“May I ask what about His Majesty seems kind to you?”

“When we first met, he carried me in his arms because I had no shoes, didn’t he?”

Davian replied without a moment’s hesitation. He couldn’t forget the moment Shuher had held him.

However, the Shuher that Evenel had observed so far was a man far removed from being described as kind, no matter how she thought about it.

Even seeing him swing his sword mercilessly against enemies, she wondered why Davian would think so.

‘Ah, maybe it’s different if the other person is Davian.’

Aran often said, almost to the point of being annoying, how much he loved it when the male protagonist was only kind to the female protagonist. It seemed Davian also viewed Shuher favorably.

“To be honest, when I first heard various rumors about His Majesty, I thought he was very scary and cold, but now I feel relieved.”

As they resumed walking, Evenel, who had been listening to Davian’s story, thought about the other aspects Shuher had shown and reluctantly agreed.

“He does seem like a good emperor.”

Evenel couldn’t say Shuher was a good person to her, but as an emperor, she couldn’t deny he was a good man. He had achieved many things in a short time and had always stepped forward in dangerous moments.

At that moment, contemptuous words from the servants passing by reached their ears.

“Look at him, sticking to Davian now to save his life. How shameless.”

“Well, he’s struggling to survive, isn’t he?”

‘Is this what it feels like to receive real-time negative comments like a celebrity?’

Evenel found it amazing that there were so many different ways to insult someone. She caught Davian’s eye, who seemed uncomfortable having heard it all.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Because of me, you had to hear unnecessary things.”

“Pardon?”

“Haven’t you heard about me yet?”

Davian looked around nervously before shaking his head slightly.

“Actually, I overheard some customers at the restaurant where I worked talking about you, Lady Evenel. The maids in the palace later told me more details.”

Evenel felt relieved that she didn’t have to explain herself.

“It must be uncomfortable because I am from Aodin, right? I feel like people are friendlier to me because we share the same abilities.”

“Not at all. You saved me, and you’ve been kind.”

Although he was taken aback when he learned of her true identity later, the fact that Evenel had saved him from danger remained unchanged, and that weighed much heavier on his heart.

“Ah, by the way, when are you leaving, Lady Evenel?”

“Pardon?”
Evenel couldn’t comprehend the meaning or intent behind the words she had uttered. Why was she saying she would leave? Dabian, who had posed the question, was still looking at her with his clear, innocent eyes.

“Leaving? Me?”

“Isn’t it? That’s what I heard.”

“From whom?”

Naturally, she was curious about how he had come to hear such a thing.

“From the maids in the palace where I live. They said that now that I’m here, you will be leaving, Lady Evenel.”

“Ahh…”

Evenel instantly understood why Dabian had misunderstood. The maids must have spoken about her as if it were a matter of course.

One thing was certain; the talk of leaving did not mean she would leave the royal palace. She seemed to have kept that to herself for Dabian’s sake.

Unaware of her thoughts, Dabian spoke cheerfully.

“Just now, you seemed really friendly with the knights. It would be a shame to part ways after getting so close.”

“I suppose so…”

Evenel nodded with a contemplative expression. Yet she said nothing about when she would leave. Dabian appeared not to catch the significance of her silence and showed great resolve.

“I will work really hard in your stead, Lady Evenel. Everyone has been so kind; it makes me really happy. I want to repay them.”

“Everyone will be pleased to hear that.”

Seeing her genuine happiness, Evenel finally managed a smile. She felt reassured to see him adjusting well to the new environment.

‘He’s a very bright person.’

Looking at Dabian was like seeing a warm sun rise. Someone who made others feel good, who naturally drew smiles. She wondered if this was the power of the female protagonist.

As they walked and talked, they soon reached the palace where she was staying. Yet the palace courtyard was not just noisy but cluttered with many packages.

“What is all this?”

“Gifts have been arriving since this morning. Even I was surprised. They are from people I don’t even know.”

‘So they’re already making their moves.’

It seemed the nobles who recognized Dabian’s worth were beginning a gift campaign to sway him to their side as soon as possible.

Dabian looked somewhat uneasy.

“I don’t know what to do. They are all such valuable items.”

Things she had never seen in her life, all of great value. Just being in the royal palace and receiving these was already more than enough.
Evenel was certain she would never find herself in such a situation, but even if she did, she would have promptly refused. She knew the price of those gifts would have to be paid back later.