Shooting had always been noisy, so moments like these, when he could be alone and quiet, were necessary. Whether he had gotten used to the weather in Karies or not, he didn’t feel cold.

Rather, he felt a slight chill and it lifted his spirits.

Just then, he heard footsteps approaching where she was. The surroundings were so quiet that the sound was especially clear.

‘What could it be at this time?’

Evenel instinctively reached for her waist, but there was no gun to be had.

“Who is it?”

No answer came back. The footsteps simply got closer to where she was.

‘Are they targeting me?’

Getting up, she prepared to hurl the ice pack she was holding as a last resort. She would throw it with all her might the moment the unidentified figure came into view.

Had it not been for the voice that followed.

“What are you doing there?”

At the familiar voice, Evenel stopped all movement. It was none other than Shuher. He walked over to her, then glanced at what she was holding.

Noticing his gaze, Evenel awkwardly hid the ice pack behind her back.

“I was startled, that’s all.”

“Seems like I should have been the one startled, seeing you with that thing at this hour.”

“Well, you could have answered when I asked who it was.”

“Why should I? It’s not like you’re in a place I couldn’t be.”

Shuher had a point; she had no argument there. This was his palace, and strictly speaking, she was the intruder.

“I guess I shot myself in the foot. But what brings you here? At this hour, no less.”

“I’ve often come here anyway.”

“Oh, did you come to catch a breeze like me?”

He didn’t answer, but this space was indeed a retreat for people to take a breather, as she said. He was just as surprised to find Evenel here.

I didn’t expect to run into her here.

“Then, Your Majesty, please take a seat. The weather is just too good.”

Saying so, Evenel sat back down where she had been sitting. His brows raised at how she spoke as though this was her own space, but he sat down a distance away from her nonetheless.

“It seems I only meet you at times like this, not during the day.”

He agreed, but then glanced at the mysterious object she had been holding.

“So what is that?”

“It’s an ice pack. I was doing some heat therapy. My hand felt a bit stiff.”

“Is it because of today’s events?”
“Since coming to Karies, I’ve been pushing myself too hard. But I really enjoyed training with you today.”

Shuher recalled the words he had shouted angrily to the 1st Knight Division earlier as he watched Evenel smile faintly, seemingly reminiscing about the day.

“Do not dismiss others’ efforts, don’t speak without understanding, and then…”

“Stop, stop. Why are you bringing that up now?”

Realizing that he was quoting his earlier words to the 1st Knight Division, Evenel urgently cut him off before he could say more. It was incredibly embarrassing to hear those words again while they were alone.

“Why did you take the initiative for the knight division? Is that really the only reason? Not wanting to be a coward?”

“If it is, then?”

Shuher turned his head to face her directly. Staring into his deep, impenetrable black eyes, Evenel felt as if her entire body was being restrained.

Eventually, she spoke, her face saying she had lost to the compelling gaze that seemed to urge her to tell the truth.

“You’ve got me. While that’s a reason, strictly speaking, it was also for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“The words you just said, in fact, were what I wanted to say to people. Please just see me as Evenel.”

Only then did Shuher fully grasp the different meaning of her desperate words.

“I have no plans to foolishly cling to what can’t be changed. But I would like you to know this one thing, someday. I may be a person from Aodin, but I have not done anything shameful. I may be from Aodin… but I am not a criminal.”

The moment their differently colored eyes met, he held his breath for an instant. Her calm, luminous eyes even seemed resilient.

“Let’s put that discussion aside for now. When will you give me a new gun? Demil said I could use a spare one.”

Since her gun broke, and there was no news from him, she thought she might as well get an answer now.

“You don’t have to give me a good one.”

“Who said anything about giving you a good one?”

“Ah, really. Then please prepare something soon. I’ll accept whatever you give me without complaining. If I don’t shoot for even a day, it’s like having thorns in my mouth.”

As Evenel stared expectantly for a response, Shuher suddenly stood up.

“I’ll think about it.”

“No, you have to give me a definite answer. Or I’ll just get one from Demil, okay?”
She followed him, demanding strongly, but received no answer. Before they knew it, the two had entered the palace and naturally began ascending a dim staircase.

Between the few lights illuminating the corridor and staircase, the only sounds were their footsteps.

“Every time I pass through here, I can’t help but feel like a ghost might appear. Don’t you think?”

“A ghost?”

“Yes. The atmosphere is such that it wouldn’t be strange if something popped out.”

Shuher couldn’t understand her seemingly frightened demeanor. Hadn’t she recently faced numerous monsters and even fallen off a cliff?

“You’re not scared of monsters, but ghosts frighten you?”

“What’s invisible is naturally scarier.”

“Then you could just call a maid to bring some ice. No need for me to come out.”

“Everyone would be sleeping; how could I call them?”

Just then, an eerie, indeterminate noise reached their ears, and Evenel instinctively clung to his clothes.

“Did you hear that?”

“It’s just the wind.”

Despite Shuher’s explanation, she continually looked around, as if to make sure. His gaze shifted to her hand, tightly gripping his clothes.

At that moment, unintentionally close, their eyes met.