Chapter 18
“That’s not what I meant by kissing!”
When she eventually slowed her pace, Theo naturally matched her speed.
A new game?
Simply walking beside her made him incredibly happy.
At the corners of the corridor and in every laboratory window, countless eyes clung to them.
“Look at that—the Duke is smiling!”
Someone exclaimed in excitement.
Another tilted their head.
“…Isn’t he the only one smiling?”
The woman beside him looked somewhat strained.
At last, Evelyn stopped.
Then she said to Theo,
“Your Grace… shall we walk a little farther apart?”
“Why?”
“This kind of atmosphere… it’s burdensome.”
Only then did Theo glance around.
The moment their eyes met his, the researchers abruptly turned their backs as if nothing had happened.
But someone as perceptive as he could never have missed their attention.
He had merely ignored it because, compared to Evelyn, it was trivial.
“You don’t like it?”
At that, Evelyn nodded vigorously.
“I’d rather it just be the two of us…”
She meant she didn’t want to give them fodder for gossip. But Theo interpreted it differently and beamed.
The warmth in his eyes vanished the instant he shifted his gaze away from her.
With a single sentence, everything was settled.
“It seems you all have more free time than I expected.”
Silence followed.
Everyone froze stiff.
A moment later, the first person to regain their senses bolted.
They had to hide somewhere—anywhere—out of the Duke’s sight.
I’m doomed. Now they’ll pay even more attention!
Evelyn let out a hollow laugh.
She was already curious what kind of rumors would start spreading.
“Shall we go to the garden? The weather’s nice.”
In the midst of all that, Theo sounded completely at ease.
“Y-Yes… as you wish.”
Exhausted, Evelyn replied weakly.
She didn’t even have the strength to question why he had come all the way here.
It seemed better to talk properly and send him away quickly.
Besides, she did feel sorry for making him wait for days.
Eventually, they sat on a bench in the garden.
Evelyn let out a small sigh.
She had no idea what expression to wear or how to greet him.
Should she apologize first? Or ask how he had been?
“Evelyn.”
At that moment, Theo called her name softly.
It had been a long time since she had heard her name spoken in his voice.
The Duke’s tone was still gentle. His eyes still held affection meant only for her.
Now that they were alone, she could feel him fully.
The fluttering from the day they kissed resurfaced.
It had been small but clear—an emotion she had never felt before.
Maybe that was why she had wanted to leave behind good memories, even if they wouldn’t end up together.
That was why she had carefully carried home the box containing the handkerchief.
Why she had bought a vase far too expensive for her salary and kept the flowers he sent until they withered.
Sometimes she even spent long hours absentmindedly touching the items he had given her.
Smiling faintly as she recalled Theo’s handsome face.
But the Theo in her imagination could never compare to the real one.
He’s still ridiculously handsome.
The man before her was painfully her type. It was almost regrettable.
Get a grip. A pretty face isn’t everything!
Evelyn steadied herself and spoke.
“…It’s been a while, Your Grace.”
“….”
“Have you been well?”
“Not particularly.”
Theo’s eyes curved softly.
“I couldn’t sleep. Couldn’t eat either.”
Come to think of it, his face did look a bit thinner.
Her eyes instantly filled with concern.
Just like the day she had rushed to save him.
Theo gave a small laugh as he looked at her.
“Are you worried about me?”
“….”
Evelyn drew in a quiet breath.
She hadn’t expected to hear those words again.
How much did the Duke remember about their shared past?
Or did he keep recalling it so he wouldn’t forget?
She carefully opened her mouth. She should apologize first.
“You must have been very angry because of me. How dare I—”
“No need to apologize. Don’t place any burden in it.”
As she fell silent, Theo continued.
How could I ever resent you? How dare I.
“There’s no resentment. I just missed you.”
Evelyn stared at him, startled.
“It’s fine. That’s how unrequited love works.”
He was saying he liked her—that he could endure at least this much.
“The one who loves more is always the one left wanting.”
That’s why I came running. Because I wanted to see you.
His gentle baritone rang in her ears.
“I’d like you to give me your time today.”
“….”
“You may think of it as charity, if you like.”
Evelyn doubted her ears.
No matter how she thought about it, those weren’t words that should be coming from the Duke of Ashford.
Charity—to him?
A soft spring breeze drifted by.
The flowers filling the garden harmonized with Theo like a watercolor painting.
Maybe I shouldn’t have met him.
She had known she couldn’t avoid this forever, yet regret washed over her.
Theo’s feelings for her were deeper than she’d expected.
And realizing that made guilt surge up.
She shouldn’t have run away.
She should have firmly conveyed her feelings and properly ended things.
Her avoidance had only made everything more ambiguous.
Right. I’ll tie it up properly today.
She barely managed to speak.
“…Just for today.”
At last, permission fell from her small lips.
Even that seemed to delight him—Theo smiled radiantly.
That day as well, right at quitting time, the Duke of Ashford stood before the main gate.
The difference was that today, a white carriage waited with him.
At a glance, the carriage was crafted from luxurious materials, the family crest emblazoned prominently on its side.
Before leaving work, Evelyn smiled and assured Catherine she would be fine, even though Catherine had offered to accompany her.
She expressed her thanks.
“Thank you for looking out for me all this time.”
The same went for Oliver.
Neither of them had pried into details, yet they had silently kept watch in case she found herself in danger.
Seeing the newcomer looking oddly relieved, they both nodded.
Catherine added one last thing.
“Evelyn, be careful. Don’t get caught.”
She must have been recalling Evelyn’s hide-and-seek tale with the monster.
“…I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Evelyn quickly composed her expression and crossed the garden.
The closer she got to the Duke, the more she was swept up in a strange feeling.
She couldn’t tell whether the pounding in her chest was nervousness or excitement.
Either way, a part of her felt lighter.
Today, she would finally settle things with Theo.
In the distance, she saw the tall man standing beside the white carriage.
Good. I’ll end it quickly inside the carriage.
The shorter the time they spent together, the better.
As Evelyn approached, Theo extended his hand before the open carriage door.
The crimson sunset was especially vivid that evening.
His violet eyes blended with the golden light, creating an uncanny hue.
Evelyn stared at him, entranced.
Then she placed her hand over his.
By the time she came back to her senses, the carriage carrying them both was already moving.
They had long since left the imperial palace grounds and were heading toward the plaza.
Startled, Evelyn quickly asked,
“W-Where are we going?”
“First, we’ll have dinner.”
Theo remembered that Evelyn liked good food.
Even if their time was short, he wanted to give her a happy moment.
Meanwhile, Evelyn’s eyes wavered wildly.
Wait—I wasn’t planning on having dinner!
How had things turned out like this?
Why else? You got bewitched by his face again!
Ah, Mother!
She truly took after her mother.
Once again, she had been swayed by a man’s looks.
Under the golden sunset, his beauty was flawless.
Pull yourself together. You have to sort this out calmly.
She tried to put on a resolute expression.
“Thank you for the gift last time.”
“I was only keeping a promise.”
“A promise…”
Should she just confess? That she didn’t remember what promise they had made after the kiss?
But if she did, the Duke would calmly explain—and entangle her even deeper.
“Your Grace, will you listen to what I have to say while we dine?”
“I am always listening to you.”
This time, she swore she would cut things off coldly.
Before long, the carriage came to a stop.
Theo stepped down first and escorted her.
Faced with his unfailing gentleness, Evelyn had to steel her heart all over again.
