Capítulo 68: Invading the Cold Palace 2
Dominic stepped into Evangeline's childhood bedroom, the air still and cool, filled with the faint scent of lavender that lingered from the past. His eyes swept over the room, immediately noticing the shelves lined with a carefully arranged collection of items that revealed her many interests and hobbies. The shelf held an array of brightly colored plush toys, some worn with age, while others appeared untouched. Medals and certificates from her ballet competitions were neatly framed, their golden gleam contrasting against the soft hues of her ballerina costumes, which hung delicately from hangers.
The ballet shoes, well-worn but lovingly preserved, were suspended on the wall, their soft satin still gleaming in the low light. Untouched gifts were stacked in a corner, some wrapped in faded paper, while others remained in pristine condition. Dominic remembered the occasions when these gifts had been presented to Evangeline by admiring guests, a glimpse of the social life she once had.
"These were part of the hobbies her mother encouraged her to explore before learning politics," he thought, his gaze drifting to the plushies and art supplies organized on another shelf. "They were a happy family, after all. Zard always spoke fondly of his sister's joyful childhood. It's clear she was deeply loved."
Dominic's attention shifted to a small furnace in the corner, its fire casting a warm glow over the room. He smiled faintly to himself. "So this is why they call it the Cold Palace," he mused. "The place may be cold in name, but warmth lives in the memories within."
He stepped closer to the shelf, where photographs were neatly arranged in silver frames. One showed a young Evangeline holding a ballet trophy, her face beaming with pride, while another captured her at a graduation ceremony, standing among friends. His eyes lingered on a particular photo of her posing outside the familiar building of Eardoznia. Evangeline's smile in the picture was captivating, and Dominic found himself admiring her even in these still moments.
"She's beautiful when she smiles," he thought, a softness flickering in his otherwise composed expression.
As Dominic's gaze returned to the present, he noticed Evangeline, sound asleep on a plush sofa near the window. Her platinum blonde hair shimmered under the moonlight filtering through the glass, casting a serene glow around her. He took slow steps toward her, his movements almost cautious, as if he didn't want to disturb the peacefulness of the room.
"Coming to see how much progress she's made, but she's asleep," he murmured quietly to himself, moving past the terrace that divided the entrance from the area where the bed and sofa were positioned. He stood near her for a moment, watching the steady rise and fall of her chest as she slept, her features calm and relaxed. The sight of her resting brought an old memory rushing back.
Flashback to 1810
In the dim light of his bedroom, Dominic sat at his desk, going through a stack of documents that held Evangeline's medical records. He had been made aware of her health issues following the death of her parents, but the records held deeper insight. He skimmed through the physician's notes, stopping when he read one particular remark:
"Lady Evangeline has a sleeping disorder. In addition to her mental health challenges, she becomes drowsy when deeply focused on tasks. It is advisable to allow her to rest when this occurs."
Dominic's brow furrowed as he absorbed the information, flipping through further pages that detailed her various health issues. Each detail weighed on him, but he had known from the start that his marriage to Evangeline would require patience and understanding.
Present Day
Back in the present, Dominic took a slow breath, his gaze once again on the sleeping Evangeline. He recalled how much she had endured, how strong she remained despite everything. Quietly, he moved toward the window, glancing out into the moonlit courtyard before turning back to her. The cold palace might be filled with memories of her past, but tonight it was filled with an unexpected warmth—a quiet, almost tender peace that settled between them.
Dominic chuckled softly, his mind replaying a humorous memory. "No wonder she fell asleep in the library that night, and when I carried her to bed, the next morning she doused me with a drink, accusing me of barging into her room." He shook his head, still amused by the absurdity of the situation. "The sleeping disorder can't be controlled... maybe I could help her manage it." He sighed, staring at Evangeline as she slept peacefully, her platinum blonde hair glowing softly under the moonlight that filtered through the window.
"What should I do with this fuzzy princess?" Dominic mused, a teasing grin forming on his lips as he shrugged. He gently scooped Evangeline into his arms, her light form reminding him of how delicate she looked when she slept, unlike the sharp, spirited woman she was when awake. He placed her carefully on the bed, pulling the sheets over her. For a moment, he simply admired her face—soft and peaceful, her natural peach lips slightly parted.
"My cranky, beloved wife... she looks like a helpless newborn baby when she's asleep. It's almost hard to believe she's the same woman who turns into a 200-year-old witch when she nags at me. It really doesn't suit her at all," he thought with a heavy sigh, shaking his head. His fingers absentmindedly brushed through her hair as he stood by her side, thinking about the complexity of their marriage. "This marriage is more complicated than I expected."
Dominic stepped away from the bed and wandered over to the stack of books Evangeline had been working on earlier. He picked up the papers she had been taking notes on, a satisfied smile creeping across his face. "I wasn't wrong when I told Caleb she could handle this. Ten books in one go—impressive. Zard always said she was top of her class. Even Azielle and the servants couldn't stop praising her."
He scanned her notes, admiring her intelligence and diligence. "She's always been an intelligent woman. Graduated top of her class as a child, and again as a teenager. No wonder she's finished this much."
His gaze shifted to the tray of food on the table. "And yet, she barely touched her meal again." He sighed, noticing the half-eaten steak and salad and the partially drunk lemonade. "At least she managed to eat the cake." His eyes lingered on the untouched yogurt and jug of honey. "She survives on the smallest amounts of food and still has energy to spare for nagging. She's definitely a witch." He smirked to himself, amused by the thought.
