"When we arrive at Grigos, let me do the talking"
Evangeline looks away from the carriage window and glances at Clover "It's adorable that you think I will stand next to you like a puppet"
He raises an eyebrow "Oh believe me, Princess, I am well aware that you're no puppet"
"Exactly. So do not expect me to look like one"
His jaw clenches "All I'm asking is that you let me handle things with the Duke, I've known him since I was a little boy and I do not want you to…scare him"
She rolls her eyes so far back in her head, she feared it will stay so "If he's a good enough Duke then little old me won't be able to scare him"
She has a point. He presses his tongue into the inside of his cheek "Listen….about the other night-"
"Forgotten"
He slams his mouth shut as she cuts him off and judging by her tone she clearly has not forgotten but he refrains from pushing her too far. They are in a carriage after all, she might just slap him for annoying her. He's joking obviously.
A little.
The carriage comes to a stop and he's the first to climb out, holding a hand out for her which she declines in order to hold her gown. He noticed that she's always wearing soft colour gowns that covers her arms and legs. Today it's a light purple one.
"Prince Clover" He turns at the sound of his name to find one of the guards, bowing down before glancing at Evangeline and his eyes widen "Princess Evangeline"
She tilts her head slightly "What? No bow for me?"
"Of course!" he immediately bows and Clover clenching his jaw to keep a scoff from escaping. Leave it to his own people to make Evangeline feel superior to him, not that she was complaining. "The Duke asked me to assign you to where you'll be staying for the night."
They share a glance and Clover asks "When will the Duke be joining us?"
"Tonight at dinner, Your Highness"
That didn't satisfy either of them but all they did was nod before following the guard inside the castle, Evangeline was not one to judge but she couldn't help but notice how run down the castle seemed to be. When they stopped at a door, the guard said "This is it."
"Is this my one?" she asks
The guard blinks "Both of you"
Clover makes a low choked sound but before he can say anything, Evangeline says "We are not yet married so we are not allowed to share a bed."
The guard's cheek heats up with embarrassment "Right, of course. Uhhh…very well then. Princess, you may take this one then. Prince Clover, I'll show you to where you'll be staying"
Clover nods "Lead the way then"
He glances at her one last time as she walks into the bedchamber before following the guard, when they reach another bedchamber which happens to be two doors down from Evangeline's. He then turns to the guard "I didn't catch your name"
"It's Dexter, Your Highness"
Clover nods in acknowledgement "Tell me, Dexter. What has Duke Oscar been up to these days?"
Dexter tenses and Clover notes how he's trying to make himself relax "He's just been here in the castle."
Clover hums as he watches Dexter closely "Doing what exactly? Because he must be very lonely up here. No wife or kids."
"He's all good" Dexter says defensively
Clover raises an eyebrow before nodding "Very well then. I'll see him at dinner."
Dexter bows before walking out, closing the door behind him and Clover looks around noting how bare the chamber looks. No paintings, no candles, it seems like a castle that has been abandoned for months, if not years.
Prince Clover is sitting at the head of the table with Evangeline sitting on his left and at the far end of the table sitting at the other head of the table is Duke Oscar. Evangeline was expecting an old man with grey hair and she was pleasantly surprised when she saw him looking not much older than her father. Or Clover's father. They have spent the last fifteen minutes with small talk and Clover and him catching up but now she felt it was time to get to the reason why they're here. She glances at Clover who seems to be having a good time eating his food and she kicks him under the table, he grunts softly as his eyes dart to her. She nods her head discreetly to Oscar and he immediately gets her message. He takes a sip of his wine before leaning back in his chair "Duke Oscar, your people are worried about you."
He waves his hand dismissively "I am quite alright, Prince Clover, one would say I just needed time for myself"
Clover nods in understanding but Evangeline says "Well one would also say there's always a reason why you would need time for yourself."
Oscar's lips tips up in a smirk and he points his fork in her direction "I knew I would like you. A princess who's not meek and does not let anyone walk over her? A rare thing truly." his eyes trails over her which makes Clover's grip on his wine glass tightens "A goddess too"
Clover knew Evangeline was stunning and he meant it when he said she is the type of woman that men would fight for. Clover doesn't want to actually go to war for her though so he forces his voice to be even "I am a very lucky man indeed"
Oscar nods in agreement while Evangeline doesn't even glance in his direction, she knew he was just baiting Oscar and she had no intention of entertaining either men with their pissing contest so she asks "You have never been married before?"
"Never" the duke confirms. "The ladies here in Grigos don't stand out to me. Which is a shame, considering I'm not getting any younger"
Evangeline found it ironic that the Duke of a kingdom known for bringing lovers together has never been married.
