The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 35.2

Ilya ran her gaze over Evelyn’s wet, quivering form, his hand outstretched while his waiting maid handed him a large towel.

“Everyone, leave,” he commanded. The maids hurriedly exited, leaving the room engulfed in heavy silence, with only the two of them remaining.

As Ilya approached, extending his arm to envelop Evelyn in the towel, she recoiled, ducking away from his touch and shrinking back. Ilya’s lips twisted into a sneer.

“If anyone were to witness this, they would think I was striking you,” he remarked.

“I’m sorry… I just…” Evelyn’s voice trailed off, her trembling now reaching up to her chin. Ilya regarded her with a blank expression, then tossed the towel he held in his hand.

“I don’t wish to see you shivering like a helpless mouse. Dry yourself off,” he stated.

“Thank you,” she murmured.

“No need for thanks. It’s troublesome if you catch a cold. Sharing a bed with a shivering partner is far from pleasant,” Ilya replied.

Evelyn felt an even harsher chill than before. She wrapped the towel he had thrown around her, but it offered little warmth.

Why does it feel colder and lonelier when I’m with this man than when I’m alone?

“I came here because I have something to discuss. Change your clothes, then we’ll talk,” Ilya declared, before leaving the room with those words.

****

Once she had changed into dry clothes, Evelyn sipped on the steaming hot tea that Sophie had brought her, blowing gently to alleviate the lingering cold that seemed to have permeated her entire body. The sensation began to subside, if only slightly.

Evelyn lifted her head slightly, sensing the intense gaze that had been fixated on her. Ilya, wearing a complex expression, had his eyes focused on her neck. Her hastily donned attire had exposed the back of her neck, prompting her to hastily raise her hand to conceal the bite marks.

Ilya tossed a small box onto the table before her with a flick of his hand. “Open it,” he commanded.

Curiosity piqued, she inquired, “What’s inside?”

“You’ll find out once you open it,” he replied cryptically.

Trembling slightly, Evelyn opened the box. Inside lay a necklace that she recognized and a ring she had never seen before.

“Where did you get this ring?” she asked, puzzled.

“I took it the night before Odin departed,” Ilya confessed.

Evelyn picked up the ring, her voice filled with curiosity. “This necklace and ring… seem to belong to a set. It’s rather peculiar.”

“Yes, it is indeed suspicious. That’s why…” Ilya’s gaze intensified as he trailed off, leaving Evelyn with a burning sensation in her throat.

“When the full moon ascends, the path amidst the canyons opens,” Ilya revealed, his words leaving Evelyn bewildered.

‘What on earth does that mean?” She pondered, her expression blank.

“Don’t look at me like that. I don’t have all the answers. Nevertheless, this serves as a clue,” Ilya stated.

“Why are you sharing this information with me? Isn’t it supposed to be confidential?” Evelyn questioned, her voice laced with uncertainty.

Ilya paused for a moment before responding, “Because you, too, will accompany me.”

“Me? Are you serious?” Evelyn’s eyes widened as if they were on the verge of popping out.

“I’m venturing there, but what can I possibly do?” she wondered aloud.

“Isn’t there a reason why Odin had to bring this all the way here and present it to you?” Ilya proposed.

“There is, however…” Evelyn trailed off, her confusion mounting as she struggled to grasp his intentions.

“I require a visionary,” Ilya announced.

Evelyn raised her head, taken aback by his unexpected words.

“You are aware that the sound of extracting mantra leads to death,” he stated.

Evelyn nodded.

“The mischievous illusions you conjured helped silence the bothersome clamor,” Ilya uttered, causing Evelyn to gasp in surprise.

“…!”

“Mask the sound of plucking that cursed herb,” he continued.

Evelyn opened her mouth, her eyes fixed on him. Her heart raced within her chest, pounding forcefully.

“If you dislike it, you’re free to refuse. It’s not our concern,” Ilya stated.

Evelyn bit her lip, contemplating the offer.

“I want to go. But… will Your Highness’ knights accept me?” she inquired hesitantly.

“Of course, they won’t accept it,” Ilya replied, causing Evelyn to lower her head in acknowledgment.

“For the time being, you will assume a different identity from Evelyn Madus,” he declared.

“…!”

Evelyn looked at him with a troubled expression, her mind racing to comprehend his words.

“You shall be known as Erefia, the wandering hallucinologist,” he rasped out, his voice catching in his throat before he took a deep breath.

Erefia.

Evelyn repeated the new name softly, her mind still grappling with the sudden change.

“Why? Don’t you like it?” Ilya inquired.

Evelyn shook her head silently.

“May I ask what it signifies?” she ventured to ask.

Ilya’s expression hardened.

“It doesn’t signify anything. I simply conjured it as it came to me,” he replied curtly.

“It’s a beautiful name, though. I am truly grateful,” Evelyn expressed sincerely.

As Ilya entered the room, a smile graced Evelyn’s lips for the first time.

“I will strive to live up to my new name with pride. Let’s embark on this journey together,” she declared.

The woman, resembling a delicate white flower, radiated a bright smile. Her visage overlapped with that of the woman who had kissed her on the moonlit sea.

“Renee will provide you with further details,” Ilya stated.

“Yes, I understood,” Evelyn replied.

Ilya rose from his seat as if he were fleeing. Before departing from the room, he paused for a moment, casting a gaze upon the moon, which cast a gentle, illuminating glow.

That evening, the water in the outdoor bath danced with gentle ripples, resembling the vast expanse of the sea. He found himself captivated by the majestic sight of whales breaching the surface, their ethereal forms glistening under the moonlight.

“Erefia, the moonlit sea,” he murmured softly, the name lingering on his lips. It held a profound significance, one that a woman would never come to fully understand.

There was a reason he chose not to reveal the true meaning behind that name. How could he bear to burden a woman carrying the weight of a deceased love within her heart? Even if it meant sacrificing her own life, he would guard that secret, shielding her from the painful truth.