They’d probably try to clean it up somehow.
“You do know it’s not because I dislike Your Grace, right?”
Seeing him glance at her cautiously, Evelyn was tempted to tease him further, but looking at Elliot’s pale face, she decided to hold back.
Then he took out the prepared gift.
“It’s just a modest present. Please wear it with your dress.”
“Didn’t I already pick something from the ones you brought before?”
“Well, thinking it over, I felt that wasn’t enough.”
Elliot opened the box with a calm face.
“It seems a bit too extravagant.”
“Since you’re receiving the Duke’s support, you should at least flaunt it to this degree.”
Evelyn couldn’t close her mouth when she saw the lavish necklace and jewelry set inside the box.
“Anyone who sees this will immediately think of the Duke’s house.”
Centered around a green jewel resembling the Duke’s eyes, the necklace was densely studded with small diamonds, forming an ornate shape.
The earrings, designed like flower petals, were no less dazzling than the necklace.
“If I wear this, I might get executed even without showing any affection.”
She was sure this was more extravagant than even the Princess’s jewelry. It truly looked like money had been poured into it.
“I feel like I must not lose even a single gem.”
“If you do, I’ll have a new one made for you.”
Evelyn gulped as she saw the Duke smiling, as if amused by her concern.
If she failed to revive the North, she felt like this man would strip her to the bone.
A grim premonition rose in her heart.
With this much investment, if she didn’t deliver results, she’d probably have to offer her neck in apology.
“I’ll do my best to make sure it’s not wasted.”
“Hearing that this necklace inspired such determination… I should give you gifts more often.”
Elliot stood from his seat and walked behind Evelyn. He held the necklace to her slender neck.
“It suits you well, my lady.”
Evelyn held her breath at the touch of his fingers behind her. The weight of the heavy necklace settled on her skin.
A cold touch mixed with a lingering warmth.
Luckily, since she had tied her hair up high today, Elliot could clasp the necklace on her pale neck without any obstructions.
Click.
Evelyn slowly swallowed.
The sound of the necklace fastening felt like a collar being placed around her neck.
‘Is this really okay?’
Only now did she start worrying about their contract. It had been a contract tilted entirely in her favor, simply because she was a Hero.
But she was starting to suspect… this wouldn’t be the end of it. Her fingertips stiffened.
“It really does suit you.”
Seeing Elliot’s smoothly rising smile, Evelyn felt as if she had fallen into an invisible trap.
Having achieved his apparent goal of simply delivering the jewelry, the Duke left, telling her to prepare well for the party.
“This is the most amazing necklace I’ve ever seen.”
Tinya’s eyes brimmed with tears.
“I always knew you’d become such a distinguished lady!”
“Tinya, don’t lie. You nagged me every day to stop training so much.”
Tinya, who used to scold her about how inappropriate her hands were for a noble lady, pouted, saying it was all because she cared for her lady.
“Isn’t it obvious the Duke likes you, my lady?”
“No way. You’ve seen how handsome he is.”
Feeling sorry for crushing Tinya’s hopes, Evelyn still believed the Duke liking her was as likely as snow melting in the snowy mountains.
“Tinya… I got caught sneaking out by the Duke.”
“…What?”
“And I was even mistaken for an assassin.”
“…”
“I almost died at his hands. Just clearing up the misunderstanding was a miracle.”
Even without saying more, Evelyn could see Tinya’s despair written all over her face. Muttering “how… how…” Tinya clenched her fists tightly.
“Well, there must be lots of handsome, kind knights in the Northern Order!”
“I wouldn’t know about that.”
Tinya quickly switched her target from the Duke to the knights.
“Don’t worry! I’ll definitely find you someone good!”
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll count on you, Tinya.”
When Tinya got like this, no one could stop her.
Not that there’d be any time for romance anyway. Once she got to the North, she’d be busy with training.
Evelyn let her body relax, thinking it was no big deal, trying to rest even a little more.
‘I want to go home.’
Evelyn tried hard not to shrink under the stabbing gazes directed at her.
Should’ve rested a bit more.
Only minutes after lying down on the sofa, the maids barged in and forced her to get ready.
