APML 28

Chapter 28

A Good Person

“Th-that… when you… when you kill someone!”
Startled, nonsense words slipped out of my mouth. On top of that, Cain’s expression visibly stiffened, and Evelyn instinctively covered her mouth.

“…….”

It was the first time in his life Cain had ever been so utterly dumbfounded. He had gone through several ridiculous situations because of this woman, but this one was the peak. Ah, and there was that absurd prophecy, too.

“You really…”

Sure, he had threatened to kill her the first time they met. But by now, after spending a fair amount of time together, she should know he wouldn’t—or rather, couldn’t—do that.
Cain’s emotions simmering just below the surface were impossible to read—was he angry, incredulous, or perhaps a little hurt? He couldn’t tell.

Sighing, Cain rubbed his head.
“What kind of person do you think I am?”

“A good person?”
Cain was momentarily at a loss for words.

Not teasing him, just a minute ago she was talking as if he would kill someone, and now she suddenly calls him a good person?

Seeing Cain’s subtle expression, Evelyn hurriedly added,
“What I said earlier just slipped out. I got startled when you came up to me suddenly.”
Her face turned red, and she gripped the bouquet of flowers tightly.

“And when I said you’re a good person, I meant it. I know you’ve done so much for me that I don’t deserve. Of course, I didn’t ask to be a noble… but still…”
Evelyn rambled on, barely making sense. She was anxious Cain might misunderstand her or think she was avoiding him.

“I don’t mean I dislike it. It’s challenging, but it’s a unique experience, so it’s not bad. I mean… what I’m trying to say is…”
Finally, Evelyn bowed her head deeply.

“It’s fine.”

“Oh, good.”

Cain, uncharacteristically flustered and blushing, didn’t know how to respond to her awkward speech that ended strangely.

“Me too… it’s not bad.”
Cain, after a long silence thinking of the right words, fiddled with his bangs and said. His words, like Evelyn’s, trailed off.

A shy silence settled between them. Cain, feeling warmth at his ear, suddenly asked,
“Why do you say that?”

“N-no, it’s nothing.”
Evelyn quickly shook her head and bowed.

Again, a warm spring breeze carrying the sweet scent of flowers drifted between them. It was spring, the garden was in full bloom, and Evelyn was holding flowers, so the fragrance was natural enough.

“You smell nice.”

Did he mistakenly think it was coming from Evelyn? He realized only after saying it.

Embarrassed, Cain pointed at the flowers in Evelyn’s hands.
“Oh, it must be the flowers. The gardener chose well. The scent is nice.”

“Oh, these.”
Evelyn nervously fidgeted with the petals. Her fingers trembled slightly.
“They always give me the very best ones.”

“Let’s go inside. We should put them in water before they wilt.”
Evelyn touched her neck and watched Cain walk ahead. Her heart, fluttering like the petals in the spring breeze, wouldn’t settle, making it hard for her to move.

Sometimes, when Cain said something that required her to think twice or thrice, Evelyn didn’t know how to react.

“Just so you know…”
Cain suddenly stopped and turned his head.
“What I did earlier was to scare off a bee. I wasn’t trying to kill anyone.”

Cain’s serious explanation struck Evelyn as cute, and she burst into a bright smile. But then Cain suddenly covered his face with his hand, making her flustered.

“Cain?”

“…A bee might come near me.”
Even so, that sweet scent that could entangle bees tightly lingered again.

Having finished preparations to attend the victory banquet, Cain waited for Evelyn on the first floor.
This morning, the Grand Duke had sent a team of experts to help Evelyn with her attire.
Evelyn’s expression as she had been dragged upstairs like she was being kidnapped flashed in his mind.

“Pfft.”
That dumbfounded, bewildered look—by far the most blank-faced expression he had ever seen.

But after that moment, Cain couldn’t even look at Evelyn’s hair.
‘Why do they make such a fuss for preparation? Are all women like this?’
Without a mother or sisters, Cain couldn’t understand.

Checking his watch, Cain looked back up at the second floor. Even if they left now, time was tight.

“Butler.”
“I’ll check.”

As the butler nodded to send a maid upstairs, the second floor grew busy.

“Oh, she’s coming down.”
“Why so late…”

Evelyn appeared, coming down the stairs.
“…….”
Her steps seemed unusually slow, but soon she filled Cain’s sight.
He followed her silvery waves of hair with his eyes, down her delicate shoulders, the perfectly fitted dress, and her slender fingers clutching the skirt.

