Chapter 104: The Heroine Knows (III).
"Who knows? You'll have to ask her when she wakes up. I don't think that's a question I'm allowed to answer."
It's an absoloute yes.
Lord Ein kept his smile the whole time.
The villainess didn't seemd satisfied with his reply, she knows that he's right but for some reason it makes her heart restless when she's feeling unsure. All of her life, she's always been sure.
She was sure she can fulfill her duties as a queen, it's simple- the crown prince can marry her while taking in a few side flings in secret as long as he fulfills his duties but when it comes to the heroine everything really does go haywire when she comes around.
"Why were you with Analissa Blanchet on the last day of the festival? You were with her... I saw you up on your family stands and then when I woke up, she was unconscious with her head in your lap." (Lady Evelyn) went in for the killer question, a little bit jealous because even she hasn't done what he did and a bit ashamed with how she displayed herself back there in the arena.
She punched the crown prince in the face in front of so many people with such rage.
'It was worth it.' If it was the old villainess, if she knew she was compromising her duty to the crown which was a promise to her father it would be unreal. 'I was holding back for so long... The political shift of the noble children enrolled in the academy will have me on edge. Everyone saw it, as satisfying as it may, I caused trouble for my father.'
"Don't be jealous, there's a funny and accidental reason for that." (Lord Ein) replyingly teased, he pointed downward onto the floor, then hesitates after remembering the promise that he made to Analissa to not tell anyone of what they did. "We went somewhere... a place I didn't know, and for the reason as to why that is something you would need to ask her as well. I followed her when I saw her leaving the arena. I thought she would be with you. I thought it would be fun to tease her a bit before going back to the stands."
He wasn't expecting a whole other adventure full of puzzles and a life threatening crumbling dominion.
"And then?"
"We encountered a few troublesome things so it took a while to get back, I hope you understand but this is not my story to tell. I promised her that what I saw would only be between us and I intend to change, you should wait until she's ready to tell her side of the story." (Lord Ein) hoped that the cold villainess would understand why the heroine kept everything a secret.
Honestly, he didn't understand it either but it's better to trust Analissa no questions asked.
Analissa Blanchet has done nothing but be a good influence on the heiress of the Alarie family. She smiles a lot more, she talks more with other people now too and not only sticking with Serene.
"Are you bound by the pact spell, perhaps that is why you can't tell me?" The villainess didn't like getting left out of the dark, she desperately wanted to know what happened.
Lord Ein shakes his head not being bound by any spell, "No, I'm bound by our promise as friends."
"Friends..." (Lady Evelyn) looks at the sleeping girl that was on the bed and is glad that they're nothing but just friends.
Lord Ein relaxed seeing her so focused on Analissa and wondered what these two would be like in the future if they were fated to be together.
Would they successfully escape the pressure and the sharp peering gaze of the noble circle?
How about her duty as future queen? She's been training and dedicating herself to become the perfect matriarch for the kingdom.
Wait... before all that... Why was she even participating in a dangerous event like a magic duel?
Evelyn Alarie was supposed to be happily being all lovey dovey with Analissa Blanchet in the stands! These two are really confusing with their own agenda.
"May I have a turn to ask a question?"
"Go ahead." The villainess nods and waits for him to continue.
"We were surprised when we saw you participating in the duelist competition. I know Mary Brightmoor was the one who volunteered to represent our class so why were you there instead?" At that time when they had returned from their journey from the hidden archives, the arena screamed the villainess' name and fought the crown prince at the very last moment.
"Father pulled a few strings, he was not too happy to know that the daughter of the main branch is not participating in an event that involves combat." She scoffed, remembering her father's words and warning if she refused. "I'm surprised your father didn't force you to participate in duels."
Lord Einsel knew his father had already gotten his way with him. Beyond that, the man seemed to care little, so long as what had been lost was returned.
He loved his father.
But...
It often felt as though his father loved family tradition and their ancestral heirloom more than he loved his own son.
"Both our fathers are a lot of work, Lady Alarie. You know me, my reputation and relationship with my father is a bit... rocky at the moment." He casually replies and even if it doesn't look like it the villainess understands his feeling. "I'm just one big disappointment to him even though I did my best playing the perfect son he wanted. It... took one big mistake to change everything."
Lady Evelyn's eyes widened for a moment, caught off guard by such honesty—by such quiet sorrow- from someone like him.
She had always seen him smiling.
"...I know that feeling." She crossed her arms, offering him a look of sympathy despite their unusual acquaintance. What a strange world she lived in. By what miracle had it come to this- that Lord Einsel Loucrat, the crown prince's right-hand man, would step away from his station and lay bare his heart before someone who was supposed to be his enemy?
"I thought I would remain lost, as though I'd never understand what purpose my life was meant to serve. But lately, I've realized that Lady Serene Sinclair deserves someone far better than me." The last potion making activity they made together certainly opened his eyes. If they couldn't get along with making potions how else can they make it work?
They could try again... be better with communicating with one another but with the way things are Serene Sinclair wouldn't be able to compromise nor trust him again after what he did.
"My mind has never been clearer, thanks to her. She's far stronger and far smarter than she appears." He chuckled softly. Every time he expected little of her, she proved herself a force beyond surprise.
The villainess chuckles as well, her eyes yearning softer as she remembers the times the heroine proved herself capable. "You think I don't know that? She's given and made me feel more than I could've ever imagined."
'All my life, I feared only my family. Now, she has become part of that fear. I fear losing her.'
