USML 32

Chapter 32

“Where are you going?”
After the party ended, I headed toward the gazebo in the garden that Yuria had told me about. As expected, Evan followed me as if he had been waiting for me to move.

‘Vanessa, I think I should thank His Excellency too… can I come with you?’
I suddenly remembered Yuliana’s curious eyes, shifting between me and Evan. It was like she was a third-party spectator, holding popcorn and watching a romantic showdown.

‘No, Yuliana.’
Luckily, Yuria had stopped Yuliana; otherwise, she would have barged in and I wouldn’t have had a chance to speak to Evan alone.

‘Go ahead.’
At the end, Yuliana had waved at me with a grin. I knew she would grill me the next time we met.

“Vanessa.”
I sighed deeply, and a familiar, low voice came from behind me.

I decided not to answer. My insides were boiling like lava, but I forced myself to quicken my pace.

“Vanessa.”
No, don’t answer. Just hold out until we reach the gazebo. It’s a secluded place where even the staff don’t come. Just until there.

“Vanessa.”
“…”
“Vane—”
“Ah! Why are you being so clingy!”

I finally lost my patience and turned around. I glanced around to make sure no one else was on the stone path leading to the gazebo. Thankfully, it was deserted.

“Clingy…?”
Evan repeated, looking unusually surprised. Why!? He’s the one acting like this!

“Yes! You’re being clingy!”
I couldn’t hold back anymore. Is he trying to ruin my entire plan now?

I can’t call him a flirt. I can’t get him to go with my sister. I can’t get angry, I can’t ignore him!

If, like in the original story, his heart was with Sherry, then he could just openly pursue her and live happily ever after. Why does he need revenge too?

Wait—thinking about it, it’s unfair. Does he think he’s the only one wronged? I’m more wronged than him—I’m the one who still has feelings! I had already forgotten the fear I felt for him and now I was furious.

If it had been when I first realized Evan might kill me, I couldn’t have imagined acting like this—but now, anger left no room for other thoughts.

“How did you even get here?”
I put my hands on my hips and lifted my chin. Evan furrowed one brow and met my gaze. Sparks seemed to fly between our eyes.

“Since it’s worth coming, I came. Why, do you think I followed you?”
I crossed my arms and scoffed.

“Yes. Though you may deny it, Your Excellency—”
“Right.”
I froze, unclasped my arms, and repeated his words hesitantly.

“…Y-Yes?”
“Yes.”
“So it’s true?”
“Yes.”
“Following me is true?”
“Yes.”

I asked him again, and he confidently agreed.

Normally, this would be the part where he’d say, “You’re imagining things. Why would I follow you? Do you think I have free time?”—or something like that. But Evan shamelessly admitted it, leaving me speechless.

I slapped my cheeks with both hands until it stung. No—don’t get dragged into this. Not here.

Evan’s face twisted as he stared at my flushed cheeks.

What should I say now? I pondered for a moment, then crossed my arms again and lifted my chin.

“Hmph. I guess the Duke has so much free time that he can just follow me around?”
“And you?”
“Me?”
“You rejected my proposal, and now you have another man by your side?”

Evan narrowed his eyes, looking at me with a glare that made my hair flutter in the wind, his blue eyes sharp.

“You might as well have said you were playing with me.”
I was speechless and stared at him in shock. What is this man saying? He looked like he was about to kill me before, yet now…

Evan let out a deep sigh as if the earth itself had swallowed him, closing his eyes. His entire presence suddenly turned mournful.

“I see.”
“…”
“They say a flirt is always looking for someone new. Seems it’s true.”
“…?”

Seeing the shadowed expression on his face cooled the heat of my anger. If I admitted it as fact, it would feel wrong, yet I couldn’t ignore it. My strength left me all at once, and so did my fiery emotions. I had no energy left to be angry.

The breeze blew through my hair as I turned away, scanning the garden. Even though I was upset, I could understand the feelings of wanting revenge. But I couldn’t exactly say, “I’m living as someone else now; I couldn’t take your sister’s lover, so I left you. Stop your revenge for my sake.”

