APML 19

Chapter 19

“Well, if this is fate, then I suppose it’s fate. I just hope it’s not a bad one.”
“I have no idea what you mean.”
“I’m just reading the omen. Time will tell.”

Wasn’t that a bit irresponsible?
But Cain didn’t show it and remained silent. He didn’t believe in fortunes anyway, and he had no intention of trying to understand them.

“Grandma.”
“Yes?”
Evelyn poked her head out from about halfway up the stairs.

“What should I do with the things we’re getting rid of?”
“Just leave them.”
“That’ll be too hard for you. Your back isn’t good either.”
“People can be called to help.”
“But that’s all money, isn’t it? I’ll just do it.”
“You fuss over everything. I have more strength than you, so just leave it. Don’t overexert yourself before a long trip.”
“Ah, such nagging.”

Evelyn ducked back inside again. Footsteps followed, and shortly after came a short scream and the sound of a collision.

“How on earth are you sending that all the way to the capital?”
It seemed she was embarrassed, and Grandma clicked her tongue.
“You’re the only one I can trust to handle this clumsy thing. Take good care of it.”
“Must mean you really care about it.”
“I’ve had it since she was little, so I’m attached.”

Grandma smiled tenderly and got up. She reached deep into a kitchen cupboard and pulled out a small bundle, tightly wrapped.

At the same time, a commotion came from upstairs as Evelyn ran down the stairs with a large bag.

“Is that all your luggage?”
“I already took what I could last time. Most of it is books, too heavy to carry.”
“Well, I suppose the capital has more things worth reading.”

Cain naturally took the bag from Evelyn.

“Grandma, don’t skip meals while I’m gone, okay?”
“Got it.”
“Take your medicine regularly. And don’t work late. It’d be a disaster if you collapse again.”
“I said I got it. Why are you nagging so much just as I’m leaving?”
“There’s still plenty left.”
“Enough. Let’s go.”
“But who will take care of you if I’m not here?”
“There are plenty of people in this town who are like family.”

“Oh, is everyone okay? I was actually wondering if I could get some compensation—”
“She already started her business again. They said she was kicked out illegally for development, and she got full compensation for the lost business.”
“Ah?”

Evelyn looked back at Cain. She had said she would check through Jade, but it seemed everything had already been settled. Seeing Cain turn his head indifferently, Evelyn smiled softly.

“That’s a relief.”
“Enough talk. Hurry up. They’re waiting.”

Evelyn hugged her grandma, who gently pushed her from behind.
“What are you doing, gross.”
“Grandma.”
“Yes?”
“Grandma.”

Grandma didn’t answer further, only patting Evelyn on the back. She had always thought she’d leave this house someday, but now it had come suddenly.

“Take care of yourself. Stay sharp.”
“Okay. I’ll write you a letter.”
“Don’t. It’s a hassle.”
“Ugh, really.”

Evelyn grumbled and stepped back as Grandma casually handed her the bundle.

“What’s this?”
“Look at it on the way.”
“Can’t I see it now?”
“No. Just go.”

Grandma pushed Evelyn toward the door.

“Don’t cry after I leave, Grandma.”
“Who’s crying? I feel perfectly fine.”
“Che.”

Pouting, Evelyn left the house. Every time she looked back while walking, her grandma stood there, gruffly waving goodbye. Eventually, when both disappeared from view, Grandma let out a long sigh.

“I hope it’s okay to let her go like that.”

Cain watched Evelyn in the carriage, head down and holding the bundle.

“Don’t cry. Even if you do, I won’t comfort you.”
“I’m not crying. Who’s crying?”

She glanced sideways, but tears glimmered in her eyes.

“If that’s the case, why even go to the capital?”
“Well—”

Because that brat told me to come.
He needs to know why I’m here.

Evelyn fidgeted, choosing her words carefully.

“I wanted to see it once, and also to earn some money to help pay for Grandma’s medicine.”
“…And what’s this?”

