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Chapter 21
“That’s not what ‘kissing’ means!”
In the end, she spent the night wide awake.
Dragging her heavy body, Evelyn barely made it to work.
“What happened to your face?!”
Her colleague Paul recoiled the moment he saw her.
“‘What happened to my face…?’ Isn’t that a little rude?”
“Oh, sorry. I was just curious why your under-eyes are dark, your cheeks sunken, and your skin looks all rough and protruding.”
“…Just speak normally, like before.”
Evelyn slumped weakly into her seat.
The other ancient language researchers glanced at her.
But seeing her so clearly exhausted, no one dared to ask anything.
Evelyn thought that was for the best.
Right, unless someone is completely oblivious, who would bother talking to me now?
She planned to wait until her fatigue was a sufficient excuse for them to lose interest.
However, right beside her was someone who not only couldn’t read the room, but had zero sense of subtlety.
“By the way, Evelyn! What happened yesterday? What’s going on between you and the Duke?!”
If she could, she would have clamped a hand over his gaping mouth.
But Paul was the kind of man whose mouth would float even if he fell into a fishbowl.
Maybe he’d even submerge himself to have a chat with the goldfish.
Ignoring her silence, he let his imagination run wild.
“No way… you mean the one who’s been sending gifts all this time is the Duke of Ashford?”
Wow, impossible! Really?!
His booming exclamation drew attention immediately.
Everyone pretending to work could be felt straining to listen.
Oh no, how do I handle this?
At that moment, Catherine stopped him.
“Paul, there’s no way the Duke and Evelyn are like that.”
“Then what about what he said when he visited yesterday? That he was hurt because of Evelyn…”
“He’s always joking like that. You know enough about him, Paul, and the rumors about him.”
“Ah…”
Paul’s interest vanished in an instant, his shoulders sagging.
Am I just your entertainment? Evelyn wanted to argue immediately, but she held herself back.
She couldn’t allow the lab’s atmosphere to be disturbed any further.
Just when it seemed he would quiet down, Paul raised his head again.
“Then why did he come to see you? What did you talk about in the garden?”
“Huzmre…”
Evelyn gritted her teeth, a warning that if he asked any more, who knew what she might do.
But the oblivious Paul couldn’t possibly read the warning in her glare.
“You said you two aren’t involved, so can’t you at least tell me why he came to see you?”
The researchers now openly stared at Evelyn.
They seemed extremely curious about the Duke’s purpose for visiting the lab.
It was unreasonable to think he came all the way there just to play a prank.
“Well… it’s like this…”
Evelyn’s eyes shook violently.
If she stayed silent, another strange rumor would spread.
I can’t think of any excuse…!
The longer she stayed silent, the louder the murmurs grew.
Then it happened.
“This is for Evelyn Hart, researcher at the Ancient Language Interpretation Department.”
The stern, unwavering voice resonated through the lab.
The quiet footsteps were so soft no one noticed the presence at first.
All eyes turned to the entrance.
The older man spoke again.
“His Majesty the Emperor summons you. Please prepare immediately.”
His attire was not that of a simple attendant; the imperial crest on his back and the red sash marked his rank.
Evelyn, now fully alert, hurried forward.
“I am Evelyn Hart. May I ask the reason for your visit?”
To be personally sought out by the Emperor’s direct attendant… this was no ordinary matter.
He calmly explained the situation.
“The matter is urgent, so we will explain in a private location. We would like the person responsible who accompanied you on the last expedition to join as well.”
Catherine courteously guided the attendant to the meeting room.
Once the door closed, he explained the confidential matter to the two of them.
“During the last expedition, a peculiar discovery was made regarding the ancient artifact found by Duke Ashford and researcher Evelyn Hart.”
“You mean the pendant?”
“Yes. I have already informed Duke Ashford, but it is no ordinary object.”
I never heard that!
Evelyn had practically forgotten about the pendant. Just thinking about Theo was enough to give her a headache.
“So, when should I visit…”
“You must go immediately. Duke Ashford is also waiting.”
“…Excuse me?”
Who is here?
Evelyn’s face turned pale.
No way, how am I supposed to face him now!
The attendant urged her forward as she stood frozen.
“His Majesty the Emperor and Duke Ashford are both waiting for you! Miss Evelyn Hart!”
His shout seemed to scream, “Get ready immediately!” and Evelyn hastily responded.
“Just a moment!”
She ran back to her desk, quickly putting on her uniform properly over her chair.
The ruler of the Empire himself was seeking her—if the attendant came this far, it must be urgent.
Catherine, to keep the secret, gave the researchers another reason.
“There seemed to be an issue interpreting the stele on the last expedition.”
“So that’s why the Duke came?”
Paul’s comment made sense of the situation for the others, too.
Thanks to the timely arrival of the attendant, she had an excuse ready.
Thus, Duke Ashford became the strange person who came by imperial command, tossing idle jokes that, thanks to the bizarre rumors around him, were easily overlooked.
The attendant’s pace was surprisingly fast for his age.
“Are you having trouble keeping up?”
He looked back at Evelyn.
“Huh… yes! Yes!”
“There’s nothing to be done.”
He strode ahead, coldly.
Why even ask if you can’t wait? Evelyn thought indignantly. She came to study ancient languages, not to serve artifacts.
Her bigger worry was…
How am I supposed to meet him the very next day?!
How could she face Theo after rejecting him?
I’ll have to act professional and neutral, so His Majesty doesn’t notice…
Wait, His Majesty?
This was the seat of the Empire itself.
She felt dizzy and broke out in cold sweat. This was far beyond the capabilities of a mere researcher.
There was no way to avoid it.
The dizziness continued as she followed.
“Take a moment to compose yourself. I will announce your presence to His Majesty.”
At those words, she realized they had arrived at the imperial reception room.
The attendant gave her time to prepare before opening the door.
She quickly straightened her disheveled hair and uniform.
“Then I will open the door.”
In a calm, even voice, the attendant announced Evelyn’s arrival.
The massive double doors opened.
Evelyn swallowed hard, confronted with a space she had never imagined, one she thought would never concern her in her life.
Inside, the gold-adorned interior barely registered.
Three pairs of eyes bore down on her, pressing her shoulders.
Their presence alone froze her in place.
Soft chairs surrounded a long table. The Emperor sat at the head, Theo at the diagonal right.
Opposite the Duke sat a middle-aged woman, radiating a similarly heavy presence.
Evelyn composed herself as best she could.
A rookie’s innocent mistakes would not be taken lightly in the Imperial Palace.
She would not act rashly, would answer only when appropriate, and would remain quiet until it was time to leave.
Recalling palace etiquette, she greeted them.
The Emperor nodded and invited her to join.
“I am pleased you came. Please, sit.”
Evelyn carefully approached, her mind racing.
Where should I sit exactly?
Should she sit at the far end to match her position? But then she wouldn’t hear the conversation…
And she couldn’t sit too close to the three of them either.
She looked at the attendant for guidance.
At that moment, Theo stood.
“Sit here.”
He pulled out the chair next to him.
Wait, why is he standing up?!
Theo’s consideration felt like a burden. Why was the Duke attending to a mere researcher?
“Thank you, Duke Ashford.”
Evelyn forced a smile and sat beside him.
At that moment, a voice from the table sounded, surprised.
“The Duke has better manners than I expected.”
