APML 13

Chapter 13

The Last Chill of Spring

“Uh, Cain!”
Flustered, Evelyn tried to stop Cain from grabbing her foot.
But Cain casually slipped off her shoe.
“Bleeding?”
“Ah, I thought so.”
“Thought so?”
Cain looked up at Evelyn with a baffled expression as she spoke so matter-of-factly.
“Doesn’t it hurt?”
“It does.”
“Then why didn’t you say anything?”
“Well, that’s how new shoes are.”
Cain frowned as he glanced between Evelyn’s casual tone and her bleeding foot.
“You knew we’d walk a lot. Why didn’t you wear something comfortable?”
“But I can’t just wear anything, can I? Not with this outfit.”
Maybe I shouldn’t have left it up to Kate. I told her to handle it herself, but she should have at least bought something wearable.
Blaming the hapless Kate, Cain turned his gaze back to Evelyn’s bloodied foot.
Her foot and ankle were so slender they could fit in one hand.
It was pitiful to think she had kept up so far on such delicate feet.
“I didn’t mean for you to wear them until you bled.”
“If anyone heard that, they’d think my feet were gushing blood.”
Embarrassed, Evelyn subtly withdrew her foot from Cain’s grip.
“It’s okay. New shoes are always like this at first. Besides, when else would I wear such expensive shoes?”
Cain, who had been silently observing Evelyn, finally stood up.
“I’ll get you another pair. Something comfortable.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
Cain chuckled faintly at Evelyn’s seemingly surprised question.
“Why, do you think I’m not capable of that?”
“No, it’s just—if someone buys shoes for me, I’d run off. Haven’t you heard that before?”
“No, and ‘run off’? Do you think I’d let you go? You’re not going anywhere until I check that prophecy or whatever.”
“Ugh.”
Evelyn shrank her neck and pouted as if pricked.
Cain stood up and scanned the surroundings.
He spotted someone lingering near a street vendor behind them and clicked his tongue.
After casually checking the positions of his scattered subordinates, Cain sat down beside Evelyn again.
“Let’s rest a bit. Since it’s come to this.”
“I’m sorry. Because of me, we keep getting delayed.”
“That’s fine. You’re too physically weak for no reason anyway.”
Cain muttered, and Evelyn bristled.
“I can’t help it. I was just a person who used to buy books at the library and work there.”
“Then why are you doing something like a prophecy now?”
“I didn’t do it because I wanted to.”
“Someone told you to do it?”
“No, I did it myself. Actually, I had a lot on my mind. I also thought you wouldn’t believe in prophecies.”
“Then why bring it up?”
“If I said I heard it from someone, you’d have dug into it.”
“….”
“Not true?”
Evelyn’s purple eyes staring straight at him made Cain uneasy.
It was that same unnerving feeling from before—like a woman who barely knows him somehow seemed to understand him.
How did she know? She hadn’t even been by his side for a few days.
Was she really some kind of fortune teller? Or did she just figure it out?
“Ha… impossible. Am I tired or something?”
Feeling exasperated with himself, Cain looked away from Evelyn’s gaze.
Evelyn glanced briefly at Cain’s sharp side profile, then returned her gaze forward.
The plaza was still crowded, everyone moving busily.
It seemed the only thing that had stopped was the bench where the two of them sat.
After a moment, Cain glanced at Evelyn as she shook her arms.
She seemed to have goosebumps.
Looking closely, her lips seemed a little blue, and she might have been shivering.
‘The wind’s still a bit chilly.’
Cain tossed his jacket onto Evelyn’s lap.
Evelyn picked it up and looked at him, and Cain replied casually, staring straight ahead.
“I’m hot from walking. Carrying it is annoying, so just wear it.”
“Oh, I see. Well then, since I’m holding it anyway…”
Evelyn draped the jacket over her shoulders, muttering as if making an excuse.
“They said it’s a spring festival, but the wind is still chilly.”
“Yeah.”
“Do you think the capital is warmer?”
“Probably.”
Cain stretched and glanced at the man near the street vendor.
He intended to arrest him on the spot if he came closer, but there was no movement.
‘Annoying. Maybe I should just take care of him.’
