Ch.99Love is an Open Door (1)

*Thump-*

The two sets of footsteps overlapped so perfectly that they sounded like a single person walking.

As they moved away from the lakeside, the path became more orderly, and by the time there were no more pebbles to kick, Evan quietly spoke up.

“What are you planning to do?”

“Planning… what do you mean?”

“When we return to the mansion, should we act as usual? Or can we behave a little differently?”

At the words “a little differently,” Irene chuckled and nodded, gently swinging their joined hands.

In truth, that had been her biggest concern. Should they make their changed relationship public now, or keep it hidden as before? Evan pondered various things as he watched Irene deliberate.

Whether Irene knew it or not, the truth was that most of the mansion already knew about their relationship.

Even if they tried to hide it now, those playing along would find it awkward.

Irene was surprisingly oblivious to such matters, and Evan could only scratch his cheek as he watched her deep in thought.

Should he tell her this fact? She seemed to think she was hiding it well, but besides Rofena and Sir Chris, he was the only one she treated with such gentleness.

Honestly, it had been difficult to hide from the beginning. Perhaps in the broader duchy it might have been possible,

but how could they prevent rumors from spreading in such a small mansion?

The secret romance that might appear in romance novels was only possible if everyone in the mansion had extremely tight lips.

Besides, if no one noticed the new rings that hadn’t been there before, that would be a problem in itself.

“…The rings are the issue.”

“Should I take it off?”

“Don’t ever joke about that again.”

When Irene reacted with alarm, Evan chuckled and nodded.

She had seemed dazed when first putting on the ring, but now she seemed determined never to remove it, which pleased him greatly.

Looking at the ring on his own finger made him feel quite good.

In fact, it felt too good to just call it “quite good,”

but punching the air in joy was something best done when alone.

“But why emerald?”

“I wonder.”

When Irene asked, Evan quietly smiled.

He thought it would be more meaningful for her to realize it on her own rather than telling her outright.

As he gently touched the jewel sparkling in the moonlight,

Irene frowned at Evan’s puzzled expression, but nothing changed.

“…I think I know.”

However, it didn’t take long to understand what the ring meant.

The moment their eyes met, she instinctively realized the similarity between her eyes and the gemstone.

The emerald in her ring… perhaps it was meant to remind her of Evan when she looked at it.

It seemed rather amusing that someone who claimed not to be romantic would pay attention to such small details.

Whether it was modesty or his true belief, this was the first time she had ever received a confession,

so perhaps such things weren’t actually that romantic.

But didn’t that depend on how one felt about it?

As Irene looked up at the sky, having reclaimed the hand she had released while examining the ring,

Evan wiggled his fingers to tickle hers.

“Ah, huh, Evan!”

“You hold my hand so naturally now. Aren’t you embarrassed anymore?”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about? I mean, um…”

Irene rolled her eyes as if checking her surroundings, then lowered her gaze and carefully moved her lips.

“We’re in that kind of relationship now…”

“Hmm.”

Evan savored those words slowly. That kind of relationship, that kind of relationship.

“I liked that answer.”

So they smiled, held hands, and enjoyed the moment.

But at the same time, the mansion drew ever closer,

and Irene’s expression crumpled when she heard the bell ringing through the quiet streets.

The ringing bell meant it was past midnight.

Why did time always fly by whenever they visited Seiren?

What mattered now was that there would undoubtedly be quite a few people waiting at the mansion entrance.

In other words, it was time to make a decision.

Irene fidgeted with her fingers as she looked at the mansion, standing tall and shining brightly even in this darkness.

While it would be convenient to declare they were lovers now, it felt somewhat embarrassing to state it so boldly.

Unlike with Rofena, Irene wasn’t comfortable with many people, even Sir Chris.

She sighed faintly and looked at Evan. The moment their eyes met, Evan understood what was worrying her.

