Evelyn's Quarters -
"You'll have to take my last name by morning…"
"What?!" Evelyn shrieked, jolting upright in her bed.
Her pillow launched across the room. Her sheets were a twisted mess. Her face—redder than the royal carpets.
She clutched her chest, her heart beating rapidly. "That stupid dream—!"
Evelyn groaned, flopping backward into her pillowless bed, then immediately groaned louder at the empty space.
"Why am I dreaming about him?! Yesterday I couldn't recognize him... that he was the same young man that helped me out at the ball. Well I guess it was a given since he had a mask on but I never imagined that I would be able to meet my mysterious saviour ever again..."
"Urgh!!! Iciest water...yeah that's what I need! Lily! Bring me the coldest the iciest water you can find in this mansion!!!"
"What's wrong my lady?"
Evelyn scrubbed her face with the iciest water the Manor had and dragged herself downstairs expecting the usual talkative breakfast table but stepped into dead silence.
"…Good morning?" Evelyn offered, forcing a smile.
Nothing.
Not even a twitch.
Are they fighting? she thought. Did Mother put too much sugar in his tea again? Or maybe father complemented the empress again? I mean they used to be quite close when they were younger and practically engaged...that topic always starts something!"
She slid cautiously into her chair. "Soo… lovely weather we're having?"
Just as Evelyn was about to ask what was going on, the butler entered, crisp and silent as ever. "Pardon the interruption, my lord, my lady… but this letter arrived. It is addressed to Lady Evelyn."
That got everyone's attention.
Evelyn blinked. "For me?"
"Royal Crest....?" Evelyn muttered.
Evelyn opened the letter and to her surprise the crown prince had invited her to the palace. Evelyn didn't want to go but she wanted to find out the reason behind his threat to marry him, and this was the perfect opportunity to do so.
"What should I do?" Evelyn kept staring at the letter for a while.
"What does it say?" Her mother asked calmly.
Her father also looked eager to know its content.
"The Crown Prince....has invited me to the royal palace....it seems..." Evelyn said in hesitation.
"What? You are not going!" Her father announced without a pause.
"I don't understand? Mother...Father.. Didn't you both considered getting me married to him? Now what's with this sudden change?"
"Well..."
"I think I should go. You both know how bad it will be for the reputation of our dukedom? It sounds more of a command rather than a request."
"It's not like I want to go there, but if I don't I don't know what horrible things he may do...for just once I will lower my head your highness..."
"Evelyn...." Evelyn's father couldn't say a word.
"Sigh....fine. Just be careful." Her mother replied.
"Then, please excuse me. I will go and start the preparation." with that Evelyn zoomed out.
"Dear! What are you thinking!?"
"Calm down. Its the first time our daughter has actually thought of something like that! Don't you think there is a reason for that? Maybe she is finally mature or something else is going on here." Catherine replied calmly sipping on tea.
"That's....you are right. Maybe we should observe for now?"
"Hmm.The Crown Prince probably won't be able to do much for now because he us also aware of the fact that we hold the most power after the imperial family so he will definitely not make a rash decision"
Evelyn dressed simply. No extravagant jewels. No elaborate gowns. Just a plain but elegant dress suitable for a noble lady visiting the palace. After all, she was walking into danger, she refused to decorate herself for it.
The royal palace loomed ahead as her carriage rolled through the gates.
The moment she stepped out, Evelyn felt it. She was being watched. The guards bowed but not to low. Still Evelyn decided to move ahead with her head held high.
"Greetings, Your Highness." She bowed elegantly when she reached the Crown Prince.
"My lady!" he exclaimed with exaggerated delight.
Before she could react, he dropped to one knee and lifted her hand.
"I was so excited to meet you that I couldn't wait another moment."
He pressed a kiss to the top of her hand.
Evelyn's stomach churned with disgust.
But her smile remained flawless.
"Your Highness is too kind."
"Shall we have tea?" he said brightly. "I've been waiting for this."
They sat together. The conversation that followed was exhausting.It was a meaningless conversation only one sided from the crown prince as he kept pushing his feelings onto Evelyn and his desire to marry her. But Evelyn as the flower of high society managed to smoothly dodge all of his attacks. But what she didn't expect was the fact that the crown prince would do something so unspeakable. Evelyn felt dizzy and clearly something was off about it.