# 2
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Devrin was momentarily taken aback by Evelyn's unexpectedly bold behavior, which was far beyond what the original Evelyn would have done. A warmth passed between their palms as they held each other.
But belatedly, Defrin pushed her hand away.
“What do you think you're doing?”
“There's no need for us to share a room, but can you at least let me hold your hand like this every now and then?”
Dyffrin frowned, showing his dissatisfaction, but Evelin continued without appearing disturbed.
"I don't expect your love, but sometimes I miss the warmth of human contact. You know...I don't have a family anymore."
She gave a reasonable reason and showed an innocent expression, but Defren avoided replying and turned his body away.
“The celebration is about to start. Come.”
Devrin left the room indifferently, while Evelin smiled faintly behind him.
The way to relieve his headache was physical contact with Evelin.
When they held hands, he probably felt an unprecedented sense of stability and relief from his headache.
No matter how much he hated it, Devrin and Evelin were destined to be together in this world.
“Even though the end will be divorce in the end.”
The reason she asked for a divorce was to relieve Differin's chronic headaches.
The cost of the medications he takes for his headaches alone is enough to buy a small house, so he won't be able to ignore that when the divorce happens.
Thus, Evelyn decided to accept this disastrous marriage.
* * *
After the wedding ceremony was safely over, Evelyn and Dyffryn boarded the carriage bound for the ducal headquarters in the capital.
Evelyn lay in the swaying carriage, lost in thought for a moment.
Although she had decided to divorce after two years, she would face many difficulties during that period. She was surrounded only by enemies.
‘A cruel mother-in-law, an unfriendly father-in-law, and servants who disrespect the lady in the house..’
There was more, but right now, she just wanted to think about these things.
As Evelin was shaking her head inwardly, she suddenly remembered another kind of difficulty, not like the traditional problems with the husband’s family.
Rather, it was about Fenris, the second hero.
Fenris was the second prince of the empire, with black hair, gentle features, and a warm and affectionate personality – the exact opposite of Dyffryn in appearance and character.
But having a normal character won't make the story exciting.
He fell in love with Evelyn and tried to take her by completely unnatural means, such as kidnapping and captivating her.
'Are there even normal people in this world?'
While Evelin was desperately bemoaning herf over the characters in this world, Devrin spoke in a dissatisfied tone.
“Did you hear what I said?”
When she finally looked up at him, she saw Dyffrin frowning slightly.
'I ignored him unintentionally.'
Evelyn raised her eyebrows.
"Yes?"
"Like I said at the wedding, we'll be using separate rooms. We'll be eating separately, too."
“I thought there was something else.”
Evelyn nodded as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Good."
“Since I will leave early and return late, there is no need for you to come out and greet me.”
While receiving and seeing the husband upon his return was a wife's tradition, Evelyn was happy to avoid that.
"Understood."
When Evelin immediately agreed again, Dyffrin began to analyze her calmly, as if he were looking at a strange object.
I realized too late.
'...Did you answer too quickly?'
For the divorce to happen, she had to keep up the pretense of her love for Devrin. So as not to suspect anything
And when divorce comes, you have to accept it with a feeling like, “I still love you, but there is nothing I can do...”
Dyffrin opened his mouth with a dissatisfied expression.
“About what you said...”
Evelin looked at him with an innocent face and said.
"Yes?"
Dyffrin pursed his lips and then turned his gaze to the carriage window.
"…It doesn't matter."
Evelyn knew what Devrin was thinking now.
Maybe he wanted to ask, “Did you eat something wrong?” Because of her unusual behavior.
From her holding his hand at the wedding to her calm response to his cold instructions, she must have seemed different, like someone else to him.
'Actually, I'm a different person.'
Right now, she was planning to act somewhat similar to the original Evelin, but she would gradually change her behavior.
With her own personality, acting like the original Evelin might choke her to death. You will have difficulty dealing with upcoming events.
“Hmm...”
Evelyn glanced at Devrin.
He was the embodiment of a cold and cruel husband. Not only was his outward appearance perfect, but he was also extremely competent, so it was easy to understand why Evelin had original feelings for him in the novel.
In contrast, when she now looked at Dyffrin, she had a different idea – she wanted to try to confuse this statue-like man for once. It wouldn't be easy, but Evelyn decided she should try it someday.
Putting those uess thoughts aside, Evelin focused on what would happen next.
When they get off this carriage, they will arrive at the headquarters of the Duchy of Leonc in the capital.
Fortunately, his family was not home, but she could not relax.
The living image of the original Evelin that was being manipulated by the maids appeared before her.
Adjusting to life in this palace was Evelin's first big hurdle.
Not only Dyffryn's courtiers, but even the servants looked down on her or disapproved of her presence as an unpopular mistress of the house.
'There's one person I have to be especially wary of.'
Devrin's closest aide, who had previously been the reason Evelin cried.
Then the Grand Palace appeared on the horizon from the window. With its bluish-gray roof and sprawling white walls, it looked like a snowy field under the clear blue sky, earning it the name “Snowville Palace.”
Soon the cart stopped.
The servants gathered at the front gate stood.
'Well, it's time to prepare to enter the evil abyss.'
The driver opened the carriage door and announced
“We have arrived, sir.”
Devrin nodded and went down, while Evelin followed him.
After only a few steps, Evelin felt a cold gaze.
When she looked, her eyes met those of a tall, elegant man.
'Here he is, the one I should be careful of.'
The man had a hard, Dyffryn-like face, and his gaze towards Evelin was anything but friendly.
Evelyn stared at the man carefully.
He was as tall as Dyffryn, with silver-gray hair and a handsome face.
