# 26
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Evelyn returned to the palace, took her medication, and asked Merlin to bring her some things.
Originally, her plan was to send a letter to Oakley to arrange a visit to the Merchant Guild headquarters, but Fenris was still on her mind.
'I need to meet Fenris first.'
Evelyn wrote a letter to Fenris. Letters sent to the palace were usually examined by a censor, but with the Leonok family's seal on them, they would be delivered directly to him.
She couldn't write a detailed message like, “I know you borrowed a book on poisons to make poison to attack Noserton, so I want to meet you to stop you.”
Instead, she wrote something vague like, “I will give you a chance to return the favor.”
It would take some time for a response to come, so in the meantime, it seemed best for her to rest and recover in the palace to calm her mind and body.
After all, the root of every disease is stress. Despite hearing the scary term “rare disease,” nothing has been confirmed yet. She didn't want to get scared prematurely.
Evelyn spent her time embroidering. In her previous life, she wasn't interested in such delicate hobbies, but with no TV or laptop here, she naturally became interested in them due to the lack of other activities.
Embroidering mindlessly until dusk fell around her brought her some peace.
Her skills gradually improved, and when she showed satisfactory results, she felt proud.
Currently, she was embroidering a laurel wreath. This laurel wreath handkerchief was meant to be a gift for someone.
“Soon, the equestrian championship will be held.”
According to the original story, an important guest will come to Snowville to participate in an equestrian competition.
Just as Rachel attacked her through Carina in the original story, albeit in a slightly different location, she believed that the person who was supposed to receive the handkerchief would surely visit her.
The laurel symbolizes victory and glory. This handkerchief will be a lucky charm for sure victory in the tournament.
Evelin moved her needle carefully, thinking about who would receive this handkerchief.
At that moment, Merlin knocked from outside the bedroom and said,
“Ma’am, the master has returned.”
Evelin put down the handkerchief and was about to go out to greet him when the door suddenly opened.
Differin was standing there. Evelin had to clutch her stunned heart.
'Did he come straight to my bedroom after coming home?'
Before Evelin could say anything, Devrin spoke first.
“Why are you standing?”
“I was about to go and greet you because you came back.”
“Didn't the doctor tell you to rest?”
Defrin had a talent for saying everything in a sharp tone. How could he make a statement about comfort seem so harsh?
“Rest doesn't mean I can't move at all.”
"However, try not to leave the bed if possible. You may collapse again."
Eventually, Defren's tone softened noticeably. Maybe because of his tired eyes, she looked a bit cute.
Devrin took Evelin's arm and led her towards the bed.
Evelyn planted her feet firmly and stopped.
“Wait a minute. We need to get dinner.”
“We can eat here.”
“…What are you talking about? I’m not that sick.”
“Do you want me to carry you to bed like yesterday? If you want, I will.”
Facing Differin's threat, Evelin closed her mouth and lay on the bed obediently as he ordered her.
“You are too careful.”
“This is my palace, and I will do as I please, whether overly cautious or not.”
Evelin frowned and looked at Devrin cloy.
“Are you really the Devrin Leonok I know...?”
“And if I’m not....?”
In response to his rude response, Evelin exaggeratedly said,
“Are you really Devrin who is the youngest minister of the empire, known as the beacon of the empire and the most beautiful man of the century?”
With every word, Dyffrin's expression twisted as if he had taken a bitter medicine.
“This is the Differin I know.”
Seeing him take compliments as insults confirmed that.
However, Evelyn still finds Dyffryn suspicious. Could this man who was acting so interested now, really be Dyffrin…?
Lately, Defrin had toned down his act, but he wasn't the type to suggest a meal in the bedroom for his wife.
This was completely different from that time when he gave her cold compresses. He was a man steeped in gentlemanly etiquette, one who insisted on eating meals in the dining room with all the appropriate table obligations, no matter what.
In the early days of their marriage, Devrin was puzzled by her changing behavior, but now the roles are reversed.
To Evelin, the handsome man in front of her now looked like an alien wearing Differin's face.
“…Don’t look at me that way.”
“How do I look at you?”
“You look at me like I'm some strange, curious thing.”
"Well, you are. How long have you been caring for me like this...?"
Evelin hurriedly closed her mouth, realizing that she had unintentionally spoken out her true feelings. She should have pretended to be impressed.
But fortunately, Defrin didn't seem to pay much attention to her last words.
He spoke, looking down.
“I admit I was indifferent to you before. But...”
“But?”
