# 14
---
It was as if he was offering to buy her something. But the Dyffrin she knew would do her no such favor.
Sensing her puzzled gaze, Devrin spoke slowly.
“The plague was originally solved thanks to you, so I feel uncomfortable taking credit for it.”
“So I want to give you a gift of your choice.”
Of course he wouldn't give her a gift without a reason.
However, Evelin was very happy with his offer.
Although their mutual relationship seemed rigid at times, she welcomed this side of him with open arms, thinking about the future for two years.
‘If he feels he owes me so much, then the alimony I will receive later will be very generous.’
From Evelyn's point of view, the more Devrin felt indebted to her, the better.
These days, she couldn't even give him a massage because he came home late. If there's something else weighing him down, it's really lucky for her.
So Evelin didn't want to receive anything ordinary from him now.
“It's okay with me.”
Evelyn said with a slight smile. Defrin, predictably, looked puzzled.
“No matter how expensive it is, just tell me.”
Evelin hummed deeply, blinking her eyes slowly.
Just as she had asked him to let her play pranks on him after she won the last bet, she thought about what kind of uess and light-hearted request she could make to relieve his feeling of debt, without completely satisfying him.
After some thought, Evelin spoke.
“Okay then...”
Devrin stared intently at Evelin. She felt like he was focusing on her voice, which gave her a completely different feeling.
“Please allow me to attend social gatherings.”
She was starting to get bored confined in this house, and there were people she needed to meet.
One of these people could provide her with compensation that goes far beyond what can relieve Differin's headaches.
At first, she was planning to make ends meet by relieving Differin headaches on her own, but she thought it would be better to have another reason, so she came up with a new method.
'Ha-ha-ha.'
While Evelin was happily imagining the huge expense that would come to her after two years, Devrin frowned, surprised by her unexpected request.
“Why do you need my permission to attend social gatherings?”
“If I start attending social gatherings, I will not go as a believe of the baronetcy, but as a member of the Duke of Leonnok’s household.”
“And what?”
“I'm afraid you may not agree. I will be attending social gatherings as part of the Leonok family.”
This wasn't just her own speculation, it was actually mentioned in the original story. Dyffryn did not look favorably on Evelyn presenting herf anywhere as his wife.
So she decided to explain it to him now, to prevent him from saying anything later.
Dyffrin remained silent for some reason.
Evelin looked at his face. For some reason, he had a slightly upset expression.
But it was only a moment; He quickly returned to his usual expression and replied,
“It's okay. Whether you go to social gatherings or not, do whatever you want.”
'Did he really have to say that so carelessly, even if he was letting me go?'
Evelin thought that the next time there was such an opportunity, she should ask him to speak more politely.
After hiding her inner dissatisfaction, Evelyn thanked Devrin.
“Thank you. Then I can attend social gatherings more comfortably.”
When the conversation was over, Evelyn got up from her seat and took the last cookie on her plate.
As she walked to the second floor next to Devrin, she was about to enter her room when he suddenly stopped.
“Evelyn.”
She turned the doorknob, then turned her head.
“In a few days, there will be a party at the royal palace. If you agree to that...”
She blinked. By contrast, Defrin's gaze shifted slightly to the side.
“Come with me.”
Evelin couldn't help but be surprised this time. In the original story, Devrin never invited Evelyn to accompany him to any formal event.
But before you can think about that, Defrin added,
“This dance requires both spouses to attend together, so I have no choice.”
Evelyn replied
“Oh, I see.”
Then she blinked her eyes slowly and gave a playful smile.
“And if I happen to find it difficult to attend the party with you?”
Devrin's handsome brows immediately furrowed.
"It's okay. If you don't want to go to the party and stuff, that's okay."
Evelin laughed inwardly. I've joked enough about Dyffrin.
"I was just kidding. Let's go together."
However, Dyffrin's expression did not relax. He looked like he wanted to say something but was hesitant.
Evelyn continued without hesitation,
“But there is something I need your help with.”
Evelin hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.
“You see, I'm not a very good dancer.”
“I was hoping you could teach me how to dance.”
It took a long time for Dyffrin's tightly closed lips to open.
“Don't you know how to dance?”
“I learned to dance a long time ago, but if a person does not practice, he loses his performance. It has been so long that I can barely remember the basic steps.”
In fact, she didn't know how to dance at all.
While she diligently studied the culture and etiquette of this world through books, she had limitations when it came to physical activities.
For now, she had to pretend that her dancing skills were lacking, so that Devrin wouldn't think she was weird.
“If it's a palace party, there will be a lot of people, and I don't want to embarrass myf with my bad dancing.”
