The car finally stopped in front of the manor.

Elion stepped out, but Evandria was still sitting inside. She hadn’t even realized they had arrived at mansion.

“We’ve arrived at the mansion, my lady,” Veronica said from the driver’s seat.

“Oh… okay,” Evandria replied softly.

She stepped out of the car. Elion was still standing there, but she refused to look at him.

“Go inside,” he said.

Evandria didn’t move. Instead, she finally looked up, her eyes still slightly wet.

Seeing that, Elion said in flat voice,

“What? Don’t tell me you’re going to cry now?”

“Who said I was going to cry?” Evandria replied instantly.

“I’m not that weak.”

“If you think that’s enough to shake me, then you’re clearly mistaken.”

“I’m not afraid of you,” she said, meeting his eyes.

“Alright, I heard you. Now go inside,” Elion said and turned away.

But Evandria didn't move and spoke again.

“Where are you going at this hour?” she asked, more confidently now.

“Back to your dirty work again?”

“Do I owe you an explanation? Why are you asking?” Elion said looking at her eyes.

“Didn’t you say earlier that I have to act like your wife? Then isn’t it my right to know where you’re going?” Evandria said.

“Forget it. Just go inside,” Elion replied and walked away.

“And it’s Evandria. Not ‘girl,’” she shot back with a small glare, remembering what he had called her earlier.

Elion only glanced at her. He didn’t say anything.

Evandria turned and went inside.

***

Some time passed.

Evandria was now in her room, lying on her bed.

“What a day… or rather, what a night,” she murmured.

First he left me alone. Then when I said he did it on purpose, he didn’t deny it. And after that, he threatened me.

“As if I’m afraid of him.”

“Hmph.”

She pouted and turned away. Staring at the wall.

But… what was that? Why did I act like that today? I’ve never gotten that angry before. I said so many things to him.

But more importantly… why did it feel like he suddenly changed by the time we reached the mansion? He was clearly mad at me on the way here.

Did he dwell on it and realize it was his mistake? That’s why he didn’t say anything when we arrived?

Maybe it was because of the way I talked to him today.

She turned onto her other side again.

I should talk to him like that from now on, she thought, smirking slightly.

“But where did he go tonight again? I bet he went behind the mansion again,” she wishperd to herself.

Since the first time she had seen him going behind the mansion, she had noticed him going and coming from there several times.

“What does he even do there? As far as I know, there’s nothing but a vineyard.”

He’s probably doing something bad there.

“Ugh… I can’t sleep. I’m thinking about this too much.”

Evandria sat up and noticed a book lying on the table beside her bed. She picked it up, opened it, and started reading.

The candlelight trembled between them, casting golden shadows on the stone walls. He stood close enough now that she could feel his breath, warm and uneven.

His hand slowly reached for hers, fingers brushing first before finally holding her.

Her lips parted—

“W-what am I reading?” Evandria startled, her face turning slightly red. She quickly snapped the book shut. 

She looked at the cover and realized it was a romance novel.

“Who brought this book here?” she muttered.

“I’m reading a romance novel when there’s no romance in my life,” she added quietly.

She stood up and walked toward the window to get some air, but then her eyes fell on Elion.

He was coming from behind the mansion.

“I knew it… he has gone to the vineyard” Evandria whispered to herself.

Should I follow him next time and find out what he does there? she thought.

“But… what if I follow him and get caught? Th-then who knows what he’ll do…”

“No. I shouldn’t follow him.”

She stepped away from the window and lay back down on her bed, deciding not to think about it anymore.