Chapter 83

Chapter 83

Six years have passed since then.

Evan never forgot that night. At the age of fourteen, at that bittersweet foundation festival, Laria had asked for it. Let’s live without any sorrows, any problems and any worries… Without any conflict, comfortably and plainly.

So, he decided to do that.

Even though he knew that Laria was conscious of a young man named Seymour who had been sitting in the common seat to the east throughout the foundation festival. Because she said she couldn’t keep everyone away just because he was a man, she told him to trust her.

Even though he hated it madly, he had to put up with it. He couldn’t make an argument again by showing displeasure.

Evan wanted to get along with Laria, so he didn’t want to burden her with any trouble.

Besides, Laria was ill. His own mind was not the first priority. She should be comfortable no matter what. If Laria felt comfortable with him as her friend, he should, of course, do that.

He and Laria were already married, anyway. He would be by her side for the rest of his life, and they were bound by the name of wife and husband, so all he had to do was listen to her. When Laria was comfortable by his side, everything was fine.

In the meantime, Laria came up to the capital about three or four times a year, and Evan also went down to Borotna a couple of times a year. Once every two months was a reasonable period for close friends to see their faces.

“Does it still have a long way to go, Evan?”

In the lens, Laria tilted her head.

“Does it usually take this long?”

At that time, the camera he ordered was also completed. Evan was now in the garden, saying that he would take a picture of Laria with that camera.

Laria, who had been small and dwarf since her childhood, was still a little skinny, though she grew into a lovely beauty. He saw her once every two months, so he didn’t recognize it that well, but at some point, Evan became aware of things other than her warm heart.

Her slender neckline, nice scent, soft skin, and soft gestures all looked different from what she used to be. He wanted to touch, hold, and capture…

She wasn’t the only one who changed from those days. Evan also knew now that sleeping while holding hands at night didn’t mean they would have children.

So, it had been a while since…

“Are you sure it’s doing okay?”

Laria asked suspiciously.

Evan glanced at her through the lens. Her slender pink hair, straight back, sitting posture, blushing cheeks, and a slightly tense expression.

“…Yes.”

He answered slowly.

All he had to do was press the shutter, and the way Laria was seen through the lens was so pretty that he kept staring at her like he was enchanted. Her cute little face was caught in the lens.

…He feared that Laria would notice his desire if he stared at her like this without the lens.

“Never, never. Having children is a really bad thing. That won’t do. Absolutely not. It’s a big deal.”

If Laria had the slightest mind to respond to his desires. If she ever had a mind to succeed the Duchy. There was an element of conflict that could never be compromised between them.

He could yield to everything…

To make friends with other men, to not see her often, and even after coming to Duke Icard’s residence, she spent a lot of time with other family members besides him. After all, it was he, who was bound by the name of a couple for the rest of their life.

Nonetheless, Evan couldn’t yield on one thing, a child, no matter what Laria said. He couldn’t send Laria like his mother.

Wrapping her hair in his hands, holding her small body in his arms, and brushing her white skin… His desires would be discovered, and the kind Laria would openly say that she was okay with it since it was a natural thing between husband and wife.

He was still too young to cross that line. Because of that, he had no choice but to be careful in the first place and try not to get caught.

“I’m sorry I’m sick.”

How heartbroken was he when Laria said that. He couldn’t hear her say that again.

For them, the best relationship in the present situation was not a romantic relationship. A close friend was better, what Laria said to him, who had just turned fourteen, with a desperate expression on his face.

Evan was caught in the words like a slave who got chained.

“I think I will be able to shoot soon.”

“Isn’t that a bit wrong? Is it taking this long?”

Laria raised her fine eyebrows and asked suspiciously.

Evan answered, fixing the lens again, “It was my first time, so I was a little confused. Come on, smile again.”

A dull click echoed in the garden, and he slowly took his eyes from the camera lens.

