The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 172

If Iel had done such a thing, he would have thrown out at least a word or two to subtly probe whenever he faced Cassis. However, the fact that he had never once done so was proof that he thoroughly drew the line between himself and the bizarre rumors that clung to him, including those about Polyxene .

When darkness ripened, he called for Mel, and before he could even scold her with a few words, she readily confessed her sins. Despite having worked considerably as a maid in the Hall of Glory, Mel’s tendency to chatter seemed incurable, so he decided to give her a brief vacation.

That was yesterday’s matter, and since this incident wasn’t something Polyxene had instigated and spread, it was truly difficult to know what to say about it. Thus, while he was deeply contemplating, Evelyn had indeed run away outside the castle walls unable to bear it any longer, but had she really only come here?

Cassis muttered as if deflated, not even looking at the white head of the unicorn that was lying flat and peering around the small shrubs beyond.

“Back then you hid behind the terrace curtains, and this time it’s outside the castle gates…. You’ve come quite far. You’ve progressed, Evelyn. Where will you go next? Ah, but there won’t be a next time for you, will there.”

Once he had voiced it aloud, the emotional changes he had been desperately suppressing surged up so intensely that his fingertips trembled.

Since he couldn’t tie up the unicorn’s feet, should he perhaps put an anklet with a small bell around her ankle? He knew that Evelyn wouldn’t have dared come out without Ruba’s instigation, but seeing her sleeping so peacefully, cold fury began to blaze fiercely. Cassis lifted his head sharply, keenly feeling that he was behaving wildly.

Among the World Tree that soared high while protecting the castle, there was a particularly eye-catching section. The direction where the branch he had newly discovered grew, the one with pale golden flower buds rising up. The root area below was quite cozy, and since he had forbidden entry for the time being, no one except him could go there.

‘Should I go there?’

He couldn’t keep leaving Evelyn on this windy hill, so he supposed he should take her for now. There was no particular reason it had to be there, but right now, if not there, he didn’t want anywhere else.

Let’s go right away. Having made up his mind firmly, he stretched out both arms and embraced her waist. The peaceful breathing sounds, not even knowing who had come before her, were so utterly serene that it was absurd, and he felt like scooping her up and running with her. Since that would likely make Evelyn motion sick, he barely restrained himself and tried to carry her gently. And then….

“Ugh…huh?”

Her eyes slowly opened—she who had been sleeping so comfortably outdoors where the wind was howling fiercely. The gaze that usually brought to mind peaceful meadows looked today like a witch’s green cauldron summoning trouble. Cassis moved his lips, feeling anger surge up from his stomach.

“You slept well.”

“……”

Cassis had noticed her absence and came running in one breath to this damned hill, imagining as he ran. What would happen if he made eye contact with Evelyn? Perhaps she would realize the seriousness of what she had done and give an awkward smile, then bow her head while reading the mood, or cry sniffling while apologizing for committing a taboo.

But it was neither. The impudent nymph who had boldly crossed the line he had earnestly begged her not to cross and to stay within, neither trembled nor apologized, and without any excuses, wriggled her body like a snake to escape into the inner space.

“You.”

Though his patience had run out, Cassis stretched out his arm and extended his hand for her to take. Then brazenly, her deep green eyes glared up at him.

“Why, did you come…?”

“What did you say?”

Why did I come? It was such an unimaginable response that he was dumbfounded and could only stare at her intently. Soon after, those utterly detestable lips pouted and spat out sounds that hardly qualified as words.

“I’ll try to make an effort now too, gradually. Just like you said before, if I hold hands about twice a day, I should be able to barely survive on that much life force. If I run around a lot…. You did say it would be difficult. But if I move minimally less, it should be okay, right?”

Since he had told her she was a tree nymph, was she planning to actually become a tree? As he stared at her in amazement, Evelyn rattled off a series of useless plans that should be discarded.

“I’ll organize my things soon, and if you could spare one quiet room, I’ll live there well without causing trouble. It would be nice if it were near the Hall of Glory, but even if not, I’ll walk there on my own feet when needed. I… won’t stay long or be bothersome every time I come….”

“Where did you hear what to give me this kind of information?”

He asked back with a sharp voice. He wondered if she was being swayed by those bizarre rumors that had spread within the castle, and as bad premonitions always prove right, sure enough, Evelyn’s eyebrows, her eyes that had glared so boldly just moments ago, and her lips that continued speaking all twitched pathetically at once.

“That…that’s because…. Lord Cassis, you’re getting… a fiancée. So…so I have to leave….”

“…….”

There was no response in return. Neither affirmation nor denial. As the chillingly fearful silence continued, Evelyn trembled without daring to lift her head. That pitiful and clumsy appearance stoked his directionless anger, making flames rise in his blue eyes.