***

BOTH of us were walking to the clinic on the first floor of the administration office. It's two floors below the headmaster's office.

​​

"...Eve, let me explain first!"

Gab tried to talk to me in a hurry but I'm still not in my right mind to talk. So, I didn't notice that he was calling my name.

"...ve! EVE! What are you thinking that you wouldn't even hear me?"

He grabs my hand to make me stop in my tracks.

"...oh? Did you call for me? Sorry, I was thinking about something else... What do you want to talk about?"

As I said those, Gab's face crumpled and he looked at me in wonder.

"What did you talk about with that geezer?!"

"You don't need to worry about that... It's just something..."

"Eve...!" He called my name in desperation.

I know that I've been keeping too much secret from him but ... How will I talk about it to him if I, myself, don't know the full story!

I sigh...

I thought that when I got out from that mansion, at least in this academy, I can avoid certain things like associating myself with the main characters and just become a side character that will cheer for their b*llsh*t love but because I'm a connon fonder and a villainess in this story, I'm being pulled by force and the events written in the story was still happening.

I sigh...

"It's nothing... Really! I'll tell you when I know the full details. What I can say to you right now is that... I need to win in the tournament!"

Gab tightened his grip in my hands and I tried to endure it, but honestly, I can't so, I call him using my soft voice.

"Gab... It hurts..."

His golden eyes went wide when he saw the marks left on my pale hands. He looked at me with full of worries that he may have used too much force.

"I'm sorry Eve, did it hurt that much? You can kick me if you want? You know to get back at me... I'm sorry."

As I saw his head low looking like a puppy... I mean technically he's a wolf, but no worries they're buddies so I guess it's fine to call him a puppy.

His red hair that he always keep waxed and slit back was all messed up now. I reach for his hair and raffles it like the way I used to when he looked at me with his eyes full of anxiety.

"It's okay Gab... You know me. I'm strong! I can handle it. I just made a deal with the headmaster to know about how the duchess died."

"You're mother...?"

"Yes... My mother. The Duke and that brother of mine won't tell me a thing and only say things that it was my fault or she died because she protected me..."

"So... Is that geezer will tell you all about you want to know? How did he know about your family...?"

As Gab begins to question me and the headmaster's identity, I smiled because I remember how he always asked about my intentions.

I stop raffling his hair, smile at him, and only stare at his golden eyes.

"That's what I need to find out..."

***

Inside the clinic, the white walls, beddings, and the messed up desk can be seen as both Evelyn and Gab step in. The smell of medicinal herbs was mixed in scented candles. It was relaxing and also familiar to Evelyn.

She remembers Sheila, her maid, who always use a light yellow scented candle that relaxes her every nerve whenever his brother or father ticked her off.

"It's like the smell of your room..."

Gab who was trailing Evelyn also recognize the familiar scent.

"You're right... Though I don't know what Sheila uses, I know full well that it has the same scent as this..." Evelyn replied.

Evelyn ordered Gab to sit beside the beds, she grabs cotton, ointment, and a patch inside the medicine shelves.

"I wonder where did the medic staff go?"

Evelyn inquired as only a note was left outside the door saying...

'I'm out for a bit and if it's only a light injury, you can found all the necessary things inside the white cabinet hanging behind my desk. -from Mike'

"This is not because we're in a novel, right? Only the main characters have to have this kind of moment..." She mumbled to herself.

She pushed down her thoughts and proceeded to where Gab is.

"So... Care to tell me what happened? Though... I kind of guess the reason you went berserk to that green guy, what's his name again? Valde? Violet? Ahh! Vallen!"

She tried to joke around by messing the guy's name to let Gab be at ease... Though it just made his face wrinkle like a dried prune fruit.

"What?" She beckons when he didn't answer.

"You know the rumors?" He asked.

"I didn't... Until that guy went and blabber some nonsense. When I heard him ahh! It clicked to me why you did that..."

"So you know why... Then, why are you still asking? Isn't obvious that I punched him because he talks some nonsense about you!"

Gab was angry that Evelyn seems to be nonchalant about the nobles slandering her.

She chuckled when she saw him getting angry for him.

"Remember when Cabel and I are arguing during the assessment?"

"And what's that guy got to do with this issue?!" He stops her hands from applying the ointment and looked at her straight in her sunset eyes.

"It got everything to do with that..." Evelyn replied and smiled.

Gab was confused. He doesn't like solving riddles such as this!

*Sigh~

"Cabel was provoking me to make me deny my closeness with you in front of the nobles... I'm aware of how they see me, Gab! That's why I know why Cabel does that. He got angry at that time because he gave me the opportunity to refute the rumors but I didn't use it."

"Huh...?" Gab was more confused now.

If Evelyn knew it from the start that means that she decided to ignore the rumors and let it become this widespread.

He got up, his face is becoming red with heat coming from his head and the boiling anger that seeping through him.

"So you knew it?! Why didn't you deny it?! Eve?! What the hell are you thinking?!"

Evelyn looked up at him. She saw how Gab was trying his best to understand her reasonings... She sighs again.

'This is what you get for not explaining, Child.' Gil chimed in.

'I know... I need to fix this!' She said to Gil.

Evelyn pulled his hand to make him sit again. She wants to talk to him at eye level.

"Gab... Everything that I'm doing has a purpose. I know that everyone is talking behind my back... The reason why I'm letting it slide is because of my engagement with the Crown Prince..." She explained.

Gab who was angry earlier was silently listening to Evelyn.

"You see... When they declared that I have Mid-tier mana, I knew for a fact that the Royal Family will hear it and will make a move to tie me down to the Prince..." She continued.

" . . . " Gab was still silent. He's beginning to understand her actions.

"That's why... I don't have a choice but to let them think that I'm having an affair. I got angry at the headmaster's office because I didn't take into consideration that some idiot will have the guts to tell it to your face...! I'm sorry if I use you for my scheme, Gab..."

Evelyn bows her head down, she didn't tell Gab about her plans but just use him for convenience.

"Eve..." Gab place his hand on her shoulder and called out her name.

"It's fine to use me all you want... I'm your ally, right?"

"Yes..." She said in a small voice.

"But... I need to know your plans so, I can act my part, Eve. So, promise me..."

He displays his pinky finger in front of Evelyn.

"...Promise me that you won't keep secrets...!" He said.

She was baffled for a while before she understands his actions. She copied him and intertwined their pinky fingers and sealed it with their thumb.

"Yes... I promise." She said while she smiles knowingly.

"Now... Let's get that cut of yours treated...! She continued.

***

In the middle of the Deheldi forest...

1st: So, did everyone encountered Evelyn?

2nd: Yeah~ by now, she knows all of us but not our real identity.

3rd: How long do we need to wait huh?! Gil?!

Gil: Shut up ****. I've been with her all this time and I can say that she's not ready yet. Her exp. and mana is still not enough!

5th: So, what do you suggest? Watch her until when? The enemies have been making moves.

Gil: She needs to know and remember her memories, if you don't remember, her magic is still sealed and she's cursed!

3rd: Tsk! That's why I told you to let's just tell her about us.

1st: We can't... We all know what will happen when we do that.

2nd: We can still wait... but not for long, Gil!

Gil: I know...