defended her among strangers, and taken care of her when she was ill.

But admitting that Amelia was wrong was different. Amelia had a significant presence in Dyffrin’s life.

To be precise, because the family owed her a debt from the past, he rarely pointed out Amelia’s faults.

Evelyn found this side of Dyffrin unfamiliar, but she decided to express her honest feelings for now.

“I’m glad you said that.”

Dyffrin stared intently at Evelyn. Then he opened his mouth.

“I…”

‘I?’

Evelyn looked into Dyffrin’s eyes. But he didn’t answer immediately. Finally, Dyffrin averted his gaze and spoke.

“I’m worried you might collapse from stress again.”

‘Why did he take so long to say something so trivial?’

“It’s alright. I’ve been perfectly fine since returning from the medical center.”

Since they were having various conversations, Evelyn thought she should ask about Nosellerton.

“How are things at the palace these days?”

“…At the palace?”

Dyffrin asked back, as it was rare for Evelyn to inquire about his work.

“Yes. You mentioned last time that Prince Fenris and Prince Nosellerton weren’t getting along. I was worried it might affect you. Isn’t Rykal’s sudden visit related to that?”

Dyffrin raised an eyebrow slightly at the mention of “Fenris” from Evelyn’s lips, but she didn’t notice.

“Rykal’s sudden visit was for another matter. And the issue between the two of them isn’t something you need to worry about.”

“So, there’s nothing to be concerned about?”

Evelyn pressed on, and Dyffrin eventually nodded slightly.

“Yes, both of them have been quiet lately.”

Evelyn felt relieved inside. That was a good sign. It seemed Fenris hadn’t caused any trouble yet.

“Of course, I don’t know what Prince Fenris might be plotting behind the scenes.”

Dyffrin added.

“So, Evelyn. Stay away from Prince Fenris. He’s a dangerous person.”

“Alright.”

Evelyn didn’t mind Dyffrin’s nagging. Perhaps it was because he had been talking to her more and being kind lately.

Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind.

‘If we hadn’t met as a married couple, could we have had a better relationship?’

Dyffrin was undoubtedly a charming and impressive person. If they had been in a different relationship, she might have accepted him more comfortably.

But such assumptions strangely made Evelyn feel bitter.

“What’s wrong?”

Dyffrin’s voice snapped Evelyn back to reality.

“Oh… I’m just nervous about the Duke’s visit tomorrow.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. Father is not such a strict person. And surely…”

Dyffrin hesitated to say.

“He will like you.”

Evelyn’s eyelashes fluttered slightly. Her previously sinking heart seemed to lift all at once.

Evelyn smiled brightly. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her rose-colored lips curved beautifully.

“I hope so.”

Dyffrin stared at Evelyn’s radiant response with a momentarily dazed expression.

Then he slowly reached out towards her face. Evelyn paused for a moment, watching his approaching hand, but didn’t avoid it.

However, Dyffrin’s hand stopped in mid-air and then changed direction to lightly stroke Evelyn’s hair.

“…Your hair is tangled.”

Evelyn finally exhaled the breath she had been holding.

‘Oh… my hair.’

It was probably disheveled from when Rachel had pulled it earlier. Even though it was a meaningless gesture, the heat on her face didn’t dissipate easily.

The situation a moment ago made it seem like he was about to hold her face… and kiss her.

The atmosphere was like that. No, to be precise, his gaze was like that.

But to think it was because of tangled hair.

‘Ugh, how embarrassing.’

Of course, it was a conjecture she made alone, but she felt ashamed for having such a lewd imagination.

“…I’ll go up first. I want to wash up.”

Evelyn finally made an excuse and left the place first.

***

Left alone in the hall after Evelyn left, Dyffrin remained frozen like a statue for a while, unable to move.

It was because his mind was overwhelmed.

No matter how much he racked his brain, he couldn’t understand why he had felt such an impulse a moment ago.

That impulse started when he was with Rachel and Evelyn saw them.

He was concerned about what Evelyn might be thinking. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to care much about Rachel’s visit.

However, his mother’s actions would be hard to tolerate. Having a letter delivered to a stranger when there’s a daughter-in-law in the house.

Dyffrin began to feel anxious.

‘She had collapsed from stress recently; could she endure this situation?’

‘If these incidents piled up and wore her down, how would she look at me then?’

Once again, the image of a canary in a cage appeared in his mind. A bird that feels unhappy in its cage will always want to fly away to the sky.

Lately, Evelyn didn’t seem to show such signs, but the thought always made Dyffrin uneasy.

Even though he didn’t understand why he was so worried about Evelyn leaving his side, he realized one thing when he saw her smile.

He wanted her to stay by his side.

Looking at Evelyn made him feel tormented and confused, but like tasting sweet fruit, he kept looking at her and paying attention to her.

It was the same a moment ago.

Seeing her smile brightly, he almost kissed her without realizing it.

To him, kissing was the dirtiest act in the world. Pressing lips together and exploring each other’s mouths. Dyffrin had always found that act filthy since he was young.

Yet, a moment ago, he almost committed that filthy act.

Fortunately, rationality took over the impulse, and he was able to stop.

But it was still shocking. To think that kissing Evelyn wouldn’t be bad.

Looking at Evelyn sometimes made his mouth dry, as if he were thirsty.

Usually, it stopped there, but today, his body moved on its own as if he were drunk.

He still felt as if her light pink lips were lingering in front of his eyes.

‘…This is driving me crazy.’

Dyffrin felt heat spreading to his neck and unbuttoned the top button of his shirt.

***

The next morning, the arrival of a guest at the mansion created a commotion.

The guest was Duke Dunswell of Liwonoc. He had come to the capital with a rather small entourage: one guard, his personal attendant, and a servant.

‘It has begun, the third trial.’

Evelyn watched his attendant closely. The attendant quickly turned his head away when their eyes met.

‘Hmm…’

At that moment, Dunswell warmly greeted Dyffrin.

“Dyffrin, how have you been? It’s the first time I’ve seen you since the wedding.”

“I’ve been well. Have you been in good health, Father?”

“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Dunswell laughed heartily. Then he turned his gaze to Evelyn.

“…How about you? Have you been well?”

Dunswell asked awkwardly.

When he thought of Evelyn, he felt various emotions, including guilt.

Amelia always spoke regretfully about Evelyn.

She sincerely lamented that Evelyn was more extravagant than expected, had complicated relationships with men, and lacked the etiquette to fit into high society.

Rather than gossiping, it was more like she felt sorry for Dyffrin, and before he knew it, Dunswell found himself agreeing with Amelia.

However, Dunswell had only encountered Evelyn a few times and often wondered if it was right to make such a judgment.

According to his late father, she was a very pretty and kind girl. But his wife wasn’t one to make things up.

So, when Dunswell saw Evelyn, his emotions were conflicted, and he felt uneasy.

“I’ve been well, thanks to your concern, Duke. Please come inside. You must be thirsty from the long journey. I’ll serve you some tea first.”

Her gentle voice, combined with a kind smile, melted away Dunswell’s unease.

‘Yes.’

Dunswell thought it would be better to judge Evelyn for himself during this visit and stepped inside the mansion.