IBTWBD 10

Chapter 10

The next day.

Bright morning sunlight filtered through the delicate lace canopy and spilled across the bed.

“Yawn…”

Evelyn stretched her arms high as she woke with a long yawn, then paused, briefly wondering whether everything that had happened the night before had only been a dream.

Despite the turmoil in her mind, one thing was certain.

‘Didn’t I tell you? Even if you flew into the heavens, I’d find you.’

Kallian had found her.

And this was not her bedroom.

Since being given a second chance at life, this was the first time she had slept so deeply. Looking slightly dazed, Evelyn slowly glanced around.

The extravagantly luxurious bed, the silky lace curtains, and the vanity adorned with intricate floral carvings all looked familiar.

“This is…?”

Marden, the capital of the Kardian Empire.

This mansion, located in the heart of Redfield Fourth Avenue, the city’s wealthiest district, was Kallian’s residence whenever he visited the capital.

Having stayed here with him several times in her previous life, it was a familiar place to Evelyn as well.

“Then… does that mean everything worked out?”

The underground chambers beneath the eastern tower of the count’s estate were covered with mysterious magic circles whose purpose was unknown.

They formed a barrier required for sinister rituals, and Evelyn had believed that someone like Kallian, who wielded the power of darkness with mastery, would surely detect them.

That was why she had deliberately spread rumors that she was being sought and allowed Louise to imprison her.

She had risked everything to take revenge on Louise while removing at least one obstacle that could hinder Kallian.

If Kallian uncovered the Lawrence family’s weakness, they would no longer be able to manipulate him.

‘…Assuming he accepted my proposal, of course.’

The greatest variable was Kallian himself.

Unlike the man who had immediately taken her hand in her previous life, the current Kallian seemed darker, more cynical, and above all, far less friendly toward her.

Why?

I’m the one who returned… so why are you the one who has changed?

Pressing a hand against her throbbing forehead, she got out of bed and sat before the vanity.

Her reflection looked pale. Even now, her shoulders and thighs still ached from how long she had been bound in chains.

“…Sigh.”

She clenched the hand resting limply on her thigh.

Escaping with her life had not been enough. If the temple had been involved in what happened to her and her mother, she intended to uncover the truth to the very end.

To do that, she needed to form a closer and more reliable alliance with Kallian.

“My lady, are you awake?”

A knock came at the door.

“His Highness is waiting for you.”

So the time has finally come.

After allowing herself a brief moment of relief, Evelyn began organizing everything she needed to say to Kallian.

Escorted by the maid assigned to her, Evelyn stopped before the dining room, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

The room was empty. Considering how many servants lived in the mansion, Kallian had clearly dismissed them all on purpose.

“Evelyn Lawrence.”

A deep voice called out.

She flinched and turned to see him seated at the head of the table, motioning for her to take a seat.

“Don’t be nervous. Come and sit.”

Perhaps it was the contrast between his tightly fitted black shirt, which seemed ready to burst over his frame, and the neatly fastened cravat around his neck that made the atmosphere feel so tense.

She had come prepared to face him boldly, but the moment she saw him, her eyes stung with tears and her heart ached.

‘If only you knew how much I missed you…’

Her racing heart refused to calm down. Hiding her emotions as best she could, Evelyn gathered her skirt and carefully approached.

“I greet Your Grace, Grand Duke.”

Her place setting was at the corner adjacent to his seat.

Feeling his silent gaze upon her, she greeted him properly before sitting down.

As though small talk were a waste of time, he spoke immediately.

“A gate opened in Perum.”

Tilting his chin slightly upward, he swept his sharp, arrogant gaze over every visible part of her, as though inspecting her very thoughts.

“I’ll give you one chance to tell me honestly. How did you know?”

What could she possibly say?

She couldn’t bring herself to tell him that she was reliving the same life—especially not to a man as cautious as he was.

“…A dream. I dreamed that an unusually damp, fishy wind swept through Perum.”

Even to her own ears, it sounded like a pitiful excuse.

Still, since he knew that wind-attribute monsters had emerged from the gate, he couldn’t dismiss it as complete nonsense.

“Well, let’s leave that aside.”

A frosty smile curved Kallian’s lips.

“The Countess will be confined to a monastery in the eastern region. Using forbidden sorcery is an unforgivable crime, but she didn’t commit murder, so you’ll have to be satisfied with that.”

“But…”

“If you’re asking about your birth mother, it’ll take time. Do you think the Countess killed her?”

She wanted to believe her mother was still alive, but she knew the odds were slim.

