Chapter 24
The light of salvation that had once pulled Evelyn from despair touched her again.
“Jerry was infected. If he bit you, then it makes sense that you would have been infected too. But it’s been a long time since that day, and you haven’t shown any symptoms at all. That probably means something.”
Chaser’s calm voice only made Evelyn’s heart stir more.
The spark of life, long buried inside her, began to awaken.
It felt like a fire starting after a long, frozen winter.
Her cheeks turned red with hope, and her eyes lit up with excitement.
“You might be immune.”
“Me…”
Evelyn felt a rush of emotion that made it hard to speak.
Still, she wanted to ask.
“Do you really think I’m immune?”
She wanted it to be true more than anything.
“My parents sold me when I was just a child. Even after that, I was called useless because I had no talent. Then, I finally found a family, and I lost them in the most foolish way. Someone like me…”
Her voice began to tremble, and tears filled her eyes.
“Could someone like me really help others?”
Her doubt came from deep inside. It was the kind of pain rooted in self-loathing.
She couldn’t believe someone who had ruined so much could possibly be capable of saving anyone.
Even as she said it, she looked unsure, like she couldn’t trust the idea herself.
But within her expression was a quiet wish, a silent plea for someone to tell her she was wrong.
Chaser saw that and responded, not just for her, but also for the part of him that needed her too.
“This unknown disease isn’t just limited to the capital. It could appear anywhere in the empire. One day, innocent people might die again. That would be a tragedy.”
He placed a steady hand on Evelyn’s shoulder and looked her in the eyes.
“You could be their hope.”
His words were soft, but they carried a powerful promise.
They felt like a dream, something sweet and full of possibility.
“If you’re immune, then maybe we can finally make progress on a cure.”
Chaser paused for a moment, as if weighing his next words.
His brows drew together slightly. He seemed reluctant to speak but did so anyway.
“For the honor of your lost family, and to protect others from the same pain, will you work with me?”
Evelyn stared at him, completely drawn in.
There was something so bright in his eyes.
Not just beauty, but purpose—the belief in saving lives.
Her tears welled up again, but this time they didn’t feel like sorrow.
They felt like hope.
Moonlight fell gently over Chaser’s figure.
He looked unreal, like someone sent from above.
Sharp, graceful, and still holding that same quiet power that had once made him terrifying.
The villain of the game.
The man who had threatened her life.
The one blamed for the incident.
The murderer of her family.
Those labels began to lose their weight.
Even as a Luisa, Chaser stood by his convictions.
He knew how to comfort the wounded.
He wasn’t just a villain. He was a person trying to live a life with meaning.
And now, he was offering her a life worth living too.
He was no longer someone to fear.
Evelyn didn’t hesitate for long.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she suddenly wrapped her arms around him.
She couldn’t hold it in any longer. Her body couldn’t contain the happiness rising inside her.
“I want to. I want to do it with you.”
Her life, once uncertain and aimless, now had a goal.
And with it came a growing desire to live.
Helping those in need was something that should come naturally.
She remembered what Lasagna had once told her as a child.
Helping others is the right thing to do.
That belief, which had always lived quietly inside her, began to bloom again.
It rose from the depths of her despair like a flower breaking through the mud.
She wanted to help people.
And yes, part of her wanted to defeat the disease that had taken her family.
She wanted to ease the pain of those suffering from it.
If she could do that, maybe she could smile when she met her family again someday.
Maybe this was the reason she had survived alone.
There was no way to know for sure.
But what mattered now was that Evelyn had made a choice.
She would live with purpose.
Even if she ended up alone again, she didn’t feel like she would fall into despair.
Maybe she could even be alright without Chaser.
That thought made her smile without meaning to.
Chaser, who had gently returned her embrace, smiled with quiet satisfaction.
Things are going more smoothly than I thought.
His thoughts were far more confident, maybe even a little arrogant.
He thought back to the fragile girl from the night before, the one who had wanted to die.
Her golden hair was tossed about by the strong wind, her pale green eyes were red from crying, and her tear-soaked face was a mess. But even in that state, at the edge of despair, Evelyn was breathtakingly beautiful. No one could look at her and not feel moved.
Even in the moment she chose death, she was stunning.
The life Chaser had saved was heartbreaking and fragile, yet it was so beautiful that he wanted to keep it for himself.
