Chapter 8 “ Evelotte Thalewyn” part 3
After several hours of running through variables and possible future routes, Nexas finally lifted his head.
The sky outside had turned orange. Sunset light poured through the window, painting the floor in gold.
He sat on the window ledge, arms resting on his knees.
“No matter what happens,” he said quietly, “I need to guide her to survive. Otherwise, my own chances of survival are low.”
His gaze hardened.
“Marriage is unavoidable for me now. That part is fixed because of my father… and I think the second mother also agreed to it.”
He stretched both arms with a tired groan.
“Fine,” he muttered. “Then let’s write a tyrant survival guide for a villainess.”
A knock sounded on the door.
A maid bowed outside. “Young Lord, His Grace invites you to join the family dinner.”
Nexas nodded once. “Understood. You may leave. I’ll come soon.”
He glanced back into the room.
<Ai is asleep in other room. She’ll probably nag if I wake her now.>
Half-covered with a folded cloak, she slept peacefully — completely unbothered by the world he had seen only minutes ago.
“Unbelievable,” he murmured. “She can sleep anywhere.”
He left quietly without waking her.
The west corridor was dim now. Lanterns had been lit. The sea breeze carried a faint salt smell through the open arches.
As Nexas walked, he spotted Duke Raphael ahead — moving toward Evelotte’s wing.
Nexas slowed.
<Is he going to talk to her? Good. Finally. If family puts in effort, people can change.>
He suppressed his presence and followed at a distance, footsteps silent.
The Duke stopped in front of Evelotte’s repaired door. His hand lifted slightly — then froze.
Seconds passed. Then more.
He did not knock.
Nexas watched from the shadow of a pillar, eyes narrowing.
<He’s hesitating to face his own daughter. What a mess this engagement disaster created for their family.>
The Duke let out a heavy breath. His voice came low and rough.
“For outsiders, it’s easy to say ‘go talk to her,’” Duke Raphael murmured. “Children never understand that adults make harsh choices only to protect them.”
His hand slowly lowered. He turned away without entering.
Nexas stayed still until the Duke walked off.
Silence returned to the corridor.
Nexas clicked his tongue softly.
“If you want to protect her,” he said under his breath, “then act like it — as a father first.”
He stepped out from the shadows and continued toward the dining hall, expression unreadable.
Nexas arrived at the dining hall. The doors opened, and a wave of warm light and rich aroma greeted him.
The long table was filled with seafood dishes — grilled river eel, buttered shellfish, steamed blue crab, and herb-glazed sea fish. Crystal bowls held rare ocean fruits.
And at the far end — neatly arranged — sat a plate of imported chocolate squares.
His eyes paused there for half a second.
<…Dangerous place. Are they testing my discipline? Why is there so much food?>
He stepped forward and bowed properly.
“Your Grace. Lady Faylith. Thank you for inviting me.”
Duke Raphael nodded. “You are our guest now. No need for excessive formality.”
Faylith gave a gentle smile. “Please sit, Young Lord.”
Nexas took his seat. Servants began serving the courses.
Silverware moved softly. No loud sounds — only the quiet rhythm of a noble dinner.
After a few minutes, Nexas glanced at the empty chair across the table.
“Is it only me,” he said calmly, “or is Lady Evelotte not joining dinner?”
The Duke coughed once. “She prefers to eat in her room.”
Faylith slowly stirred her soup but did not look up.
Nexas cut a piece of fish with perfect precision.
<This house feels like a shrine with no worshippers. Blessed bloodline, grand estate, divine beast protection — yet no one is facing the real problem.>
He took a bite and nodded once.
“Good seasoning,” he said aloud.
Faylith looked relieved someone commented normally. “I’m glad it suits your taste.”
She hesitated, then asked gently, “Your aide — Lady Ai — is she not joining?”
Nexas shook his head. “She is likely asleep. Please don’t worry about her. If food exists, she will find it eventually.”
“That is reassuring… I think,” Faylith said softly.
The Duke drank some water, then looked at Nexas.
“Young Lord, I assume you know how long you will be staying here.”
“Yes,” Nexas replied. “Three weeks. After that, I must return to my territory.”
He continued eating calmly.
“And two months from now — the capital festival begins. All young nobles are required to attend. I think you understand.”
The Duke froze slightly.
<The summit… How can my daughter appear in public like this? The prince and all the high nobles will be there.>
Faylith’s spoon stopped midway.
Nexas noticed both reactions immediately. His gaze shifted once more to the empty chair.
He placed his fork down.
“Your Grace,” he said evenly, “may I ask something?”
The room grew quieter. Even the servants slowed their steps.
The Duke met his eyes. “Ask.”
Nexas spoke calmly but directly.
“It is obvious you are very worried about your daughter. Any parent would be in this situation.”
The Duke’s fingers tightened slightly on the table edge. “Any father would be.”
Nexas stood and walked toward the tall window. Ocean light reflected across his blue coat. His expression was unreadable.
“If you don’t mind,” Nexas continued, “for this entire week — entrust your daughter to me.”
The Duke rose halfway from his seat.
“Do you understand what you are saying? My daughter is not an object to be handed over.”
Pressure filled the air.
Nexas turned his head slightly. “Ah. I see. My wording created a misunderstanding.”
He spoke again, slower.
“I mean — allow me to try to help her. Let me handle things my way. And pardon me — my manner of speaking is different from other nobles. I apologize for the rudeness.”
Silence followed. Only distant waves could be heard.
The Duke sat back down heavily. “I expected something like this. You don’t like her, do you?”
<Like her? my ass I haven’t even seen her face yet.>
Outwardly, his expression remained blank.
