"My lady!" the maid hesitated as she did not know how to break the news to her mistress.
"Had he already claimed it?" The maid sighed when Evangeline stared at him.
"You have accepted, my lady. You have permitted him to take the position when your father had asked you to take the test of succession." Evan closed her eyes.
Her husband was chosen by her stepmother. She did not want to disrupt the family's peace. It was known that Harold was a nice man with a good reputation in the community. His clothing business was running well and he received a knighthood from his majesty.
Evan was unable to find any fault in him, so she accepted it easily. But when her father asked for succession, he behaved strangely.
She felt it was about his ego. And it did not matter who would take the position since they were a couple anyway.
He was always kind and considerate. She remembered her nervousness on her wedding night, but he assured her he would not force her. She could take as much time as she wanted and inform him when she was ready.
He always stood beside her. Bringing her flowers in the morning, making sure she had her meals, and taking small strolls with her.
She had always felt lucky to have such a kind partner in an arranged marriage. So, she did not care much about it before, but now she does. He would throw her out soon.
"You can not ask for a divorce. You have no proof against him. Even if you get a divorce, you will not get the position of marquees back until he gives it to you. My lady… you should close your eyes and accept it." Accept that her husband would sleep with her sister and treat her like a foothold!
Accept that she was going to be abandoned soon.
Her heart burned at the thought. No! She could not bear it.
"Is there no other way?" Only silence mocked her desperation.
The maid bowed her head and left the room as if she could not bear the tears of her mistress.
Her body quivered as she cried her heart out. Her body shivered due to the cold but all she felt was the numbness of her body and soul.
The night was the longest night of her life.
—-
"My lady, you have a fever again." It had taken all the medicines in the world to treat her before, but now she was sick again.
"It is important for you to rest. Your body has no strength left." Evangeline looked at the physician and her maid Daisy with hollow eyes.
Harold was not there. He did not come to see her. She was sure that he knew she was sick. He knew she had seen him and Elene.
It felt like all her bones were breaking and her breath came hard just sitting on her soft bed.
"No! I will go. Today is the last day of mourning." She tried to stand up but felt dizzy and staggered
"My lady, I do not think you can make it." Daisy held Evan, her own eyes filling with tears.
"Then help me. I need to be there." Daisy closed her eyes.
Her mistress had been so stern and cold. She had never been able to express herself well. Now she was pleading to a mere maid.
"I... I understand." She helped Evangeline to the dressing table and covered her haggard face with simple makeup.
Wearing a black dress, she stepped downstairs. Harold was already there standing with Elene while receiving guests.
His eyes flickered when he saw Evangeline walking down. He took a step forward when Elene wrapped her hands around his arm.
He raised a brow when Elene shook her head. Evangeline had thought she was already over it. But tears filled her eyes again. She was stabbed by the pampering smile he gave her and stood there.
They did not even care about the public now!
"My lady!" Daisy panicked when tears started to stain her soft palm.
Evangeline shook her head. She was not going to hide in her room like a coward.
She raised her head high and walked towards the guest. Many were surprised to see her. As if they were not expecting her to attend the funeral of her own father.
"We are sorry to hear about your loss!"
"Yes, no one would have thought Marquis Morningstar would leave so soon."
They held her hand and squeezed it when she forced a smile on her face and nodded.
But what surprised her was that hardly any ladies came to talk to her. Most of the guests were flocking around Harold and Elene as if she was already the mistress of the house.
She was ignored and abandoned and Harold was not trying to hide it. Her eyes were filled with the desire to revenge. She was not going to be a miserable woman. She was not going to lose.
Harold met her with intense eyes. His own eyes filled with a daunting gaze until Count Tellenhone came forward to talk to him.
Evangeline felt another pair of eyes staring at her. She looked to her left and was surprised to see Duke Damien Se Von Alancastar sitting there.
He was like a demon with red eyes and raven hair. No one dared to stand around him or engage him in small talk.
No one dared to meet the eyes of the devil. But she did. She stared back into his eyes when he raised a brow.
He picked up his glass of wine and took a sip, all the time staring deep into her eyes as if he was reading her, enjoying her struggles and pain. She looked away embarrassed when he stood up and walked out.
"Ah! Thank goodness he left! Do you know, rumors say Duke Lancaster is looking for a wife? I wonder who would be foolish enough to sign her death certificate."