7. That Summer
Evril awoke in the annex of the Kingston estate. Ever since the royal ball during the Founding Festival in the Templton Empire, she had been required to stay constantly by Gophrid's side. Even after returning to Leysha for the new semester, once her daytime classes ended, she was whisked away in a Kingston carriage straight to Gophrid's annex—or else safely escorted back to the Loren count's residence by another Kingston carriage, forbidden from setting even a single foot outside. Her parents, Viscount and Viscountess Loren, had been keeping a close watch on her at Gophrid's urging, noting that she seemed lost in thought lately. They believed that becoming the bride of the Kingston ducal house was an immense honor, despite the arranged betrothal from their forebears, and that it was best for Evril if she didn't upset Gophrid's moods.
She hadn't counted the days precisely, but since the Founding Festival, she'd spent far more nights in the Kingston annex than at her family home in the Loren count's estate. Especially now that summer break had begun, she was all but confined there under the pretext of preparations for the autumn wedding.
Evril rubbed her eyes and glanced around. Her body ached from last night's lovemaking, and her throat was parched. After confirming her first menstrual cycle since the Founding Festival, Gophrid had been intimate with her about once a week. Apart from that brief trip away from Leysha before summer break, he'd spent one night each week with her. Precisely speaking, it was the three of them. Yena was always there during their time together.
Yena didn't participate in the act itself. She merely assisted from the side while Gophrid and Evril coupled. Occasionally, Yena's eyes would cloud with unavoidable desire as she gazed at him, but he never spared her so much as a glance. At least, not in Evril's presence.
Evril had to admit—even if these ongoing encounters were no less humiliating than that first time he'd taken her from behind—that Yena's presence actually helped quite a bit. His style of lovemaking involved no foreplay, just straight insertion, so her assistance lessened the physical pain. It allowed Evril to view him with a touch more leniency. Living like this, she'd come to realize something she hadn't known before: not only during their couplings, but even in daily life, he watched her moods and feelings with careful restraint, never letting his own show.
It had been six years since she'd first known him carnally, so discovering this surprised her greatly. To her, he'd always been a selfish man who followed his whims and satisfied only his own greed—but sometimes, he did care for her.
"You're awake, my lady."
Yena entered the room where Evril lay, dressed in a maid's uniform. Evril's eyes lit up at the sight of the water glass on the tray in her hands. Reading her expression, Yena offered it with a gentle smile, and Evril quenched her thirst with the cool liquid. After draining the cup, she noticed a white envelope on the tray as she set it down.
"A letter for you, miss."
Evril took it from Yena and examined both sides. The postmark from the Ashton relay station read Eliyum. It had crossed the sea by express ship. Before opening it, Evril glanced up at Yena. Catching the hint, Yena bowed deeply at the knees and left the room.
Dearest Evril,
Eliyum feels so desolate without you—nothing but silence drifting through the streets. I know you're busy, but please, come visit if you can.
[A long passage of warm inquiries after your health and daily life follows, filled with fond memories and earnest pleas.]
— Your Shaylin
Indeed, it was a long letter of well-wishes from Shaylin. Evril hadn't seen her since the Founding Festival; their classes at the academy were different, making chance encounters rare. She set the letter and envelope on the bed.
As Evril drifted into thought, a light knock sounded—two soft taps, so genteel that no proper Kingston ducal servant would dream of it. It was his signature style. She quickly wrapped herself in the blanket and turned toward the door.
The door opened, revealing Gophrid, freshly made up and dressed as if he'd just returned from the palace. Lately, he'd been serving as secretary to the noble council chaired by his father, the Duke of Kingston, on top of managing his assigned family duties—leaving him busier than ever, with scarcely a moment to breathe.
"My lady."
He approached her bedside and pressed a light kiss to her forehead. Meeting his eyes, Evril recalled Shaylin's letter that had just arrived. From his behavior since the Founding Festival, it was clear he wouldn't let her set foot anywhere near the western continent. Deciding to humor him for now, she resolved to play along. After marriage, she'd be bound to the Kingston house, unable even to breathe without his permission. Before that, she yearned for just one taste of freedom—and to see the man with those warm brown eyes she'd missed so dearly.
The gentle soul who had always sensed her moods wordlessly and soothed her. At the very least, on that night of the Founding Festival ball, she wanted to offer him an excuse—no, an apology.
