CHAPTER 57……………
Kyle pointed at the tarot cards in Everett’s hand.
“You said it yourself while reading the cards. A cup sent down from the heavens. That’s the solution.”
His green eyes gleamed as he looked at her.
“Everett, I’ve decided—you are that cup.”
Everett wet her dry lips, not knowing how to respond.
“I know. It’s an abrupt proposal. You’ll need time to think, right?”
Though he acted casual, deep down Kyle feared she might refuse outright.
He wanted to be with Everett. And truthfully, Everett felt the same.
But she knew she couldn’t let herself become any more entangled with him.
She wasn’t the protagonist of this world—so she had to refuse.
“Everett…”
Her expression was so calm that Kyle watched her carefully.
“I hope you won’t take too long to decide.”
“Lord Kyle, I—”
Kyle quickly raised his hand to stop her.
“No, don’t say it now. At least pretend to think it over. Just for a day.”
His pleading gaze made Everett sigh lightly.
“…All right. I’ll think about it.”
Her voice was flat, just like her expression, but Kyle was content with that much.
As she gathered the tarot cards and put them in her bag, Everett asked,
“Do you have anything else you’d like to say, Lord Kyle?”
“No. That’s all.”
Relief washed over her.
It had to be all.
Having her identity exposed was shocking enough. On top of that came an unexpected proposal.
Her head was so tangled she just wanted to lie down and rest.
Kyle rose first, opened the door, and waited for her to step out.
“The rune lesson we missed today—we’ll do it next week.”
Kyle gave a light nod and winked.
“Whatever my teacher wishes.”
Outside, darkness had already fallen thickly.
“Well then, I’ll see you next week.”
As Everett offered a farewell, Kyle tilted his head.
“Why are you saying goodbye?”
“…What do you mean? I’m going home, and you’re returning to the palace.”
Kyle chuckled softly and extended his arm toward her.
“Did you forget? I told you I’d always walk you home from now on.”
He gestured with his eyes for her to take his arm.
Everett quickly glanced around. Even though it was night, Kyle wore his uniform and his face was uncovered.
Even in the dark, his red hair and striking features stood out.
“Lord Kyle, once we leave the alley we’ll be in the square. There are still many people there.”
“So?”
“They’ll recognize you instantly.”
Kyle seized her hesitant hand and pulled it against his arm.
“This is a little…”
When Everett tried to pull away, he gently tightened his hold.
“Don’t worry. I know paths hardly anyone uses. We won’t need to pass through the square.”
“There’s such a path?”
Instead of answering, Kyle simply started walking.
He led her into a narrow alley skirting the square, a desolate, gloomy way rarely used at night.
“Good thing the full moon is bright tonight.”
Everett lifted her head.
The sky was cloudless, and the moonlight softly lit the dark streets.
Kyle began humming slowly, a quiet tune.
One hand held Everett’s, the other tapped lightly on her knuckles to the rhythm.
“What song is that?”
“A lullaby. My mother was from the eastern lands—it’s an old song from there.”
“I see.”
Something about his humming felt strangely familiar. Everett walked on in silence, listening.
As they turned the last corner, a man appeared, entering the alley from the opposite side.
Hidden by the shadow of a large tree at the entrance, Everett and Kyle didn’t notice him.
“…Why is Everett…?”
Startled, the man quickly ducked into another side passage.
Though too far for them to hear, he clamped a hand over his mouth, fearing even his rough breath might give him away.
Why is Kyle with Everett at this hour?
The man, frowning deeply in the dark, was Yankeller.
Fearing Kyle might sense him, Yankeller crept further in and crouched down.
Pathetic… look at me.
He had snuck out of the temple and was on his way to Everett’s tarot shop, hoping he might run into her.
But what he saw was Everett and Kyle walking close together.
Kyle’s humming—a sound Yankeller had never heard in his life—echoed relentlessly in his ears.
Kyle… so you weren’t honest with me either.
He clenched his fists tight.
Where did it all go wrong? Since when has it been too late?
The image of Everett walking hand in hand with Kyle wouldn’t leave his eyes.
It was me who stayed by her side in the capital. So how did Kyle…?
Was it because he had buried himself in temple affairs all winter?
If he had gone to her the moment he learned Everett was Naz—would things be different?
Would he be standing beside her now instead of Kyle?
Grinding his teeth, Yankeller stared into the darkness where they had vanished.
“I’ve thought carefully on your request.”
The Emperor’s face looked unusually calm and relaxed that day.
Even his voice, usually dry and brittle like peeling bark, carried a trace of smoothness.
The gathered nobles exchanged puzzled glances. What was he up to?
“I’ve decided to grant it.”
“Your Majesty, by ‘request’ do you mean…?”
The Emperor clicked his tongue in disdain.
“Really, so slow-witted… I mean the banquet for Kyle. Or should I say, a banquet for you?”
He sneered mockingly.
A mix of emotions crossed the nobles’ faces, but most looked up at him in disbelief.
Pathetic. Wearing your hearts on your sleeves like that.
His gaze landed on Duke Bacard.
Expressionless like a wooden doll, the duke’s thoughts were unreadable.
But now—oddly—there was the faintest smile on his lips.
What does he have to be pleased about? He doesn’t even have a daughter to marry off.
The Emperor shook his head in contempt.
“Why isn’t the duke coming out?”
The nobles had been waiting outside the palace for Duke Bacard, eager to discuss the Emperor’s hidden motives.
But the duke had already slipped out through another gate.
His carriage sped swiftly into a remote forest.
“Your Grace.”
When Bacard opened the window, a man in a dark hooded robe approached and bowed deeply.
The coachman jumped down at once, retreating far away.
“Report.”
Though the window was open, neither man looked the other in the eye.
The hooded figure poured out his words while the duke sat in silence.
“They value money more than their noble honor. Give them however much they want until they trust you.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And the one I told you to find?”
The man coughed nervously.
“Well… we’re still searching, but—”
The duke said nothing.
Knowing that silence was the harshest rebuke, the man prostrated himself flat on the ground.
“Forgive me, my lord. I’ll find them next time without fail.”
“I’ll wait once more.”
A leather pouch dropped at his feet with a thud.
Dust scattered, settling over it.
The man quickly snatched it up and bowed so low it seemed he’d bury his head in the earth.
“I’ll bring them soon.”
The duke slammed the window shut.
The coachman rushed back to seize the reins.
“Shall I take you to the estate, my lord?”
“Yes.”
Meanwhile, the hooded man vanished again into the dark woods.
Duke Bacard closed his eyes, feeling the rumble of the carriage.
“A welcome banquet to arrange a marriage… such a pitiful scheme.”
He snorted derisively.
News of the imperial banquet spread quickly across the empire.
Any noble could attend—but an invitation was required.
Kyle, who spent most of his time outside the palace, had no attendants of his own.
So a few nobles were tasked with preparations.
Naturally, bribes poured in from those desperate to obtain invitations.
“Everett, isn’t the situation amusing?”
Kyle spoke as he accepted a cup of tea.
“Often, it’s the least expected people who end up gaining the most.”
Kyle shook his head in disbelief.
“It’s absurd. I’m the guest of honor. Shouldn’t people be bribing me if they want their daughters there?”
“If you want bribes, Lord Kyle, you should organize the banquet yourself. Write the invitations, decorate the hall, and so on.”
Kyle let out a laugh.
“Maybe I should. I hear the money piling up is like a mountain. Should I step in before it’s too late? Will you help me, Everett?”
She chuckled softly at his joke.
“Even if you hosted it yourself, who would bribe you?”
“Why not? No matter who’s in charge, an invitation is still necessary.”