If she really was immune, her value would be far greater than expected.
In more ways than one.
Chaser looked at Evelyn, who was crying tears of joy in his arms, as if she were something rare and fascinating.
Not long ago, she had sobbed, saying she wanted to die. Now, she was crying because she had found a reason to live.
Chaser was someone who hated the sound of crying. Anyone who knew him might be shocked to see him in this moment. He was not the type to tolerate what he disliked. It wouldn’t have been surprising if he had simply walked away.
But for some reason, Evelyn’s tears didn’t bother him.
He preferred these tears to the ones she shed when she wanted to give up on life.
He didn’t know why he liked it. Maybe he didn’t need a reason.
Whatever it was, it didn’t matter. Evelyn was now someone useful, and Chaser had secured her.
It had been worth the trouble after all.
There was something unsettling in the look on his face, but Evelyn, still holding on to him, didn’t see it.
As the joy began to settle, Evelyn realized how bold her actions had been.
How long was she supposed to keep holding him?
Getting swept up in the emotion of the moment was one thing, but now her rational thoughts were returning. Embarrassed, she fidgeted and finally gave his back a light tap, as if signaling the end of the hug.
“Then, I’ll be relying on you for a while, at least until the cure is developed.”
Chaser watched as she turned her head to avoid his gaze. For a brief moment, irritation stirred in him.
She had rushed into his arms with such emotion, only to look away now. The shift in behavior rubbed him the wrong way.
Still, he decided to let it go just this once. There would be plenty more moments like this in the future. He told himself to be patient.
Just as Evelyn began to step away, trying to smooth things over, Chaser spoke again.
“By the way, don’t forget, Evelyn. My offer still stands.”
“What offer?”
Evelyn froze and instinctively pushed him away. Her expression turned puzzled as she tried to remember. Chaser, clearly amused, smiled as he watched her.
“Wouldn’t it be better to be my fiancée than just a guest?”
“What?”
Startled, Evelyn took a step back.
“And if you marry me, even better.”
Chaser stepped closer.
“I’ll make sure you live a life where you never have to lift a finger.”
A strange tension passed between them as the space closed once more.
“This isn’t a demand. Just a suggestion. I’ll respect your choice.”
His warm smile felt far too smooth, almost rehearsed.
Evelyn couldn’t hide her embarrassment. She opened her mouth, hesitating, before finally managing to reply.
“I’ll think about it.”
And so, a winter night passed with both of them feeling oddly satisfied.
Life at the Luisa estate, which Evelyn had once imagined would be unbearable, turned out to be surprisingly peaceful.
The current head of the Luisa family remained bedridden, and Chaser, the acting lord, was frequently away dealing with countless responsibilities.
She had heard there were two more sons under Chaser, but they too had been away for quite some time on extended missions.
He had to manage household affairs, take on knightly duties, and handle all matters related to the epidemic.
Because of this, Evelyn had been enjoying calm, quiet days, almost forgetting the recent disaster.
She knew this peace wouldn’t last long.
She looked out the window, and without realizing it, a smile spread across her face.
Once Chaser’s schedule cleared, they had agreed to begin working together on developing a cure.
Even knowing the busy days ahead, she felt strangely content.
The cold and hopeless winter night that had once haunted her wouldn’t vanish completely.
Another bitter, lonely season would return someday.
But maybe it didn’t feel so frightening anymore because she wasn’t alone.
Evelyn no longer feared life the way she once did.
She believed she could overcome it.
Perhaps it was possible because she finally had a purpose.
“My lady, you look cheerful today.”
“Do I? I guess it’s that obvious.”
Lophy, who had been pouring her tea, smiled while glancing at her.
They say joy is contagious. Her face reflected Evelyn’s lightened mood.
Come to think of it, Evelyn hadn’t smiled much since arriving at the estate.
Instead of brushing her cheek awkwardly, she lifted the steaming cup and took a sip, enjoying its warmth.
Maya and Lophy had stopped her from opening the window, but even so, the view of winter beyond it made the tea feel even more fragrant and comforting.
“Did something good happen?”
It wasn’t something she could explain with words, so Evelyn answered with another smile.
Maya gave Lophy a look, but the young girl’s curiosity got the better of her.
“So… are you and Lord Chaser in that kind of relationship?”
