# 32
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After Rachel left, the house fell silent, but the atmosphere remained somewhat uneasy.
Devrin broke the silence and spoke to Evelin first.
“There seems to be some commotion.”
Although Evelyn used the insect as an excuse, Dyffrin seemed to sense it was a fight.
“It didn't matter.”
“Okay then.”
Perhaps Defren knew that Rachel's hair loss was not due to baldness.
However, since he did not care who was at fault, Evelin chose not to go into details and remained silent.
Devrin put his hand in his pocket.
“I apologize for my mother’s actions. This time, I crossed the line.”
Evelyn's eyes widened much more than when Rachel pulled her hair. Defrin's apologies have always been surprising.
She approached him, raised her arm, and placed her palm on his forehead.
“You don't look like you have a fever...”
"I just apologize because it's the right thing to do. It's clear that my mother's actions were meant to belittle you this time."
Devrin gently removed her hand.
“…I had no choice but to let Rachel Benford into the house. She had come because of my mother’s letter at this late hour, I simply could not refuse her.”
“Yes, well… I've already explained it enough to Ms. Rachel, so it's okay.”
When she first entered the palace, Evelin was upset about Devrin meeting Rachel at such a late time, but now it didn't matter.
She saw Rachel's face contort subtly under Dyffryn's cold disposition.
Defrin's extra reassurance made her feel even better.
“If anything happens, please tell me first.”
Evelyn was puzzled.
It was true that he had been kinder to her recently, stood up for her among strangers, and took care of her when she was sick.
But admitting Amelia's mistake was different. Amelia was an important presence in Defrin's life.
Specifically, because the family owed her a debt from the past, he rarely pointed out Amelia's mistakes.
Evelyn found this side of Dyffrin unfamiliar, but decided to express her sincere feelings now.
“I'm glad you said that.”
Devrin stared intently at Evelin. Then he opened his mouth.
“I…”
“You...?”
Evelyn looked into Devrin's eyes. But he did not answer immediately. Finally Dyffrin averted his gaze and spoke.
“I'm worried you'll collapse from stress again.”
'Why did he take so long to say something so trivial?'
“It's okay, I've been completely fine since I got back from the medical center.”
Since they were having different conversations, Evelin thought that she should ask about Noston.
“How are things in the palace these days?”
“…In the palace?”
Dyffrin asked, as it was rare for Evelyn to ask about his work.
"Yes. You mentioned last time that Prince Fenris and Prince Noserton were not getting along. I was worried that this would affect you. Isn't Rykal's sudden visit related to that?"
Devrin raised a slight eyebrow at the mention of “Fenris” from Evelin’s lips, but she didn’t notice.
"Rikaal's sudden arrival was for something else. The problem between them is not something you should worry about."
“So, there's nothing to worry about?”
Evelin insisted and Devrin finally nodded slightly.
“Yes, they've both been quiet lately.”
Evelyn felt relieved inside. This was a good sign. It seems that Fenris has not caused any trouble so far.
“Of course, I don’t know what Prince Fenris might be planning behind the scenes.”
Differin added.
"So, Evelyn. Stay away from Prince Fenris. He's a dangerous person."
"Good."
Evelyn didn't mind Dyffrin's urging. Maybe it was because he was talking to her more and being nice lately.
Suddenly, an idea occurred to her.
'If we had not met as a couple, could our relationship have been better?'
There is no doubt that Devrin was a charming and impressive person. If they had been in a different relationship, she might have accepted him more comfortably.
But such assumptions made Evelyn strangely bitter.
“What's wrong?”
Devrin's voice brought Evelin back to reality.
“Oh… I'm just nervous about the Duke's visit tomorrow.”
“There is nothing to worry about. Father is not a strict person. Of course...”
Defrin hesitated to say.
“He will love you.”
Evelin's eyelashes twitched slightly. Her previously sinking heart seemed to suddenly soar.
Evelyn smiled cheerfully. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her pink lips curved beautifully.
“I hope so.”
Devrin stared at Evelin's radiant response with a stunned expression for a moment.
Then he slowly extended his hand towards her face. Evelin paused for a moment, watching his approaching hand but not avoiding it.
