Chapter 92
As I got closer to where Evan was, I finally caught sight of his face, which had been hidden from afar.
‘Evan…?’
In that moment, I stared up at his face with wide eyes, feeling dazed.
Evan’s face, illuminated by the moonlight, bore no expression, making it appear even sadder.
‘For some reason, I feel like I shouldn’t go now…’
Having unexpectedly witnessed his appearance, I quietly turned to retrace my steps.
Crunch.
If only there hadn’t been a dry twig right where I stepped.
“Ah.”
As the sound escaped my lips, Evan’s head turned precisely toward where I was standing.
Raising his sword sharply, Evan stood up, and upon realizing it was me who made the noise, he awkwardly bent his body to meet my gaze.
“…Dahlia.”
Evan immediately sheathed his sword and jumped down from the rock.
Despite the height, he landed almost silently, and I watched him for a moment in wonder.
“You came all the way here alone in that outfit?”
At that moment, a heavy sensation settled on my shoulders.
He had taken off his coat and draped it over me.
Only then did I realize how I was dressed.
While my dress was moderately warm, it was indeed a bit inadequate for the chilly night air.
“I didn’t know the temperature would differ so much from inside the tent.”
I fiddled with the sleeves of the coat he had given me in response.
Strangely, it was difficult to meet his gaze, and I found myself staring only at the ends of the sleeves.
Evan spoke to me after a brief pause.
“If you have other business to attend to, I can wait from a distance, so let’s go back together.”
“Other business?”
I looked up at his face, puzzled by his ambiguous words.
He then cleared his throat with an awkward expression and subtly averted his gaze.
Wondering why he was acting that way, I quietly watched him until I suddenly realized the meaning behind his words.
“Uh, I didn’t come out for that business.”
As I vehemently denied it, Evan looked skeptical but reluctantly nodded and said, “I understand. Then let’s go back together.”
After finishing his sentence, Evan came in front of me, bent down, and presented his back.
“What are you doing?”
“Shouldn’t we minimize the use of your ankle to recover faster? Please get on my back.”
I alternated my gaze between my bandaged ankle and his broad back.
Although there was still some pain, I had recovered enough to walk without difficulty.
‘But there’s no need to refuse his offer to carry me.’
I quietly climbed onto Evan’s back and wrapped my arms around his neck, quickly raising my line of sight.
As Evan headed toward the place where the carriage was, there were no words exchanged between us.
On a night where the sounds of insects barely masked the silence, I tightened my grip around Evan’s neck and buried my head, quietly speaking.
“Evan. The autumn festival is going to be held in the capital soon. Have you ever been?”
“No, I haven’t.”
Hearing his straightforward response to my sudden question, I continued.
“I haven’t been to a crowded festival since I was eleven. But I really want to go to this one… would you like to go with me?”
There was no immediate response to my request to go to the festival together.
“I want to go together…”
As I murmured again, resting my face against his back, I felt a slight tightening in the hand he had wrapped around my legs.
Despite the awkwardness stemming from the unfinished conversation with Evan, I honestly expressed my feelings.
I couldn’t keep this up forever.
“If you haven’t been to a festival, it would be really fun…”
I wondered how many times I had mumbled with a tone full of lingering regret.
“…I’ll go with you, so stop whispering in my ear.”
With a sigh that seemed incredulous, Evan finally spoke.
Hearing his affirmative response made me feel good, and my legs dangled in the air.
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Two days later, we finally arrived in the capital.
“Wow, it really is different here; even the buildings look unique!”
Joy had been almost glued to the window, eagerly taking in the sights of the streets.
Her constant exclamations of admiration drew my gaze outside as well.
The streets, already vibrant, were now adorned even more splendidly for the festival.
“It seems even more extravagant because they’re preparing for the festival.”
I murmured as I observed the people joyfully preparing for the festivities on every street.
“Everyone is walking around with smiles.”
At that moment, Joy, who had been admiring the streets, remarked in wonder.
“After all, they haven’t been able to hold a festival for five years.”
Especially since this festival was the first to be held after the war, its significance was particularly profound.
“By the way, customer…”
Just as I was chatting with Joy and exploring the streets together, he interrupted.
“What is it?”
“Why do I feel like people are staring at us more and more?”
As Joy said this, he slowly hid behind the curtains, which made me look outside with a puzzled expression.
Just as Joy had mentioned, the gazes of the people were indeed gathering around the carriage one by one.
The glances that had been fleeting quickly spread like paint dissolving in water, and soon I could see people openly looking our way and whispering.
‘It’s not like we’re in a conspicuous carriage, so why are they acting like this?’
As I watched the scene with a bewildered look, I soon realized the reason.
“Ah. It must be because of Evan.”
I slightly opened the window, poked my head out, and observed Evan, who was riding ahead.
He was mounted on a horse with simple armor, and that alone seemed enough to draw people’s attention.
The people glancing our way were likely discussing whether the man in front of them was indeed “that hero” they knew.
They had only seen Evan when he returned victorious from the war, so they seemed uncertain.
“It seems like your husband is quite popular.”
At that moment, Joy, completely hidden behind the curtains, murmured with interest.
Following his gaze, I noticed some people who were almost certain of Evan’s identity excitedly slapping each other on the shoulders and making a fuss.
Yet, the reason they weren’t acknowledging him was probably due to the terrifying rumors that surrounded him.
The fortunate thing was that, aside from the nobility, most people held good feelings toward him, regardless of what rumors circulated, because he had put an end to the dreadful war.
Only the nobles were itching to gossip about him.
I wondered what they would say behind his back at the upcoming banquet in the palace…
‘As if I’ll let them talk nonsense.’
If anyone dares to speak ill of him again at this banquet, I won’t let it slide.
As I was exploring the streets with Joy, we soon arrived at the Duke’s residence.
“Welcome.”
As we got out of the carriage, the butler came out to greet us with a warm smile.
“It’s been a while, Heinz. How have you been?”
“Ah, thank you for your concern. Maintaining good health is essential for serving the masters, isn’t it? By the way… may I ask who this is?”
Heinz, who had welcomed us with a kind smile, turned to look at Joy.
“Oh, he’s my assistant. I met him in the duchy, and he came to the capital with me.”
“Ah, I see. It’s a pleasure to meet you. My name is Heinz. I am the butler of the Duke of Ballestain’s household and oversee the management of the estate.”
Heinz showed a moment of surprise but quickly composed himself and greeted Joy.
