After taking a sip of tea, she frowned. She probably won't even think of bitterness for a while.
"You know, I've lost everything. Money, family, and fame. So I don't want to lose even one friend left."
"Eva. So..."
"Kirion. If the only way I can be by your side is through marriage... There is nothing sadder than that."
"..."
"I no longer want to be responsible for someone because of my marriage."
She shook her head slowly. Being a burden to someone, having to live with her eyes and ears closed, is a miserable thing that she doesn't want to experience again. It was even more impossible to make others give up on their dreams.
"My father collapsed when he heard that Kirion was going to be discharged. He said he was going to marry him soon. If that really happens, our family will really be doomed."
The cold voice of Kirion's older brother, the next Count Lebel, whom she had met a while ago, echoed in her ears. It was the first time she knew that even if she didn't shout or get angry, she could leave such a deep wound.
It's terrible that just being close to her can harm someone's life. Even losing a friend, which she thought was the only consolation left, didn't hurt more than that.
"Kirion, next time, I hope we can talk about the present instead of Addis. It would be even better if I heard how wonderful a navy you became by achieving your dream."
"Eva. My real dream is to be with you no matter what anyone says..."
"I don't love you."
"..."
In the end. Evangeline even said something she didn't want to say, and the strength was released from Kirion's hand. The wound in his blue eyes made Evangeline bite her teeth.
Every time she feels like shr can barely breathe, it's just hard that there is still work to endure. Slowly raising his head, Kirion's eyes were as empty as those when he had met his brother a moment earlier.
"Then what about the Duke of Theses? What was different about that man?"
"..."
Kirion, who had been holding back, hesitated only when he met Evangeline's lonely eyes. He got up belatedly, but Evangeline was already holding his clothes. There was only a limit to what could be said between friends who decided not to be bound by the past.
"However, I can't talk about my feelings that I don't know.
"You don't know."
After hesitating a few times, she smiled and picked up the bill.
"...Thank you so much for coming to my father that day, Captain."
***
Unlike many clubs in the bustling downtown area, the white marble clubhouse located in the center was relatively quiet. This does not mean that it is inferior to other places. Rather, the facilities, the scale, and the games and drinks that the gentlemen enjoyed were Incomparable to other clubs. Still, the reason why this place is so secluded is that it was a clubhouse exclusively for the Navy.
"Wow, this sticks to the palm of my hand."
Holding the pistol in front of the bullseye, Pylon admired the feel. He really liked the new facility while he was away.
"When did you have this again? It's a new pistol, so it looks like it's going to be ridiculously expensive!"
"..."
"Well. Your Excellency, the Duke of Theses, must have been very concerned."
Pylon looked back at Deccarno, who was holding a glass in the VIP room. Even if you are careless, everything in the clubhouse started with the support of the Duke of Theses. Those who are unaware of the situation know that the Duke, who once served in the navy, did so out of interest and affection for the military; however, that was not the case.
"After all, the scale is different. You make all these places for your own enjoyment."
"So, don't you like it?"
"No way."
Taang!
Pylon, who fired a pistol at the bullseye, giggled. There was a round hole near the forehead of a wooden human-shaped bullseye. It was a hit.
"It's good for each other. You can rest quietly alone in a club where no one can come and go, and we will put you on top of us and see how we do it."
"..."
"Are we going to have a match now? Let's win with 8 calibers. How about hitting the vital point?"
Pylon, who swirled the gun between his fingers, urged Deccarno. It is a bad taste of the rich to make fun of them like this, even if they have such facilities. He urged him to shoot quickly, but Deccarno was busy emptying his drinking glass.
"Well, if you get drunk like that, you won't be able to compete properly. I'm also in the Navy, but I have to have a fair play spirit."
Pylon clicked his tongue as he watched Deccarno light his cigar. It was also a talent to be able to be so dreary and anxious, even though he was just drinking quietly. If he had met him by chance outside, he might have avoided him 100 meters away.
"..."
Nevertheless, he seemed to know Deccarno's heart. The couple, who were revered by the whole social circle, broke up overnight. It was not a big deal in the physiology of a socialite driven by mutual interests, but he was a Theses.
It was Deccarno von Theses who never deviated from everyone's excessively high expectations. No one could have imagined that Deccarno would be embroiled in such a scandal.
Among them, the one who surprised the most was Pylon. It was definitely so.
"You saw her at a wedding."
Marriage, he said, marriage, it was definitely marriage.
It had been a while since he had heard that phrase from Deccarno that he never thought he would hear. But it broke up overnight. His breakup would not have been as surprising.
"...Why?"
"Nope. Nothing."
With a clear gaze staring at him through the glass, Pylon quickly raised his glass. Others would have comforted him, but that was also ridiculous to Theses.
'Who comforts whom now...'
Pylon tipped his share of wine and dispelled the absurd thought. Basically, comfort should be at least a hint of sadness or disappointment.
'Where are you looking at him?'
Deccarno, on the other hand, was not discouraged but was too strong. The eyes that looked at him right now were like hungry wolves.
While Pylon was hesitating whether to pour him the remaining drink, the entrance to the club was crowded. The sound of the officers' conversations, which were well excited by the anchorage, quickly filled the hall.
"Did you hear about that? They said that the woman met Kirion at the Hotel?"
"That woman?... Alas! That woman?"
"I heard that the two of them were always like that, and it is said that she broke up with the Duke because of Kirion from the beginning."
"...Anyway, those bastards."
Their stories slipped through the cracks in the open doors, and Pylon immediately made an impression. Even though they didn't know they existed, it was hard for them to listen anymore. The status of Evangeline, who was called "that woman" immediately, was reflected in their frivolous laughter.
"So what did you two talk about at the hotel?"
"I couldn't hear that because it was far away, but a lot of honey dripped from Kirion's eyes. He didn't just show her the ring, but she was in the mood to propose?"
"Really? I didn't see it that way, but it's so fast!"
"Anyway, she seemed to refuse for now, but how long will it last? It's a kite that has fallen off anyway, so anyone should catch it. Still, the Count of Lebel is a prestigious family in its own way..."
The secret muttering volce was filled with alcohol, and it gradually became difficult to understand. In the meantime, the topic turned to another gossip, but Pylon's expression was already unusual. He was about to discipline his spoiled subordinates right away, but unknowingly looked at Deccarno on the other side.
"..."
Did you really not hear it?
Deccarno was so calm that it made him doubt that it could ever be so. Before he knew it, he had emptied the last glass and stood up from his seat, and Pylon flinched.
"Oh...Trying? Yes. I thought it through!"
"..."
"We've been here for too long. I'll take care of them by revealing their affiliation, so we can go somewhere else... Deccarno! What are you doing?"
"Match."
Deccarno, who seemed to be going out first, grabbed his pistol from the table, and Pylon became contemplative. He thought he was going to shoot them, but he couldn't. Behind the loud laughter, Deccarno stood in front of the bull's-eye board with his pistol.
"Hey, stop it. If you don't have a mind and drink alcohol, is that possible?"
"Let's do it like the real thing. This is seasickness."
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