However, Devrin's hand stopped in the air and then changed direction to gently caress Evelin's hair.
“…your hair is tangled.”
Evelin finally exhaled the breath she had been holding.
“Uh… my hair.”
He was probably disheveled since Rachel had pulled him out earlier. Although it was a meaningless gesture, the heat on her face did not dissipate easily.
The situation a moment ago made it seem like he was about to grab her face… and kiss her.
The atmosphere was like this. No, preciy, his looks were like that.
But to think it was because of the tangled hair.
'Oh, how embarrassing.'
Of course, this was a guess she had made on her own, but she felt ashamed to have such an outrageous imagination.
“...I'll go up first. I want to take a shower.”
Finally, Evelin apologized and left first.
***
After Evelin left the place alone, Devrin remained frozen like a statue for a while, unable to move.
It was because his mind was exhausted.
No matter how much he scratched his brain, he couldn't understand why he felt such an urge a moment ago.
This drive started when he was with Rachel and Evelyn saw them.
He was worried about what Evelin would think. Fortunately, she didn't seem to care much about Rachel's visit.
However, it would be difficult to bear his mother's actions. Delivering a letter to a stranger while there is a daughter-in-law at home.
Defrin began to feel anxious.
I collapsed from stress recently; “Can you handle this situation?”
'If these incidents pile up and exhaust her, how will she look at me then?'
Once again, the image of the canary in the cage appeared in his mind. A bird that feels sad in its cage will always want to fly away into the sky.
Recently, Evelin had not shown such signs, but the thought always made Differin uneasy.
Although he didn't understand why he was so worried about Evelin leaving his side, he did realize one thing when he saw her smile.
He wanted her to stay by his side.
Looking at Evelin made him feel tormented and confused, but like tasting a sweet fruit, he kept looking at her and caring for her.
It was the same thing a moment ago.
When he saw her bright smile, he almost kissed her without realizing it.
For him, kissing was the most dirty act in the world. Pressing lips together and exploring each other's mouths. Devrin had always found this act dirty since he was young.
However, a moment ago, he was almost going to do this dirty deed.
Fortunately, rationality overcame impulse, and he was able to stop.
But it was still shocking. Thinking that kissing Evelin wouldn't be so bad.
Looking at Evelin sometimes made his mouth dry, as if he was thirsty.
Usually he would stop there, but today, his body moved on its own as if he was drunk.
'...This is driving me crazy.'
Devrin felt heat spread to his neck and undid the top button of his shirt.
***
The next morning, the arrival of a guest at the palace causes a commotion.
The guest was Duke Denswell Leonnok. He came to the capital with a fairly small group: one guard, his personal assistant, and a servant.
'The third problem has begun.'
Evelin watched his assistant cloy. The assistant quickly turned his head away when their eyes met.
“Hmm...”
At that moment, Dunswell warmly welcomed Dyffryn.
"Diffrin, how are you? It's the first time I've seen you since the wedding."
"You've been fine. Are you well, Dad?"
"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
Dunswell laughed heartily. Then he turned his gaze to Evelin.
“...What about you? Are you okay?”
Denswell asked awkwardly.
When he thought of Evelin, he felt various emotions, including guilt.
Amelia always spoke of Evelyn regretfully.
She greatly regretted that Evelyn was more extravagant than expected, had complicated relationships with men, and lacked the etiquette befitting high society.
Instead of gossiping, it was more like she felt sorry for Dyffryn, and before he knew it, Dunswell found himf agreeing with Amelia.
However, Dunswell had only met Evelyn a few times and often wondered whether it was right to make such a judgment.
According to his late father, she was a very beautiful and kind girl. But his wife wasn't the type to make things up.
So, when Dunswell saw Evelyn, his feelings were mixed, and he felt uncomfortable.
“I've been fine, thanks to your concern Duke. Please come inside. You must be thirsty from the long journey. I'll give you some tea first.”
Her gentle voice, mixed with a gentle smile, melted Dunswell's anxiety.
"Yes."
Dunswell thought it would be best to judge Evelyn himf during this visit and entered the palace.