Chapter 13
Evelyn didn’t want to continue the conversation on such an uncomfortable subject, so she changed the topic.
“Anyway, that patient needs a different doctor.”
“You’re really planning to call someone out to the monastery—when we don’t even know when a monster might show up?”
“…Right. I’d forgotten about that.”
Evelyn sighed and rubbed her temples, her head beginning to ache.
“But still, I can’t just leave him there to die.”
No matter how many times they went back and forth, they couldn’t come up with a solution.
“You’re too softhearted.”
Chaser clicked his tongue and fell silent.
His furrowed brow made it clear he was deep in thought—until he finally spoke, with something completely unexpected.
“I’ll summon the Luisa family doctor.”
“…What?”
He was going to bring Luisa’s personal physician out to a remote monastery—for a patient whose name they didn’t even know?
“You said you can’t let that man die. And I don’t want more strangers coming in and out of the monastery. So, this is the only compromise.”
His voice carried frustration, but for some reason, it didn’t scare her the way it usually did.
“It’ll take some time for the doctor to arrive.”
Coming from Chaser, this was unusually… considerate.
“…Are you sure about this?”
“Of course.”
Chaser, as if he had been waiting for her to ask, wiped the irritation from his face and flashed a wide grin.
And then, with that familiar smug tone, he said the one thing that made Evelyn’s face twist in disbelief.
“Well, if the future duchess asks for something, I have to say yes, don’t I?”
He was persistent—clearly not planning to drop the topic anytime soon.
“Do I get a say in any of this?”
No matter how much more comfortable she had grown around Chaser, he was still a Luisa.
Evelyn, tense again, asked cautiously.
Instead of answering right away, Chaser leaned in close. With a gentle touch, he tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
“Evelyn… I think we’d make a good team.”
Then he whispered softly, almost coaxing:
“And besides… you can’t live in hiding forever, can you?”
There it was again.
Chaser could seem gentle in one breath, and then, the moment things didn’t go his way, he used pressure and intimidation to get what he wanted.
And he wants me to marry him like this? Is that how it would be—threats whenever I don’t do what he wants?
She was angry. She felt wronged.
But the worst part was… he wasn’t wrong.
All Evelyn could do was glare up at him with a pout that said everything she couldn’t say aloud.
“I’ll expect a positive answer, then.”
With those final words, Chaser turned and walked away to his room.
Watching his back retreat naturally down the hallway, she was suddenly struck by how real his presence here had become.
He really had been living in the monastery for days now.
And he really had proposed a marriage contract to her.
She laid a hand over her chest, feeling her heart beat faster than usual.
She couldn’t tell if it was fear… or the unfamiliar kindness he’d shown that was making her feel this way.
Either way, it was turning into a confusing night.
Sometimes, there are days like that.
When you wake up early, despite usually struggling to get out of bed. When you expect rain, but instead, the sun is shining. A day that just feels like everything might go right.
Evelyn, staring out at the faint blue of early morning, felt something shift inside her. Then, all at once, she jumped into action.
After quickly washing up and changing, she went down to the kitchen. The first thing she did was put water on to boil in the old kettle.
Soon, a warm cup of herbal tea sat before her.
“Haa… It’s been a while since I’ve had a moment like this.”
A chilly breeze slipped in through the open kitchen window, reminding her that winter was close.
Evelyn took a small sip of the tea and let the warmth spread through her chest, welcoming the approaching season.
It had been a long time since she enjoyed something as simple and peaceful as having tea alone on a quiet morning.
“Well, I guess it’s time to start breakfast.”
She hummed to herself as she closed the window and got to work, fully enjoying the calm before the chaos.
It was the last sweet moment of peace before a day that would be filled with despair.
A final gift—before everything she held dear would be torn away.
By the time Evelyn finished all the chores she’d put off, the sun had already begun its slow descent toward the western sky.
She was hanging laundry out in the backyard when she heard children’s voices coming from the front.
Pausing, she followed the sound.
“One… two… three!”
Thanks to the clear skies, all the children had come outside and were now playing hide-and-seek in the front yard.
Even Lize, who was the seeker, was running around gleefully with the others.
I should remind them not to go too far…
Evelyn started walking toward them—but then she saw someone returning from outside and instinctively stopped in her tracks.
Chaser Luisa.
It’d be weird if I avoided him, right?
She tried her best to act natural and continued walking toward the children—but something about him felt… off.
Though his face was its usual unreadable mask, Evelyn could immediately tell from his slightly furrowed brow, Chaser was not in a good mood.
After making sure the children hadn’t hidden anywhere dangerous, Evelyn slowly walked over to where Chaser Luisa stood.
He looked as though he were deep in thought, silently leaning against the wall in a quiet, secluded area.
He hadn’t moved for a while, and even as she approached, he showed no reaction—completely lost in his own head.
Is it okay if I go up to him?
Evelyn hesitated, then gently spoke.
“Is something wrong?”
After spending more than a week together—and after receiving a marriage proposal—she figured this was the least she could ask.