Swallowing hard, Evelyn answered,

“Yes… if she isn’t alive anymore.”

“If it happened three years ago, proving it won’t be easy, even if it’s true.”

The metallic scent of blood seemed to fill her nose.

Remembering the moment she had coughed up blood and died, Evelyn’s face turned deathly pale.

Now that she had returned from the brink of death… did that mean none of it had happened?

If she couldn’t clear her mother’s name, how could she ever prove the suffering and rage they had endured?

She felt lost.

Was she really supposed to be satisfied simply because Louise could no longer interfere with her life?

The thought left her feeling powerless, but she couldn’t recklessly reveal the truth about her previous life.

Suppressing the fire burning in her chest, she looked at him.

“If Your Highness helps me… wouldn’t it be possible?”

Their eyes met.

As though he had expected the request, a lazy smile spread across Kallian’s lips.

“So, despite promising to serve me with all your heart, it seems you wanted something after all.”

“Cough!”

The overwhelming tension made her choke on a dry cough.

Seeing her flushed face, Kallian rose, poured tea into her cup, and set it before her.

“I have no intention of being stingy. I owe you a debt, so I’ll grant whatever request I reasonably can. Tell me what you want.”

As he handed her the cup, his gloved hand gently brushed her back.

That casual touch reminded her of the man who had once bared his teeth like a beast as he held her close.

‘Get a grip.’

Shaking her head, Evelyn reminded herself why she had come and clasped her trembling hands together.

“Your Highness… I have a request.”

Returning to his seat, Kallian raised an eyebrow, inviting her to continue.

Resting his interlaced fingers on the table, he watched her with relaxed composure.

Would he still look that calm after hearing what she had to say?

After taking a long breath, Evelyn raised her head.

“Grand Duke Kallian von Orpheus… I formally ask for your hand in marriage. I will devote my abilities to serving you, so please lend me your strength in return.”

Their gazes locked in the air.

An eerie silence filled the room.

Despite the chilling stillness that made her shoulders tense, Evelyn held her ground and maintained a composed expression.

He must think she’s out of her mind.

If she had been in his position, she might have exploded in anger or called the other person insane.

“A marriage proposal.”

As expected, Kallian, who had remained silent in disbelief, finally repeated her words.

“Did I hear you correctly?”

Meeting his icy gaze, Evelyn answered steadily.

“Yes. You heard correctly. It may seem offensive and humiliating, but I truly am proposing marriage to you.”

Kallian frowned.

“Are you not afraid of me? Even if you’re naïve, you’ve surely heard what people call me behind my back.”

“I’m not afraid.”

She knew there were those who condemned him—and more precisely, the powerful family that wielded the difficult-to-oppose power of darkness.

“Not every angel is kind, and not every demon exists to harm humanity. The only thing I fear… is choosing the wrong path for my own future.”

Kallian quietly studied her bright green eyes.

“You speak as though you already know your fate.”

His eyes narrowed as he watched the slight tremble around hers.

“So you’re saying we’re each other’s right choice?”

She had expected him to be difficult to persuade.

But even after confirming that her words were true, he still doubted her.

Knowledge of where gates would appear, healing abilities… what more did he want?

Her fingers had become so tightly clenched that her joints ached.

Though it felt as if an insurmountable wall stood before her, there was only one answer she could give.

“Yes. If it hadn’t been for Your Highness… I would never have escaped that hellish count’s estate.”

Choosing him over the family that abused her had not been an impulsive decision—it had been a thoroughly rational one.

“Don’t you need me as well? Isn’t that why you warned me not to run away?”

Hoping to stir even the slightest bit of sympathy, Evelyn desperately pleaded her case.

But no matter how earnestly she begged, he showed no sign of agreeing.

“I’m sorry, but I have no intention of getting married.”

“…”

“Your healing ability would certainly be of great value to me, but I never intended to take you to the harsh northern territories.”

Watching him reject her so firmly, Evelyn thought that perhaps this was the trial fate had given her instead of death.

“Instead, I’ll become your guardian until you’ve established yourself in the capital’s social circles and found a worthy husband.”

He even offered a perfectly reasonable alternative.

Unfortunately, Evelyn had absolutely no intention of withdrawing her proposal.

If she had been willing to give up this easily, she would never have risked her life to help him.

Speaking with unwavering resolve, she asked,

“May I ask you just one thing?”

There was no retreat.

To persuade him, she was prepared to be as shameless as necessary.

“The reason you can’t marry me… is it because of the matter of having an heir?”

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