The End of Your Arrogance - Chapter 50

Evelyn took out a gold coin from her pocket and handed it to him.

“This is the first money I’ve earned.”

As he looked at her hand, Evelyn couldn’t help but feel awkward.

“I can’t really say I earned this, but still…”

‘I said some silly things to the Empire’s wealthiest son… Just as the eagle said, I’m a true fool.’

“You don’t have to take it.”

Nikolas quickly took the gold coin.

“Where did the giving and snatching go?”

He smiled broadly, raising an eyebrow. The image of his endearing expression flashed in Evelyn’s mind, and she found herself staring at his face absentmindedly.

“Thank you, Pia.”

Evelyn stood there, dazed, until the carriage he boarded disappeared from view.

****

Evelyn hurriedly entered the entrance of the Magician’s Tower.

“Surprise!”

When she spotted a man staring at her in the darkness, Evelyn was startled and let out a surprised cry. The man in all-black attire, with hair as dark as the night sky, looked as if he were one with the darkness.

“Your Highness, what are you doing here?”

“I’m asking you. Are you indulging in illusion magic or is it fun playing childish pranks with that guy?”

As Ilya teased, Evelyn became indignant. Under normal circumstances, she would’ve been taken aback, but today, for some reason, she felt wronged.

“Why do people always have to say such hurtful things?”

“And you think you did well just now?”

She grabbed the man’s wrist, who was leaning against the wall, and pushed him into the magical box. Ilya was overwhelmed by the unexpected force and obediently went along.

Evelyn pressed the blue magic stone with determination. In an instant, they arrived on the middle floor of the Mage Tower.

“Where are we?”

Without a word, Evelyn took his hand and led him. She opened the front door and looked at him.

“It’s my room. Come in for a moment.”

The voice that had sounded like scraping metal and splitting wood returned to its normal state. Hearing that voice, Ilya, who was already annoyed, grumbled in protest.

“Where is your room, then?”

“Even if I don’t have a room, Pia’s room is here.”

He gave Evelyn an incredulous look, then went into the room obediently.

“Are you really settling down in the Mage Tower?”

“I wish I could do that too.”

As he entered, the already small room seemed even more cramped. Evelyn took off her robe and scarf, neatly laid them down, and turned around. Finally, she peeled off the slightly sticky leather that was attached to her face.

“You’ve been quite unruly since coming back from the Black Forest.”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he muttered with a dissatisfied expression.

“You weren’t like this before.”

Evelyn looked down at him and asked.

“What kind of person did you know me as? ”

“…”

Would you even know what kind of person I am? In reality, I don’t even know who I am.’

‘Whenever I tried to speak up even a little, I was beaten down. Always cautious, living in the shadows, how could I know who I am?

Evelyn looked down at him intently and spoke.

“A woman who listened well, who was patient… A woman easy to grasp and shake in your hands.”

“I’ve never thought of you that way. Don’t jump to conclusions as you please.”

Ilya’s frustration grew at the expression that seemed to mock himself.

“After we got married, at first, I acted coy. I wanted to look beautiful in your eyes.”

Listening to her words, Ilya, who had been silent, spoke up.

“Why don’t you do it now? That act of coyness.”

“Because I know it’s meaningless.”

Their emotions had been different from the start. If her father hadn’t betrayed him…

Would their relationship have been somewhat different? Evelyn shook her head. The day when Ilya would become curious about the woman named Evelyn Madus wouldn’t come, ever.

Ilya stood up and grabbed her shoulder. His expression resembled that of a young child who had lost his mother and didn’t know what to do.

“Your Highness, are you in pain?”

“Sorry.”

He removed his hand from her shoulder as if he had touched fire.

“Just sit for a moment. I have something to tell you.”

Evelyn tapped the space next to her on the bed. After he let out a deep sigh, Ilya sat down beside her.

“Countess Glen has requested a favor.”

“What kind of favor?”

“She wants the person in the portrait to shed tears of blood. She wants it to be created through illusion magic.”

Ilya, who had been looking ahead, turned his body. Feeling his gaze, Evelyn turned to him, and their eyes met.

“A portrait? Whose?”

“She didn’t mention that part. We’ll probably find out soon.”

Ilya had encountered numerous cunning individuals. Tears of blood… Laughter that sounded like the wind escaping his lips followed his words.

“They say you’ve always been a resourceful woman.”

They remained silent for a while. An uncomfortable silence hung in the room. Ilya shifted his gaze awkwardly. He looked at the bag on the nightstand beside the bed and asked.

“What’s that?”

“It’s the commission fee. They gave it as an advance payment.”

She answered more honestly, as uncomfortable money was involved.

“I couldn’t refuse. If you find it displeasing…”

“Let it be. She’s celebrating her fortune, after all.”

When he replied nonchalantly, Evelyn couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Do you like money that much?”

“Where in the world can you find someone who hates money?”

