CH 26

Devan Lantimos strode to the banquet hall, found a familiar profile and stopped walking.

“What’s all this?”

“They were brought from the system. In particular, that tapestry is to pray for the blessing of the newlyweds. I gave him extra money because I was in a hurry to get it.”

Evelyn was talking to an old butler.

She looked around with an absurd look.

Devan quietly burst into laughter because the response was exactly what he expected.

He stood still there, crossed his arms, and carefully looked up and down at Evelyn.

He thought she looked good, and even more dazzling in this dress.

Well, the same was true of what he felt when he first saw her after the curse was lifted.

She was somewhat thin, but her subtle greenish golden hair and small face made her look elegant enough.

This was the case even though it was covered with blood in old clothes and buried in the snow.

Maybe that’s why he suggested marriage and other reasons.

“That’s not it. Why did you do this?”

“I ordered it.”

Devan strutted to her side.

Evelyn looked up at him with a blank look, and his round eyes were just as beautiful as the Milky Way as the butler said a long time ago.

“It suits you.”

The dress that matched the color of her eyes and the blue-gold-stone brooch went very well together.

He knew for the first time that blue and gold were so harmonious, and Devan smiled satisfactorily.

From behind her, he could see a large figure approaching this way.

Evelyn didn’t seem to have noticed yet.

Devan naturally put his hand on her shoulder.

“What are you do-“

“Hush.”

Killian, a large figure out of the shadow, finally looked this way.

The colorful silver hair was reflected around by the chandelier lights, and the overly straight golden pupils were wide open and amazed.

Devan kicked his tongue so that he couldn’t hear.

He couldn’t adapt to those bloody golden eyes no matter how many times he faced them.

Maybe that’s why he doesn’t like that guy even more.

He spun Evelyn around and hugged her.

“It’s only been a week since yesterday. How are you prepared for that simple life of the Lord?”

He felt her small body in his arms stiffening. His sharp eyes were on her cheeks.

Devan smiled fishyly.

Oh, it was again.

Killian was staring at Devan.

As if he was the Devil who kidnapped the Princess.

With Golden Eyes that resemble them.

***

I dreamed meeting with Killian again dozens of times.

Once was a dark cellar, another time was deep in the forest.

Once was the great hall of Count Diego’s residence, full of aristocratic children. And once was Evelyn.

Among them, there were deserts with a blue moon that I had never been to in my life, or a clock tower that was far too high.

But I’m sure, I’ve never had a dream like this.

I’ve never imagined Devan, Killian, and I coming together in this way.

It was like this, too, I couldn’t bring up any words and just my lips were chapped.

The colorful dress I was wearing felt like a shackle.

The same was true with Killian.

Without saying anything, he hardened and did not move.

“…what are you doing?”

Inaudibly, he looked up at Devan and asked.

My cheeks were hardened.

Devan raised his eyebrows, bowed his head and whispered in his ears.

Seeing that, I felt Killian flinching.

“He can’t keep making a scene in my domain forever, can he? I just wanted to get this over with.”

“So, is this how you do it?”

Devan didn’t seem to be sorry at all even at my retort.

“I’m sure they’ll accept this marriage anyway. So I thought it’d be better to let you know first.”

I closed my mouth and stared at him.

It was a marriage to get rid of Killian and the Count. I could also understand that the sooner the better.

But.

“There’s no need to be this sudden. Shouldn’t you at least give me a head up?”

“This situation is more fun.”

It was time to open my eyes and say something firmly.

“Evelyn.”

I heard Killian’s voice, which was so familiar and friendly.

I was not confident to face Killian, so I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“…Evelyn.”

Afterwards, I exhaled and turned my head toward him.

He looked like he was about to collapse.

Devan put more strength on my shoulder.

I knew it.

It was all a show.

Such a show that I have done every day since I was young.

I was more familiar with it than he was.

As if I was surprised, I folded my eyes gently and smiled, facing Killian’s misery.

“Long time no see, brother.”

I didn’t forget to hug Devan’s waist.

At my sudden action, Devan smiled, and Killian suddenly stumbled.

