My Fiancé Keeps Sabotaging My Love Life - Chapter 12
Chapter 6.2
︵‿୨ ₊‧꒰ა ཐི༏ཋྀ ໒꒱ ˚₊ ୧‿︵
“Eternal glory to the Baltian Empire. It’s an honor to meet you, Duke and Duchess Valentino.”
Evelyn tried to keep her composure as she knelt and greeted them politely, but a small twitch betrayed her nerves. Even after being engaged to Axion for so long, facing his parents was always intimidating.
She looked up at the couple, both radiating an unmistakable air of authority.
Meeting an imprint partner was rare enough, but Axion’s parents were an even rarer case. They had always been close, and after their marks appeared, they married almost immediately. Compared to the original Axion, who had lived in pain all his life, his parents had been incredibly lucky.
When the Duchess’s eyes met hers, a bead of cold sweat slid down her forehead.
‘Did I do something wrong?’
She nervously wet her lips at the Duchess’s seemingly displeased expression. Then, the Duchess tilted her head, her voice calm but cutting.
“Lady Evelyn, if you’re not fond of our son, do let us know.”
The Duchess’s straightforwardness, not unlike her own mother’s, nearly made Evelyn bite her tongue in shock.
‘Does she know I want to break off the engagement…?’
She stole a quick glance at Axion, wondering if he had said something in advance, but his face had hardened. If he looked that rattled, there was no way he had told them.
‘Then why is she saying this…?’
Even though she had no idea why, Evelyn found herself answering without missing a beat as if she’d rehearsed this whole exchange.
“Of course not. Axion is the most eligible bachelor in the entire empire.”
She flashed her most harmless, cheerful smile.
The Duchess nodded slightly, her gaze growing serious before she turned to her son.
“Axion, I’m disappointed. Is this what you prepared as a gift?”
“Ahem, dear…”
As the mood suddenly turned heavy, the Duke tried to stop his wife. Evelyn was just starting to feel relieved by his presence, when—
“You stay out of this.”
“…As you wish.”
‘….?’
Evelyn’s eyes widened, startled at how quickly the Duke backed down without protest.
The Duchess shot her son a glance and shook her head.
“Honestly, how could you think of giving her a bracelet like that?”
Evelyn instinctively glanced at the ruby bracelet on her wrist.
‘What’s wrong with it?’
While she had always known the Duchess’s sense of style was exceptional, this felt like critiquing divine craftsmanship. But before she could dwell on it, Axion responded flatly.
“I suppose I wasn’t thinking it through, Mother.”
Evelyn, completely bewildered, tried to follow the exchange between the Valentinos but found herself sighing. Trying to make sense of their conversation felt nearly impossible.
As she stood awkwardly, the Duchess gave her a warm, subtle smile.
“I’ll invite you to the mansion soon, Lady Evelyn.”
“P-Pardon…?”
Caught off guard, Evelyn stumbled over her words. The Duchess covered her mouth with her fan and added.
“Consider it my way of making up for my inadequate son.”
She went on to say that she’d personally help her pick out some jewelry that suited her the next time she visited.
“There’s really no need…”
Evelyn, who was already happy with the ruby bracelet, tried to politely refuse. But when she saw how serious the Duchess looked, she couldn’t bring herself to argue.
“Don’t feel burdened. One day, all of this will be yours anyway, Lady Evelyn.”
‘Um, Duchess, that somehow sounds more frightening…’
Evelyn shot her fiancé a pleading look.
‘Hey. Don’t just stand there, say something!’
Noticing her distress, Axion gave a small nod and finally spoke up to his mother.
“You’re making her feel pressured.”
“….?”
Evelyn’s eyes widened, and she gave his hand a discreet pinch.
“If you say it like that, what am I supposed to do?”
Her lips were still curled in a smile, but her words came out nearly desperate. Axion, completely unfazed, continued.
“How about next time, we all meet when I’m there too?”
That seemed to please the Duchess, who smiled in satisfaction.
“Yes, you’re right. I hadn’t thought of that. It would be best for everyone to meet together.”
“Of course, Mother.”
Evelyn, unable to keep up with the conversation between the Valentinos, could only open and close her mouth helplessly.
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