Chapter 255

Evan D. Sherden, Becomes the Knight Commander. (5)

"Burned? These clothes?"

"No way, this world isn't a game, but a destroyed outfit is restored again... No, even the folds and tentacles of your clothes are identical!"

"Oh, Master Evan recognizes the excellence of my work!"

As Evan was dazed by the octopus clothes Matthew wore, a woman in a party dress appeared next to Matthew.

"I'm Ottpah, representing the Ottpah Boutique!"

Evan thought that he'd seen her somewhere; she was the designer who made the cursed octopus clothes! He was surprised that she was recognized enough to attend the king's party, but Evan had only one thing to say to her.

"Why did you make that again?"

"Again? Oh, I remember. Master bought a prototype of this suit a few years ago! After that, I came up with a design that was completed not too long ago. What do you think? It's cool, isn't it?"

"That was a prototype?"

'Cool? Don't be ridiculous, the clothes are a disaster. Are they enhanced this time?'

When Evan was shocked and could not point out anything, Matthew smiled and posed nicely. The sleeves, resembling octopus legs, were fixed into position by the drooping arms.

"I know that the main character of this party is Evan. But today, I'll be everyone's center of attention, not you!"

"I'm sure."

However, the attention he would receive was likely to be quite different from what he expected!

Evan seriously contemplated whether he should leave immediately, but Serena, who was holding onto Evan's sleeve, looked back at Evan with her glistening eyes.

"So, we can meet the Kraken now, Oppa?"

"You're really happy..."

"Serena, I was too busy to talk to you the other day."

Matthew left Evan in his bewilderment and turned to Serena.

Even though the gaze was wrapped in her dress for a moment, it moved up to Serena's chest soon enough, which still boasted great dignity, but Evan understood it. The eyes must have been instinctively directed. It was the unfortunate instinct of every man.

"I don't know how many years it's been. You grew up so pretty. You've become an adult woman now."

"Long time no see, little bear! Those clothes don't suit you!"

"..."

"How come you insisted on me wearing it then?"

"Hey, hey, hey, hey."

When the both returned to their casual back and forth, Evan pinched Serena's cheek, leaving Matthew confused. Serena looked like she felt hurt yet strangely happy at the same time.

"You can't just pull off an outfit like that! Not even little bear, but Evan is definitely a good match."

"No one can pull off that. Instead, the Kraken will take care of the entire man in this suit."

"Evan... this is a place where the family members are taking part in. You are being impolite by intervening between us relatives. Can't you leave us be for some time?"

Matthew said such a thing with an uncomfortable look on his face as they went back to talking about the Kraken. He didn't understand their conversation about the 'Kraken', but he couldn't stand it when there was a topic that only the two knew.

"Sorry if I appear out of my place, Matthew."

Evan, who was surprised by Matthew's request, soon realized something. He realized that if he had been Matthew, he would have approached Serena too, of course.

'In the Silk Line, they can marry cousins.'

Moreover, Matthew and Serena were of the same royal family. Marriage between relatives in the name of thickening royal blood was prevalent in the Silk Line.

In doing so, Matthew could stake a claim to the throne, or else he could consolidate his power and solidify the throne. However...

"Family? ...Catching up?"

Before Evan could say anything, Serena replied with her head tilted.

"I don't think I've talked much with my little bear brother...Do you like worms, little bear?"

"...Worms? I don't think so."

"Well, I don't like you then, little bear."

"Isn't the standard of judgment a little too much, Serena?"

Evan tackled Serena and looked at Matthew with pity.

His presence was non-existent, but Matthew must have also attended yesterday's dinner. Then he must've seen how the king treated Evan.

Ottpah stepped up next to Matthew, who looked puzzled by Serena's riddle. She opened her mouth to save Matthew from losing more face.

"Congratulations on your engagement to the Pellati noble. But I thought if you were engaged, Her Royal Highness would come first! Why such a difference in the timing?"

"It's not about the timing. It's about Serena and me..."

"What? Who's engaged to whom?"

"Our relationship is still developing. But I'll have good news soon, so look forward to it."

Evan's answer was astonishing and in defiance of Matthew's words. Ottpah cheered wildly.

"I am also from the Silk Line, and I am rooting for you. I'll be looking forward to the good news!"

"Yes, I'll try hard, too."

Serena felt pleased with Ottpah's response; it wasn't every day someone supported her in her quest for Evan's hand, certainly not the people of the dungeon city of Sherden.

"The engagement ceremony was between him and Arisha, but I'm sure I'll make Evan mi—"

After inadvertently speaking as passionately as she used to, she realized Evan's embarrassment and became quiet behind her blushing cheeks.

It was very cute to see her avoiding Evan's gaze, with the bashful face she wore.

"I'm sorry, Oppa."

"No, it's fine."

"Oh my, you two look great."

"Hmm? Hmm? Huh? Huh?"

Matthew looked completely clueless because he couldn't understand the chemistry between Serena and Evan.

"No, I know he's already engaged to the Mana Road's noble, but how can he possibly...?"

