“I’m pleased we could come to an understanding,” Evan spoke with such gravitas that I wondered whether I should offer a handshake to mark our agreement. “I insist you always wash yourself before lying on the sheets. After all, it’s not solely for your use anymore.”

Yes, I always cleaned myself before lying on the bedding... I couldn’t outright tell him I had preemptively escaped to the bed because I was about to be caught red-handed reading his diary.

“Sure. I’ll wash up and see if I can find something to change into.”

I was a year older than him, but his size and way of speaking made me feel like I was the younger one.

I picked out a comfortable robe from the closet. Not ready for sleep, he picked up one of his many books and sat on the chair. Quickly looking over his shoulder, I saw he was reading a dense book.

I did say that I wanted to be on good terms with him...

That thought compounded my urge to be nice to him, which had been growing stronger since I had snooped on his diary. It was difficult for me to be wholly committed to Duke Icardes’ cause this early on.

But for Evan, it was different. He had no choice or say in this marriage, meaning he and I were on the same pitiful boat in this life. If he wasn’t as callous and distant as I believed, I thought maybe I could become close to him.

“Diving back into the books so soon? You’ve barely left the academy, Evan,” I said wryly as I shifted to sit by his side. “You’re as diligent as they come.” I slowly lifted my hand to gently brush his black hair. I could feel the texture of his sleek, velvety hair flowing between my fingers.

—Gently patting my head when there’s something to commend.

He remained silent. I interpreted his silence as a sign of aversion, so I quickly retracted my hands.

“Oh, did I make you feel uncomfortable?”

He didn’t even turn around to look at me.

“I’m sorry...” I trailed off.

“It’s all right,” he answered, his voice barely audible.

“I’m glad you’re not mad at me,” I said quickly, before standing up and darting toward the washroom. I was almost certain I had seen the nape of his neck glow red just like before.

* * *

“Here. Try some more of this,” I said as I offered a tart to him.

Because we shared the same room at the estate, we had each other’s company for breakfast.

—Sharing our favorite dishes.

I originally hoped to get closer to him so he would be less inclined to hit me, but I had a slight change of heart after reading his diary. I came to understand the boy wasn’t naturally unfeeling but had deeply suppressed his wants instead.

Being parentless myself, I related to him in a way others couldn’t, which is why I wanted to help in any way I could to ensure his remaining childhood was better. Even if he turned into that dead shell of a man later in the story... So I was hard at work, trying to wear my heart on my sleeve, hoping he’d accept my gesture.

“No, thanks,” he replied curtly as he returned the tart. “I dislike sweet things.”

“Really?”

“Having a sweet tooth is only for children.”

Oh, you are such a liar. I saw you practically drooling every time they served us tarts.

I rolled my eyes at the obvious lie. “That’s a real shame. Well, if you don’t like it, so be it.”

I moved the tart back to my side of the table without hesitation. It was part of my character to not offer twice.

While I enjoyed the sweet dessert, Evan read the paper a servant had fetched for him.

I was mindlessly poking at the dessert when my wandering eyes inadvertently locked onto an article.

—Massive Horse Racing Extravaganza in Celebration of the Five Hundredth Opening! Experts predict record-breaking bets for this event.

“Woah. It’s the five hundredth race.”

This race was a major event where Seymour, the male protagonist from The Grand Deal of the Empire, made his debut.

Betting on racehorses was one of the many recreational activities the nobles enjoyed. There weren’t any restrictions barring lower-class folks from joining in on the action, but the bets were made with considerably hefty sums, making it difficult for the commoners to compete. But I already knew how the male protagonist made his early earnings... I gulped down a piece of the pie. I’d been wondering how I could continue this luxurious lifestyle after fleeing the grounds.

I have to get to the races somehow and earn some coins, no matter what! Money first, then further down the road, I can start worrying about sorting out a safe house for my eventual escape. There’s still a lot of time, but I mustn’t waste such a valuable opportunity.

My deadline was the year I turned twenty-one. That’s the year I would die, and my dear father-in-law would put his villainous scheme into action. At this point in time, I had about seven years left.

I should simply disappear this time instead of dying. After all, Evan will be free to marry Princess Elani if I’m officially recognized as missing. Whatever happened after that was truly no concern of mine.

I shall be on my own, quietly and discreetly eating and spending money like it’s going out of fashion. It would be a little dull to live a life in hiding, but surely it was better than having my neck cleaved in two. I’d only have to live inconspicuously until Evan and Elani say their vows. It felt like I had a decent enough plan in my mind.

“Would you like to go?” Evan asked as I racked my brain.

“Huh?”

“You’ve only been looking at this specific article.”

“Ah...” He had keenly caught me reading about the races. “Yes. I’d very much like to go. I bet it’ll be quite fun.”

Of course, it would be! This was the perfect chance to secure some much-needed coin.

I was indeed a powerful duke’s daughter-in-law, but I was one without a single coin to my name. Access to all sorts of amenities was available at my fingertips, but I hadn’t been given an allowance since I wasn’t of age yet.

“A stipend has been set aside for Lord Evan in consideration of his stay at the academy... But for you, my lady, there are no grounds to arrange one,” the steward had said when I cautiously probed him some time ago. He said I’d be granted and allowed to manage a budget once I reached adulthood. My takeaway from his response was that I had to ask for the things I wanted until I was an adult.

“With all due respect, an appropriate stipend hasn’t been set aside for you. Not yet, at least. But my lord has instructed me to purchase anything that you wish. If there are things you desire, simply summon me, my lady.” I couldn’t say to his face that I wanted money that couldn’t be traced back to me. In this situation, it was impossible to pile my secret chest with the duke’s money. And I couldn’t dare ask the very man who freed me from my debts for more money.

“It’d be all right to go, wouldn’t it?” I asked Evan.

“Why would anyone stop you from going?” he asked ungraciously. “Anyway, it’s in two days.”

And that meant in two days, I would finally have some coins of my own.

Ah, yes. It’s about time I walk a gilded path.

Full of excitement, I pestered him with a series of questions. “Who do I ask? Should I talk to our steward? Should my maids come with me? But am I really allowed to earn money on my own? Don’t I need an adult to chaperone me?”

It was my first excursion out of the Icardes Estate, so I was in the dark regarding the proper procedures and protocols. Interestingly enough, as the inquiries continued, I noticed a subtle but peculiar change in Evan’s expression.

“Well,” he mumbled idly, tapping the small dessert plate now empty of what it once held. “I’m not particularly busy these days.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Going out to see things like the races wouldn’t be too bad.”

I stared at him.

“And I don’t mind places full of people,” he explained. “Ah, and I have a decent eye for picking out the right steeds.”

I looked at him for a while longer and then let out a long sigh. I couldn’t figure out why he preferred to speak in circles. Maybe it was because he grew up without emotions, or maybe not. Either way, I guess it couldn’t be helped. I was the one who suggested we get closer in the first place. And I was the older one.

“Hmm. Evan, then...” I smiled playfully before resuming. “Would you like to come with me?”