Evelyn, The Red Moon

Chapter 13

“It was useless. We’ve done a secret investigation, yet we couldn’t find anything.”

Rasmania’s fingers caressed upon Ricardus’ thick lips, as if trying to feel every detail.

“Remember, I got a huge estate in my possession after driving the lord out by making a fake evidence.”

“We surrounded the castle and set it on fire.”

“You took the lead, as I ordered.”

A part of Ricardus’ heart felt chills all over.

He remembered the screams of the people who wanted to survive from a burning castle.

Rasmania’s order was to not leave anyone from the lord’s family members, as well as his servants and maids alive.

He faithfully carried out the order. Since at that time, he thought that the lord committed a serious crime against Rasmania.

“Ricardus, you…”

Rasmania’s eyes became more secretive but her voice was soft as a wind.

“Gave me my precious son, Alex Travitt, as a gift.”

Rasmania’s passionate gaze traveled down Ricardus’ shoulders to his firm chest.

Evelyn, who happened to be near the window, was stunned. She doubted her ears for a moment and wondered if she heard it correctly.

“Good thing that Alex doesn’t resemble you at all yet it seems blood can’t be deceived. He has the same black mole on his left hip.”

She didn’t hear it wrong.

What she had heard just now were clearly embedded in Evelyn’s mind. She could hear them thanks to the window’s shutters that were not sealed tightly.

Evelyn, who held her breath, focused on the conversation.

“That foolish Grand Duke died thinking Alex was his son, and the secret will be buried with him forever.”

“Master…”

“You are like spring to me, you give vitality and joy to my mind and body.”

“To me, master is my light and life!”

“Come here, Ricardus. My heart and body are all open for you.”

With one hand covering her mouth, Evelyn got up from where she was kneeling. She already understood their relationship, so there was no need to listen any further.

It was just a mere coincidence that she overheard their conversation. Evelyn was just enjoying a night walk when she suddenly passed by Rasmania’s bedroom window.

She approached the window, thinking it was strange to hear a conversation coming from her bedroom. Yet what she just discovered was quite amazing.

Ricardus, who leads the Blackbird Knights, was the mistress of Rasmania, and Alex Travitt was his son.

Knowing Rasmania’s dark secret could either be a poison that could end her or a shield to protect herself.

Black mole on the left hip…

She now had a trump card that could be something very strong.

A soft smile bloomed like a flower on Evelyn’s lips.

She then walked away, moving as quiet as possible.

***

Evelyn, who sat at a table on a terrace of a tea shop, ordered lemon tea.

“I’ve never seen milady before.”

The woman, who was dressed in a simple yet neat dress, looked at her curiously.

“I was living in the countryside and just recently came to Antimar.”

“Ah, I see. Please visit here often. There are many aristocrats and wealthy masters who visit this shop. Since my lady is so beautiful, you’ll surely be popular among them.”

Evelyn laughed at what the owner said.

It was a Tea Shop that caught her eyes while walking down the street. It was a place which she couldn’t even look at in her previous life as it was quite expensive, but now she could proudly pay for the tea.

The afternoon’s sunlight lightened her thin and white hand, which picked up the teacup.

Evelyn enjoyed the fragrant as well as the sweet and sour taste of lemon tea.

As she took a sip, she felt strange, so she calmly turned her head.

Across the street, there stood a man in a black robe with a hood which covered his silver hair .

A black bird was sitting on one of his shoulders.

The man’s eyes met Evelyn’s. The sharpness of his gaze strangely made her feel something inside.

Do you happen to know me, who used to be a gypsy?

When she heard the approaching footsteps, she hurriedly turned her gaze.

“Miss!”

It was a low yet strong voice.

“What… is it?”

“Would you mind if I sat down?”

The man she met for the first time spoke informally.

“Pardon? …Sure.”

“Then, excuse my intrusion.”

He sat on the chair that was opposite to Evelyn.

“Caaw…”

The black bird on the man’s shoulder, which was a crow, made a sound.

“Matty, stay quiet or go for a stroll.”

With the word of his master, the crow flew to the sky with its powerful wings.

“I want you to buy me a cup of tea.”

“Who might you be?”

“A passing man.”

Evelyn felt relieved after seeing that it was just an old man.

“I will buy you tea. What would you like?”

“Artichoke tea. Since I’m a greedy old man who wants to live long.”

Artichoke flower buds were also used as vegetables or even as herbs.

The owner brought the Artichoke tea as ordered. Her curious eyes alternated between Evelyn and the old man.

The man was indifferent to the owner’s attitude.

