Chapter 42
After Laria fell asleep, Evan sneaked out of the room.
He came out to train, even if it was only for an hour in the middle of the night because he was absolutely short in time for sword training after spending so much time with Laria nowadays.
He still couldnt believe that she was going away soon. He had been trying to spend more time with her up until now.
Heading to the training grounds where there was no one around, Evan heard someone sobbing in the forest.
Who is it?
When Evan asked calmly, a servant sprang out in surprise.
Cobb?
It was Cobb who was crying his eyes out.
Whats going on?
He whimpered and hesitated to answer but eventually replied with a squint.
Thats because a woman played with me.
Played you?
Yes I thought it was going well with her, but she was meeting with various servants of the Dukes residence and my purity was trampled.
Oh, my God.
Thinking about it, he thought Cobb said there was a woman he was getting along with the other day.
Rob in prison, Ivan in the kitchen, Kayburn in the garden were all entangled with her
Thats too bad.
Evan gave him soulless consolation, thinking he should go his way.
There seemed to be a very flirtatious woman at the Dukes mansion, though it had nothing to do with him. All he wanted was for Lariat to get better and keep being with her like this.
It would be okay to be by her side even if she didnt get better, but Evan didnt want Lariat to suffer
Serena that sinful woman should have known that if she is pretty in my eyes, she would know that shes pretty in other peoples eyes, too
Evans expression as he tried to step away was dark.
Yes, Serena is a good person. Theres a lot to learn, a lot to observe from her. Shes a completely soulful doctor!
Who has Laria been learning from?
Suddenly, Evan started to act even stranger.
Laria, are you interested in seeing another doctor?
Indirectly, he asked me several times a day about having a doctor other than Serena.
Why?
Its just, I feel somewhat uncomfortable.
His expression was very serious.
Oh, I didnt expect him to have a better awareness than the villain. Though, of course, I could turn the question around to my advantage easily.
No doctor had cured me as much as Serena. I can feel my illness getting better after I met her, even when I was in the County.
But
Dont you want me to get better?
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Saying so, I dropped my shoulders and asked weakly, and in the end, Evan couldnt say anything more about Serena.
Phew.
However, the number of times he swept his hair and muttered to himself increased. I figured he was still unhappy about it, but Evan couldnt say anything to me.
I should have gone to the medical academy.
Huh?
If I had studied hard, I might have a license by now.
.
Im sure I would have graduated first
The medical academy was where the commoner people would go. I didnt understand what he was talking about. After learning that he couldnt keep Serena away from me, he began to pressure me in other ways.
I learned something from Ludvas accident.
That was something good.
Please realize that everything Ludva said was bullshit!!
Really? What is it?
He answered my expected question seriously. A man who holds your wife in his heart cant be left alone.
Huh?
Its a generation after generation of continuous trouble.
Well, thats right, but
Never be merciful.
Ludvas incident seemed to have left a strange mark on him. And thus, Evan had become too wary of another man being attached to his wife.
Is that why youre delaying the date with Redian, the painter, more than before?
I tilted my head, confused.
As expected, do I remind him of Matilda?
Its just it seems to be common here. Even Godmother thought of me as Matilda while she was looking at me.
Evans red eyes twinkled eerily, and I felt as if I was watching Duke Icard when he was younger. Serena was right. The best answer was to move away from them before getting too attached, even though it may be a little harsh.
Laria.
Hmm?
Ive ordered extra finest bedding and decorations for the Villa since you said you wanted me to fill the villa up with things of good quality. I also got the Oklasia tree, though that one was a little difficult.
Even though I mentioned it passingly, I couldnt believe he actually remembered it all
Whats wrong with him? He is so nice
Oh, thank you.
Ill be there often.
You dont have to go there often.
Never be nice to another man. Dont laugh, and dont get along with them too well. Okay?
All right.
You cant read fairy tales to them. You cant stroke their head, and also dont buy them Ganache.
Why?
Because no matter if a woman has a husband, they can hold you in their hearts, like Ludva.
Evan.
I sighed deeply.
It seemed that Ludvas influence was significant. Well, as expected, it wasnt something that I could easily get away with as it left a deep scar in Evans heart. Still, I needed to do something to fix this because he was showing a serious delusion.
Dont think about it like that. Im not an easy person, and I wont give a damn about any other people.
Huh?
Isnt that right? How light-hearted do you think I am to fall for such actions? Dont worry about it.
.