“Your Excellency.”
I brushed my hair behind my ears and lifted my face solemnly. Maybe I should apologize sincerely. I had never truly apologized to Evan while being emotional. This was my last option.

I clasped my hands together and bowed politely.

“Now that I think about it, I’ve never properly apologized to you, Your Excellency.”
“…”
“Please forgive my actions. I hope you can look ahead and not lose the people who are precious to you.”
“…”
“It may feel confusing now, but you’ll sort it out soon.”

I swallowed a bitter smile and raised my head. Evan’s face was still tilted. A gust of wind blew, making his pale eyes glint mysteriously through his hair.

“Sort it out, huh.”
“…”
“The one who really needs to sort things out… is you.”

He muttered, but his voice was softer than before. Thank goodness. I should have apologized earlier. I turned my back and walked a few steps off the stone path, heading through the bushes toward the gazebo.

“So, now, let our past be in the past.”
“…”
“Stop your revenge, and love Sherry fully.”

How much time passed, I didn’t know. Evan’s voice faded—he had accepted it, it seemed. A bittersweet mix of regret and loneliness welled up inside me.

This was really the end. I brushed my hair behind my ears and turned around, feeling like a heartbroken protagonist in a drama.

“…”
“Y-Your Excellency?”

Why was he glaring like that? In an instant, his eyes became predatory, like a wild animal targeting its prey. His blue eyes chilled the air, giving me goosebumps. Evan frowned, looking bewildered.

“Why are you bringing up Sherry Peard here?”
“B-Because… you have feelings for my sister…”

Evan tilted his head and narrowed his brows. His expression clearly said, “What nonsense is this?”

“…Huh?”
I quickly turned. I swallowed nervously and moistened my dry lips.

No, really? Then what did I see? Why did he go alone with Sherry at the restaurant? He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

While I was spinning my head, Evan let out a short, dry laugh.

“Ha. Now you’re even using Sherry Peard to get rid of me?”
“Eh?”
“What should I do, then?”

Evan’s eyes gleamed sharply, like a dim moon piercing clouds. His unfocused gaze was calm yet lazy, but it hinted at an impending explosion.

“What must I do so you cannot abandon me?”

Evan’s face contorted as he slowly approached me. I stepped back like a cornered mouse.

“…Y-Your Excellency.”
He stopped only when he was close enough that our breaths mingled. He looked frustrated and thirsty, as if confronting an impossible situation.

Which point was he angry about? Calm down, first!

“Y-Your Excellency, please calm down—”
“Planning to run away in the meantime?”

Evan reached out and lightly stroked the tips of my hair, slowly moving along the strands. He watched me with only his eyes, then let out a dry chuckle.

“Run away? When did I ever run away?”
“Always. Always.”

Each word contained a suppressed emotion, his voice dark and heavy.

“You always leave me and run away.”
“…”
I couldn’t deny it. He furrowed one brow.

“Revenge? Sure, I’ve had it. But no.”

Revenge? Then why is he acting like this? I laughed bitterly.

“Then why are you doing this to me?”

Evan narrowed his eyes, and his blue gaze flashed intensely.

“You’re not asking because you don’t know, are you?”
“Of course I…!”

Suddenly, a chilling premonition struck my mind. My wide-open eyes went slack, and goosebumps crawled over me.

‘Is he going to… kiss my foot?’
‘If you marry me, there’s nothing I can’t do.’
‘What must I do so you cannot abandon me?’

Images of our conversation flashed rapidly in my mind. I swallowed hard and covered my mouth.

If Evan truly doesn’t love Sherry, if kneeling at a deceitful woman’s feet isn’t part of revenge… the answer is simple.

He still loves me. Yet he can’t control his own feelings, which lash out like a wild horse against me.

I slowly lowered my hands and looked up at him.

“Evan.”

My voice flowed out almost unconsciously. His turbulent blue eyes fluttered and softened. Like a wild beast tamed by a single touch, his oppressive aura eased at the sound of my name.

I hesitated—should I confirm it? It might only make my mind more tangled. Yet, almost hypnotically, I spoke:

“Evan, could it be that you…?”
“…”
“Could it be that you still… love me—?”

At that moment, urgent footsteps echoed through the bushes.

“Vanessa!”