Evelyn’s cheeks flushed bright red under his gaze.

“How do I look? Is it okay?”
Her purple eyes sparkled with both worry and expectation, leaving him momentarily breathless.

“Hmm… not bad.”
Evelyn, now used to his blunt tone, smiled with relief.

“All the effort was worth it. So it’s not strange, right?”
“Yeah. You can pass.”

Evelyn accepted this small praise gratefully, knowing it was the best Cain could offer.

“Shall we go?”
“Yes. Please take care of me, Cain.”

“Cain.”
Cain adjusted her necklace so the gem faced forward and whispered softly near her ear.
“I’m your relative. Call me by my name.”

“Oh, right. I’ll be careful, Cain.”
“Cain.”
“…Cain.”

“Well done.”
Cain smiled and extended his arm. Evelyn lightly placed her hand on it as she had been taught.
Holding her head high, she kept a proper distance, facing forward. She looked quite elegant, and her faint smile wasn’t awkward.

“If you do this, there shouldn’t be any problems.”
“Really?”

Evelyn got into the carriage, adjusting her dress, letting Cain get in first.
Inside the carriage, she glanced cautiously at him while secretly steering the conversation.

“It’s true I tried my best, but…”
“Hm?”

Cain tilted his head, curious why she brought it up.

“It’s impossible to master all noble manners perfectly in a short time, especially speech and dancing.”
“And?”

“So I thought of a few strategies. For instance, if someone talks to me…”
Evelyn smiled and nodded slightly; Cain grinned, understanding.

“Not respond at all?”
“Not bad, right? Or just answer yes or no. That way it won’t show.”

“And dancing?”
Evelyn grinned and slightly lifted her dress skirt. Her right ankle and foot were wrapped in bandages.

“Pretty good excuse, isn’t it? Surely no one would force a dance on someone injured?”
“True.”

He thought how much effort she put in, and maybe why she even came up with such an idea.

“If it really doesn’t work, I’ll cover most mistakes, so don’t be too anxious.”
“But Cain can’t stay by my side the whole time.”

“I will.”

‘Then how will she meet Priscilla?’
Though Cain’s presence would help, Evelyn still felt embarrassed.

“As the star of the victory banquet, won’t people call for me?”
“I’ll handle it. Just focus on your debut.”

“Oh… okay.”
“Why, do you dislike it?”

Evelyn’s lukewarm reaction made Cain cross his arms and smirk.
“No, I’m grateful, but I worry about what others will think.”

Evelyn’s vague answer annoyed Cain’s pride. He stared at her, arms crossed, and Evelyn responded with a playful smile.

“Why glare at me like that? How could I dislike it when you care this much?”

“…Ha. Really.”
Today of all days, she sparkled too much to get angry.

“…I said, mind your words.”
“Ah, Cain.”

Avoiding her smile, Cain turned his head toward the window.
It seemed the pressure of presenting Evelyn before the emperor and his father made him nervous. He couldn’t remain calm.

“Father. Are you ready?”
Aaron entered the imperial palace.
During preparations for the victory banquet, the emperor had been in a foul mood, constantly changing his mind about attending.

“I don’t want to go.”
“Father.”

Though dressed properly, he fidgeted nervously.

“Why should I celebrate Cain’s victory? Who benefits the most from this?”
“But Cain ended the war as you wished, with a peace accord.”
“Don’t talk nonsense, Aaron. That’s not what matters.”

“…….”

“The problem was putting Cain in command and sending him to war in the first place.”
“…….”

“He was allowed to earn achievements to maintain the army’s support. They’re trying to hand everything to Cain.”

Aaron silently listened to the emperor’s agitated words, knowing he didn’t expect a response.

“When you become emperor, Cain will manipulate you like Gregory did. You’ll end up like me.”
“Cain wouldn’t do that.”

“Gregory acted the same at first. Pretended he would do everything for me…”

The emperor abruptly stopped talking, eyes restless. He remembered that Gregory and Duke Louis’s change was partly his fault.

“Father?”
“No, no. I can’t just sit by. Even for your sake…”
“Father?”

Aaron gazed at the emperor, sensing his unease.

“Have you schemed something again?”