The Male Lead’s Father Refuses to Break Off Our Engagement

Chapter 79

 

At Evelia’s insistence that they must go this time, Cassis raised the white flag.

Rather than being annoyed by this situation, Evelia just found it funny.

I thought that guy was like that sometimes.

Cassis has changed since the hunting competition. To be precise, things changed after Evelia fell.

Once he poured out his emotions, he began to reveal himself little by little, like a crack in a dam and water leaking out little by little.

I don’t know if he saw the dead Julia in her, or if he was worried about her.

Still, it was better than I thought to have someone worry about me.

But what is good is good, and what is not good is not good.

Evelia spoke firmly once again.

“I made it clear. I’m going today. You promised to go.”

“Your Majesty will understand…”

Evelia interrupted him and gestured to the maids.

“Guys, the Duke is going back to his room. Please see him off.”

“Yes!”

The maids held back their laughter and opened the door.

When Evelia urged him with a glance, Cassis walked away like a large dog that had been refused a walk. So, it means that he was very sullen.

Evelia shook her head.

“Oh, it’s hard.”

Annie burst out laughing.

“That’s because he’s worried about madam.”

“He’s overprotective.”

This time, another maid answered.

“What about overprotection? It’s nice to see. I wish I had a lover who was overprotective of me!”

“Me too!”

Haha. The maids looked at each other and burst into laughter.

The maids knew that Evelia had a kind personality, and now they had no hesitation in making jokes in front of her.

Evelia was more happy than upset about it.

Likewise, Laura carefully grabbed Evelia’s hair with a smiling face.

“I will decorate you so beautifully that the Duke will regret not going to the ball.”

“Oh my, what if the Duke doesn’t attend for some other reason?”

Evelia absentmindedly thought about what the maid meant by ‘non-attendance in other ways’.

‘So, that’s what it means, right?’

I’ve seen it a lot in romance novels. The male protagonist falls in love again after seeing the female protagonist dressed up in all her glory. Before going to the party, the male protagonist…

My face felt hot. Even though I knew Cassis would never do that, I felt embarrassed for no reason.

As Evelia unconsciously fanned her hand, Laura opened her eyes and looked around at the maids.

“You guys, no matter how generous madam is, there is something else to say.”

“Oh, sorry.”

“I will be careful from now on.”

However, Evelia, who had already let her imagination run wild, could not even give a simple reply that it was okay.

 

*****

 

Thanks to the maids’ hard work she sparkled as brightly as she did at her wedding.

‘It won’t be like that with Cassis, but it’s enough to grab people’s attention.’

It was not over confidence, but Evelia in the mirror was just as beautiful.

Evelia left the room, leaving behind the maids who constantly praised her appearance. Cassis and Ruth were waiting on the first floor.

As Evelia went down the stairs, Ruth let out an exclamation.

“Wow! Mom, you’re really pretty!”

“Really?”

“Yes! I think mom will be the prettiest at the party.”

“Oh, thank you.”

Evelia greeted Ruth with noble manners and then headed to Cassis.

He stood still and looked blankly at Evelia.

Evelia looked him up and down with her arms crossed.

‘As expected, he’s handsome.’

I already knew that Cassis was handsome. But somehow it felt different from what I saw at the wedding.

Just looking at it makes my heart pound and I feel excited. Moreover, the eyes staring at me felt more embarrassing than burdensome.

Evelia spoke to Cassis, who was somewhat embarrassed and didn’t say anything.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Is it weird?”

“……”

“Cassis?”

When Evelia waved her hand in front of him, he finally took a breath.

It was only then that Evelia realized that he had not even been breathing.

“Pre….tty”

“Why isn’t the answer clear?”

“No, really…”

He touched his left chest and spoke again.

“You’re really pretty.”

His sincerity dripped from his voice and expression.

So Evelia became even more embarrassed. It was as if he fell in love with her.

“Hmm. If this continues, we will be late. Let’s go quickly.”

Instead of offering her his right arm, Cassis whispered.

“Do you really have to go?”

“Are we still talking about that? You can’t miss it.”

“No, that’s not it, at the party…”

“What about at the party?”

“No, no.”

Cassis had a somewhat dissatisfied face, but held out his right arm at Evelia’s urging. Ruth said he wanted to be an escort too and held out her hand.

Thanks to this, Evelia walked while holding Cassis’ arm with one hand and Ruth’s hand with the other.

