Evelyn, The Red Moon

-Chapter 10-

 

That night, a full moon rose.

It was a beautiful night filled with music, dancing, smiles, and socializing for most people who attended the royal banquet. But that wasn’t the case for Evelyn who was trembling with her blood boiling from the sight.

It was because she saw Marquis Jervas Sigmund and Vestina.

A long time has passed since that day when she got beaten and abandoned in a valley., watching the red moon as death slowly approached.

Jervas has become a middle-aged man while Vestina gained weight which made her look plump. The moment she saw them, Evelyn unconsciously shuddered.

You two have been doing fine.

But, now I have returned.  

From the moment she got reincarnated, she sharpened the sword of revenge.

To retain a calm and dignified demeanor, Evelyn just clenched her teeth, but it wasn’t as easy as she thought it would be. Because her breathing became unsteady and her eyes have gotten bloodshot.

She couldn’t stand the music, nor the laughter and whispers of people which continuously filled the Grand Hall.

Evelyn hurriedly left the Grand Hall. She tried to calm her beating heart that felt like it was bursting as she inhaled fresh air.

“Ha, hah…”

Under a tree in the garden of the Grand Hall, she took deep breaths in order to calm herself. The cool and fresh breeze of the night somehow relaxed the violent beating of her heart.

“What are you doing here by yourself?”

She heard a deep voice from behind her. As she turned back, Evelyn somewhat felt embarrassed to see that the voice belong to the Royal Prince.

“Your Royal Highness!”

Before the banquet started, Evelyn got intrigued when she saw Theodore.

‘Huh?’

He had no mustache and had a different hair color now, but he looked very similar to the man who helped her about a year ago.

At that time, the man’s wig and mustache seemed to look very odd too.

If so.. it was obvious that the prince had been leaving the palace in disguise.

“So you are the adopted daughter of Princess Rasmania.”

Theodore’s deep eyes that resemble the abyss, stared at her. The darkness of the night made his eyes look even darker.

When Theodore saw Evelyn in the Grand Hall, he immediately recognized her. He was baffled at the sight. Since he thought that the woman he once saved and brought to Red Rose was a commoner, but she was none other than Rasmania’s foster daughter.

The rumors about the Princess adopting a foster daughter had spread throughout the society. Nevertheless, that very foster daughter, Evelyn, had never made an appearance in any social gathering.

There were various speculations about Rasmania having an illegitimate child before she got married to Grand Duke Travitt. Evelyn had been a mystery for the past year and was often a hot topic for aristocratic women.

“It’s an honor to receive recognition from Your Royal Highness!”

“It looks like you’ve been waiting for me.”

After uttering words that were difficult for her to comprehend, Theodore smiled coldly.

“Pardon me Your Highness, but what were you meaning to say?”

“That’s what it looks like to me.”

“I’m here to get some fresh air.”

“I’m disappointed.”

But Theodore didn’t seem to be disappointed at all. He still had a dubious grin plastered on his face.

“Then I’ll leave Your Highness alone.”

“Who asked for that?”

“Pardon?”

“I had something different planned in my mind.”

Theodore’s arms swiftly grabbed Evelyn’s waist and slightly reclined her upper body.

Gulp!

Evelyn swallowed the sound that was trying to come out of her mouth. She has learned from Lady Redicia that she shouldn’t let out a scream in front of the prince and always stay calm and courteous.

“What are you doing, Your Highness?”

“You are neither surprised nor embarrassed.”

“Please be courteous, Your Highness!”

“Courtesy?”

Theodore, who still had a smug grin on his face, was so close to hers that she could even feel his breath. She was stuck between turning her face or not. Yet, Evelyn was strangely stunned as if she was paralyzed.

“Your eyes are beautiful under the moonlight. They look enticing.”

“Please stop and let me go.”

“Stop my plans in the middle?”

Theodore’s intense deep, dark, beautiful eyes locked onto hers.

Evelyn, who didn’t even have the time to think about avoiding him as she was startled, looked at his eyes.

Their breaths mixed with each other. Theodore’s eyes glistened as if it’s telling her that she would soon be swallowed by him.

Evelyn felt thrilled all over. Her head was getting empty like a blank sheet. She could not think of anything nor could she move.

She didn’t even notice her burning ear and cheeks and how loud her heartbeat was.

Theodore drew his lips on hers, like a gentle wind. Under the moonlight that sprinkled like silver sand, he suddenly stopped which caught her breath.

A chuckle came out of his mouth.

Raising his slightly leaned head, he loosened his arms that were wrapped around Evelyn’s waist.

“This is enough.”

Evelyn quickly recovered her seemingly possessed mind and took a step back with uncertainty.

“Great! As expected of Rasmania’s foster daughter.”