Thankfully, Chaser didn’t snap at her or respond coldly. Instead, he answered plainly.
“I can’t find it.”
“…The monster?”
“It’s big enough to brush the ceiling of the monastery and should have left obvious signs—especially if it’s been starving. But even after searching the mountain, there’s not a single trace. Not even a footprint.”
He sounded frustrated. His furrowed brow deepened with irritation.
It was the first time since arriving here that Evelyn had seen this kind of negativity from him.
“Then maybe it’s not in this mountain anymore? I mean, Mount Ast is large, but this much time would’ve been more than enough for it to move somewhere else.”
Chaser ran a hand roughly through his hair.
“As much as I hate to admit it… that might be true.”
His usually tidy black hair now looked messy—a reflection of just how annoyed and restless he truly was.
“I’ll have to contact another team.”
“There’s no communication tool in the monastery. You’d have to go down to the village. Are you sure? At this hour, the post office will be crowded—it could take a while.”
It was nearly winter, and the days were short. Even by 6 p.m., the sun had already begun to set, and night crept in quickly.
“Did you forget what time I usually come back?”
“Well… I know you’re fine wandering around the mountains at night, but…”
Evelyn hesitated, debating whether to say what was on her mind—then finally said it.
“But climbing down the mountain in the dark still worries me.”
Chaser looked at her, slightly surprised.
She wasn’t really in a position to be worrying about others, but feelings didn’t always follow logic.
And because of that, Evelyn turned away, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.
Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything.
“I guess you’re starting to feel comfortable around me. Makes me hopeful for a positive answer about the proposal.”
Chaser chuckled lowly, amused by her reaction. Then he took off his robe and gently placed it over her shoulders.
“You need anything?”
“No. Just… come back soon, okay?”
“Got it.”
And with that, Chaser turned and headed down the mountain—never once looking back.
Evelyn clutched the warm robe, watching his back as it grew smaller in the distance.
Maybe it was the warmth left in the fabric that lingered longer than expected—but even after he was gone, it remained with her.
Should I seriously consider the marriage?
It would be a mutual arrangement—one that could benefit them both. Maybe it wasn’t the worst idea.
They say once the player appears, Chaser turns cruel… So, it’s best not to get involved with him. But… maybe if I’m in the picture, I can help guide him, stop him from going down that path?
She thought back to the hazy memories of the game’s plot.
In the true ending, the player becomes the head of House Luisa and enters a reverse harem, accepting the hearts of all the male leads and living happily ever after.
So that means Chaser would fall for the player. In that case… divorcing him later might not be so bad. He’d probably give me a nice settlement too.
If everything went well, they could end up as good partners. Or, at the very least, distant but friendly acquaintances.
Having a powerful friend… didn’t sound half bad.
“Oh no, Evelyn. Don’t start thinking positively about this!”
At best, a clean divorce would be the most peaceful ending.
What if she got in the way of his love and he just… killed her?
But he doesn’t really seem like that kind of person…
It felt like an angel and devil had both taken up space in her head—one telling her to trust him, the other screaming not to.
Rubbing her temples, Evelyn stepped back into the monastery.
“Noona! Something’s wrong!”
The kids had come back inside, and their faces were filled with panic. The hide-and-seek game had clearly ended.
As soon as Remo saw Evelyn, he ran toward her, flailing in alarm.
“What is it? What happened?”
“It’s the medicine! I swear I checked yesterday and there was plenty, but now there’s only enough left for today!”
“What?!”
Evelyn rushed to the kitchen and opened the cupboard.
Inside the bottle of Lasagna’s medicine, only one dose remained.
“But I saw a whole week’s worth just yesterday…”
“Um… Noona…”
Remo shifted uncomfortably like a child who’d done something wrong. He kept glancing at her nervously.
When Evelyn crouched to meet his gaze, he finally squeezed his eyes shut and confessed.
“Yesterday, there was a loud sound in the kitchen, so I went to check. I saw Jerry standing in front of the cupboard. I asked what he was doing, but he said it was nothing, so I didn’t think much of it…”
“You think Jerry took the medicine?”
“I think he was worried about the man in the guest room. He keeps sneaking in to check on him, even though I told him not to. He’s been getting louder, trying to wake him up…”
Evelyn gently patted Remo’s shoulder, offering a kind smile.
“Where is Jerry now?”
“I scolded him a little and he ran off, yelling, ‘I hate you, hyung!’ He went outside…”
“I forgot to tell you—I called a new doctor, and he’s on his way. That’s my fault. Jerry was just worried, and I’m not going to scold him. And I’m not mad at you either, Remo.”
“…But I’m the older brother. I should’ve looked after him better.”
“Jerry’s parents died of illness. I’m sure this situation reminded him of that, and it scared him. I should’ve been more careful too. You kids are still young—it’s my responsibility.”
“That’s not true! You’re still young too, Noona! You’re not even an adult yet—don’t try to carry everything by yourself!”
