The next day.
Bright morning sunlight filtered through the delicate lace canopy and poured onto the bed.
“Yawn...”
Stretching both arms with a long yawn, Evelyn opened her eyes. Halfway through her stretch, she briefly wondered if everything that had happened the previous night had only been a dream.
Despite the confusion in her mind, one thing was certain.
"Didn't I tell you? Even if you flew up into the sky, I'd find you."
Kallian had found her.
And this was not her bedroom.
Ever since she had been given a second chance at life, this was the first time she had slept so peacefully. Looking slightly dazed, Evelyn slowly glanced around.
The lavish bed, the silk-like lace curtains swaying gently, and the vanity surrounded by delicately carved floral decorations all looked familiar.
"This is..."
Marden, the capital of the Kardian Empire.
This mansion, located in the heart of Redfield Fourth Avenue, the wealthiest district of the capital, was Kallian's residence whenever he frequently visited the city.
She had stayed here with him several times before, making it a familiar place for her.
"Does that mean... everything went well?"
The underground chambers beneath the eastern tower of the Count's estate were covered with mysterious magic circles whose purpose was unknown.
She had believed that Kallian, who skillfully wielded the power of darkness, would certainly be able to detect the barrier necessary to perform such sinister magic.
That was why she had deliberately spread rumors that she was searching for him, provoking Louise, and intentionally allowed herself to be imprisoned.
She had taken such a risk to get revenge on Louise while also eliminating one more obstacle standing in her way.
If Kallian managed to seize a weakness of the Lawrence family, they would no longer be able to manipulate him.
'That is... if he accepts my proposal.'
The greatest variable was Kallian himself.
Unlike in her previous life, when he had immediately taken her hand, the current Kallian seemed darker somehow, far more cynical, and above all, he showed her no kindness.
Why?
I'm the one who returned. So why are you the one who changed?
Pressing a hand against her aching forehead, she slowly got out of bed and sat before the vanity.
The face reflected in the mirror looked pale. Being chained up for so long had left her shoulders and thighs sore from constant tension.
"Ha..."
Evelyn tightly clenched the hand resting limply on her thigh.
She had succeeded in escaping while prepared to die, but that alone wasn't enough. If the Temple had truly been involved in what happened to her and her mother, she intended to uncover the reason no matter what.
To do that, she needed to form an even closer and more reliable alliance with Kallian.
"My lady, are you awake?"
Just then, a knock sounded at the door.
"His Highness is waiting for you."
So... the moment has finally come.
The brief peace in Evelyn's heart disappeared as she began organizing everything she needed to say to Kallian.
Accompanied by an assigned maid, Evelyn stopped in front of the dining room and took a deep breath before stepping inside.
The room was empty.
Considering how many servants worked in the mansion, it seemed he had intentionally dismissed them all.
"Evelyn Lawrence."
A low voice called out.
Startled, she turned her head and saw him sitting at the head of the table, gesturing for her to take a seat.
"Don't be nervous. Come and sit."
Perhaps it was the contrast between his black shirt stretched tightly over his body and the neatly fastened cravat that gave him such a dangerously tense presence.
She had come determined to face him boldly, yet the moment she saw him, her eyes stung with tears, and her heart ached.
Do you know how much I've missed you...?
Her racing heart showed no sign of calming down.
Trying not to reveal her emotions, Evelyn gathered the hem of her skirt and carefully walked forward.
"I greet Your Grace, Grand Duke."
Her place setting was beside the head seat, with only the corner of the table separating them.
Feeling his silent gaze upon her, Evelyn greeted him properly before sitting down.
As if beating around the bush was a waste of time, he immediately spoke.
"A Gate opened in Ferum."
He slightly raised his chin.
His relaxed yet arrogant eyes swept over her from head to toe, carefully examining every part of her visible above the table, as though inspecting her true intentions.
"I'll give you one chance to be honest. Tell me how you found out."
How am I supposed to explain this?
Evelyn couldn't bring herself to admit that she was living the same life all over again.
Especially not to a man as cautious as him.
"...A dream. I dreamed of a strangely damp, blood-scented wind sweeping through Ferum."
Even to her own ears, it sounded like a pitiful excuse.
However, since he knew that wind-attributed monsters had emerged from the Gate, he couldn't simply dismiss it as complete nonsense.
"Well, let's leave that aside."
A frost-like smile spread across Kallian's lips.
"The Countess will be confined to the Eastern Monastery. Using sorcery is unforgivable, but she didn't commit murder. Be satisfied with that."
"But..."
"If you're talking about your birth mother, it'll take some time. Do you believe the Countess killed her?"
She wanted to believe her mother was still alive, but she knew the chances were slim.