 

*****

 

Cassis was worried about Evelia. This was because the injuries she sustained during the hunting competition were greater than expected.

Although it was said that she was cured immediately with magic, the image of Evelia’s bleeding and collapsed face could not be erased from Cassis’ mind.

So, he hoped that Evelia would rest in the mansion and do nothing as much as possible.

I wanted her to stay safe in my arms until I completely dealt with Count Venion.

However, Evelia, perhaps unaware of his feelings, kept trying to leave.

Under the pretext of Aria Denoa’s health, she went to the Denoa mansion, met the Marchioness Evans, and now went to the crowded Imperial ball.

Evelia said that if she did not attend this time, the reputation of the Adelhard family would fall, but who cares about what people in the world say about their reputation?

Still, Evelia was so stubborn that I decided to listen to her.

Cassis, who had already been kicked out of the room once, got ready and waited for Evelia.

At that time, Evelia, who had also finished preparing, came down the stairs.

Cassis couldn’t breathe the moment he saw her. But on the contrary, my heart was beating fast.

She was, as they say, ‘beautiful’.

Then Cassis suddenly realized that other men at the party would also see her like this.

Then I felt bad. No, not good wasn’t the right word to describe it.

In my heart, I didn’t want to send Evelia to the party. I wanted to see her for myself.

Cassis was embarrassed at himself for thinking like this.

But at the same time, I made a promise.

He said he wouldn’t let men look at Evelia at the party.

 

*****

 

The three arrived at the party late in the day. As they entered the hall, the attendant announced in a loud voice.

“Duke, Duchess Adelhard and Prince Adelhard have arrived!”

Evelia entered again this time with two men next to her. When the three people entered, people’s eyes turned to them.

Evelia tried to look calm and looked around at the people.

Some looked at them in awe, others looked at Ruth and her in a slightly uncomfortable way.

Evelia looked at Ruth in doubt. Fortunately, although Ruth was a little nervous, he was excited.

“What do you think, Ruth?”

“It’s so big.”

Ruth whispered nervously, conscious of the stares. It was the first time he’d ever been to a party this big. Everything was new.

“Yes. Let’s go and have fun.”

The three people enjoyed the party while interacting with people in moderation. But what was surprising was that there were more people talking to Evelia than to Cassis.

‘Well, it would be easier to talk to me than to Cassis.’

While Evelia was thinking like that, the Marchioness Evans came with Anthony.

“Mom, can I play with Anthony?”

As soon as the word ‘Mom’ came out of Ruth’s mouth, meaningless exclamations erupted from the people who were listening.

Evelia smiled at Ruth as if showing them off.

“Yes. Don’t go far, just hang out around here. Don’t run.”

“Yes.”

“There are a lot of delicious things to eat, so eat them. Oh, you can’t drink alcohol.”

“Yes!”

As Ruth and Anthony disappeared holding hands, people began to gather around Evelia in earnest.

“You seem to be on good terms with the young master.”

Some people were sarcastic like that, but Evelia accepted it calmly.

“Yes. Since I am married to the Duke, the young master is my son.”

“Aha. I see.”

The people who spoke to Evelia were not only women but also men.

“Duchess, you are so beautiful.”

However, every time they spoke, Cassis strangely blocked Evelia’s path.

“Why do you say that to my wife?”

“Oh, I… Excuse me!”

Evelia laughed under her breath every time Cassis reacted like that.

Unlike the hunting competition, the party went peacefully. When the Emperor finally appeared, the dance floor began.

Cassis bowed politely and extended his hand.

“Would you please give me a chance to dance with you, wife?”

“With pleasure.”

Evelia also danced lightly with Cassis. Fortunately, unlike during practice, I didn’t step on his toes.

Next, I followed Cassis and danced with Ruth, who politely asked to dance.

As we chatted happily, it was time for the highlight of the party, the fireworks display.

Evelia sat down on the terrace with Cassis and Ruth. The three people enjoyed the fireworks in place without being disturbed by anyone.

“Wow.”

Ruth exclaimed in admiration as he watched the fireworks decorating the sky.

“It’s so so so so pretty!”

“I know.”

Evelia also looked at the flames with a little excitement.

I have seen fireworks in Korea too. I remember loving fireworks back then too.

But maybe it’s because magic is used here to create more diverse fireworks. It was more beautiful than when I saw it in Korea.

It was a time when I was watching fireworks with such fascination. Evelia suddenly felt a stinging gaze and turned her head.

Cassis was looking at her without even looking at the sky.