The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 31.2

‘I hope my brother disappears from this world forever.’

Evelyn instinctively understood. This was a memory from Ilya’s childhood, one that only she could see. A passage from a book she had recently read came to mind.

“The dark sorcerer instinctively reads the memories the opponent wants to hide the most. The illusions that create nightmares are more painful than death.” Is this the memory he wanted to hide? What happened between him and Nasir? Evelyn wondered.

Young Ilya was so pitiful that Evelyn wanted to hold him tightly in her arms. As she blinked, young Ilya disappeared. She gazed at the wardrobe for a while, feeling disappointed. “Let’s go downstairs, Arthas. People are waiting for us,” she said.

“Yes, my lady.”

Before leaving, Evelyn turned back for a moment and spoke to the boy who might have been hiding in the wardrobe. “I’ll come back. Don’t cry alone.”

* * *

“The spring sunshine is too warm. Let’s walk to the annex,” Evelyn suggested.

“Very well, madam. Taking a stroll will surely lift our spirits.”

Exiting the Tower of Penance, they walked along a beautiful path lined with trees on both sides, eventually arriving at the chapel. From there, a small path led to the annex. Evelyn felt the beauty of the short spring in the North all over her body, and she sensed her heart beating with the anticipation that something good would happen.

It was at that moment, when Evelyn had passed the chapel and turned onto the small path, that she heard a commotion.

“Oh, Your Grace! You cannot simply wander about anywhere!”

“I am just going to greet Nasir,” Nikolas responded.

After parting ways with Ilya, Nikolas returned to his lodging and changed into proper attire, even bringing the flowers he had asked the maid to prepare. Although he had not met his nephew very often during his lifetime, he felt a strong desire to see him today.

“Your Grace! There’s someone ahead!”

At the lieutenant’s warning, Nikolas turned his head quickly. He was surprised to see a small figure suddenly emerge from the path. It seemed he would be in trouble, riding his horse at full speed while looking only ahead. Nikolas pulled the reins with all his might, trying to control the giant warhorse that struggled to stay still.

The horse eventually calmed down, breathing heavily as it barely stood still. He wiped his chest in surprise, and as soon as the horse stopped, he quickly dismounted. The small figure turned out to be a woman, who looked very startled as she fell backwards. Nikolas hurriedly approached her and reached out his hand.

“Miss, are you all right?”

Evelyn panted heavily, her gaze fixed on the man’s face, which shone in the bright sunlight. His silver hair glistened and his emerald green eyes twinkled with vitality. Nasir, who had been near death, was now full of life and vigor before her very eyes. He looked so wonderful! Evelyn couldn’t tear her eyes away from his beloved face, and silent tears streamed down her face. Nikolas, unsure of what to do, retrieved a handkerchief from his pocket.

Just then, a large hand reached out from behind and covered Evelyn’s eyes. The hand smelled of the winter forest. “Don’t cry,” a voice said. A strong arm lifted her to her feet, still covering her eyes. Nikolas watched in awe as tears continued to roll down her cheeks. After a moment, he composed himself and explained, “Hey, Your Highness, I was just trying to help the lady who fell.”

“She’s not a lady, she’s my wife,” Ilya growled fiercely, grabbing Evelyn’s wrist and pulling her away.

Nikolas watched the couple disappear into the distance for a while. Nasir had mentioned that woman only twice: when she first arrived at the Grand Duke’s palace and in the last letter he sent before he died.

{Father, my younger brother’s wife is a pitiful woman who has nowhere to rely on in this world. Yet, seeing her living so bravely, it makes me want to support her a little more… Just a little more…} Nasir’s words lingered in his mind as he watched the disappearing figure of Ilya’s wife. He still couldn’t fully comprehend his nephew’s intentions.

“Captain, is that woman a witch of Maduse?” The lieutenant approached Nicholas and whispered in his ear.

Nicholas furrowed his brow. “What witch? She looked more like a princess captured by a demon king.”

“Is she really that pretty? I didn’t get a good look!”

Nicholas chuckled. “Yes, she’s pretty, but not the kind of beauty that people in the capital would go crazy for.”

“Oh, really? If the Duke is so enamored with her…”

“Well, let’s just say she’s not the type to make nonexistent knights appear.” Nicholas smirked.

“Captain, we received an urgent message from the capital.”

“Let’s discuss it when we get back to our quarters. We’ll have to postpone greeting my nephew for now.” Nicholas turned and started walking towards their lodging in the annex.

* * *

Ilya strode towards the entrance of the annex, firmly grasping his wife’s wrist. Evelyn struggled to keep up with his brisk pace and stumbled.

“Slow down… please…” she gasped.

He turned around slowly, revealing his contorted face. Upon seeing his expression, Evelyn’s breath caught in her throat. A new emotion was etched onto his typically frigid features—anger.

“Your Highness, have you arrived?” The knights and servants who were startled by the sudden appearance all bowed in unison. Ilya paid them no attention.

“Ilya, please, just listen to me…” Evelyn pleaded, gripping his arm as they stood before the stairs leading up to their bedroom.

“Don’t say a word. You’re about to make me lose my mind,” he growled.

Trembling, Evelyn clutched the collar of her shirt with shaking hands. She felt so unjustly treated and humiliated that she wanted to scream, but she bit her lip, afraid of further provoking him.