Evandria and Elion sat across from each other at the long dining table.

Evandria sat straight on her chair, hands neatly placed on her lap. The long table between them felt unnecessarily large.

Several servants stood quietly nearby, their presence subtle yet alert. Veronica stood a short distance away from Elion, her posture straight and respectful.

Evandria could hear the faint clink of plates, the careful footsteps of servants moving around the room—too careful.

She stole a glance at Elion.

His expression was as cold and composed as ever.

How can someone be this calm? she wondered.

The silence pressed down on her.

Say something, she thought.

No—why should I say anything?

But this silence is scary…

She glanced at the servants, then cleared her throat.

Elion didn’t look up.

“…Good morning,” she said softly.

Elion paused his movement for a brief moment.

Then—

“Morning.”

Just one word.

A servant stepped forward and placed breakfast in front of her.

“Please enjoy your meal, my lady.”

Evandria nodded slightly. “Thank you.”

The servant bowed and retreated—but not before sneaking a quick glance between the two of them.

Evandria picked up her spoon and took a sip of soup—

Too hot.

“—Ah!”

She quickly put the spoon down, her face turning slightly red.

Elion’s eyes flicked toward her.Just for a second.

Then he returned his attention to his tea.

“…Be careful,” he said flatly.

That was all. He said nothing more.

Evandria blinked.She stared at him in disbelief, then quickly looked away, her cheeks puffing slightly.

Hmph…

This time, she carefully blew on the soup before taking another sip.

Across the table, Elion calmly cut his bread.

Slice.

Clean. Precise.

Why does even eating look intimidating when he does it? she thought.

Another stretch of silence followed.

After a moment, Elion glanced toward Evandria and spoke.

“Veronica, didn’t I tell you to prepare a different room for her? Why was it not done?”

Veronica looked at Elion and lowered her head slightly. 

“Forgive me, Master,” she said with a bow.

“I forgot about it. It slipped out of my mind. I will have it prepared today.”

“Yes. Do it,” Elion replied simply. 

Evandria froze for a second.

What…?

That means he already told them about it.

And here I thought he might get angry if I changed rooms…

But wait.

Why is he letting me change rooms so easily?

Don’t tell me he has some hidden motive behind this…

She fell into deep thought.

No—no. I’m just overthinking, she told herself, shaking her head slightly.

And isn’t this good for me too?

That’s what I wanted anyway.

Elion noticed her shaking her head.

“What is the matter?” he asked.

“Oh… um, it’s nothing,” Evandria replied quickly.

“Then eat,” Elion said.

“You barely touched your food.”

“Oh—Y-Yes… I—I’m not really hungry,”Evandria said.

Elion paused for a brief moment, then resumed eating.

Was he watching me this whole time…? she wondered as she finally began to eat.

One of the servants stepped forward carefully and asked.

“Shall we bring something else, my lady?”

Evandria was about to refuse when—

“No,” Elion said calmly.

“That’s fine.”

The servant bowed and stepped back immediately.

He answered for me…

She looked down again, suddenly aware of every small sound—the clink of cutlery, the soft rustle of fabric, her own heartbeat.

“Veronica, we’ll be leaving shortly,” Elion said.

“Yes, Master,” Veronica answered.

“I will have everything prepared immediately.”

Veronica looked at him, hesitating for a moment before speaking again, her voice low and uncertain.

“My lord… regarding Lady Evandria—she has been staying here ever since she arrived—”

“She will stay here,” Elion said coldly.

Veronica bowed her head immediately.

“Understood, Master,” she said.

The words made Evandria flinch, her expression dimming with quiet sadness.

She glanced at Elion.

He didn’t even hesitate…not even for a second.

So this is it…

He’s showing his true colors.

He wants to confine me here—just like he did to his first wife.

But I’m not her. I’m Evandria.

I won’t let him have his way.

I’ll leave this place and show everyone what he’s done to me—

But—wait…

He hasn’t done anything to me yet.

So what?

He probably will someday.

I heard he never let his first wife leave the estate.

No one even knew what she looked like.

People only whispered—

that he kept her locked away,

and in the end, killed her.

How can someone kill his own wife?

Just thinking about it makes me angry.

He’s not human.

He’s a monster.

I refuse to remain trapped in this place.

I will go outside.

But how am I supposed to do that?

He won’t agree so easily.

He’s already said no.

Still… I have to go outside.

If I can leave this place, he won’t be able to do anything to me.

No matter what—

I won’t be his prisoner.

Evandria remained lost in her thoughts, her fists clenched tightly in her lap.

Then—

Veronica’s hesitant voice pulled her back to reality.

“Um… Master,” she spoke softly.

“What is it?” Elion replied.

“There is an invitation,” she said.

“For a social event at Flower Castle.”

“Oh, that,” Elion said.

“You already know,” he continued, his voice carrying a faint trace of sadness,

“I don’t attend parties or gatherings.”

Veronica looked at him, hesitated for a moment, then bowed slightly.

“Yes… I’m sorry, Master.”

Silence followed—

Until a voice broke it.

“I want to go there.”

The voice belonged to Evandria.

Everyone froze, looking at Evandria in shock before turning their attention to Elion.

“What?” Elion asked, turning toward her.

“I-I want to go to that event,” Evandria said.

Elion looked at her for a moment then, in a cold voice, he replied—

“No.”

“But why not?” Evandria asked.

“Didn’t you hear me?” Elion replied coldly.

“I said no.”

Hearing that, Evandria lowered her head.

Yeah, that’s exactly what I’m asking, you jerk.

Why not?

Well… I already know the reason, she thought.

Elion continued, his voice returning to a neutral tone.

“There is nothing there,” he said.

“Just wealthy people speaking sweet words for their own benefit, and nobles showing off their nobility.”

“Um… but…”

Evandria spoke softly, her head still lowered.

“I was... getting bored here,” she said quietly.

“So I thought it would be a good idea to go there… that’s all.”

“I’m sorry.”

Her voice was low, carrying a hint of sadness.

Her head remained lowered—

Until she heard words she never expected to hear.

“Alright,” Elion said.

“We will go.”

Evandria immediately lifted her head and looked at him.

But Elion had already stood up from his chair and was walking away.

She stared at his back, stunned, as if she had misheard him.

“W-Wait… did you say we will go?” she asked.

“Yes,” Elion replied without turning back, and left the room.

Did he really agree that easily?

But... didn’t he say no?

Is this really Elion?

Evandria remained there, disbelief clearly written on her face.

Veronica looked at Evandria, then smiled faintly.

“Thank you,” she said softly, before following Elion.

“Eh?” Evandria muttered.

What was that for…?

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