Was there really any need to worry about such things? His deliberation was brief,

and Evan strode toward the mansion, still holding Irene’s hand.

“Evan?”

Naturally pulled forward by Evan’s strength, Irene’s face gradually filled with confusion. At this rate, at this speed—

they would soon enter the mansion holding hands like this.

She grabbed his wrist with a tap, but Evan didn’t stop.

While Irene’s grip wasn’t enough to stop Evan’s movement, she desperately tried to halt him.

She wasn’t mentally prepared yet, though in truth, when that preparation would be complete was uncertain.

But it certainly wasn’t now. If they returned to the mansion like this,

wouldn’t the maids gossip about them starting tomorrow?

“Why are you so embarrassed? Everyone will know soon enough anyway.”

“Even so—”

“Are we not going to have an engagement ceremony?”

At Evan’s words, Irene froze in place, her lips quivering.

Engagement… ceremony. Come to think of it, they had exchanged rings.

They were lovers, but they had already promised something beyond that, and someday they would hold an engagement ceremony.

To have an engagement ceremony, they would eventually need to reveal their relationship.

As her thoughts settled, Irene no longer allowed herself to be led by Evan.

Instead, she walked confidently toward the mansion, holding Evan’s hand.

Their somewhat amusing gait was visible from the mansion entrance,

causing the knights gathered there whispering among themselves to straighten their postures.

However, their interest lay beyond the safe return of the two.

“How are they coming?”

At Chris’s question, one knight narrowed his eyes.

Though they were still too far to see clearly, one thing was certain…

“They seem quite close together. In fact, they must be touching.”

“We don’t know yet. They used to stay close for protection. They might separate as they get closer.”

“Hmm, surely there must have been some progress after staying out past midnight today.”

“Spend time with those two and you’ll find your patience tested and your lifespan shortened.”

As Chris thumped his chest in frustration, several knights who sympathized nodded in agreement.

The relationship had been dragging on for three whole years. Everyone who needed to know already knew,

and the maids often gathered to lament the situation.

Of course, there were maids who had feelings for Evan the knight, but…

“That doesn’t matter anymore.”

As Chris muttered, a moment later, Guard Captain Jeren quietly spoke.

“…They seem to be holding hands.”

“Hands?”

“Holding hands? Damn, don’t talk nonsense.”

“I must be ready to retire. They’re coming while holding hands?”

As the knights realized that the two approaching the mansion were indeed still holding hands,

they began to murmur, each adding their own comments.

Some cautioned that it was too early to be relieved, saying they should remain restrained,

while Chris closed his eyes and looked up at the sky with a dejected expression.

Then silence fell. As the distant footsteps became clearly audible to the knights,

the maids peering through the windows also kept their mouths shut, observing the situation.

And when Evan and Irene finally reached the mansion.

“…You’re late.”

At Jeren’s words, Irene nodded slightly.

The knights surrounding them no longer wore the exhausted expressions of years past.

Their gazes were slightly downcast, filled with expectation.

Realizing they were looking at the hands he and Irene were holding, Evan smiled and met Chris’s eyes.

Was there any need to say it aloud? Evan gently swung their joined hands,

while Irene, embarrassed by the situation, bowed her head deeply.

The meaning was clear. The two still hadn’t let go of each other’s hands,

and Chris smiled warmly at the sight.

There would be no shortage of things to talk about for at least a few days.

Finally, those long three years had borne fruit.

#

Irene and Evan had become “that kind of couple”—though everyone already knew this fact,

it had become completely official after last night, and all the maids were talking about it.

Some wore gloomy expressions and busied themselves with their duties,

but others, including Rofena, were busy giggling.

“See? I told you it would happen yesterday. Pay up quickly.”

“Ugh, if it had been just one day later, I would have won.”

While the content itself was rather impure, it didn’t change the fact that they all blessed this development.

Even those who had once viewed Irene negatively were now congratulating her wholeheartedly,

and seeing this, Rofena couldn’t help but break into a bright smile.

