Chapter 169 …
“Are you perhaps angry with me?”
Evelyn asked, unable to hide her bewilderment. The one who had been angry was herself.
No—more than that, it was strange to see Elliot so openly revealing such raw emotion.
“Do I look angry right now?”
His tone was cold, yet not frightening in the slightest.
She had always thought he only wore scheming smiles or that teasing expression whenever he planned to make fun of her.
It was surprising enough that he had rushed after her the moment she said she was going to the capital.
“A little? I thought if I returned to the capital, I could quickly stop the evil god’s apostle, so I didn’t think it would be a problem at all.”
“Why are you doing that alone?”
His sharply raised eyebrow and fierce voice clearly revealed his mood.
“Because I’m the Hero.”
She was merely stating the obvious.
Evelyn felt her spirits, which had sunk to the very bottom just moments ago, lift slightly.
Sophia had once casually mentioned that the Grand Duke never revealed any emotions.
If someone who lived while hiding his heart and feelings was getting angry at her… didn’t that mean they had grown a little closer?
“Still, didn’t you promise to tell me first about anything?”
Elliot tilted his head slightly and pressed her. At the sight of his slightly narrowed eyes—clearly wanting her agreement—Evelyn let out a small laugh.
At the clear sound of her laughter, Elliot’s brows twitched.
“I heard my cousin has attached himself to my brother and the princess. I’m sure it’s not for a good reason, and the timing feels strange.”
There was no real need to explain everything to him, but Evelyn found herself wanting to. She wanted him to understand and acknowledge what she was doing.
“Are you talking about the Baron Quartz’s heir?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
She was surprised that Elliot knew Haint.
“There is nothing about you that I don’t know.”
His tone carried effortless confidence. For someone who said that, it stung a little that he didn’t seem to understand her feelings.
“It seems like there’s quite a lot you don’t know.”
“Is that why you’re angry with me?”
Under his steady gaze, Evelyn subtly turned her head away. She wasn’t angry—her heart had just hurt a little.
When she shot him a look that said that was too much, he reached out. Evelyn held her breath at the touch against her cheek.
With an unreadable expression, Elliot slowly brushed her cheek.
But she could tell his calloused, firm fingers were touching her with the care one would use for a delicate artifact.
Does this person really not love me?
There was no visible tenderness yet in Elliot’s eyes or touch—but there was a subtle possessiveness.
No matter how much of a Hero she was, there was no reason for this level of fixation between mere companions.
Should I be a little brave?
It had hurt when she realized he might not have any feelings for her—but she hadn’t completely given up.
So, just as she had resolved, she would approach him slowly. Somehow, she had a feeling that would be okay.
Evelyn slowly relaxed her neck and leaned into the large hand that nearly covered her entire face.
When she carefully lifted her eyes to look at him, he was gazing at her with a noticeably softer expression.
His face, as he touched her cheek and ear, was filled with satisfaction. Seeing the contentment lingering in Elliot’s eyes, Evelyn became certain.
Elliot has feelings for me too.
No matter how inexperienced she was, she wasn’t dull enough to miss someone else’s emotions.
All her past disappointment and worry now felt foolish. She had jumped to conclusions about his feelings and needlessly tormented herself.
“Do you feel better now?”
At his careful, almost cautious question, she gave a small nod.
“I’d like to go to the capital with you.”
“What about the North?”
She was concerned—he seemed to leave the North too often. The evil god’s resurrection would take place there.
But seeing him waiting for her answer, Evelyn had no choice but to nod.
She really did like Elliot.
Since she didn’t know what would happen to her life in the battle against the evil god, she wanted to indulge in a small selfish wish.
She wasn’t noble enough to sacrifice everything about herself just to save everyone.
Surely God knew that too.
And God had never said she wasn’t allowed to love.
It felt like she might be thinking too selfishly—but right now, Evelyn wanted to be happy.
As the marquis had said, happiness in an uncertain future was important, but it was meaningless if she wasn’t happy now.
I have to live each day properly!
Evelyn’s previously slumped shoulders lifted. Elliot’s gaze was briefly stolen by her sparkling golden eyes.
Whatever thoughts she had reached on her own, Evelyn’s eyes looked deeper and brighter than usual.
Suddenly, thirst rose within him. Elliot rather hastily removed his hand from her face and turned his head away.
Even if he drank cold water, he felt like this thirst wouldn’t go away.
“The North is guarded by people I trust. It will be fine.”
Elliot finally spoke, then flinched as he almost raised his hand again. He had nearly reached out to those shining eyes—and almost kissed her.
This is ridiculous.
This… was reverence?
This wasn’t reverence toward a Hero or a comrade. Elliot looked down at his own hand with a conflicted gaze.
He was clearly feeling regret.
I was.
To feel satisfied just from touching the face of the woman now in his grasp—and to regret not being able to touch her again…
He swallowed a hollow laugh and decisively cut off the thought.
Until his goal was achieved, anything that could become a distraction should be postponed.
“Then let’s go together.”
Even so, wanting to stay by her side—perhaps it was a slight unease. He couldn’t bear to see the Hero get hurt in his absence.
Elliot justified his actions that way.
“Okay.”
“Will you talk with me properly again now?”
“It’s not like we didn’t talk at all.”
They had discussed work, after all.
Evelyn offered a small protest, feeling apologetic.
“Talking only about work and then coldly walking away isn’t a conversation.”
“I was just being careful because I thought I was bothering you too much, Elliot.”
More than that, she didn’t want to force her feelings on him. First love was an unexpectedly lonely and difficult battle.
To have to love someone without revealing your heart…
The books said first love never comes true. Perhaps her first love would end up as nothing more than one-sided affection.
But Evelyn hadn’t forgotten his reaction from earlier.
There was hope!
“It could never be bothersome when you talk to me. Didn’t I say I would accept anything? That’s why… I even accepted something like this.”
Just as she was silently renewing her resolve, her body was suddenly pulled forward. Before she could even blink, something warm touched her lips.
This wasn’t the light peck she usually gave. Evelyn squeezed her eyes shut and clutched Elliot’s clothes.
This fraud, this liar! You said you didn’t feel anything for me!
Someone with no feelings couldn’t possibly be this—this warm.
As she received the meltingly sweet kiss, Evelyn couldn’t suppress the surge of emotion rising within her.
“When are you going to start the job?”
“If something happens wherever I go, wouldn’t they naturally suspect me?”
Haint answered the voice pressing him with clear indifference. Though they supposedly only met at regular gatherings, the one who had led him to become an apostle called for him quite often.
“That’s why I’m watching the timing. Didn’t they say they’ll release monsters into the East again soon?”
For some reason, the apostles seemed more eager to attack the eastern region than the capital. Was something valuable hidden there?
Haint had probed several times, but the apostles all kept their mouths firmly shut as if by prior agreement.
“They say the capital’s defenses are too reinforced, so they’re targeting the East.”
“Why specifically the East?”
“Well, it’s obviously the most populated place after the capital.”
While nodding at the answer, Haint clicked his tongue inwardly. This man clearly didn’t know either.
“If you want your status to rise, you’ll need to earn merit. Won’t you be going to the East?”
“I won’t. I’m working on the princess right now. It would be troublesome if an obstacle appears in the meantime.”
Leonel and the princess were always surrounded by guards, and the two were rarely apart.
So first, he would deal with Leonel—and in the meantime, subdue the princess so she couldn’t escape.
It was a mission only possible if he got closer and earned the trust of the two of them.
But they were still suspicious of him.
“I’ll kill him soon.”
With the help of the necklace, it should work out somehow. Haint’s brown eyes gleamed darkly.