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Evelyn answered,
"Yes... if... if she isn't alive anymore."
"If it happened three years ago, even if it's true, proving it won't be easy."
The scent of blood seemed to fill her nose.
Remembering the moment she had coughed up blood and breathed her last, Evelyn's face turned deathly pale.
Now that I've returned from the brink of death... does that mean it never happened?
If I can't clear my mother's name... then what becomes of the pain and resentment we endured?
She was confused.
Was she really supposed to be satisfied simply because Louise could no longer interfere in her life?
The thought left her feeling powerless.
But she couldn't recklessly reveal the events of her previous life.
Suppressing the flames burning inside her chest, Evelyn looked straight at him.
"If Your Grace helps me... wouldn't it be possible?"
Their eyes met immediately.
As though he had expected that answer, a slow smile spread across Kallian's lips.
"You said you'd serve me with all your heart. As expected, it seems you do have something you want."
"Cough!"
The extreme tension made her choke on a dry cough.
Seeing her flushed face, Kallian stood up, picked up the teapot, and poured tea into her cup.
"I have no intention of being stingy. I owe you a debt, so I'll grant your request as much as I can. If there's something you want, say it."
Handing her the cup, he gently rubbed her back with his gloved hand.
That casual touch instantly reminded her of the man who had once bared his teeth like a beast while pressing his body against hers.
Get a hold of yourself.
Shaking her head, Evelyn remembered why she had sought him out and clasped her trembling hands together.
"Your Grace... I have a request."
Returning to his seat, Kallian raised an eyebrow, silently telling her to continue.
His interlocked hands rested on the table as he watched her with relaxed composure.
Will you still look that relaxed after hearing my request?
Letting out a long sigh, Evelyn lifted her head.
"I hereby formally propose marriage to Grand Duke Kallian van Orpheus. I will support Your Grace with the power I possess, so please... lend me your strength."
Their eyes locked firmly in the air.
At the same time, an eerily heavy silence settled between them.
Even beneath the cold silence that made her shoulders stiffen, Evelyn refused to back down and maintained a calm expression.
He probably thinks I'm ridiculous.
If she had been in Kallian's position, she might have exploded in anger or called the other person insane.
"...A proposal."
As expected, Kallian, who had remained silent for quite some time as though doubting his own ears, finally broke the silence by repeating her words.
"Did I hear you correctly?"
Barely managing to raise her eyes, Evelyn met his icy gaze.
"Yes, you heard correctly. You may find it unpleasant or humiliating, but I did propose marriage to you."
Kallian frowned.
"Are you not afraid of me? No matter how ignorant you are about the world, you should know what people call me behind my back."
"I'm not afraid."
She knew.
She knew that there were those who criticized him—or rather, his family—for possessing overwhelming power through the strength of darkness.
"Not every angel is kind, and not every demon harms humanity. The only thing I fear... is choosing the wrong path for my own destiny."
Kallian silently stared into Evelyn's determined light-green eyes.
"You speak as though you already know your fate."
His eyes narrowed as he carefully observed the slight tremble around hers.
"So... you're saying we're the right choice for each other?"
She had expected him to be difficult.
But she hadn't imagined he would continue doubting her even after confirming that what she had said was true.
Knowledge of where Gates would appear, healing abilities...
What more does he need?
Before she realized it, Evelyn had clasped her hands so tightly that her fingers ached.
It felt as though an enormous wall stood before her.
Still, there was only one answer she could give.
"Yes. That's right. If it hadn't been for Your Grace... I wouldn't have been able to take even a single step outside that hellish Count's estate."
Choosing him, whose power far surpassed that of the family that abused her, had not been an impulsive decision born of youthful emotion.
It had been a completely rational choice.
"Don't you need me as well, Your Grace? That's why you warned me not to even think about running away."
Hoping that he might show even the slightest bit of sympathy, Evelyn desperately laid bare her circumstances.
But no matter how earnestly she pleaded, he showed no sign of accepting her request.
"I'm sorry, but I have no intention of getting married."
"..."
"I know your healing power would be a great asset to me, but I never intended to take you to the harsh northern lands."
Watching the man firmly reject her, Evelyn thought that perhaps this was the trial fate had given her instead of death.
"Instead, I'll become your guardian until you establish yourself in the capital's noble society and find a worthy husband."
He even offered a reasonable solution.
Unfortunately, Evelyn had no intention of withdrawing her proposal.
If she had planned to back down so easily, she would never have risked her life to help him.
Speaking in a firm voice, Evelyn opened her mouth.
"I have one question."
There was no way back.
To persuade him, she was prepared to become as shameless as necessary.
"The reason you can't marry me... is it, perhaps... because of the matter of an heir?"
