Evelyn, The Red Moon

Chapter 11

 

Sigmund. When she thought about it, Pietro’s face did look a lot like Marquis Jervas Sigmund.

Evelyn’s heart was numbing. However, she hid her sharp and cold gaze as well as her bitter feelings then continued smiling gracefully and kindly.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Evelyn Travitt.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“You are from the Sigmund family.”

“Marquis Jervas Sigmund is my father.”

Evelyn’s guess was correct. Pietro was the son of her enemy.

“May I ask for a dance?”

Evelyn stared at Pietro for a moment. Her gaze made him slightly blush.

“I apologize if I was being rude by asking. Please forgive me.”

“No, I’ll accept it with pleasure.”

Evelyn gently placed her hand on Pietro’s and went on the floor as the three-quarters beat filled the Grand Hall.

“In my eyes, Miss Evelyn is the brightest person here.”

A whisper reached Evelyn’s ear and Pietro then shyly smiled after speaking.

“I’m flattered.”

“I mean it. When I first saw you, it felt like I had found my sun.”

Evelyn smiled in remorse.

‘You are into me. Now, seducing you would be a piece of cake.’

Evelyn stared deeply at Pietro.

“You are a wonderful person.”

“I appreciate your words. Now, my heart feels like it is about to explode.”

Theodore’s eyes were on Evelyn ever since he returned to the Grand Hall. His gaze seemed indifferent, but it bore sharpness. He picked up a glass of wine and slowly took a sip from it.

Even though it was his favorite red wine, it slid down his throat and didn’t leave a sweet nor fragrant taste.

Theodore continued to look at Evelyn, who was dancing with Pietro.

***

As the court banquet continued, Vestina, who was talking with the other ladies on the round table, felt a light tap on her shoulder.

As she looked behind, the sight of the drunken face of Duchess Sverte made Vestina slightly frown. The Duchess was holding a glass full of white wine in her hand.

What nonsense was this shallow woman about to spout?

“Marchioness Sigmund, look over there”

Vestina’s gaze sharpened as she followed where Duchess Sverte pointed.

“The dance partner of Young Master Pietro.”

Said Duchess Sverte showing interest while emptying her glass.

“Of all people, it had to be the adopted daughter of the Princess of Bavela.”

Knowing that the relationship between Vestina and Rasmania was not good, Duchess Sverte lowered her voice as if she was concerned.

Vestina kept her calm since she knew that Duchess Sverte’s only intention was to provoke her.

“It’s normal, it’s a royal banquet after all.”

“Correct, but you may never know what and when something will happen.”

Vestina was furious about what Duchess Sverte meant.

“Duchess Sverte is always pessimistic.”

“Oh my, no! Nobody sees life and youth’s beauty more than I do.”

Duchess Sverte covered her mouth to hide her amusement and spun her empty glass to see what’s left.

“How vulgar!”

Vestina sputtered.

Lady Crastet who was sitting next to Vestina quietly spoke.

“Have you heard the rumor?”

“What rumor?”

Lady Crastet lowered her voice even more.

“The Princess’s adopted daughter is said to be her illegitimate daughter.”

“I knew there would be such rumors.”

“The princess gave birth to a stray mercenary’s baby before she got married.”

“Is it true?”

“I don’t know, it’s just a rumor.”

Vestina’s gaze shifted back to the dance floor. She frowned as she watched Evelyn and Pietro dancing.

An illegitimate child. A wandering mercenary’s seed, huh?

Out of all the young children of numerous noble families, her son who was dancing with Evelyn wasn’t good enough.

“Is Lady Elias not feeling well?”

Duchess Sverte’s question made Vestina finally look away from the dance floor.

“She has caught a bad cold.”

“Oh my! I thought Lady Elias could finally catch the crown prince’s eyes on a day like this.”

Everyone knew that Vestina was trying to put her daughter Elias on the throne.

“There are plenty of other opportunities.”

“That’s correct and the young master Pietro will also find a fine lady to be his bride that will come from a wonderful family.”

Vestina’s eyes once again went to the dance floor and as the music was almost finally over, she sighed with relief.

***

“How was it?”

Rasmania asked Evelyn in the carriage as they were returning to the palace after the banquet.

