APML 17

Chapter 17

“Something you didn’t get to say?”
Evelyn tilted her head in curiosity.
“Don’t play dumb. You have something to tell me, don’t you?”
“I only have things to hear,” Cain replied.
The two fell silent, staring at each other intently.
“Since I was right, you have to keep your promise.”
“I will. I will keep it.”
Evelyn grinned at Cain’s reluctant response.
“Then I’m officially a full-time employee now…”
“You look tired. Rest a bit.”
“Ah! Where are you going?”
Evelyn grabbed Cain’s arm as he tried to stand.
“Don’t go.”
Cain looked down at her.
“Eh? Miss Cain?”
Knowing from Dale that Cain would be busy preparing to return to the capital, Evelyn’s heart raced. This was her chance. After nearly dying, she wanted an answer as soon as possible.
Seeing the pleading, cat-like look in her eyes, Cain hesitated.
“…….”
He slid back into his seat.
“I’ll keep my promise, so first, get better. The capital’s far away. You’ll need your strength.”

Behind Cain, Dale wore a pleased expression, which sharply contrasted with Jade’s strangely twisted one.

“Well, there’s something I want to hear too.”
“What is it?”
“The thing you memorized last time…”
“Ugh.”
Evelyn suddenly covered her mouth and bowed her head.
Dale quickly stepped closer to her.
“You don’t have the stamina for a long conversation yet. Let’s do it slowly later.”
“……I see. We’ll talk later, then.”
Cain got up without another word.
“Then rest.”
“Ah, yes. Sorry. I’ll see you later.”
After this brief exchange, Cain stood and gave Dale a look that said, make sure she’s treated properly, then left the room.

“Evelyn was calling your name, Cain,” Jade remarked.
“You told her to. Names are meant to be called,” Cain replied casually.
Jade narrowed his eyes at the indifferent answer.
“When will you interrogate her? She seems capable of talking now.”
“Later. Dale said it’s too much for her at the moment.”
“Still, the sooner the better, right? Before she starts thinking other things.”
“Why the rush? That’s not like you.”
“Am I the only one?”
Cain glanced at Jade, who answered slowly, and fell silent. He knew he was too soft with Evelyn.
“Don’t say anything, Jade.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“Good. Keep your mouth shut.”
“For how long?”
Cain glanced at him. Jade’s expression wasn’t teasing as usual. Cain silently turned forward again.
“Until you can no longer just watch.”
That would probably be the last moment he could handle his own softness.

“Hmm. Not bad.”
Evelyn sat on a bench in the castle garden, basking in the sun.
“It was so cold before I collapsed, but now that I’m awake, it feels like spring.”
The flowers hadn’t fully bloomed yet, but the view was still pleasant.
Her eyes fell on a violet blooming in the corner of the garden.
Perhaps because of the tattoo below her shoulder, violets always felt familiar to her.
‘An extra with a violet tattoo. What’s with this girl?’
Muttering, Evelyn tilted her head back to look at the sky.
The warm sunlight on her face felt comforting.
“Ah, this leisure… it almost feels guilty.”
Unfortunately, she was the only one enjoying such warmth in the castle.
Cain’s army was busy withdrawing from their garrison and preparing to return to the capital.
“I even feel bad just sitting here. What should I do until I give the prophecy?”
No matter how she thought about it, there wasn’t much to do.
“Ah, maybe I shouldn’t have called myself a fortune teller. I don’t even know my duties.”
She regretted not being more cautious when first approaching Cain, but it was too late now.
Sigh.
Evelyn crossed her legs, stretched her arms along the bench, and leaned back, staring at the sky again.
It wasn’t a pose one would expect from a young lady, but she didn’t care. She just wanted this idle time to pass quickly.