He was wearing a clean shirt without the slightest wrinkle and white leather gloves, and his expression was stern. His name was Rycal—more specifically, Rycal Clifford, the viscount who works as Dyffryn's aide in the capital.
Rykal was one of those who highly appreciated Dyffryn.
‘He was also one of those who strongly opposed this marriage.’
Rykal hoped that Dyffryn would marry a noble lady who could advance his future.
Dyffryn, even without the title, was a promising young man who served as a minister in the imperial court at an early age.
Moreover, as the Crown Prince's closest aide, if the Crown Prince ascended the throne in the future, Dyffrin's rise to power was a foregone conclusion.
For this reason, Rykal considered Dyffryn's marriage to be extremely important. A good marriage would have given him a huge boost to progress.
But the person who finally took the place next to Dyffryn was the daughter of a poor and unknown baron.
Naturally, Rykal was very disappointed in this marriage, and looked at Evelyn with disdain.
In this way, Rikal was the first test Evelyn faced after marriage.
He criticized everything, which made her life miserable.
So, how will Evelyn overcome this obstacle?
Evelin couldn't stand Rikal's cold behavior, and ended up ing him in tears. While Rykal finds her condition disturbing, he has no choice but to reluctantly accept it due to the demands and progression of the story.
Although Evelyn eventually passed the test, the process was not particularly satisfactory.
'I do not intend to be treated with such disdain.'
Evelyn walked up to Rykal, who was looking at her coldly.
Rykal furrowed his eyebrows when he saw her approaching, but he tried to correct his facial expression and greeted her politely.
“Congratulations on joining the Duchy family, Lady Evelyn. I look forward to working with you.”
“You must be Reckal Clifford, my husband’s esteemed assistant. I also look forward to working with you.”
Evelin spoke in a light tone with a smile.
“But it seems like you've been very busy. As my husband's assistant, this is the first time we've officially gotten to know each other.”
In fact, Evelin and Rikal had met several times before. But this was the first time she received his official greeting.
He accompanied Dyffrin like his shadow, but he never introduced himf to Evelin.
If Evelin hadn't taken the initiative and approached him, he probably wouldn't have given her a proper greeting.
“I apologize for the delay in greeting.”
With a slightly sarcastic tone, Rikal had no choice but to bow his head.
"It's okay. I was very busy. I understand."
Evelin responded gently, but inwardly she raised the corners of her mouth sarcastically.
'Anyway, asserting dominance is important.'
It wasn't a big deal, but Evelin felt satisfied, as if she had regained some of the respect she had lost so far.
Then Devrin's voice came from behind her.
“I think the compliments can stop here.”
Devrin, who seemed to have entered the palace alone, was standing at a distance with his arms crossed, looking at Evelin.
After giving Rykal a warm smile, Evelin said
“I will leave you now.”
Then she walked confidently towards Dyffryn.
That was the moment I entered the “abyss of evil.”
***
Inside the palace
Evelin looked at the high ceiling, her voice echoing as she asked Devrin
“Where is the bedroom I will use?”
“Follow me.”
After a short answer, Devrin led her upstairs. But the destination was not Evelyn's bedroom, but Dyffryn's room.
He loosened the tight tie around his neck and answered
“You will use the room next to mine. But since we are nominally married, it is better that we use rooms close to each other so that rumors do not spread.”
Evelyn found Differin's considerations amusing. Since everyone in the empire knew that their loveless marriage was arranged by the former Duke of Leonc, she was astonished at the point of using a room next to his.
“You can leave the tasks to the maids. If you need anything else, you can tell Rekal.”
"Yes."
"If you're planning to go out, there will always be a carriage in front of the palace. You can use it. If there's not there, just ask the head maid Patricia to ask for one."
"Good."
Evelin replied lightly, and Devrin frowned.
“Woo something else.”
Evelyn blinked. Devrin spoke in a cold voice.
“If you lack warmth, go and look for it in someone else. I have no intention of being your source of warmth.”
He was referring to the incident at the wedding where Evelyn took his hand on her own accord.
'How annoying.'
Fortunately, Evelyn had already thought of excuses for physical contact other than just holding hands during the flight. She nodded easily without hesitation.
“Sorry if I bothered you.”
But Defren's expression remained unchanged.
'I answered the way he wanted, so what's the problem now?'
Evelin's eyes narrowed involuntarily as she looked at Dyffrin, and he slowly opened his mouth.
"You."
“Did you eat something wrong or something?”
Evelin had been expecting this question, but this time she also pretended not to understand in her response.
“I ate something wrong…?”
His gaze suddenly hardened.
“You...that I know, wouldn’t have answered so indifferently.”
As he said, the original Evelin would bite her lips with a sad expression and nod shyly.
It was always difficult for her to imitate the original Evelyn even slightly. Her true nature was suddenly revealed.
However, Evelin quickly recovered her expression.
'Since I have been exposed this time, it would be best if I act without hesitation.'
“Diffrin, I am no longer the Evelyn you knew.”
Evelin continued to look at Dyffrin in the eyes.
“Just as this marriage was hard for you, it was the same for me.”
“Everyone has been referring to our marriage, calling it a disgraceful political union, and insulting me and my family. That is why I decided to become stronger. To be recognized as your wife, and not to be a disgrace to the Duchy of Leonc.”
Evelyn put great effort into her acting, trying to convey a sense of strength while concealing her bitterness.
Devrin looked at Evelin for a moment, then sat back heavily in his chair.
“…Do whatever you want.”
Then he reached over to the side table next to the chair and opened a drawer. Inside there was a glass bottle filled with medicine.
Differin took out some pills and swallowed them.
'It seems his headache has returned.'
Evelin's eyes lit up.
This was the perfect opportunity to carry out the plan I laid out in the cart.