“Please, marry me.”

As soon as Evan finished speaking, Anne’s tears flowed nonstop. Even as he held and comforted her, the tears wouldn’t stop.

After crying for a long time, Anne finally spoke.

“I don’t want to be a mistress.”

“Ha. Who said anything about making you a mistress? I’m proposing that you become the Duchess, my wife.”

Anne shook her head at that.

“I don’t want to see you take a mistress. So, please….”

“…….”

Evan quietly looked at her. That couldn’t happen. He firmly grasped her cheek and asked.

“Did I say I would take a mistress?”

“No.”

“There’s only one woman in my life. You.”

Anne shook her head.

“Don’t lie. It’s not just one person. Who was the woman you went to the valley near the field hospital with before you met me?”

“Hah.”

Evan laughed in disbelief. How could he explain that it was her?

“I can’t do this. Later, you’ll get tired of me, and we’ll end up like strangers.”

“Why do you think I’ll get tired of you?”

Anne bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears that wouldn’t stop.

Evan wasn’t going to let go of her cheek until she answered.

Evan’s hand, holding Anne’s cheek, trembled with tension, but neither of them was willing to give up.

“Tell me. Why do you think that?”

“…….”

“Anne, do you love me?”

‘Because I love you so much.’

‘Because I wanted to stay by your side.’

Anne nodded slightly. Seeing this, Evan’s mood seemed to improve, and he released her cheek, wiping her tears with the back of his hand.

But there was something Anne had to tell Evan. The effort it took to say it made her cry even more.

“Evan.”

“Go ahead.”

Evan waited patiently for Anne, which made her heart ache even more.

Having to reveal the problem she had to the man who loved her so much—the man she loved so deeply—was incredibly difficult.

“I’ll never be able to get pregnant. It’s been months since I took the Seipa, but I haven’t returned to normal. If I’m infertile for life, I won’t be able to bear heirs for the Duke’s family… So please, go. Don’t give me false hope.”

Anne finally spoke the words she had been holding back.

“Hah.”

Evan let out a low sigh.

To think they had to part ways for such a reason seemed absurd, but to her, it wasn’t a trivial issue.

In the Empire, a woman who couldn’t have children was seen very poorly. Even noblewomen were considered a disgrace and often spent their lives in convents.

But more than anything, Evan realized he hadn’t given her enough assurance, which is why she hadn’t opened up to him.

Despite regretting his mistakes, Evan was grateful that Anne hadn’t run away because she hated him.

‘At least it’s for this reason.’

“We don’t need to have a child between us. So how about coming back?”

“Don’t say such ridiculous things.”

Anne’s face turned serious.

Evan was the Duke of Davis. He was the next in line for the throne after the crown prince.

For Evan to marry a woman who couldn’t bear children was unthinkable.

Thinking he must be blinded by love and indulging in a fleeting fancy, Anne gently pushed him away. But Evan didn’t let go.

“If you don’t trust me, then I’ll stay here until you do.”

“Who gave you permission?”

“I did.”

Evan laughed brightly at Anne’s expression of disbelief, her red eyes wide open.

“I originally planned to use force to take you back to Terossa no matter what you said, but since you love me, I’ll wait.”

Evan said it softly. If the person beside him wasn’t a ‘brother’ but a ‘lover,’ he wouldn’t have been able to smile like that.

“…Don’t make such scary jokes.”

Anne glared at Evan, rubbing her arm.

Evan shrugged but didn’t bother correcting her.

“I’m saying I’ll humor your foolish worries. I won’t take you by force. But please, allow me to stay here.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t allow that. My brother and brother Bill live here too….”

Seeing Evan every day would inevitably weaken her resolve. So Anne used her brother and Bill as an excuse to decline indirectly.

“Bill?”

Evan’s mood darkened.

He knew who Bill was. He had recently learned that the merchant had been looking after her brother.

But, ‘Bill?’

“My beloved is really easy. She only calls the man she shared her body with by his name, huh.”

“…We’re strangers now.”

Evan smiled and nodded at Anne’s firm tone.

“Alright. That’s enough for today, so I’ll see you again.”

“…….”