The accusation would stick if needed.
As Cain contemplated, a cold gust of wind blew between them.
Startled, Evelyn shivered, and Cain secured the jacket over her shoulders tightly.
“Why do you leave it open in the cold? Fasten it properly.”
“It doesn’t matter if I fasten it.”
“Really?”
As Evelyn said, Cain’s jacket was far too big for her fragile frame.
The sleeves hung down to the bench, and it kept slipping off her shoulders, so she held it up with one hand.
Cain grabbed both sleeves and wrapped them around Evelyn’s torso.
It was as if she had been swaddled in a bundle, so tightly that she could barely move her arms.
“…What are you doing?”
Evelyn glared at him, dumbfounded, and Cain smiled as if proud of his handiwork.
“To keep you warm.”
“I can’t move! I can’t move!”
Evelyn struggled to turn, muttering, and Cain chuckled.
It was like a baby wrapped in a bundle, frustrated and trying to wriggle.
“Stop laughing and let me go.”
Even as Evelyn protested, Cain just kept laughing beside her, pretending not to hear.
Sighing, Evelyn realized Cain was enjoying himself too much. At least one of them should have fun, she thought.
And being tightly wrapped kept the wind out, so she was warmer than before.
“Ah, really…”
Finally, Evelyn leaned back against the bench, resigned.
“Seems like today’s lost too.”
“Sigh.”
Her honest wish now was that an assassin would show up. It would be better than wandering around like this tomorrow.
“Let’s head back for today.”
“Really?”
It was earlier than usual.
Excited, Evelyn asked again, and Cain chuckled.
Glancing past her, he got up.
“You can barely walk in that state anyway, so let’s head back and rest.”
“Thank you.”
Evelyn started to rise but hesitated.
“Please untie this now.”
“Why? Leave it as is.”
“I’m human and feel embarrassed too.”
“Oh, really? I thought you were fine wandering around like a funny old woman in disguise.”
“Ugh.”
Evelyn pouted, and Cain grabbed the tied sleeves to undo them.
But then, as if remembering something, he grinned mischievously and froze.
Evelyn looked at him, wondering why he stopped, and Cain pulled the loose sleeve slightly.
“Maybe it’s better if we go like this?”
“Wha—? Anyone would think this is an abduction! What do you take me for?”
“Of course, you’re still a suspicious suspect. Did you not know?”
“Tch.”
Evelyn scowled and fell silent.
She wriggled, trying to escape.
“Hey. Can’t stay still? Are you trying to escape from me?”
“Um, Cain. Think again. How do you think this looks to others?”
“I don’t care about others’ opinions.”
“Wow, what kind of brag is that? You have to care a little to function in society.”
“Others usually care about my opinion.”
“Ugh, disgusting.”
“What?”
She said it quietly, but Cain heard it and glared. Evelyn flinched and turned her head sharply.
Then she exhaled heavily and resigned herself.
“Do as you like, Cain. I’ll just go quietly.”
“Wow, giving up so easily?”
“You’ll do whatever you want anyway. I shouldn’t expect generosity from a suspect. Please, just take me quickly.”
Seeing no other option, Evelyn urged Cain to move.
Seeing her comply, Cain, seeming bored, pulled the sleeve.
Apparently resigned, Evelyn was dragged along.
“You being obedient suddenly feels weird. Not thinking anything else, right?”
“Even if I do what you say, you doubt me?”
Watching her protest, Cain turned his gaze back.
Behind them, there were sounds of clattering, crashing, and a short scream.
“What’s that noise?”
As Evelyn tried to look back, Cain pulled her into his arms.
“C-Cain?”
Cain watched the commotion unfolding beyond flustered Evelyn with cold eyes.
Once things settled a bit, he brushed her silver hair behind her ear.
“Something’s on you.”
“Huh?”
“You’re clumsy.”
With a light scolding, Cain released her.
“?”
Expecting a response, he was surprised when she remained quiet.
Her face seemed flushed despite the cold, and she avoided his gaze, making him even more curious.
He called her softly.
“Come here.”
“Y-Yes?”
Ignoring her startled reaction, Cain pulled the sleeve again.

The moment Evelyn was awkwardly dragged, a sudden crash sounded beside them.