“Quite a sight.”
Startled by the voice behind her, Evelyn sat up straight.
“Ugh, really. Cain. Show some sign of life.”
Cain teased her.
“Aren’t you too comfortable? Can’t you see everyone else is busy to death?”
“Cough.”
Evelyn coughed awkwardly.
“I’m not saying act like a lady, but this doesn’t look good.”
“Then you should’ve shown some sign earlier. I wouldn’t act like this if someone were around.”
“You can’t only behave when someone’s watching. Your usual self comes out all the time.”
“I’m not a noble, so why should I care?”
Evelyn pouted at Cain’s scolding. He clicked his tongue.
“Whether noble or not, there’s a basic standard of behavior. This is embarrassing; I can’t take you around like this.”
“Well, we probably won’t be going around together much anyway.”
“Still, pay attention. When you go to the capital, you’ll stay at my mansion.”
“Eh?”
Evelyn was surprised by his unexpected statement. Cain sat beside her, looking as if to ask why she was shocked.
“Why would I stay there?”
“Then where else would you stay? You don’t even have money.”
“Is there no military lodging?”
“Do you think the Adrian Empire’s army is a playground? How would an inexperienced civilian who hasn’t even attended a military academy stay in military quarters?”
“Uh……”
She had no reply.
“So whose service am I under, then?”
“Mine.”
“Eh?”
“I said you’re my personal counselor.”
It was unreasonable for the army to officially hire a personal counselor whose duty was prophecy.
“You said you didn’t know anyone in the capital. Even mansion staff stay there if they have no family. Nothing strange about that.”
“Oh, right. Room and board. Sounds good.”
Though hesitant, Evelyn nodded. Staying in Cain’s mansion might be safer than being alone in an unfamiliar city. Plus, she could save money from room and board, which she could invest. For a newcomer just arriving in the capital, it wasn’t a bad deal.

Cain watched Evelyn silently, noting her complexion had improved and she seemed fine moving around.

Then Evelyn suddenly looked up and met his gaze.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“I’m not.”
Flustered, Cain gestured behind her.
“I was just checking what those guys behind you are doing.”
“?”
Evelyn turned and saw several men in uniform talking seriously, then quickly leaving to enter the castle.
“To me, Cain looks like the most relaxed one here.”
“He was busy until just now. This is just a short rest before the next meeting.”
“Oh, I see.”
“If you hadn’t been in that awkward posture earlier, you wouldn’t have come here.”
“Why are you scolding me over trivial things? You’re busy.”
Evelyn pouted and complained, then turned her gaze to the garden.
Cain followed her line of sight. Though spring flowers hadn’t fully bloomed, violets were in full bloom.
He remembered the violet tattoo on Evelyn’s shoulder.
“You like violets?”
“Eh?”
Evelyn paused in thought at Cain’s sudden question.
“I do. But why are you asking all of a sudden?”
“You have a violet tattoo under your shoulder.”
“Eeek!”
Evelyn suddenly wrapped her arms around herself, moving away from Cain.
Startled, Cain looked at her, confused by her defensive reaction.
“What’s with you all of a sudden?”
“You saw it?”
“Yes.”
“You looked at my body?”
“What?”
Cain, blinking in confusion, hastily waved his hands.
“No, no! I only had to check the wound from the poison back then, it wasn’t what you think—”
“Why would you check? You’re not a doctor.”
“Uh?”
Cain was speechless.
“I was just there with Dale when you were treated. I saw it by accident, not because of any strange thoughts—”
“How much did you see?”
“I only looked at the wound, that’s all.”
“Really?”
Evelyn’s suspicious gaze made Cain feel frustrated. He rambled defensively.
“Do you think I’m that kind of person? I didn’t want to look, I really didn’t!”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Cough.”
Jade’s cough made them both stop. Jade was watching them with a strange expression.
Breaking the awkward silence, Jade spoke.
“Cain.”
“Oh, right. I was about to leave anyway.”
Cain brightened and stood from the bench.
“Evelyn, go back inside. Too much fresh air isn’t good for your health yet.”
“Okay. I’ll excuse myself first, then.”
Evelyn glanced at Cain and went straight into the castle.
“Shall we go too?”
As Cain awkwardly stepped forward, Jade spoke in a low voice.
“You saw her body—”
“I didn’t!”
“That’s fine, Cain. It happens.”
“What do you mean ‘it happens’? I said I didn’t!”
“Strong denial actually means affirmation…”
Cain finally shouted.
“I only saw the wound! I was there with Dale!”
“Yes, Dale was treating her, lacking medical knowledge, and Cain, who couldn’t really help, insisted on staying to check the wound.”
Jade nodded seriously. Cain glared at him in disbelief.
“You don’t know me? And yet you don’t believe me?”
“No, I do. You visited Evelyn’s room daily, fetched the antidote yourself, and did a lot of things you normally wouldn’t—but I believe you.”
“This is maddening.”
Cain ruffled his hair and quickly walked off. Jade followed, laughing openly.
Cain suddenly stopped after a cough.

“That brat… how’s she doing?”