The Nymph Wants to be Plundered - Chapter 33
“No, I absolutely didn’t mean it in a disappointing way. I wasn’t thinking about anything else…”
Evelyn’s face flushed crimson in an instant, her tone growing stiffly polite. Seemingly amused, he willingly stopped his teasing.
“Shall we head back?”
“Yes.”
Before long, the two retraced their steps toward the Hall of Glory. Unbeknownst to them, Nike, who had only pretended to leave, had been watching from a distance, hidden. Her fingers brushed against the stone wall as her eyes gleamed with more than just interest—they burned with exhilaration.
Once escorted back to her chambers, Evelyn, afraid of being alone, immediately opened the book given to her by the elven maid.
Suddenly, his words came back to her.
“Do you remember the elven attendants I sent to you?”
“Ah…! So they were maids?”
“They are Phivi and Mel. And do you recall the knight who threw himself before us the other day?”
“Yes.”
“His name is Iyel. Like me, he was once a knight. And lastly, a knight named Laocon comes and goes from the hall where we reside. Remember all four names. If anyone else tries to enter these chambers, refuse them. Don’t even let them follow you inside.”
As if he were standing before her, she whispered softly,
“Yes, yes…”
There was nothing more terrifying than the thought of earning his disdain—or worse, his fading interest.
When she finally opened the book, she was relieved to find it written in Helian, the imperial language she knew. Though Devran was an old kingdom with its own tongue, the influential imperial language was widely used.
The book’s contents were far from simple. It primarily covered the origins and history of Jupiter, and what fascinated her most was that the throne was not strictly determined by bloodline alone. Though elves valued lineage, they never forgot what was truly precious.
Before she knew it, her fingers were flipping through the pages in search of someone.
‘Lord Cassis… There!’
Perhaps because he was the current king, Cassis’ section was disappointingly brief, with far too much blank space. The sparse details mentioned only that he had been granted the throne by the previous monarch, that he had risen from a knight of the scorned “Crowberry Tree” to become a Guardian of the World Tree—a miracle—and that, as the first Guardian to appear in ages, even the elders revered him.
She had never even heard of the Crowberry Tree before. It wasn’t among the gardens, nor had it ever been mentioned. Yet now, the unfamiliar name surged through her like a crashing wave, soaking her heart without warning.
He’s incredible.
Her chest swelled with an inexplicable warmth—not some twisted pride in Cassis receiving praise, as if it reflected on her by proxy.
‘I just… like him. Even if it has nothing to do with me.’
Blinking rapidly, she turned back to the first page and began rereading the thin volume carefully. Lost in its words, she barely registered her own hunger—until something flickered at the edge of her vision.
Lord Cassis has returned!
Her head jerked up eagerly.
“You’re back—? Oh…”
The gaze that met hers was icy, unfamiliar. Not Cassis.
Who was it again? One of the names he had mentioned—Phivi or Mel, one of the elven maids. At least she hadn’t blurted out Cassis’ name in her excitement. Flustered, she masked her misplaced joy with a stiff smile and a polite greeting.
“Hello.”
“……”
“My name is Evelyn. About the book you gave me—”
“I didn’t bring it. Must’ve been Mel.”
The maid’s tone was frosty as she set down the tray with a thud, but Evelyn refused to be discouraged.
Cassis had said only four elves could enter this bedroom freely—his sleeping quarters. That meant she’d be seeing them often. Even if this one disliked her, Evelyn had to establish some rapport, if only to avoid embarrassing Cassis, who had brought her here.
It wasn’t this maid’s concern why a weary stranger was staying in the king’s chambers.
Not that she’d care.
Though Evelyn had lived in a rural village, she’d sharpened her wits enough to navigate this. She wasn’t a complete fool. At least she’d confirmed the maid’s name was Phivi.
“Still…! You’ve looked after me, and I won’t forget that kindness.”
“I only followed orders. You mean nothing to me.”
“Thank you, Lady Phivi.”
“Annoying.”