Even though he was tall when he was young, now, he was taller than Kallaudin. The slightly raised eyebrows, large pupils, a soft chin line, a cool mouth, and a coolly outstretched nose held the charm of a mature man.

Evan seemed kind to Laria when he smiled. Still, the difference between his smiling face and his expressionless face was quite significant. He basically resembled Duke Icard, so he had a cool and sharp impression.

He was, in a word, a little mean.

“It’s going to be fine, it’s pretty. Shall we take another picture?”

Evan, an adult, said affectionately while holding the camera. Their childhood was over, but only their relationship remained in their childhood… Just like when he was fourteen when he said he would listen to her.

“Yeah. I think I closed my eyes, anyway.”

“Okay. Smile again.”

“Take a quick picture this time. It’s the second time.”

“…I will try.”

He couldn’t help but cherish her.

“Congratulations on your graduation.”

From the moment they first met, she gave him the words he wanted.

“I am your wife.”

…The wife, who first noticed his pain when he was young.

“I want to get better and get along well with you.”

…She was the only one who said she sincerely wanted to get along with him.

“I’m sorry I’m sick.”

When he heard those words, his heart seemed to break. Never again would he want such a sound to come out of her mouth.

“I want you to be happy.”

The only family that wants each other’s happiness.

Each word Laria said was deeply imprinted on his life. Every time those words were engraved in his mind, the thoughts of her deeply pierced his heart more and more.

“Let’s get along well.”

So, if he listened carefully to her, she wouldn’t leave him. If he did everything as she said, she would always be by his side like this…

In front of her, Evan was going to continue to be a good kid.

Hiding all jealousy, desire, and possessiveness, like a friend who was always peaceful and comforting. After all, they were a couple and they would always be together.

12. Iron Ore Mine

“Did it come out well?”

I asked in anticipation.

“It took so long.”

The camera Evan ordered for his fourteen birthday didn’t arrive until he turned twenty.

It was good that the main character in the first picture was unconditionally me until he sat me in the garden. However, it took an unreasonable amount of time, and no matter how good I was to Evan, my patience was boiling inside.

…No, why was he taking a picture and looking into the lens for such a long time? My face seemed to be convulsing from continuing to smile, and I even seemed to have closed my eyes in the end.

“How long does it take to develop?”

“According to the manual, about two weeks?”

Evan answered with a smile.

“I’ll see you when you go down to Borotna again.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

I smiled and grabbed a cup of tea.

We were taking a break and having tea time because we were tired from taking pictures all afternoon.

Seven years have passed since I married Evan. In the meantime, I have been cured of the disease. I ate oklasia fruit diligently, and at some point, my body felt completely better.

Of course, Serena kept repeating the words to the Duke, “It’s still the same.” That although it looked like it had been cured on the surface, the disease was actually not getting better. The truth was, there were not many more days left to live.

And, even though Duke Icard heard those words, he still didn’t say anything to me.

‘So, until the day I die, I’m just going to wait and see like this…’

It was also a wise decision to give up Plan B quickly.

Now, I was also at the age at which I should slowly die, according to the original story. In the meantime, I have continued to work in Borotna. Marcel was called in regularly to show people how he had taken off the ring.

“Aackk! When will you call me next time? Let’s make an appointment right now!”

Marcel had never beaten me in chess before. So, he was always robbed of his donations by me.

In front of the chessboard, he spoke his native language fluently. His eyes lit so brightly that he wanted to make the next appointment.

“Laria, can I say I met Kyle? Lord Sinard keeps wanting to make an appointment, but I want to make an excuse.”

“Of course, Kate. Kyle doesn’t know anyone here, so use him as an excuse when you need it.”

And, using Kate, we made sure of the reality of Kyle Dart Ravonis.

All the people of the Bestian Dark Guild were hired as servants of Baron Labonis’ residence, and a similar rumor was spread. The servants, of course, were unaware of my existence. Only Serena and Sven knew my plans.

So, it was said that everyone was ready to hide under the name of Kyle Dart Ravonis.