Words that she had shared with Nikolas on the way back came to her mind. She had said she wanted to eat grilled ribs with the money, but in reality… It would be fortunate if she wasn’t met with ridicule or laughter when she spoke. Still, she wanted to voice it at least once. Looking at the wall in front of her, Evelyn began speaking.

“Later… before we part ways.”

His breath seemed to have gotten a bit rough.

“The mask festival is coming up. It’s to prepare for the upcoming winter.”

“Are you talking about the Kaisa Festival?”

“Yes, let’s go together. As a parting gift, I’ll buy you something delicious.”

There was no immediate response from the man. Only the sound of his heart racing echoed instead of a voice. It’s the last time… Even if it’s an empty promise, he should have suggested going together. Well, he was a man who never made promises he couldn’t keep. Seeing his very characteristic behavior, Evelyn let out a bitter laugh.

“Fine, I’m going to Libe. Don’t regret it later.”

“I heard it’s really fun there, and they sell a lot of delicious things… “ Evelyn kept mumbling.

“Yeah, probably for the rest of my life…”

His last words were too soft to be heard.

“What? What did you say?” He pulled Evelyn into his arms and stretched out on the bed. Surprised, she stiffened.

“I have to go back.”

“Just stay like this for a moment. Just a moment.”

She wanted to look at his face, but he had buried his chin in his hand, so she couldn’t lift her head. Evelyn buried her face in his chest and murmured softly.

“Before you leave, you also have to find a way to fall asleep.”

Her vision spun, and in an instant, she found herself beneath him. The moment their eyes met, like a stormy sea in his dark irises, time froze and only he and her existed in the world. Unconsciously, Evelyn’s hand reached toward the corner of his eye. Hoping for relief from the punishing insomnia, she gently touched his sharp, sleep-deprived gaze.

“Stop now, please.”

A heavily restrained voice flowed out. Evelyn removed her hand from his eye. A soft touch brushed against her lips. He lightly nibbled and released her lower lip. Startled, her lips parted, and his warm tongue gently pushed its way in. When she saw the gray-blue eyes in front of her, Evelyn tightly shut her eyes. Fluttering eyelashes, like a butterfly’s wings, made an impression on his face.

“I want to rest,” he murmured, taking a brief break from their lips. As if he was exhausted.

Evelyn subtly opened her eyes. The voice that emanated from his eyes, which were now showing signs of exhaustion rather than inflammation, felt pitiable.

Lying weakly, she raised her arm and gently stroked his hair. As if it were a signal, he fervently pressed himself against her. Mouth, lips, cheeks, the soft skin behind the ear, down to the neck… There was no place untouched by his breath. Overwhelmed by the sensation that ran to the tips of her toes, Evelyn frantically ran her fingers through his hair. Moonlight poured in through the window onto the bed. As if they were entwined from the very beginning, they held each other tightly and fell asleep. As if they had been one body from the start.

****

“Madam, wake up.” The next morning, Evelyn opened her eyes drowsily. Through her blurry vision, she saw an unfamiliar ceiling. Huh? Unfamiliar ceiling? Evelyn sat up abruptly on the bed. Rene, who was standing by the bedside, smirked at Evelyn.

“I thought you slept quite well in this cramped space. Your face looks very refreshed.”

Embarrassed, Evelyn lowered her head deeply. Seeing her ears turn red, René burst into laughter.

Looking around, Evelyn’s eyes landed on a piece of paper placed on the nightstand next to the bed. When she picked it up, she saw neat handwriting.

{ You focus on your tasks, and I’ll handle mine. }

As long as I can complete Selice’s commission, the rest is up to him.

With her thoughts sorted out, she felt relieved.

“Madam, go upstairs and have breakfast.”

“Yes, I’ll go quickly.”

They headed to the top floor.

For breakfast, there were thick chicken sandwiches and fragrant black tea prepared. Evelyn took a big bite of the sandwich and looked around. On the chair across from her, she saw torn pieces of cloth where Rene usually sat. Seeing Rene coming out of the room, Evelyn asked, “What’s this?”

Rene hesitated for a moment before answering, “This came out of that branch you mentioned back then. It’s like the cloth used for bathrobes.”

Evelyn stood up and picked up a piece of cloth.

“The red… is it bloodstains?”

The cloth trembled in her hand.

“Anastasia was a maid who made clothes for the Grand Duke. Could this be… the blood of Grand Duke Nacir?”

Evelyn brought the cloth close to her nose. It was faint, mixed with the scent of blood and earth… but an artificial fragrance lingered.

“It’s been almost a year since Anastasia disappeared. The fact that the scent still lingers…”

“What that maid wanted to say is that there’s a connection between this scent and the blood shed by Grand Duke Nacir.”

Evelyn looked at Rene with a pale face.

“I… she was originally fragile in health, so that’s why…”

Rene looked at Evelyn with a sympathetic expression. ‘

I just thought her time had come. I forced myself to believe that it was something unavoidable. But if that’s not it… What should I do?

Her normally innocent lilac eyes seemed to hold life now.