Anne turned her head away from him, refusing to answer. Despite this, he smiled calmly and left the mansion.

Her heart ached a little seeing him give up so easily, but she reassured herself that it was for the best.

***

The day after receiving the reinstatement letter from Garnet, Anne prepared to return to work.

Evan hadn’t come to see her again since that day. Anne’s mind was unsettled, worried that she had been too cold towards him. Bill and Anton kept prodding her about it.

“If he came all the way here, you two must have had something special. Anne, maybe you should reconsider.”

“Sis, if you’re going to act like this, just tell him to go back. If you’re scared, I’ll do it for you!”

“Both of you, stop it. I know myself. These feelings will pass soon.”

Anne tried to ignore the two men, who were frustratingly concerned.

But despite her confident words, she couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment that Evan hadn’t shown up again.

“I’m off to work!”

Anne shook off her distractions, greeting the two in the living room before heading out.

Bill commented to Anton,

“Your sister looks sad.”

“If I’d known this would happen, I wouldn’t have come to Vails. This is all because of my selfishness!”

“No, Anne would have run away even without you. Anywhere. So, it’s actually lucky she met you.”

“……”

“And don’t they meet today after all? The Duke asked you several times, didn’t he?”

“Ah…”

Anton recalled that day with an embarrassed expression.

***

Anne, who hadn’t come out of her room for days, was unaware, but the Duke had come once more since then.

As soon as Anton opened the door, Evan, who wanted to talk, remained silent for a long time.

“As you probably know, I’m Anton Riley, Anne’s brother. If you’re here to ask me to persuade her, I’m sorry, but I can’t. I want to stay with her longer too.”

Expecting to be commanded to persuade her, Anton preemptively declined.

“I’m just wondering if she’s been eating well.”

“Huh? Well….”

Thanks to Bill, he didn’t have to eat those tasteless boiled vegetables anymore, but should he tell this man?

“When did you find out Anne was your sister?”

“It’s hard to say.”

“If I’d known you were Anne’s brother, I would have taken measures earlier.”

Anton’s hands trembled.

Evan was clearly talking about the time when Anton worked under him.

The thoroughness with which Evan had investigated even someone as insignificant as him made Anton break out in a cold sweat.

“……”

“I can’t leave Anne here. I plan to take her back.”

“……”

“And I won’t let her experience the unhappy marriage she fears.”

“Even if you say that, I…!”

“I need your help.”

“Ah.”

“Will you help me for your sister’s happiness?”

Anton was very confused.

The man he thought would act more forcefully was asking him for help. This man was setting aside his pride and asking for help because he loved Anne.

Even though he was a Duke.

“……”

“I’ll wait for your answer. And if I can’t take her back, if you ever need help, come to the Duke’s estate. You know where it is, don’t you?”

Anton nodded silently.

Evan made a final vow to him: “But I won’t give up on your sister.”

***

The hospital hadn’t changed much since she was last there.

However, Anne was asked to take charge of a larger room.

As she crossed the hallway, she looked at the door, which was adorned with more luxurious designs than the other rooms.

‘I’ve never seen the VIP double room before.’

Anne remembered that this room was mostly used by couples as she stepped inside.

As Anne caught the faint musk scent, a wave of familiarity washed over her. She picked up a new nursing log and approached the patient. Although most of his body was covered by the blanket, the familiar eyes peeking out made her put her hands on her hips.

“What excuse do you have this time, Your Highness?”

“I was going to discharge myself, but I couldn’t leave, knowing you might be worried about me.”

“If you keep playing these ridiculous pranks… But what happened to your face?!”

The face sticking out of the blanket had a bruise on the cheek and a slightly split lip. Howard pointed at his injuries with a pitiful expression.

“I got into a fight with some strange guy. You should be careful too; you might run into him.”

“Are you trying to scare me now? And who is this?”

Anne slowly approached the adjacent bed. Pulling the blanket back slightly, she found another familiar figure.

“Evan…”

From behind, Howard spoke.

“I wanted to keep you hidden, but it seems the investigation is already complete. He’s been sleeping like the dead since he got here.”

“……”

“So, what do you think? Do you want to run away again?”

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