Chapter 4
This afternoon, a letter arrived.
[The matter you requested has been handled. I trust you will fulfill my request promptly
— Xavier Lu Hylleos.]
The Crown Prince worked faster than she had expected.
How desperate must he have been to break off the engagement?
It seemed the condition she had demanded had truly ignited his desire.
He probably doesn’t want to keep a fiancée who asks his childhood friend to forge official documents.
Valerian and Xavier had been close friends since childhood.
The House of Ludwig and the Imperial Family had maintained a strong ruler–vassal relationship since the founding of the Empire, so exchanges between them were frequent.
The two were the same age and even shared the painful similarity of losing their mothers at a young age.
Valerian’s gentle, unblemished personality must play a part too.
With his sociable nature, he could meet a stranger lost on a mountain path and become inseparable friends by the next day.
That was probably why Xavier went out of his way like this—for his friend’s sake.
The interference she once found bothersome was, this time, helping her.
Even if my family bears the disgrace of ruin, it’s better than my identity being exposed and getting everyone killed.
With a resolute heart, Eve looked out the window. The spring festival was in full swing, and the streets outside were crowded with people.
Just then, someone knocked and entered. It was Rose, a maid from the count’s estate.
“Miss, you have a visitor.”
Of course, Rose was also part of this household.
It turned out that the people she had thought were mere servants were actually descendants of mages who had once fled the Imperial Army and were hiding their identities.
That side is pitiful too.
What wrong had they done? With a faint bitterness, Eve spoke.
“At this hour? Who is it?”
“Young Duke Ludwig…”
“Rian is here?”
Eve sprang to her feet. She needed to tell him with her own mouth that they should break up. Meeting him was inevitable.
But I didn’t expect the moment to come so quickly!
Her heart pounded. Even she needed a little more time to put five years behind her.
No… this is about my life and my family’s lives.
Even Rose, standing before her, would be in danger if her identity were exposed.
The Imperial Family would surely make an example of us.
Everyone here could be massacred because of her alone.
Realizing her circumstances, her racing heart cooled with startling clarity.
“Alright. Tell him I’ll prepare to go out and ask him to wait a moment.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Rose found her mistress’s unusual composure strange but quietly withdrew without comment.
Normally, upon hearing of Young Duke Ludwig’s visit, her lady would have rushed out with a bright smile.
She delivered the message as instructed.
“She asks that you wait a moment while she prepares to go out.”
“I see. Thank you.”
Despite the delay, the young duke smiled brightly. Rose hesitated.
She thought she understood why her mistress—who rarely gave her heart—had fallen for him.
He really is handsome.
Her lady had notoriously high aesthetic standards.
To put it bluntly—she was a face enthusiast.
Soon, Eve emerged in a flowing blue dress.
“Eve, good morning.”
Valerian smiled happily at the sight of her. She nodded.
“Yes, good morning.”
But doubt crept into her mind.
His knighting ceremony is just around the corner. He should be busy—why did he come without notice?
Only then did she realize his sudden visit was unlike him.
It unsettled her slightly, but she chose not to ask. After all, they were about to part. What did such trivialities matter?
“…Did I keep you waiting?”
“No, Eve. I was actually thinking of asking you to go out with me.”
“Out?”
“Yes. The festival is in full swing—we can’t be the only ones missing it.”
He held out his hand, his eyes curving gently. Eve nodded but pretended not to see his hand.
For some reason, she didn’t want to take it today.
Once inside the carriage, she closed her eyes and spoke to Valerian, who sat across from her.
“I’m a little tired. I’ll rest my eyes.”
“Of course. Rest well, Eve.”
His voice remained warm as sunlight. He never showed offense when she refused him.
Just like when she hadn’t taken his hand.
The uncomfortable one was Eve.
He’s probably smiling at me right now.
Though her eyes were closed, she could picture it clearly—Valerian watching her with that warm gaze.
But if he learns my true identity, that look will change.
That kindness existed only because he didn’t know.
She was certain—because she knew the original story.
Valerian, leader of the Holy Knights, was already renowned in the underworld.
The Ruthless Executioner, Valerian Ludwig.
He earned the title by mercilessly executing demons spilling from dimensional rifts. But demons weren’t his only targets.
A hundred years ago, mages were said to have allied with demons to overthrow the Empire. As a result, most were slaughtered by Imperial knights.
If he discovered she was the last remaining mage, Valerian would undoubtedly try to kill her.
He’s a fanatic driven by holy duty.
The House of Ludwig, which had served the Imperial Family for generations, held authority rivaling even imperial princes—save the Emperor himself.
Because they were the ones who eradicated demons and safeguarded the Empire’s peace.
Beliefs instilled since childhood would not waver for the sake of one woman.
…Once he meets Yuri.
The one to speak of separation would not be Eve—but Valerian.
She had to end it first.
Thus, an uneasy silence filled the carriage until it stopped.
“We’ve arrived.”
Looking out, she saw they had reached the capital’s most famous lakeside park, bustling with festivalgoers.
“Eve.”
Valerian stepped down first and offered his hand. After a moment’s hesitation, she took it.
Once she descended, he held her hand firmly and led her forward.
“Where are we going?”
“Just wait.”
They arrived at a restaurant. Delicious aromas drifted out.
Eve swallowed.
Even now, my stomach has no sense of timing.
She could easily eat several pounds of meat in a day, yet after skipping just one meal, her stomach was protesting.
I used to be glad I never gained weight no matter how much I ate… who knew it was all being converted into mana?
At twenty, she learned her constitution was no blessing.
Few people knew of her appetite—Valerian among them.
“Eve, you were hungry during the carriage ride, weren’t you?”
“…How did you know?”
“When you’re hungry, you furrow your brow.”
“Do I?”
“No one else would notice. It’s a tiny change only I can see.”
He shrugged playfully. She couldn’t help smiling.
“Is that so? You notice the strangest things. Doesn’t that tire you out?”
“I’m never tired when I’m beside you.”
Anyone else might think he was smooth with women—but Eve knew he meant it.
And that was the problem.
This is bad.
Seated inside, she hardened her expression as dishes filled the table: beef steak, lamb skewers with lemon sauce, chicken tenderloin cream soup…
And then a beautifully grilled lobster.
A feast fit for land and sea.
…I can’t just sit here and eat as if nothing’s wrong.
“Valerian… there’s something I need to say.”
“The food is ready.”
Her resolve shattered at the sight of the lobster.
“Rian… what’s the occasion?”
“I couldn’t properly celebrate your coming-of-age ceremony because of the expedition.”
“I didn’t mind…”
He smiled brightly and fed her a bite of turkey.
The juices burst in her mouth.
Delicious!
Food wasn’t guilty.
One bite was all it took—her appetite crossed the point of no return.
Soon the plates were empty.
“…Oh my. Who ate all of this?”
Valerian laughed.
“Should we order more?”
“No, I’m fine.”
If she continued, she’d never say it before sunset.
Afterward, they strolled through the park as the sky burned orange with dusk.
Suddenly, Valerian disappeared.
“Wait here a moment, Eve.”
He entered a shop.
Eve inhaled deeply by the fountain.
Now. I have to say it.
Moments later, he returned, hands hidden behind his back.
Likely a gift. Flowers, perhaps.
He was romantic to the end.
But she couldn’t shamelessly accept anything from him.
At least—not from Valerian.
She looked at him and slowly spoke.
“Valerian… let’s end things here.”