“I’ll drink well.”

‘What a weird guy. Was it really just tea that you wanted from me? I am not offended by the way he talks to me since I disguised myself as someone from a low status.’

As if trying to guess Evelyn’s true feelings, he placed down his teacup and stared at her after taking another sip.

“I am… Blackwind.”

“Is that… your real name?”

“Does it matter whether it’s a real name or a nickname?”

Even though she hesitated for a moment, she thought she should at least say her name to show courteousness to the other person.

“I am Evelyn…”

“The foster daughter of Princess Rasmania.”

“What? How did you…”

“That’s not what matters.”

Blackwind drank slowly, saving his tea.

Evelyn was curious about his identity, yet she didn’t ask any more questions. She felt like she shouldn’t.

“Since I received a precious cup of tea from you, I’d like to recompense for it.”

“Oh, no. It’s all right.”

“You have to be able to protect yourself, so I want to teach you something. Tomorrow night, when the moon rises to the sky…”

Blackwind rose from his chair.

“Come to Hecana Hill.”

Evelyn couldn’t even say anything. Blackwind left as fast as the wind.

With quick steps, he turned from the corner of the building and disappeared from her sight.

He wants to teach me something? His eyes were quite different, as if it was trying to tell me something.’

Evelyn, who rose from her seat to leave the shop, was stunned. A pant then left her lips.

She noticed a familiar man approaching her direction. It was His Highness, the Crown Prince.

Was she mistaken?

However, the man who’s wearing a hat and a commoner’s uniform, was none other than Theodore.

Why is the Crown Prince here?

As she thought about the question, Evelyn quickly lowered her head in order to avoid Theodore, who’s passing across the street of the Tea Shop.

It was clear that the Crown Prince was trying to hide something, and Evelyn felt like she should know what it was.

She followed Theodore from a reasonable distance. After walking for a long time, he went into a diner.

Evelyn hesitated for a moment, as she wasn’t sure whether she should follow him in or wait outside.

‘The Marquis’ son is no match for you.’

‘You have to aim for a higher place, a place that brilliantly shines.’

Evelyn couldn’t help but think about Rasmania’s words, which made her decide to be courageous.

Evelyn lowered her head and carefully went inside the diner. She was quite fortunate that the diner was crowded as it was lunchtime.

Evelyn saw Theodore sitting at a corner and sat a little far from him.

She ordered vegetable soup and rye bread. She wasn’t hungry, but she started to eat it to not look suspicious.

Behind her were men talking in a low voice.

“Isn’t the King and the Crown Prince too incompetent?”

“Why does it matter? Princess Rasmania is in power.”

“Well, the rumors say that most of the royal family members and nobles have sworn allegiance to Princess Rasmania. She possesses the seal and the Blackbird Knights who are so powerful.”

“Seal? What is that?”

One of the men asked as if he had never heard such a thing.

It’s a seal that holds the same power as the King’s great seal.

“Ah, there was such a thing after all. A seal that holds the same power as the Seal of State, the King’s Seal.”

“Even I would bow in front of Princess Rasmania, if I were a nobleman.”

Evelyn heard about the Seal for the first time. She glanced at Theodore, who was slowly drinking a glass full of black beer.

“In the past, there was this rumor which claimed that the King fell into the bed with Rasmania because she tempted him. That’s how she had his weakness.”

“No way?”

“It is the promiscuous private life of royalty and nobility. No matter what, it will always be heard. Knowing that it’s the king, everyone is aware of how many mistress he has and even where they accommodate.”

“Women rely on their lover and she used to be the wife of the late Grand Duke Samuel Travitt.”

To show that they agree, the men nodded in unison.

“But, it’s Princess Rasmania that we’re talking about. After the death of Grand Duke Travitt, she doubled her power using the Blackbird Knights”

“And how do you think she did that? She took the nobles’ lands using conspiracies.”

One man, with his mouth still full, talked.

“A wicked yet beautiful woman. Princess Rasmania.”

“Even though she’s quite old, she looks pretty young. Though I heard rumors about her being a lewd person.”

“There’s a lot of rumors going around.”

“If I could only embrace her once…”

“Shush! That will never happen because of your donkey brain.”

“Don’t you dream about it as well?”

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Men giggled.

Evelyn felt extremely tense as she listened to their conversation while examining Theodore. Soon Theodore got up from his seat.

He strode towards Evelyn’s seat.

‘Ah! Did I get caught? Did he recognize me?’

Cold beads of sweat were falling from Evelyn as she bowed her head even more.