It was then... There was a man who appeared with his hands tapping the shoulders of the confused Matthew. It was none other than Damien L. Silk Line, the first son of the king.

"Damian..."

"You forgot 'Your Highness', Matthew?"

"I'll get going."

Damian spoke in a humorous and light tone, but the weight of his hand on Matthew's shoulder was not so light.

At this point, Ottpah realized it's best to let Matthew be.

"Damian."

"Your Highness."

"Great. Oh, it's been a while, Evan."

Damian looked toward Evan, taking his hand off of Matthew's shoulder to see if he was satisfied with it.

Evan felt somewhat relieved with Damian's intrusion in the conversation.

"Long time no see, Your Highness."

"Long time no see, brother. You used to be handsome before, but now your face is just indescribable. It's just too much; my eyes, oh my eyes...!"

"It's a gift from my mother and father."

Damian amused himself by teasing Evan. Evan smiled, but Serena stepped in with her head tilted.

"Isn't the Chimpanzee's genes a minus, Oppa?"

"No, don't you see these brilliant purple eyes?"

"Yeah, yeah. It's a miracle you inherited the best part and left the rest."

He had a great manly style, just like his father. Of course, Evan had no complaints with his face, but sometimes he envied the wild charisma and charm of his father or older brother.

"I was worried that you had an engagement with the Pellati aristocrat without engaging Serena first, but now I see you two are not at odds."

"We've been together for years. And Evan's not your brother-in-law yet, Your Highness."

"He's going to be my brother-in-law eventually. Consider me, your brother, Evan."

The prince left no stone unturned into cementing the future family bond. Where the king would conspicuously mention Evan and Serena's intended marriage, the other family members would covertly implant the idea. The whole family had a conspiracy against Evan!

"You know why my father called you two first today, right? Please make yourself home. And if there's anything you want, just tell me. I'm confident that I'll listen to everything."

"Uggh... and you too!"

"Uh!?"

It was then. Seeing Prince Damian follow the same line of conversation as Duke Sorde had the day before, Serena eventually exploded and slapped him on the back.

"When my relationship with Evan is ready, I'll get engaged on my own!"

"Ah! Ow! Ow! It hurts!"

Damian, who was about to receive a few slaps, was stunned by the damage that broke through his defense, which he had trained hard.

"You're a tamer! But you have such a strong hand!"

"If you train hard and level up steadily in the dungeon, anyone will grow strong, Your Highness."

"Yes. I thought that when the Sherden Dungeon opens, I should level up at Sherden. Your hit has made my decision certain... It hurts, little sister. I said it hurts!"

"Rey, people are watching!"

Serena, who barely stepped down from Damian due to Evan's dissuasion, grabbed Evan's sleeve and spoke up.

"For real... Evan may get distanced from me if everyone just keeps interrupting between us..."

"You don't have to worry so much, Serena. Didn't I give you that much faith?"

"It's not that I don't trust you, Evan, it's because other people keep making a fuss about us..." Serena said so and pursed her lips, and then she looked at Evan with a worried expression on her face.

It was only after Evan saw it that he could see to some extent why Serena behaved like this. She was just anxious that Evan would end up hating her.

Now? Evan thought so, but if he traces back to the time when her behavior became strange, Evan had gotten a rough idea.

"My brother-in-law is a big sinner. You have completely taken my sister's heart away."

"No, Rey wasn't like this before... I'll do well to keep her happy from now on."

"Okay, now that I've heard the answer, I'll be happy to leave you today. There seems to be more hope than His Majesty and I thought."

Like Evan, Damian, who had a rough sense of what was happening, nodded with a bitter smile and slipped back.

He didn't forget to catch Matthew, who was dazed by the scene in front of his eyes.

"Matthew, don't be tactless. Follow me."

"No, no, no. Uh-huh..."

The man in the red devil's clothing disappeared from Evan's sight. Evan took his eyes off his back and looked at Serena, who was still blushing.

"Since when has my princess been so cute?"

"Wow, I was always cute..."

"You are, but..."

"Hehe."

Serena was shy yet expressed her feelings by holding onto Evan's sleeves. It was a bad habit that Belois hated.

"Rey, there's no way I'm going to hate you, so you can do whatever you want."

"Actually, I don't really think Oppa would hate me for this, either."

"Then why haven't you been feeling good lately?"

"That's... a secret."

Serena said so and turned her head away. But Evan's sleeve was still tight. Evan was suddenly reminded of how hard it was to be able to understand women.

"Okay, then let's talk about it later."

"Huh? No, you have to act like a man here. You're a fool."

"No, I knew you'd react like that. Moreover, something more important has happened."

"Is it more important than our future?"

"Yes. At least for now."

Evan took the Battle Bead out of his arms and shouted, holding it in his hand. The gaze was stuck in the distant sea, in an impure bubbly horizon.

"Everyone, get ready for battle! Here comes the Kraken! I can already see it over there!"

The Bad Ending of the Ocean Party in Yo-Ma Great War Series was becoming a reality!