Elion walked past Raphel without another glance and stopped in front of Evandria. Looking at her for a moment. 

She looked back at him. Raphel’s words had already annoyed her, and she hadn’t been enjoying the event to begin with, but now it was worse. The discomfort was clear on her face.

“I was surrounded by nobles, so I stepped away for a while,” Elion said quietly, his gaze softening as it stayed on her. “But… looking at you, it doesn’t seem like you’re comfortable here. Shall we go then?”

How does he know I don’t like being here? Evandria wondered, her eyes still fixed on him.

Is he really supposed to say this after leaving me alone like that?

I know he left me alone on purpose, but still — he should have said sorry.

“I’m asking you something,” Elion said.

“Oh— y-yes. We should go,” she replied.

He held her gaze for a moment, then turned toward the exit. Evandria followed beside him, and together, they quietly left the hall behind.

After leaving the hall, they stepped outside where their car was waiting. Veronica stood beside it and looked at them.

“Let’s go,” Elion said.

“Yes, Master,” Veronica replied.

Elion and Evandria took the back seat. Veronica sat in the driver’s seat, and the car moved forward, leaving Flower Castle behind.

Vroom~

The car glided smoothly along the moonlit road. Elion was gazing out the window, but then a reflection appeared on the window glass. It was Evandria, looking at him quietly. He felt like she wanted to say something, so he spoke without turning.

“What is it?” 

“Do you have something to say?”

Evandria looked at him for a moment and asked,

“Why did you leave me alone there?”

“I think I already told you,” Elion replied.

“I know you left me on purpose,” she said, her voice rising slightly. “You didn’t want to come. It was me who dragged you there. That’s why you left me alone, isn’t it?”

“I’m your wife. Aren’t you supposed to be there with me? What kind of husband leaves his wife alone like that?”

Elion turned toward her, his gaze sharp and piercing.

“Even if I left you alone, what are you going to do about it?” he said.

In reality, Elion hadn’t left her because he wanted to. First, he had been surrounded by nobles. After that, he had business with Ivy. But he couldn’t tell her about his meeting with Ivy, and judging by the way Evandria was speaking, it didn’t seem like she would believe him anyway. So he didn’t deny what she was assuming.

“If you were going to leave me like that, then why did you even agree to come in the first place?” Evandria said, her voice now loud and angry.

Elion stayed silent for a moment, then said coldly,

“So what? Do you want me to babysit you there?”

Hearing that, Evandria got even more upset. She clenched her fists and said,

“If you’re going to behave like this, then why did you marry me?”

“I didn’t even want to marry you. You are the one who married me by showing off your reputation and wealth to my family.”

Her breathing grew uneven with anger.

“You’ve committed so many crimes. Do you think I don’t hear about it? I have ears too.”

“Everyone talks about you as if you’re some villain. No one ever says a single good word about you.”

Her voice cracked with emotion.

“I should have died instead of marrying you.”

Elion listened silently to everything she said. But now, he didn’t want to stay silent anymore. He glared at her, his eyes cold and piercing.

Evandria felt a strange ache in her chest. The air inside the car grew heavy, but she didn’t look away. She met his gaze.

Then Elion spoke coldly.

“Listen carefully, girl. You say you’re my wife. If you value your well-being, then behave like my wife.”

Hearing that Evandria stiffened. She couldn’t look at him anymore, not because she was afraid of what he said, but because she didn’t want to drag this out.

She said nothing, and lowered her head. Her eyes were wet, but she didn’t let a single tear fall.

Silence filled the car as it continued toward the mansion. No one spoke after that.