“At first, I was nervous, but it was a wonderful banquet.”

“You were so confident in front of all those pretentious people.”

“I’m your foster daughter after all.”

Rasmania laughed loudly, very satisfied with Evelyn’s response.

“You danced well.”

“I practiced extremely hard for this day.”

“It looks like Marquis Sigmund’s son is into you.”

“I also showed interest.”

“Evelyn!”

Rasmania’s expression which was filled with joy a while ago was now rigid.

“The Marquis’ son is no match for you.”

“Why?”

“You have to aim for a higher place, a place that brilliantly shines.”

“That means…?”

“That means you have to hide your former identity.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

“Ah!”

At that moment, the carriage suddenly rattled harshly. Rasmania, who lost her balance crumpled forward and if Evelyn wasn’t quick enough to catch her she would have fallen to the floor of the carriage.

“Are you all right?”

“What caused this?”

Rasmania’s voice and expression became violent.

“I think one of the wheels of the carriage got stuck to a stone.”

“I’ll have to cut off the horseman’s head.”

Evelyn didn’t say anything because she was well aware of Rasmania’s personality.

As soon as the carriage reached the Bavela Palace, the horseman’s head immediately flew away. Rasmania had a Blackbird knight cut the poor horseman’s neck in front of Evelyn.

He begged for his life and admitted his negligence, but he didn’t even have the chance to scream when blood then suddenly ran down from his neck. Evelyn witnessed the terrible sight.

She has witnessed Rasmania’s cruelty multiple times. She even ordered the chef to be whipped because the food didn’t suit her taste.

The maid who made a small mistake was placed into a big wooden container and Rasmania then poured hot water on her. Rasmania was brutal since she didn’t know what mercy nor forgiveness is.

Evelyn always had to be careful not to make even a minor mistake. She was acknowledged as a foster daughter, but she could have fallen out of Rasmania’s favor whenever she was out of her sight.

Then everything she worked hard for would go to waste.

***

Evelyn took off her dress with the help of the maid, Jenny. After taking off the corset that’s been hugging her body tightly, she felt much better.

“I have prepared the beer bath.”

Jenny still hasn’t submitted herself to me for the past years. Evelyn had endured her irreverent attitude but she thought she should take action now.

“Jenny!”

“Yes.”

“What do you think about royal banquets?”

“What will you do with the information of a lowly person like me liking banquets or not?”

It was Jenny’s rather blunt way of speaking.

“You see, I think you’re too indifferent to me. “

“I am… I only do what I have to do or what I have been ordered to do.”

“It’s a desirable attitude of a maid, but I think we need to have more comradeship in our relationship from now on.”

“Comradeship?”

Jenny’s eyes shook with confusion which made Evelyn laugh.

“Come on, let’s go to the bath. It won’t work well if the beer waits out.”

Evelyn’s private bath was right next to her bedroom. Jenny immediately followed after her while holding a towel and her change of clothes.

The big bathtub was half full of beer.

Rasmania and Evelyn had been taking beer baths often.

It was known to have an excellent effect on preventing and removing wrinkles, and whitening the skin.

“Jenny, take off your clothes.”

“Pardon? My lady…”

Jenny’s eyes widened with surprise.

“Let’s take a beer bath together.”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“What you just heard. I’ll give you a bath today.”

Jenny’s freckled face turned pale.

“What did I do wrong?”

“No, you’re doing great.”

“Then why would you say that? Your beer bath was an order from the lord.”

“Who will know? If we just keep it to ourselves, then that will be it.”

“You’re not serious, are you my lady?”

Evelyn smiled again. A smile that was full of warmth…

Her smile eased Jenny’s wariness and tension a little.

“Serious? I just wanted you to try what I enjoy.”

Because of Evelyn’s past, she was aware that her subordinates also needed relaxing. She knew better than anyone because she was a maid in her previous life.

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A subordinate would even give their life, for their Master if they were loyal enough.

Since Evelyn knew this, she disregarded Jenny’s rudeness and waited for the right time.

Evelyn has finally made her debut into the social world by attending the court banquet, and now she needed subordinates.

It was difficult to survive alone while having such a brilliant status.

The loyalty of a maid may be of any help in the future, but everything in this world would happen with little steps from the past.