I added, If you think itll happen, this is utterly ridiculous. Unless you think of me as a flirtatious woman who wants all for herself.
.
Dont you think so?
Well, thats true.
Evan nodded grudgingly but looked somewhat uncomfortable.
Since I was leaving, it might have reminded him of his mother leaving. Is that what he was thinking about? Looking at him, Evan was abnormally restless.
Evan chewed his nails and muttered to himself.
Im so anxious.
I came to a conclusion.
Evan, whose mentality was worn out by Ludva, seemed to feel attached to me, and he needed reassurance at every single moment.
Well, hes still a kid.
But, just in case, it was also a good choice to stay away for a little while as well. Out of sight, out of mind, out of reach, and away from Duke Icards company for him to get back to his original personality.
For a while, I thought about trying to avoid death by flirting with Evan in earnest, but he felt guilty for Duke Icard and I knew he would take his side in a decisive moment.
And, most of all, the father-son drama wasnt my style. Dramas were fun to watch, although I get seriously exhausted just thinking about it.
Hmm, hmm
Of course, besides Evan, Duke Icard was also acting a little peculiar. When I went to the office after being called, his voice resounded surprisingly.
You dont have an allowance.
Pardon?
There might be a time when you require cash. Especially when youre not here, Evan wont be there either if you happen to be in a hurry to ask for money.
Hey, father Did you forget about the horse race?
Regardless, the more money, the better. While thinking about what I would get, the Duke suddenly held out a sketchbook and colored pencils.
Sketchbook
I see. I got it.
Oh, my. Its not like I really dont have money.
Drawing a harmonious picture for someone who could kill me in the future just to get some money was something a child without pride would do.
Father!
And, I am that kid with no pride in front of money.
Thats right! You said youd give me some pocket money if I drew for you, right?
I clapped my hands enthusiastically as I accepted the sketchbook and colored pencils as if they were something precious. As I drew the picture on the spot, Duke Icard frowned while stroking his chin.
You seem to have a gift for art should I get a teacher for you
Really?
I grinned widely as I pointed to one of the pictures.
So, what do you think this is?
Seeing the hideous thing stretchthe torches of hell?
It is a tree, father. What about this?
Seeing the impression of a scythe is it the reaper?
Thats father who held a sword.
Well, it wasnt that wrong since he was the one holding my life in the line So, his theory of art giftedness was easily dispelled.
While fiddling with the sketchbook, crying inside it was better quantity than quality, Duke Icard said abruptly.
If you go to Borotna
Yes.
To announce your arrival into the region, you must hold a banquet.
Oh yes.
It cant be helped because youre not feeling well. Since you are planning to stay there for a long time, you have to keep an eye on the local community.
Societies! From what I had seen in the book, it was referred to as a battlefield without gunshots where there would be a lot of backbiting with the nobles. A place where nobles who have nothing to do, gather and fight over nothing!
Someone told me that Im cut for it.
I had a lot of fun taking that short lesson from Olivia.
I think its going to be a little small since they are only a local socialite, so why dont they just try to calm down and find other hobbies?
Youre gentle and tender, so Im not certain if youll adjust well. However, if youre having a hard time, just close your eyes and get yourself away from those people.
What?
As long as you have Icards name, no one can say anything to you.
Duke Icard continued bluntly.
Dont be so hurt, maybe a bunch of little kids would bite you for your weaknesses.
Theyre going to bite me if I show my weakness? Ah that would be completely draining.
During the banquet, I will probably be too busy to attendso Ill let Evan go instead. No matter how busy I am, Evan will be there to help you.
You dont have to ask Evan to go.
I dont want to be a hindrance to Evan just because Im sick. I lowered my eyelashes and spoke in a mournful voice.
At first, I was just happy to be part of Evans family with Father, but now Im so worried that being sick will be a nuisance to Icard
So, dont send him often except for special circumstances.
Duke Icard kept his silence and mumbled to himself.
What a kind-hearted person.
And for a very long time, he didnt say anything else.
Duke Icard glanced at me with a faint look, sighed, and looked out of the window. Idly, he then grabbed the holy ring in the drawer and fiddled with it.
Nevertheless, he didnt ask or talk about my condition at all, meaning that he was still determined to keep hiding the fact that I had a time limit Or, at least that seems to be the case, judging from the way he was acting.
I dont know exactly yet, but he still doesnt care enough about me to give up the goal he really wants.
I quietly finished my drawing, took the pocket of gold, and left the office.