Chapter 17
“That’s not what I meant by ‘kiss’!”
At the same time, the laboratory staff all focused their attention on one spot.
Their reactions split into two extremes.
Some hurried to get out of the way, while others froze, slack-jawed and staring blankly.
The man, however, paid no mind to the countless gazes and continued straight toward his destination.
His bold steps and blazing violet eyes dominated the surroundings.
Oliver, who was running an errand with paperwork, spotted him as soon as he turned a corner in the hallway.
“D-Duke Ashford…!”
Forgetting his task entirely, he dashed toward the Ancient Language Interpretation department.
He burst through the door to find Evelyn’s workspace.
Panting, he exclaimed,
“The Duke is here…! He came to see you!”
Evelyn’s eyes widened.
She didn’t even have a moment to think about why Oliver knew or why he was worried about her.
“W-Where is he now…?”
“He’s almost here! And his pace is really fast!”
At those words, Evelyn jumped up.
Oliver, who normally moved through the lab like a lifeless shadow, now shouted loudly enough to draw the other researchers’ attention.
“I don’t know, just hide!”
At her senior’s command, Evelyn began moving around the room, searching for a hiding spot.
But there was no space to hide in the small lab.
Then, she heard movement outside the door.
She threw herself behind a large bookshelf within sight.
Her heart pounded so violently she felt it might burst.
She wanted to meet the Duke, but under no circumstances at her workplace.
As Evelyn tried to steady her breathing, one of the researchers beside the bookshelf spoke up.
“What’s going on?”
Just as she was about to answer, the lab door opened.
The room was engulfed in a heavy silence.
“Welcome, Duke Ashford.”
Only Oliver managed to respond to him.
But even his voice trembled slightly with tension.
Of all times, Catherine had stepped away on official business.
“And what brings you here…?”
“My heart aches.”
The unexpected reply made Oliver’s mind go blank.
“This isn’t a hospital…”
“The physician said that to cure any illness, one must first find its cause.”
In other words, he was here.
The person who had hurt him.
Whatever the matter was, only those involved knew.
Oliver desperately tried to protect the newcomer.
“I think you’ve come to the wrong place.”
“No, I came to the right place.”
Theo’s violet gaze fixed on a single spot.
The bookshelf behind which Evelyn was hiding.
How did he know?!
Oliver grew restless.
The Duke smiled faintly and spoke.
“I just want to know.”
Evelyn tried to steady her breath.
What could he possibly want to confront her about?
Was it about running away to the capital after their kiss?
Or for leaving him hanging all this time?
Or daring to ignore a high-ranking noble?
‘There’s so much to answer for…’
Should she beg for forgiveness right now…?
‘Please, just leave for now…’
She didn’t want the other researchers watching her like this.
Then Theo continued,
“What disappointed you?”
Evelyn could hardly believe her ears.
He wasn’t angry; he was blaming himself?
The Duke continued speaking, as if he knew she was listening.
“Whatever it is, I’ll take it to heart. I’ll engrave it in my chest.”
His voice, echoing through the room, was heart-wrenching.
Without realizing it, Evelyn turned slightly.
Through a gap in the books, she looked at him.
She could see the purity in his eyes—without a trace of resentment.
She lowered her gaze.
Why was the Duke doing all this for her?
A wave of helpless emotion washed over her.
“So tell me, Evelyn.”
Theo spoke again.
“Why you abandoned me.”
Her tender feelings vanished instantly.
‘What is this crazy man saying?!’
Everyone present held their breath at his anguished voice.
The Duke Ashford, who had never cared for reason or humanity, was now the very picture of a heartbroken man.
All eyes flicked to the bookshelf where Evelyn hid.
Theo instinctively knew—the woman he had longed for was there.
He had resolved in the garden, secretly listening to her words, to throw himself into her hands to prove his certainty.
Yet even after his words, Evelyn did not emerge.
Why wasn’t she coming out? She clearly liked me…
Suddenly, Vanessa’s words came to mind. Evelyn widened her eyes as if a realization had struck her.
“Could it be… he only wanted my body from the start…!”
This isn’t good! He’s crazier than I thought!
The hiding Evelyn hastily revealed herself from behind the bookshelf.
If she stayed hidden, the rumors would only grow.
Her frown deepened, thinking all her previous efforts to handle him had gone to waste.
As she ran toward him, Theo’s eyes softened, as if nothing had happened.
The playful glint vanished instantly, leaving only a wronged man behind.
Evelyn urgently whispered, trying to cover his mouth.
“Why are you doing this, seriously! Coming all the way here…!”
“It’s fine. A man clinging to the woman he likes is normal.”
“Even if that’s true, you must choose an appropriate place!”
What do we do now?!
Even if they tried to resolve it, it was already too late.
The superiors peeked at the scene with a mix of fear and curiosity at Duke Ashford’s appearance.
Theo answered, truly aggrieved,
“So I should just stay put? After avoiding me for two weeks?”
“W-Well…”
“That night, I gave you everything…”
He placed his hand over his chest.
To any observer, it could have looked like something monumental had happened.
The researchers pretended to focus on their work but couldn’t help listening carefully.
Exchanging glances with their colleagues, they hung on every word from the Duke.
The quiet lab had suddenly become the center of gossip.
Evelyn, now the woman who had made him cry and then fled, looked around nervously.
“Let’s go outside and talk, please!”
“Finally, you speak my language.”
Theo smiled gently and took her hand.
For someone who had just put her in an awkward position, the touch was surprisingly kind.
He hummed a tune, remarking it had been a while since they had time alone.
The warmth of his hand reached her skin.
Only Evelyn felt the discomfort.
‘What will I even tell my seniors later… no, more importantly…!’
Why did he come looking for me?!
What do I do, what do I do…
It was painfully awkward and unbearably tense.
She had to get out of there first.
Meanwhile, the lab was engulfed in silence.
Even after the two had disappeared, everyone remained frozen.
The quiet was broken by Catherine.
As she entered the lab, she described what she had seen in the hallway.
“That was… Duke Ashford, right?”
“Yes, that crazy man…”
It was unbelievable. He had come all the way here.
And now that he was personally involved, no one could protect Evelyn.
“But why treat our new recruit like that…?”
The other researchers murmured loudly.
“Why is he acting like that toward Evelyn? Did he really just want her body?”
“No way. She’s not that kind of person.”
No amount of speculation could explain the situation.
What could have possibly happened between a new researcher from the countryside and the continent’s greatest magic swordsman?
Evelyn, trying to lead Theo to the break room, fully felt the intense attention of others.
‘Knew this would happen!’
He had come just to see her, yet everyone was watching because of his presence.
She lowered her head deeply and walked ahead of him.
But no matter how fast she walked, she couldn’t match the Duke’s usual stride.
To Theo, it looked as if she was walking playfully.
She must be excited, he thought, secretly pleased that she felt the same way he did.
‘Why is she sticking so close?’
She didn’t know his usual long strides; during business trips, he adjusted to her pace.
When she tried to quicken her steps, Theo happily followed.
“Huff… huff…”
Only Evelyn felt the misery.
