<Episode 113>

Eveline returned to the estate with Elkais.

She was relieved to see that Elkais, who had seemed uneasy because of the situation with Crown Prince Ferite, now looked completely at ease.

“Elkais.”

“Yes?”

“You know I sent a marriage proposal, right?”

“Of course.”

She replied while noting how he had purposely opened a portal and transported them far from the Wilden estate.

It felt like he either wanted to walk with her a little longer or simply wanted to spend more time together in a place suited for it.

So she didn’t question it and just held his hand as they walked.

“Why ask about that all of a sudden?”

“Because I want to hear your answer.”

Eveline stopped in her tracks, puzzled by the question.

The gentle scent of summer carried on the wind seeped into her lungs.

She hadn’t intended to answer him right away. But seeing his eyes—troubled and full of concern—made her speak before she could stop herself.

“Who else would I marry besides you, Elkais?”

At her words, he let out a relieved smile, and Eveline suddenly felt her heart flutter.

She thought she had gotten used to seeing him smile lately, but the way he smiled now—so full of happiness—made her flustered, and she avoided his gaze.

“Elkais, you really…”

“I’m listening.”

“…I really like you. How are you always this new and wonderful every time?”

Elkais smiled again, clearly delighted, and squeezed her hand.

“I want to carry you back to the estate.”

“…Okay.”

For some reason, she really liked it when he acted like this. So whenever he doubted that her feelings might not be as deep as his, she always thought he was being foolish.

“But just hypothetically…”

As Elkais lifted her into his arms and met her gaze, a thought came to him.

“What if the Wilden family ends up disliking me?”

“Then I’ll cut ties and join House de Robein.”

Elkais stopped walking and looked at her with wide eyes.

Eveline smiled and gently ran her fingers through his jet-black hair before saying,

“Why are you so surprised?”

“…Because that’s the exact answer I’d been dreaming of. I thought I might be dreaming.”

“I’m glad it feels like a dream, then.”

Eveline playfully tousled his hair, then wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.

“You’d really go that far for me?”

“Of course. If anything, it’d be easy—which is the real problem.”

She meant it. Even if she couldn’t live a fully human life because of her divine power, in this life, she wanted to marry him.

They’d have to wait a long time to have children, but even so—

“So hand it over already. That thing you always carry around.”

She reached toward his chest, feeling for the ring box she knew was there.

Laughing, Elkais set her down and got on one knee.

“Eveline…”

“Ah, don’t do it here. We’re in the middle of the woods. There’s nothing around. It’s kind of lame.”

“…Right. Got it.”

The reason Eveline stopped Elkais’s sudden proposal was simply because she wasn’t ready yet.

She had been caught off guard by how seriously he took out the ring and tried to propose right then and there, so she had postponed it for another time.

Honestly, she thought if she said that, he’d just give her the ring and promise to do it properly later. She didn’t expect him to try proposing on the spot like that.

More than anything, she’d thought their feelings for each other were already clear and mutual, so she hadn’t anticipated feeling so nervous or shy.

“Alright then. Next time, I’ll make sure to propose properly.”

“Okay.”

“Tomorrow.”

“You call that proper? Isn’t that way too soon?”

“It’s enough. Completely.”

Elkais had been preparing for that moment for a long time, so in truth, a single day was more than enough. He answered confidently.

“Okay. I’m looking forward to it.”

Though Eveline said it, it was Elkais who seemed more excited. She could sense that much.

* * *

As soon as the two of them returned to the estate, they ran into Abellard.

“Go home, Elkais.”

“Brother. Elkais is my guest.”

“Eve, we need to talk. Alone.”

Eveline tensed up instinctively—Abellard’s expression was unusually serious.

“Is something wrong?”

“Yeah. So Elkais, come back tomorrow.”

“…Eveline.”

“See you tomorrow, Elkais.”

Elkais waited for her words, and when she spoke, he simply nodded in understanding.