Just a few years ago, the gazes directed at her lady hadn’t been so favorable.

She had been cold to everyone, even making Rofena herself and Sir Chris uncomfortable.

But as time passed, her lady had changed, and no one looked at her negatively anymore.

No one expected perfection, nor did they expect her to excel at everything as the heir.

Now they only wished for her to be somewhat happy, to live a life different from before.

And the biggest reason for that change was probably…

‘The knight.’

Everyone knew. That the catalyst for Irene Yuris’s transformation was Evan Fried,

her knight protector. Unlike before, when seeing her smile was rare, Irene often smiled in front of Evan, often got flustered, and often felt shy.

Even Irene, who had previously insisted on wearing only plain dresses, sought out elaborate ones when with Evan,

so perhaps guessing the nature of their relationship hadn’t been difficult.

Thinking of them as lovers now felt somewhat awkward.

Perhaps it seemed both too late and too early at the same time.

“When will they hold the engagement ceremony?”

“Well, they’ll probably announce it soon. They don’t seem to be hiding it anymore.”

“True, they came in holding hands openly yesterday.”

“…By the way, has the Duke said anything about this?”

At the mention of the Duke, the maids exchanged glances.

While the two becoming lovers was a matter of mutual feelings,

it was anyone’s guess how her father, the Duke, would respond.

The Duke, who had previously collapsed under a dark wizard’s curse, was no longer confined to a dark room.

It was well known that the Duke had changed, but

that didn’t mean his established image would easily disappear.

After all, wasn’t the Duke the main reason Irene had suffered under others’ gazes?

He must have heard the news by now,

and the maids exchanged slightly anxious smiles at his continued silence.

“But still… what could he say against the knight? He saved his life at the risk of his own.”

“That’s true. If it were me, I’d give my blessing with a smile. What does Evan lack?”

“Shh, Lize is crying over there.”

While the maids’ conversation continued,

the Duke, who had briefly been the subject of their discussion, wore a solemn expression.

If his daughter were to date someone, he had hoped it would be Evan Fried.

It had actually turned out that way, which might be considered fortunate,

but the thought of his daughter dating someone left him with mixed feelings.

“Hmm, so… you’re dating.”

“Yes. That’s how it is, Your Grace.”

Evan felt as if he were sitting on a bed of thorns.

The sofa he sat on was soft but felt hard,

and the Duke’s expression, though smiling, seemed to be crying.

In truth, Evan was quite flustered, not having expected to be called like this in the morning.

Unable to guess why he had been summoned,

he could only swallow nervously under the Duke’s silent gaze.

“Who confessed first?”

At the Duke’s question, Evan’s shoulders twitched, and he carefully opened his mouth.

“…I did, sir.”

“And Irene accepted your confession, and then the ring on her finger—you prepared that?”

“Yes, I bought and prepared it.”

Nodding at this, the Duke contemplated various thoughts as he looked at Evan.

Now that it had come to this, he found it rather displeasing, and sighs kept escaping his lips.

He felt his age somewhat, and being in no position to sincerely congratulate his daughter left him frustrated.

“…If Irene is crying, I’ll consider it your fault.”

“Yes.”

“If her eyes are even slightly red, I’ll lead the knights straight to you.”

“…Yes.”

“I’ll occasionally ask Rofena and Sir Chris about how you behave.”

“……”

Evan gazed steadily at the Duke.

If he cared this much, why hadn’t he treated Irene well from childhood? Why say these things to him now?

He wanted to speak his mind, but all Evan could do was nod while gripping his pants tightly.

What would Irene have said if she were here to see this?

Surely, she would have scoffed and mocked the Duke’s behavior.

But he could only nod to the Duke without taking any action, a complete power imbalance.

But what could he do?

Soon he might have to call him father-in-law.

Strangely, this situation didn’t feel bad at all, and Evan quietly smiled to himself.