Inside the room, Evalyn sat with a dazed expression. Her mind was still stuck on the conversation that had taken place earlier in the dining room.

"Did Nathan really manage to secure the Asbourne family’s inheritance? How is that even possible?" she asked herself, scratching her head.

Before this, she hadn’t been the least bit worried about it. After all, there had never been a single report of Nathan successfully obtaining that inheritance.

That was what had kept her calm and relaxed. But now, she could no longer hold onto that peace of mind.

Her position in the upcoming contest was already crystal clear—defeat.

"No, I can’t give up!" Evalyn gritted her teeth. "I’m not less talented than him—no, I’m far more gifted. How could I possibly lose?"

With that resolve, she immediately got off the bed and sat down on the carpet.

She crossed her legs, pressed her palms together, and closed her eyes.

"Focus... that’s what I have to do," she muttered.

Second after second passed, yet strangely, she felt nothing.

Frustration welled up inside her. She opened her eyes and slammed her fist against the floor.

"Damn it!" she growled. "Why... why can’t I feel it? Why can he, but I can’t?"

Her teeth clenched tightly once more. She was furious, but she didn’t know how to vent it.

In the end, all her frustration and disappointment spilled over into tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Sniff... sniff..."

She sobbed, collapsing backward, then covering her face with her arms.

How long had it been since she last cried?

Evalyn couldn’t remember. But one thing was certain—it had been a very long time. Maybe even since she was a child.

She was a gifted person. Failure? That wasn’t in her vocabulary.

But ever since her power’s growth had stagnated, she had begun to feel restless.

Although Nolan had eventually helped her, the issue of the inheritance was far more complicated.

It was something only she could resolve herself.

Yet she had absolutely no idea what to do.

She had tried every possible approach, but all of them ended in failure.

As she drowned in sorrow, a knock suddenly came from outside.

Knock!

"Are you in there? I brought you some food."

The voice belonged to none other than Nolan.

Evalyn was startled and quickly sat up, wiping away her tears.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in her heart, then replied coldly, "No need. Go back. I want to be alone."

Outside, Nolan stood holding a tray filled with soup and a hearty meal. Since Evalyn hadn’t finished eating earlier, he had brought her something else from the kitchen.

When he heard her reply, Nolan smiled and knocked again.

Knock!

"Are you sure? Your voice sounds hoarse. Don’t tell me you’ve been crying."

There was no answer from inside, as if Evalyn were deliberately ignoring him.

Nolan didn’t give up. He knocked again and teased, "So it really is true. A future hero is crying. That’s honestly funny to imagine."

Crack!

A sharp cracking sound came from inside. But Nolan didn’t care at all and continued teasing.

"I bet people would laugh if they found out—especially the young nobles who have a crush on you. Just imagine it... Evalyn, who’s always so strong and proud, turns out to be a crybaby. Isn’t that hilarious?"

Right after he said that, footsteps could be heard from inside, and the door suddenly swung open with force.

Evalyn appeared in a disheveled state. Her eyes were sharp, but her face was pale, and tear streaks were still visible on both her cheeks.

Nolan wasn’t the least bit intimidated. He simply walked past her and stepped into the room.

"Eat first. Crying takes energy, and eating is the only way to replenish it," Nolan said as he placed the tray on the nightstand.

Evalyn furrowed her brows. She wanted to get angry, but she realized she couldn’t.

In the end, she could only sigh and mutter, "You’re just as annoying as you’ve always been."

Over the past few days, Nolan had changed significantly.

That had made Evalyn start to see him differently. But it turned out she was wrong—this guy was still just as irritating as ever.

"I am annoying. Even my father admits it," Nolan replied casually.

He sat down in Evalyn’s study chair and crossed his legs.

"You didn’t finish your meal earlier. Uncle Luke looked really worried, but he didn’t want to bother you. He was afraid it would only stress you out more."

Evalyn pursed her lips but said nothing.

She walked over to her bed, sat on the edge, and began eating.

As it turned out, she was actually quite hungry, since she hadn’t eaten much earlier.

Watching her eat, Nolan smiled faintly. No one understood Evalyn better than he did.

She was strong on the outside but gentle on the inside. That was why Nolan would never be fooled by her seemingly calm and composed demeanor.

"So, tell me—what’s got you so upset? Could it be because your father remarried?" Nolan asked curiously.

He hadn’t heard a single word about Luke’s remarriage—not even from his mother or Elina.

There was only one possibility: Luke had deliberately kept it hidden from everyone outside the family.

As for his reasons, even Nolan didn’t have a clear answer yet.

Evalyn took a bite of chicken thigh and chewed slowly.

"It’s not that," she replied curtly.

Nolan’s eyebrows rose slightly. "Then... is it related to the inheritance Nathan Asbourne received?"

Evalyn fell silent, but that alone was enough of an answer for Nolan.

"So that’s it... I see..." Nolan nodded slowly, then smiled. "You’re afraid of losing to him, aren’t you?"

The question felt like a thorn stabbing into her heart. Evalyn wanted to snap at him, but the words caught in her throat.

What right did she have to be angry?

After all, Nolan was right.

She was afraid—afraid of losing to Nathan in the upcoming contest and afraid of bringing shame upon the Lionheart family.

But she couldn’t admit it. Her pride wouldn’t allow her to.

In the end, she simply lowered her head and continued eating.

Her silence didn’t make Nolan angry. He continued speaking casually, while Evalyn only nodded now and then, giving half-hearted replies.

She was in a terrible mood, and she was too tired to talk to anyone, even Nolan.

But then Nolan said something that made Evalyn freeze.

"What if I could help you claim the inheritance left behind by your ancestor? Would you believe me?"

Evalyn looked up and met his calm purple eyes.

"Huh?"