Lord Ein who was satisfied with their conversations smiles and excuses himself to leave to take care of some business to attend. Those pure mana crystals won't just sell themselves after all. "I'll visit again. I hope your interrogation of me was enough, let me give you an early birthday present. [Inventorium]."
With a flick of his hand, he pulled something from his Inventorium and held it out to Lady Evelyn.
It was a finely crafted token, no larger than his palm, forged of silver and inlaid with pale blue enamel. At its center was the image of a pegasus with wings outstretched in flight, elegant and proud beneath the Loucrat crest. The edges were engraved with old family runes, and the metal shimmered faintly with protective magic.
Lady Evelyn's eyes narrowed at once.
"This is my family's house token," he said. "Rather than offering support in the name of the royal family, I would like to give you my personal support- and with it, my support to House Alarie."
"You are giving the Alarie family your house token?!" she blurted out loudly, that made her thank the god there was a noise suppression spell.
Her shock was not without reason.
A house token was no simple trinket. It was a mark of trust, recognition, and protection from the family that bore it. To give one to another house- especially personally, and without prior approval- carried weight in noble society. It meant access, favor, and the promise that the bearer would be treated as one under that house's protection. In the wrong hands, it could shift alliances. In the right ones, it could alter the balance of power.
Lord Ein nodded, clearly enjoying the disbelief on her face. It was not every day that one noble entrusted another with something so significant.
"Specifically, I am giving it to you," he said. "I have not told my father yet, but once he learns what happened today... he may very well change his mind."
Lady Evelyn stared at the token clutching it in her hand in silence before lifting her gaze back to him. "You have seen more than enough of what the crown prince has done. The cruelty he inflicted upon innocents- the messes you were left to clean up. And yet now you choose to change?"
A faint, rueful smile touched his lips. "Strange, isn't it? But I could say the same about you. Since when did you start caring for a commoner that's not one of your people, who offers you nothing but trouble? It is because you are changing. We both are."
Lady Evelyn studied him carefully, suspicion still lingering in her chest. A man who had stood beside the crown prince for years could not simply change overnight. It was far too suspicious.
And yet...
She could sense no lie in him.
"You're telling the truth," she murmured not wanting to believe it but after his past deeds and actions there wasn't much reason to doubt.
"To prove my loyalty further," he said, stepping forward, "I will make a new pledge to the heiress of House Alarie."
Before she could stop him, Einsel Loucrat lowered himself to one knee and placed a hand on his chest. He's been thinking about this decision after his last words to the crown prince, to choose a side... the winning side.
"I, Einsel Loucrat, do solemnly swear by my name, my blood, and the honor of my house, that from this day forth, I shall stand beside Evelyn Alarie in loyalty and good faith. I vow to serve her with sincerity, to guard her from treachery, danger, and harm, and to place myself between her and any blade, scheme, or misfortune that may come her way. So long as I draw breath, her safety shall not be met with indifference, nor her burdens borne alone. This I swear upon my honor, and this oath I shall not break." (Lord Ein) takes it all in one breath, an oath he swears to fulfill.
He hesitated, fingers curling once at his side before he lifted his gaze to hers.
"Evelyn Alarie..." His voice came quieter this time, stripped of its usual ease. "This may sound forward to me, but... if you would allow it, may I get to know you better?"
He drew in a shallow breath, then added with a faint, almost self-conscious smile, "May I be your friend?"
Lady Evelyn blinked, the question plainly catching her off guard. Her shoulders stiffened for a moment before she slowly uncrossed her arms, staring at him as though trying to decide whether she had heard him correctly.
Lord Ein exhaled through his nose and looked away for a brief second, as if forcing himself to continue now that the words had already left his mouth.
"I want to change," he said, straighter now, his jaw tightening.
"I want to grow. I want to think for myself and live for myself." His hand closed over his sleeve, wrinkling the fabric. "I want to cut ties with people who see me as nothing more than a tool to be used."
The softness in his face hardened. Whatever warmth lingered there cooled into resolve.
"I am cutting ties with Crown Prince Dereck." His eyes met hers again, steady and unflinching. "I saw what he did to you, and I want no part in him any longer."
Lady Evelyn's brows drew together sharply.
"That is unthinkable," she said at once, almost too quickly. She took a half-step forward, disbelief plain on her face. "The Loucrat family has served the royal family for generations."
A crooked smile tugged at one corner of his mouth, though there was little humor in it. He slipped a hand into his pocket and tipped his head.
"Then perhaps I should be glad to be the one who breaks that tradition." He gave a small shrug, but the look in his eyes remained firm. "I'm not proud of the past, but perhaps this is better for the future."
Lady Evelyn said nothing at first.
Instead, she studied him- really studied him. Her eyes moved across his face, searching for the usual smoothness, the usual calculation, the usual mask he wore so effortlessly. But whatever she expected to find, she did not.
At last, the corner of her lips lifted.
"I prefer this more forward side of you, Lord Ein," she said, a note of dry amusement entering her voice. She tilted her head, one brow arching. "Usually, you're far too coy. You only approach people when there is something to gain."
A breath of laughter escaped him, low and brief. "And now?"
Lady Evelyn let her arms fold loosely across her waist, less defensive than before. Her sharp gaze softened by a fraction.
"Now," she said, "I do not see any lies in your words."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, not in suspicion now, but in scrutiny. "You truly do want to be friends with me. Abandoning your alliance with the crown wouldn't get you anything, you'll be in a lot more trouble than it should. I welcome the Loucrat heir into my circle."
She smiles offering a hand, "I will be in your care Sir Einsel Loucrat."
For the briefest instant, genuine relief flickered across his face.
He let out a breath and dipped his head. "I will not disappoint."
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