“Why don’t you sit down? The banquet will start soon.”

Relaxedly, Devan pulled out the chair nearby.

Devan and kindness. It was an unsuitable combination.

Nevertheless, I sat down smiling.

As if we were very familiar with this.

He sat right next to me, not the upper seat he sat in every meal.

Killian was barely holding onto one side of the table and holding up his staggering body.

I could feel the gaze staring at me, and I tried not to look there.

Devan acted naturally.

Friendly swept my hair behind my ears and glanced toward Killian.

I just smiled with my eyes down.

“Won’t you sit down? We can’t start the banquet like this.”

Killian seemed to have a lot to say.

He moved his eyes unstable, and barely pulled a chair across from me and sat down.

“Evelyn, ……..Evelyn.”

I couldn’t ignore the voice that desperately called me.

“Yes, brother. Go ahead.”

I was gone for over a year. His face was distorted even more than I imagined, which was hard to believe he was the same person.

“In the meantime……”

Devan lifted his hand.

As if cutting off the conversation, the butler skillfully set the food on the table.

Even with the appetizing food that filled my eyes, Killian’s gaze was only directed at me.

He moved his lips over and over again, but he couldn’t bring it up easily.

I couldn’t eat while feeling such an intense gaze.

I pushed the plate in front of me to the side.

“Don’t you have something to do before eating, Your Highness?”

Devan’s eyebrows wriggled up when he turned to me half-way and acted with a lovely look.

“I can’t wait to finish writing the pledge.”

I understand the contract marriage, so I wanted to finish this show quickly and go back.

His lips drew lines as if he had noticed the meaning.

“Hmm…… Before that, isn’t Your Highness too formal?”

“……What?”

I barely raised the tip of my lips that trembled.

He must really be enjoying this situation.

Devan turned to Killian.

“What do you think?”

Killian didn’t even seem to understand what he was saying.

Maybe he didn’t want to understand.

He only stared at me with a look of brokenness, and gave no answer.

I clenched my teeth. It was over only when I opened my mouth.

“………Devan.”

Kık, Devan suppressed laughter that burst out.

Unlike me who knew all the situations, for Killian we must look like a lovely couple.

“…….Let’s write down the pledge first.”

I looked up at Devan with a sick and tired look.

He finally ordered the butler to bring the pledge.

“……..Your Highness.”

Killian intervened as if he couldn’t stand it anymore.

“What’s going on?”

“… Didn’t you say you didn’t know?”

“What?”

Killian shut his mouth.

Now he wasn’t looking at me. He didn’t seem to be able to look at it exactly.

He looked confused, as if he had no idea what the hell was all about.

Devan raised his chin and said arrogantly.

“What I remember is… Yeah, you said you wanted to find what you lost in my estate. I was generous enough to give you a week, and if you can’t find it, you’ll get a dead end. I think I did. Am I wrong?”

Devan spoke with strength and looked at Killian.

“……You knew it.”

“If I knew, what would be different?”

Killian bit his lips tightly.

He almost looked like crying.  Was it because of anger or resentment?

“I think you’re misunderstanding…….”

Devan gently swept my chin and said.

“Hide…. I did not hide her. Evelyn hid herself from you.”

“……..there’s no way. Please return her…. Evelyn.”

“That’s funny. Because you’re Evelyn’s what?”

And what else am I?

“The choice was hers. Not mine.”

Devan did not lose his relaxed attitude.

Killian’s chest gradually went up and down.

His body trembled as if he was holding back something.

Then he eventually jumped up from his seat as if he couldn’t stand it.

” Evelyn… Evelyn, Evelyn!”

He only repeated my name as if he had gone mad.

Then he turned around and knelt in front of me.

“….What’s wrong with you?”

“Home… Let’s go back home, Evelyn. Huh? Let’s go home.”

An unbearable laughter burst out.

Home. I can’t believe he called there home.

He knew what happened in the basement.

With a cool gaze, I looked down at Killian.

Killian looked up at me with blind eyes. Whenever I encountered those golden eyes, disgust rose.

I remembered a day that I could never forget.