Lady Faylith spoke with hesitation. “Young Lord… helping her is not simple. You saw her condition. She—”
“Yes,” Nexas answered. “And I also saw two parents trying very hard — but in the wrong direction.”
Both stiffened.
He bowed slightly — proper, but not submissive.
“I am not here to make things worse. I understand you are trying to protect her.”
He straightened. His eyes were sharp now.
“But I did nothing to hurt her. This marriage was arranged by my father — and accepted by both of you. So please do not treat me like a hidden blade… even if I look dangerous.”
No one spoke.
He looked back out at the darkening sea.
“She will soon become my fiancée,” he said quietly. “And she will carry the El Dreadborne name.”
His voice hardened slightly.
“Our house does not abandon people because they fall once. Call it stubbornness if you like.”
A small, unexpected pause followed — the Duke clearly had not expected those words.
Nexas turned and walked toward the exit.
“I will wait for your answer tomorrow. Thank you for dinner, Duke,” he said.
He stopped at the door and added without turning:
“And whether you agree or not… I will still try. If not now, then after the marriage.”
The door closed softly behind him.
The Duke and Duchess remained seated in silence — both shaken, though neither could explain why.
Meanwhile — in the dark west wing room.
The curtains were drawn tight. Not even moonlight could enter.
Only a single candle burned on the desk, its weak flame trembling with every passing draft.
Books were piled everywhere — on chairs, across the floor, on the bed, even stacked on top of unopened food trays.
In the center of that quiet chaos, a young woman sat alone.
Her long teal hair was slightly tangled. Aqua-colored eyes moved slowly across the pages of an open book.
Evelotte Thalewyn did not look like a noble lady right now.
She looked like a scholar forgotten in an abandoned tower.
A plate rested beside her — the food already half cold. She ate without looking, taking small bites while continuing to read.
“Chapter seven… wrong formula again,” she murmured softly.
She flipped the page.
“No. This mana circulation path is inefficient. Why would anyone publish this…”
Her voice sounded low and hoarse — unused to conversation.
A stack of magic notes lay nearby.
Water and ice spell diagrams filled the margins, covered with corrections and irritated comments.
“Idiot author,” she whispered. “Even a first-year student knows this leaks mana.”
She picked up another bite without looking. It was chocolate. She blinked once.
“…Sweet.”
Pause.
She took another piece.
“…Acceptable.”
Under the blanket cloak wrapped around her shoulders, her fingers trembled slightly.
Not from fear this time — but from stress that never fully faded.
Her gaze drifted toward the broken door. It had been temporarily tied shut from outside with cloth and rope.
Her grip tightened.
“That scary squid tyrant… how did he enter a lady’s room like that… idiot,” she muttered.
A few seconds passed.
“…He said he wasn’t ugly. I didn’t even see his face but. No matter what, an ugly squid is still ugly.”
Silence.
“…He also brought flowers.”
Her ears slowly turned red. She pulled the blanket higher to hide her face.
“I insulted him too much,” she whispered. “Why did he still sound calm… not angry? If it were others, they would hate me on the spot — just like at the academy.”
She shook her head firmly.
“Doesn’t matter. All noble men are the same — cheaters. Even commoners don’t want me.”
But she did not turn the page for a long time after that.
Morning arrived quietly at House Thalewyn.
Sea wind moved through the long corridors, carrying a faint salt scent from the distant port.
Curtains fluttered. Blue light reflected from the pond outside, painting soft waves across the ceiling.
Nexas El Dreadborne stepped out of his guest room with a long yawn.
Several passing maids froze in place. One nearly dropped her tray Another bowed so fast she almost head-butted the wall.
Nexas blinked.
“…It was just a yawn,” he muttered.
<Why do they look like I just declared war? And where did that idiot Ai go?>
He rolled his shoulders.
<This is why I don’t like unfamiliar places. People get scared just from breathing near them. I miss the twins already.>
Soft footsteps approached from behind.
Ai appeared, hair slightly messy, stretching her arms like a lazy cat.
Nexas glanced back. “You’re late.”
“Sleeping,” Ai replied calmly.
Nexas stared. “Excuse me?”
“You never give vacations,” she said. “This is a rare opportunity.”
He rubbed his temple. “You talk like an overworked veteran.”
Ai pointed at him. “You send me to fight monsters before breakfast.”
“That was one time.”
“Three.”
“Two and a half.”
“You jumped off the roof once.”
“That was tactical positioning.”
Ai looked at him flatly. “I was holding a teacup and had just entered the mansion for cleaning ”
Both went quiet for a moment — remembering the chaotic monster incident from past.
Nexas coughed. “Fine. Not my fault. Emergencies don’t send invitations.”
They walked down the corridor together.
Servants ahead cleared the path like startled birds.
Ai looked around. “Your intimidation aura is very effective, Master.”
“I am not releasing any aura in the first place.”
“That is the natural effect.”
“…Unfortunately i don't want nature effect”
After a few steps, Ai tilted her head.
“By the way,” she asked, “what are you planning today?”
Nexas narrowed his eyes slightly.
“You’re not going to break another door, right?” she added.
“Only if necessary,” he answered calmly.
“That means yes.”
“Correction — it depends on the stupidity level of the situation.”
Ai nodded seriously. “Then I will prepare the repair budget.”
“Stop planning crimes like a daily routine.”
Ai pointed ahead. “West wing.”
He followed her gaze.
A long corridor. Closed section. Silent.
His eyes sharpened slightly.
“Today,” Nexas said in a low voice, “no breaking doors until I have the right to break things.”
Ai blinked. “You sound disappointed.”
“…I am being patient and waiting for permission.”
<But I am curious what she is doing.>