"You need an heir" Clover states the obvious to which Oscar nods "Is that why you have been locked up in here? Isolating yourself?"
Oscar gives him a pointed look "I wouldn't say isolating myself, merely trying to find a solution to my problem."
Evangeline glances around the dining hall and it seems so dull, lacking the warmth of a woman and the silence in the castle is a little uncomfortable considering he doesn't have that much staff, because it's just him living here. She turns back to Oscar "You need a wife"
Clover chokes on his wine at her blunt words but Oscar merely smirks "If it were that simple then I would have had a wife already, Princess"
When Clover recovers from his choking, he says "I could ask my father to arrange you a marriage with a lady in Harmpton"
"No" Evangeline says which makes Clover's eyes snap to her and she leans closer to him to whisper "Your father sent us to handle this, he won't be happy if we head back looking for a solution from him. We are here right now, might as well take care of it"
He didn't quite understand where she was going with this but before he can question her further, Oscar says "Gossiping about me right in front of me is quite rude"
Evangeline smiles tightly "My apologies, I was just discussing with my fiancé a solution to your problem"
Clover's eyes narrow on her and Oscar raises an eyebrow as he glances between the two of them "And do you have a solution?"
"Daisy Wilton" she says matter-of-factly.
Clover's eyebrows furrow in confusion and Oscar leans forward in his seat "And who might she be, Princess?"
"Daisy is my cousin, she is unmarried and she is an only child which means she'll inherit all her parents assests when they pass. Her parents happen to be looking for a husband for her too."
Clover tried to rake his mind to find anything regarding Daisy but he cones up blank, he must admit that he hasn't exactly done research on his fiancée's family. Only her.
Oscar stares at her for a moment and she holds his gaze, refusing to back down. He lets out soft laugh at her stubbornness "I feel like there's a catch. A woman inheriting all her parents assests? Men would have to be lining up for her. Why aren't they?"
She grits her teeth in frustration, she knew this was coming and she can't exactly back out now. She clears her throat before glancing at Clover who seems to be waiting for her answer too "Well she happens to be deaf" The silence that follows is tense and uncomfortable so Evangeline tries to fill it "She wasn't exactly born with it but when she was kid, the enemies boomed their castle and that messed up her ear drums. Really bad."
The light bulb goes off in Clover's head at the story, he does remember that story, the bomb killed three boys. Possibly Daisy's brothers? His eyes dart to Evangeline who's biting the inside of her cheek as she waits for Oscar's response. Clover had no idea that was her cousins.
Oscar rubs his beard "How old is she?"
"She will be twenty five at the end of year"
Oscar lets out a low whistle "Almost twenty five and she's never been married? She's a spinster"
Evangeline tenses, immediately going into protective mode "Technically so are you, considering that you're pushing forty and I would have you know that Daisy is an amazing woman who would turn your darkness to light."
Clover has a horrified look on his face at her words and he speaks up "Princess, you can't force-"
"I'll do it"
Clover's head whips around to look at Oscar so fast he almost gets whiplash and Evangeline blinks about a thousand times "You will?"
He nods "I have a feeling you don't get protective over a lot of people. So if you can vouch for her then I know she'll do good."
"She will," Evangeline agrees.
"Woah, slow down" Clover holds his hands up which makes them look at him "Who is to say she will agree to this?"
Evangeline shrugs "I'll speak to her."
She hopes that Daisy will agree to the marriage with Oscar, sure he's older than her and seems a bit cocky but he also seems like a good guy. If Daisy does agree then they will have to discuss it with King Henry and only when he gives his approval can they then get married. And Evangeline would rather have her cousin marry someone close to Harmpton where she'll be. And if Daisy is married to the Duke of Grigos then maybe her father will be satisfied and won't need to take Harmpton's throne.
Oscar nods at Clover "I never would of thought that you would inherit your mother's eyes"
He didn't. Queen Charlotte has honey brown eyes and King Henry ocean blue, he hadn't inherited any of their eye colour. Evangeline frowns and glances at Clover who scoffs a laugh "Alright, you had way too much to drink. It's time for you to go to bed"
Oscar laughs but he stands up nontheless "Goodnight, you love birds." he starts walking out of the dining hall and says over his shoulder "There is said to be a storm tonight so I'll have the servants bring you guys extra blankets"
Oh no no no, she hated storms. And it's her absolute nightmare being in an unfamiliar palace with a storm happening outside.
Don't panic. She tells herself.
It'll be okay