With the full heat of summer upon them, beads of sweat dotted his brow. Evril clutched the edge of her thin summer blanket around her body and gently dabbed them away.
"........"
He seemed slightly startled by her forwardness. Undeterred by his surprised expression, she gazed up at him with a smile brimming with as much affection as she could muster.
"The weather is so dreadfully hot. I'm worried you might fall ill in this heat."
"The palace has far superior cooling artifacts to this place, my lady. No need for concern."
True enough—if one stayed indoors, magical artifacts kept the air refreshingly cool, regardless of the sweltering outside. She knew as much, but Evril looked up at him with a tender smile anyway.
Gophrid met her gaze, paused a moment, then extended a hand to lightly grasp her shoulder.
"Even so, your concern is music to my ears."
Sensing she could work this atmosphere to her advantage, Evril slowly raised one hand and placed it gently atop his on her shoulder. She stroked the back of his hand softly, gazing up at him with a warm smile.
"...I think of you always."
Gophrid's golden eyes narrowed slightly as he looked down at her, his expression complex as he pondered in silence.
"Gophrid."
She called his name, and his eyes widened a fraction as he stared at her. It was the first time. The last time she'd spoken it directly had been at their first meeting, when she'd blurted it out innocently—only to earn a stern scolding from her parents for breaching etiquette.
Evril met his gaze with the same shy smile, the same expression she'd worn at ten years old when they'd first met.
Gophrid simply watched her.
"Staying cooped up at home like this... I feel my vitality fading, my energy waning bit by bit."
At her soft murmur, Gophrid's eyes shifted to the letter on the bed. He knew it was from Shaylin in the western continent. In truth, it had arrived yesterday, but he'd instructed Yena to deliver it today.
"My lady."
Gophrid stroked her shoulder gently, then leaned in to whisper softly near her ear.
"......Any news yet?"
Evril mentally counted the days. She'd definitely had her cycle at the beginning of last month, and now it was mid-month. Hers was regular; she'd never missed once since it began. The date had long passed.
In that instant, Evril glanced down at her lower abdomen. Apart from that drink in the Founding Festival lounge, Gophrid forbade the purple potion before and after their couplings. She'd vaguely anticipated this someday, but facing the reality...
Still, she couldn't tell him the truth. Common knowledge held that early pregnancy required absolute rest.
"......No."
She answered thus, then pressed her lips tight. Gophrid stopped stroking and gripped her shoulder lightly.
"A pity. I've long hoped for a child in our image—mine in hair, yours in eyes. That child would be showered with love from a kind, compassionate, and respected mother."
He emphasized respected deliberately. Evril's shoulder twitched beneath his palm. Since she'd called his name with the innocent face that had captivated him at first sight, perhaps a little reward was in order. With a short sigh, he gazed at her and spoke.
"Lord Loren..."
"Brother left a few days ago to visit our grandparents."
Evril answered first. In truth, she'd wanted to go with Killian, but Gophrid had been too swamped with work to even broach the subject.
Gophrid furrowed his brow faintly. After a brief silence, he continued.
"Lady Traven has taken a month's summer leave and departs for Eliyum tomorrow. I'll provide a private line—go with her, and return with Lord Loren."
"Brother..."
"Lord Loren is slated as an envoy for the Templton Summer Festival, per the noble council's decision."
The Templton Summer Festival was imminent. Subtracting travel time across the sea, she'd have barely four days on the western continent. Even so, the mere thought of escaping the Kingston ducal house opened her chest to breathe. Evril beamed up at him brightly.
Gophrid gazed down at her for a long moment, then pressed a brief kiss to her forehead.
"I must return to the palace for the council. Farewell."
Gophrid left the room and boarded the carriage waiting at the entrance. As the Kingston estate receded, Belling Square came into view outside the window. In the park at its center, people sought shade under trees to escape the scorching summer midday, horses drank from troughs, and children romped freely across the grass. Watching those playing children, the lines around Gophrid's eyes deepened.
Yena had informed him just now that Evril hadn't had her cycle this month, but he'd decided to pretend ignorance for the moment. After the wedding, once her belly swelled, she wouldn't leave the Kingston estate for a while. He hoped she'd enjoy this last bit of respite granted to her.
Author's Note
Thank you for reading. Grateful for the support coupons from PurpleKave, Pue, and DreamingRoad. Thank you for the manuscript fee coupons too ~~^*