If he was an aristocratic man, his act of disrespect would have been unforgivable, but he was the Crown Prince.

“Thank you, Your Highness. I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Theodore slightly bent forward and Evelyn bid her goodbye. Then, as if nothing had happened, she turned around as gracefully as possible.

Theodore called out to her from behind.

“Have we met before?”

Evelyn, who turned her head, answered calmly.

“About a year ago, a gentleman who didn’t look good with blond hair and mustache helped me.”

When Evelyn recognized his disguise, Theodore laughed.

“You must pay more attention to your disguise now. Since I have recognized you at once.”

Evelyn continued.

“I don’t easily forget something if I see it once. You can’t just conceal yourself with a disguise.”

“You must have an exceptional memory.”

“Thank you again, Your Highness. I’ll keep your clumsy disguise and the mansion a secret. Pardon me, then.”

Evelyn turned her back once again and headed to the Grand Hall, where the lights were leaking out. She walked away with a question that’s still lingering on her mind.

Under the tree that Evelyn had left, Theodore stood still. The wind slightly swept away his hair.

Theodore calculated the rudeness he had just committed to Evelyn. He remembered that she was very surprised when she saw him at Red Rose.

He didn’t think much about it that time. However, when he thought about it again, he wondered what that reaction was all about. Later she appeared as the foster daughter of Rasmania.

Evelyn was rather suspicious. That was why Theodore tried to play tricks on her.

Yet in the end, he wasn’t able to learn much. But one thing was clear, Evelyn was very smart and had an exceptional ability in dealing with situations.

He took a deep breath and looked up at the night sky.

As the king got weak and indecisive, Rasmania’s power grew. Not only most nobles but even some members of the royal family had kneeled in front of her.

After the failure of the attack that took place a year ago, Theodore tried to look for a chance to get rid of Rasmania once again, yet he couldn’t.

After the Armand Forest attack, she didn’t leave Antimar and whenever she would depart from the palace, dozens of Blackbird knights escorted her.

Just like today, the Knights of the Blackbird continued to guard her by staying in the Grand Hall and at the entrance. Neither the king nor anyone could stop Rasmania’s arrogance and rudeness.

What were Rasmania’s intentions with adopting a daughter? She was not a woman who would do things without any motives. She was a meticulous, sneaky woman.

Behind Theodore, who was lost in thought, there was a man. It was Ducray.

“There you are, Your Royal Highness!”

“How’s the situation?”

“Just like you predicted. There’s no chance.”

“How many Blackbird Knights are inside the Grand Hall?”

“From our estimation, there are approximately hundred of them.”

“It’s like we’re at a war, and not a court banquet!”

Theodore frowned bitterly from what he heard.

“Who was that woman just now?”

“Have you been watching?”

“I apologize. I just came across the two of you while I was looking for Your Highness.”

“She is Princess Rasmania’s adopted daughter.”

Ducray’s expression was then filled with suspicion.

“I can’t believe the Princess adopted a daughter. This is quite suspicious.”

“I do feel the same way. Perform a background check on her. What kind of status did she use to have? Was there a reason behind her adoption?”

“I shall heed to your orders!”

Theodore’s steps were heavy as it took him back to the Grand Hall.

***

Court musicians played merry songs. People danced in the middle of the Hall, drawing circles with their partners.

Evelyn sneaked back to the Grand Hall and took a deep breath. This place was a different world. She once again remembered that she now belonged to a world full of elegance and grandeur.

You can do it. No… you have to!

This evening, when Evelyn entered the Grand Hall with Rasmania, the people’s eyes were on her.

Evelyn straightened her back, slightly raised her chin, and smiled elegantly. She didn’t care about all those questioning eyes that were on her.

Rasmania made Evelyn greet the King, the Queen, and the Crown Prince, Theodore. Evelyn showed great respect just as she practiced countless times, for this moment.

After that, Rasmania introduced Evelyn to the crowd at the Grand Hall. The only moment her heart felt like it was about to explode was when she greeted Marquis Jervas Sigmund and his wife.

She wanted to scream and throw up blood. But Evelyn didn’t forget to show her gentlest, elegant smile to the guests.

She felt like vomiting once she finished greeting and turned around. She couldn’t stand being in the banquet hall. Eventually, she went out to avoid people’s eyes.

Evelyn’s eyes caught Rasmania. She was sitting at a round table surrounded by ladies who tried to flatter her. She had a haughty look on her face while chatting with them.

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“Lady Travitt.”

A man approached Evelyn. He was a young man with a handsome appearance and a good physique.

“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Pietro Sigmund.”

Pietro smiled brightly, slightly revealing his white and neat teeth. It was a smile that looked bright and pure.

At that moment, Evelyn’s heart pounded.