She had said it was fine to keep things simple, but Tinya had already spread the news outside that she had received a massive necklace as a gift.
Because of that, the maids, seeing the necklace, insisted she couldn’t go out looking so plain and ended up dressing her far more extravagantly than usual.
Her deep blue dress rippled like waves as she walked. Following the movement of the fabric, the necklace caught the light and shimmered like sunlight on water.
The noble ladies, caught by the sight of the necklace, gasped and started whispering in sharp voices.
“I heard she found herbs to save young master Barrett… but how do we even know that’s true?”
Even knowing her brother was on the other side of the ballroom, one lady waved her fan dramatically.
“Didn’t they say she gained the support of the Graham Duchy thanks to that?”
Another noblewoman nearby said with clear envy.
“Herbs? Pfft.”
The first lady let out a mocking laugh.
“Well, maybe herbs did cure him. But support from the Duke? That’s another matter entirely.”
Her half-lidded eyes were full of suspicion and contempt.
‘More ridiculous rumors…’
Evelyn tightly pressed her lips together at their skeptical gazes.
It was a rumor that would fade soon anyway.
No point in fueling it with more talk. No one here would believe her words anyway.
Once His Grace arrived, it would all be settled.
Biting her inner cheek, Evelyn slipped toward the far end of the ballroom, avoiding people’s gazes.
Her brother kept glancing at her, clearly wanting to come over, but was soon dragged away by others.
“To walk around with her head held high like that… isn’t she shameless?”
“Who knows? She might’ve thrown herself at the Duke. Her face and body are the only things she has going for her anyway. Hohoho.”
Even here… they’re harassing me.
Evelyn watched the approaching noble ladies without making any move. If she ran, they’d just gossip behind her back again.
“Lady Barrett, long time no see.”
Rosie Clover, unable to take her eyes off the necklace hanging from Evelyn’s neck, finally approached with a bright smile.
“Honestly, I’ve wanted to talk to you ever since you entered… but I was too shocked because of your brother.”
“It’s been a while.”
Evelyn forced a polite smile, hiding her reluctance.
“I heard you’re receiving the Duke of Graham’s support?”
So that’s what you’re curious about.
Noticing the odd weight in Rosie’s gaze, Evelyn lifted the corners of her mouth.
“Yes, I’ve been fortunate.”
“Is it true… that you’re a Sword Master?”
Though Evelyn could tell that wasn’t Rosie’s real question, Rosie blinked innocently and asked. Some people nearby, also curious, edged closer.
They all wanted to ask too, but scared of the rumored curse, they had kept their distance.
“Yes.”
“Really true?”
“Why would I lie? Thanks to that, I gained the Duke’s support.”
Evelyn answered confidently to the question, which had been sugarcoated as innocent curiosity. After all, she wasn’t lying about being a Sword Master.
“You really climbed the snowy mountains?”
“I had no choice if I wanted to find the herbs.”
The disbelief in their voices was palpable.
“You really became a Sword Master, didn’t you?”
“Can you become a Sword Master even with a curse?”
The crowd grew noisier at her bold answers. Evelyn almost laughed at how they even doubted her skills as a Sword Master.
‘My reputation really is the worst.’
Truly, not a single person believed in her.
“I heard a servant from the Count’s house died recently. Isn’t the curse still active?”
“Well… if you’re skilled enough, I guess you can still become a Sword Master.”
“Isn’t that why the Duke decided to sponsor her too?”
Their curiosity snowballed. If they were that curious, they should just ask directly.
“If you don’t believe me, should I prove it?”
“No, I believe you.”
Rosie shook her head. Her eyes said otherwise, full of pity and fake sympathy.
“Well, now that you’ve caught the Duke’s attention… shouldn’t you be careful?”
One of the ladies following Rosie slowly scanned Evelyn’s necklace and dress with a sticky gaze.
“If you want to hold onto even that much—”
At the blatant mockery in her tone and stare, Evelyn clenched her fists.
“My lady. Please don’t insult me and His Grace.”
A suppressed voice escaped through Evelyn’s teeth.