As a mature woman, it would be very strange to hire a dance coach for her. She also did not have anyone in her family who could teach her.
So, even though Evelin didn’t want to make this request to Devrin, using it was the easiest way in the current situation.
Defrin did not immediately respond to the surprise request. She noticed his sad expression and asked Evelyn,
“Don't you want that?”
Since his attitude had changed and softened a little recently, Evelin thought about making the request cautiously, but it seemed that her assumption was wrong.
Evelyn turned to leave.
“If you don't want to, that's fine. I'll ask Rikal instead...”
“No.”
Devrin grabbed Evelyn's wrist as she started to walk away.
“I'll teach you.”
She tilted her head.
“If you are not comfortable with my request, it is okay to decline.”
“If you embarrass yourf because you can't dance, it will reflect a bad image of me. I would rather teach you than have that happen.”
The rude reason he added didn't sit well with Evelin, but since he finally agreed to her request, she smiled gently.
“Thank you, Devrin.”
Although the conversation ended well, Dyffrin still had a displeased expression, as if he had eaten something sour.
"I'm going to my room now. We can start training tomorrow."
“Can you please release my wrist?”
Defren realized that he was holding Evelin's wrist, and quickly released him.
Only then did Evelin turn the doorknob and enter her room.
“Goodnight, Devrin.”
***
The next day, Evelin woke up early and prepared to go out.
Thanks to that, I had breakfast with Differin for the first time.
Thinking that he wouldn't care about her actions, she was surprised when he unexpectedly asked her about her plans.
When I mentioned going to the library, Devrin nodded without saying much.
Before leaving the palace, Devrin left a message for Evelin saying that he would try to go home early in three days to help her with her dance practice.
This too was unexpected.
Of course, she knew that his cooperation was ultimately to his advantage, but it still seemed strange.
'…Well, if we can get along well, that's good.'
After all, even if they end up getting divorced, it would be better if they could maintain a good relationship during their time together.
Merlin, who had finished getting ready to go out, asked Evelyn,
“Ma’am, have you already finished reading the book I borrowed earlier?”
“No, I need to borrow more books.”
Even though Evelin couldn't dance at all, she had to pretend that she could dance to some extent in front of Dyffrin. Otherwise, he might find it strange.
There were dance manuals in the palace, but they were very advanced, so I planned to borrow basic books with simple step-by-step instructions and hoard them for a few days.
“The weather is nice today. It was raining heavily yesterday.”
Merlin said as she entered the carriage.
Evelyn was thinking the same thing too. Yesterday, it rained so hard as if there were holes in the sky, but today the weather was unexpectedly clear.
“I wonder if that person from yesterday is... okay.”
Thinking of the rainy weather, Merlin naturally recalled the image of the bloodied man who collapsed the day before.
In fact, Evelin was thinking the same thing too. His injuries looked very serious.
“…But since the doctors took him, maybe he didn’t die.”
Evelyn replied, trying to act nonchalant.
“We did everything we could, so don't worry too much.”
While Evelyn and Merlin were talking, they arrived at the library without realizing it.
Evelyn said to Merlin, feigning generosity,
"Merlin. You don't have to follow me, so please let me know if there are any books you want to borrow as well."
“But...”
“Maids don't get many opportunities to read books. Let's meet here again in an hour.”
Although Merlin seemed reluctant to part with her, Evelyn resolutely repeated her words and left her behind.
Alone, Evelyn approached the librarian.
“Where can I find books about social dancing?”
“She was recently moved to the annex, so you should be able to find her there.”
Evelyn thanked the librarian and left the main building. As the librarian said, there was a small building in a secluded area.
There were almost no people in the annex.
Evelyn leafed through the books slowly, and found a book with a title that seemed appropriate for her level.
[The first steps to social dancing.]
Evelyn was happy with the title, and quickly took out the book. As she was doing so, she noticed an empty space between the books, and through the gap, she saw a man.
'Oh, there's someone here.'
Evelin was a little startled, as the place seemed so quiet that she thought there was no one around.
The man was wearing an oversized t-shirt and a wide-brimmed fedora hat that almost hid his face, giving off a dapper aura.
Then, black hair flowing from under the brim caught her attention.
'Black hair...?'
Although it wasn't very rare, it wasn't a common hair color, so it caught her attention.
When Evelin slowly lowered her gaze, she spotted a long scar on the back of the hand of the man holding the book. It was a familiar injury.
Evelin realized the man's identity, and exclaimed, "Ah!" Surprised, this made the man look up.
His features, previously hidden by his black hair, were revealed.
'Why is he here...!'
The man was none other than Fenris, the second prince whom Evelyn had saved the day before.