“Oh.”

Evelyn finally opened the bundle. Though the amount wasn’t large, crumpled bills and coins were jumbled together.

“I can’t survive like this, really.”
“You really need to earn a lot in the capital.”
“Yeah.”

With a face that looked both laughing and crying, Evelyn nodded.

“Will they pay you well?”
“…They’ll consider it.”

Evelyn gave a short smile and looked down at Grandma’s gift again. She probably couldn’t bring herself to spend this money.

With preparations complete, Cain’s troops gathered early in the morning to depart for the capital.

“Jade.”
“Ready.”
“Good.”
“Don’t worry about Miss Evelyn. I’ve taken care of her.”
“…I didn’t ask.”
“I thought you might be curious.”
“I’m not.”
“Yes. Understood.”

Cain glanced at Jade, who smiled warmly despite his discontent, then gave the marching orders.

“Amazing.”

Evelyn, riding in the carriage at the rear, watched Cain’s army move with wide eyes.

“A man famous for war—”

When she had first been interrogated, his gaze was sharp and chilling, making her shiver all over. But with trusted subordinates, he could laugh and joke. She had even seen him casually help a stumbling child and nonchalantly give up a seat to an elderly person.

He seemed occasionally annoyed and grumbled at times, but his nature was warm. Evelyn rested her forehead against the carriage window, recalling her time with Cain and smiling.

She realized that Cain had cared for her a lot, even though she sometimes spoke rudely. He scolded her at times but still took care of her.

“I never even properly thanked him.”

When she had just woken, Dale had told her that Cain had gone to the Shuran Kingdom to get an antidote personally. She should have thanked him back then, but conversations always went off track. Recently, Cain had been busy with troop preparations, making it hard to meet him.

“I’ll properly thank him later.”

Evelyn turned her gaze out the window again. Cain wasn’t visible, but knowing he was nearby was reassuring. She wasn’t even afraid of going to a new place anymore.

The Duke Louis residence wasn’t as extravagant as the imperial palace but was classical and grand.

Its owner, Duke Gregory Louis, was the emperor’s brother, wielding almost imperial authority. As the third prince, he had been far from succession, but he never spared his life in battle, always leading from the front. This earned him great support from the empire’s citizens, especially soldiers.

Using this influence, he helped the second prince ascend instead of the eldest, seizing military power. After retiring, he passed military command to his son Cain, always putting him in the front lines to maintain the army’s loyalty.

“They say the commander returned safely to the capital.”
“Of course he did.”

Duke Louis casually replied without taking his eyes off the newspaper. Cain had always met his expectations in strategy, tactics, and military leadership, leaving no doubt about his abilities.

“Cain brought a woman?”
“Yes.”

Only then did the duke put down the newspaper.

“Interesting. What wind blew him in that direction?”

Duke Louis smiled. He knew Cain had never been interested in women. Even though a soldier might need someone while on campaigns, Cain was disciplined. He had never been seen with a woman in the capital, not even attending a ball.

Self-discipline was commendable. But for a sole heir of marriageable age, his lack of interest in love or marriage was concerning. Yet this woman had come from Snowfall to the capital, even to the duke’s residence.

“What kind of woman?”
“…From Snowfall. They say he brought her during an inspection, but there’s little information.”

“Hmm?”

The duke was intrigued but didn’t have high expectations. Being from the northern frontier, she probably didn’t meet the usual standards of the duke’s household. But it didn’t matter. Cain wasn’t married yet, so any woman posed no problem. Even if married, a mistress or two would hardly be an issue in terms of the family’s influence. Love and marriage could be separate. Most nobles in the empire lived this way.

“She’ll be living with Cain?”
“Yes, that’s what I heard.”
“Hmm.”

The duke tapped his finger on the sofa’s armrest, considering.

“Should I look into it more?”
“No. No need for prejudice. This is the first woman my son is interested in.”
“Your Highness?”

“I want to see this woman with my own eyes.”