“Now, at least, I won't treat you like a stranger.”
“Why this sudden change?”
“…If I neglect you, there will be more gossip. I realized this clearly at the last royal ceremony.”
Evelin inwardly agreed. Since it was their first appearance together at a social event as a married couple after their marriage, Defrin must have heard a lot of talk.
People wouldn't dare discuss their marital relationship publicly in front of Devrin, but he must have heard some whispers.
This time, especially because Defrin took her side, there was bound to be a big uproar, perhaps in a positive way.
Rumors that their relationship wasn't as bad as it seemed were certainly not bad news.
Losing herf in various thoughts, Evelin finished the meal with Differin in the bedroom.
"I heard from Merlin about your diagnosis. Nervous exhaustion caused by stress, right?"
“…Yes, that’s right. Since I moved into this mansion, I’ve been managing the household and the staff, and I think I got stressed without realizing it.”
Evelyn answered, fiddling with the empty plate with a fork. When I finally looked up, I noticed that Dyffrin had a rather strange expression on his face.
“If running the house is too stressful for you, we can hire a new housekeeper. You can also add more maids if necessary.”
"No, that's not necessary. I've completely adapted to the palace now. The collapse was just a result of accumulated exhaustion."
Evelin hurriedly shook her head. She wasn't sure if this was just her imagination, but she felt as if Dyffrin's mood had suddenly turned dark, and she felt like she needed an explanation.
“I'll leave that to you. But if you collapse again, I'll hire more staff without asking.”
Despite his directive and authoritative tone, the content was not unpleasant, so Evelin did not feel as insulted as she had previously.
Instead, I felt a little interested, something unusual and a little exciting.
Evelyn tried to hide her smile as she looked at Devrin.
'Since he's been behaving so well lately, maybe I should give him a little reward.'
“Okay, I'll go back to the bedroom then.”
Just when Devrin was about to stand up, Evelin grabbed his arm and made him sit down again.
“Stay a little longer. After visiting the medical center, I was alone in this room all day, and it was very boring.”
Defrin, who she had expected to pout and say, “I'm not your toy to keep you entertained when you're bored,” was suddenly silent.
“What do you want to do?”
Dyffrin answered calmly.
'Could there really be an alien inside it?'
Despite her doubts, Evelyn focused on the fact that he had accepted her proposal.
She ignored her thoughts and replied,
“Poker.”
“Poker…?”
"Yes, I recently read a novel about conquering the world with poker. It intrigued me, and I wanted to try it."
“What kind of books do you read…” Devrin muttered to himf, delaying his response.
He didn't seem keen on the idea of playing cards.
Maybe he was thinking, “A noble person like me, should play a game that drunks and common people enjoy?”
Evelin frowned and said
"If you don't want to, that's fine. I heard there's a social club where they play card games. I can try it there."
Dyffrin raised an eyebrow.
Although poker used to be a commoner's game, the nobility had recently begun to enjoy card games, and set up clubs for them, she said.
However, such clubs were full of unemployed nobles. If an innocent woman like Evelin joined, they would definitely flirt with her.
Just imagining it made the veins in his forehead bulge.
"Okay. I'll play with you."
"Really? Then I'll ask Merlin to bring the cards."
Evelin excitedly pulled the bell rope. Maids and servants often played card games, so they had cards on hand.
Before the game started, Evelyn spoke with a determined face.
"It wouldn't be fun without a bet. If we're going to imitate gamblers, we have to bet on something."
“Then let's bet gold coins.”
“Gold coins look more like real gamblers.”
Evelin pretended to ponder, and suggested what she had already decided.
“Let's bet on a massage.”
Defrin looked in disbelief at the sudden mention of massage. He was probably wondering if she was haunted by the massage ghost because she kept bringing up the topic.
"The loser gets to give the winner a massage. I've always wanted a massage from you."
Although Differin banned massage, she thought it would be good to see it as punishment for the loser.
“Let's bet on gold coins.”
However, Defrin did not agree easily, apparently wanting to stick to his rule of not receiving a massage from a sick person.
“No, let's bet on a massage.”
“I distinctly remember telling you that I would no longer receive massages from you.”
“Not *anymore*, but until I get better.”
“You are always weak.”
Evelyn clicked her tongue and said,
"Why do you assume I'll lose? I'm planning to brag about getting a massage from you at a social gathering."
Devrin ran his fingers through his hair, looking tired at Evelyn's rude response.
“Okay, then. Let's see how it goes.”