As he turned to leave, he opened the door and said,

“I think I’m going to miss you.”

“Alright.”

He knew she wouldn’t respond affectionately in front of her brother, but maybe because of her earlier acceptance of his proposal, those simple words of hers felt like they carried hidden affection. It warmed his heart.

It gave him the hopeful feeling that she felt the same way.

He looked back a few more times, then finally made his way home.

Once the door closed and they were truly alone, Abellard looked silently at Eveline.

“Eve.”

“Yes, Brother?”

It felt strange to her—like it had been a long time since she’d looked at Abellard properly.

“Eve, I want to marry you.”

“You must’ve heard the conversation with Euros. I’ve never thought of you that way, Brother.”

“Why?”

She didn’t know what to say to her brother, whose eyes were brimming with tears. So she stayed silent, then slowly gathered her thoughts and replied.

“I’ve told you many times before. To me, you’re truly just my brother. And I love Elkais.”

“Then why? You hated me more. Before we went to that island, you wouldn’t even leave the estate because of me. You loathed me. So why are your feelings for that guy stronger?”

Eveline couldn’t bring herself to say anything. It looked like Abellard might start crying at any moment, and she didn’t want to hurt him.

But she also knew this was something they would have to face eventually, so she sighed softly and spoke.

“When we met on that island, you told me I should hit you.”

“Yeah. I still feel that way. I want you to hate me enough to hit me. I’d rather you despise me.”

“You said you love me.”

“I do.”

His words were full of contradictions, but Eveline could tell he didn’t realize that himself—she didn’t know how to respond.

“Do you think love and hatred are the same emotion?”

“No. Hatred is on a higher level. Love can’t beat hatred—no emotion can.”

“But when you marked with me, you let go of those feelings.”

“I did. But now… now you’ve chosen Elkais.”

When she saw him finally break down and cry, Eveline felt her chest tighten painfully.

“I thought you hated me, Brother. And even though I hated you, I still thought of you as family.”

“I know you’ve always cared for me, Eve. But I don’t want to stay just family. I want to be your lover. The only one by your side.”

Though he managed to get the words out, Abellard was sobbing, his face a mess of tears.

Eveline had hoped that this would be the moment he could let go of his feelings for her and remain only as family. She looked at him and sighed quietly.

“If you truly love me… please let me be happy.”

“…Yeah. I guess that’s what love really is.”

He lowered his head, accepting the truth with resignation.

* * *

The next day, Elkais sent someone ahead to formally propose.

He had rented out a guest house on the Wilden estate and was having his people decorate it.

Because things had been busy since the morning, Eveline had woken earlier than usual and was now standing by the window.

She watched Elkais giving instructions to his aide and let out a small chuckle.

She liked seeing him focused on something.

“That’s a face I want to kiss.”

She mumbled to herself, blushing right after.

Then their eyes met.

“Come up here.”

She waved him up as she spoke, and he smiled and started walking toward her.

She watched from the window as he entered through the door, then slowly turned around.

“You’re just using your power openly in front of everyone?”

“Why not? I can always distort their memories.”

Elkais hugged her from behind and rubbed his nose against her neck, making Eveline smile again at how adorable he was.

“Come here. I want a kiss.”

“…Alright.”

He smiled brightly at her words, let go of her, and turned to face her.

And just then—

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

Eveline expected a maid, but was surprised to see Abellard—and even more surprised when she saw his face, swollen like he’d been stung by bees. She was momentarily at a loss for words.

“What’s wrong, Brother?”

“I’ve been thinking, Eve.”

She looked at his puffy eyes and let out a sigh before replying.

“Alright, I’m listening.”

“I was thinking about what would truly make you happy.”

Eveline blinked in surprise at the unexpected words, and Abellard continued.

“I’ll take all three gods’ powers. How about that?”

Of course, it was a lie.

A lie meant to make Eveline his.