Returning his attention to the books, Dominic carefully placed one back and picked up another. "Even with all this knowledge on politics and family preparation, I'll admit—it's hard to get through a single volume. I, as the Viceroy, haven't even finished all the records, but she's done it." He smiled, impressed by her tenacity. "I should probably copy the Duke's records next."
As he reached for another book, his eyes caught sight of a necklace in the jewelry box on the dresser. It looked eerily similar to the one his mother used to wear. His hand instinctively went to his chest, and a shiver ran down his spine. Suddenly, the memory of his nightmare in Eardoznia flashed through his mind—his mother's cold face as she stabbed him, over and over again. He groaned softly, gripping his side, the tension in his body rising as he relived the haunting vision.
In his distracted state, Dominic accidentally knocked over a pile of books, the thud echoing through the quiet room. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath, glancing nervously toward the bed.
The noise stirred Evangeline awake. Her eyes fluttered open, blinking as she tried to orient herself. "Richard?" she thought groggily at first, but quickly realized she wasn't in the main palace. "No, I'm in the Cold Palace."
Her vision cleared, and she spotted a figure near the bookshelves. The ponytail of strawberry-blonde hair caught the moonlight, sparking recognition. "Wait... that looks familiar... No! Her mind flashed red with sudden realization. "Brusward!!!"
Her eyes widened in shock and anger as she glared at him. "What is Dominic doing here?" she thought, her heart pounding. Without hesitation, she reached for the drawer beside her bed, fumbling for a revolver. Her fingers found the cold metal, and she pulled it out swiftly.
"He said he would train me, but barging into the Cold Palace is crossing the line—he's not to be trusted!" she muttered, raising the gun and pointing it directly at Dominic.
Dominic's eyes locked on the gun Evangeline held, a glint of amusement crossing his face. "Ah, the little witch is awake. And what's she doing with that stupid gun again?" he thought, his expression shifting from amusement to indifference. "I guess this can't be helped. Hostility, hatred, repulsion, and distrust have grown deep roots in her heart. It's understandable..." His gaze softened momentarily as he noted her slightly improved grip on the weapon. "At least she's learning," he mused, a faint hint of pride flickering beneath his cold demeanor.
Evangeline, panting slightly, kept her grip tight, though her eyes betrayed the tension beneath her defiance. "What are you doing here? You have no right to be in this place!" she spat, her voice sharp but shaken. "I won't hand everything over to you like my grandmother did. I won't let my guard down for you, Brusward," she thought fiercely, her body tense as Dominic calmly turned to face her.
His expression remained unreadable as he spoke, "I came here to check on your progress, that's all. Since you banned me from the greenhouse last year, I had to send a servant to look for you. I found out you were here in your little private sanctuary, studying to feel more comfortable, I assume." He paused, his eyes scanning her, evaluating. "I gave you a task, and I expected it completed by today. There's still a few minutes left, but instead, here you are... sleeping."
Before she could react, Dominic moved swiftly, closing the distance between them. With ease, he snatched the gun from her hand, his fingers brushing hers in the process. In one fluid motion, he pointed the gun at her forehead, his eyes now cold and piercing, void of the amusement that had once flickered there. Evangeline's breath hitched, and she glared up at him, her fists clenched as he pressed the barrel against her temple.
"Don't forget," he said quietly, his voice like ice, "we have a bet and a contract between us. If you keep sleeping like this, you're the one on the losing side. You understand that, right?" His tone was calm, but there was a dangerous edge beneath it.
Her jaw tightened, her teeth gritted in anger as she met his gaze, refusing to back down.
"And remember what I told you before I left for Eardoznia," he continued, his voice lowering but growing more intense. "If either of us fails, the consequences will be severe. Don't forget—we're supposed to use and betray each other, princess. Our lives are on the line." With a swift, almost casual motion, he disassembled the gun, letting the bullets fall one by one to the floor at her feet. "She's been buying bullets just for me." The thought amused him briefly before he tossed the empty weapon onto the nearby drawer.
Turning his back to her, Dominic walked towards the table, his hands sliding into his pockets as if nothing had happened. His voice was plain, devoid of emotion as he said, "Stop wasting money on bullets." He paused, glancing over his shoulder with a cruel smirk. "And don't forget—you have to warm my bed tonight. It's in the contract."
Evangeline's face twisted with rage. "How dare you take that!" she snapped, her voice cutting through the air, but Dominic remained indifferent, ignoring her completely as he picked up the cup of yogurt filled with berries and nuts, along with a spoon. He began walking towards the exit, casually eating from the cup as if her fury was nothing more than a passing breeze.
"The bed, Evangeline," he reminded her, his tone mockingly calm. "After you finish here, I'll have the guards escort you to my bedroom. If you fail to show up..." He trailed off, leaving the threat hanging in the air as he ate another spoonful of yogurt.
Evangeline clenched her fists so tightly her nails dug into her palms. She scoffed, turning her head away in a show of defiance. "Whatever," she muttered under her breath, the word thick with contempt.
Dominic's lips curled into a sly smile as he stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him, the sound of it shutting echoing in the cold silence. He walked away, still eating the yogurt he had so casually taken with him.
Left alone, Evangeline let out a frustrated groan, grabbing a pillow and pressing it hard against her face, trying to smother the rage boiling inside her. Her hands clenched the fabric tightly as she screamed into the pillow, her frustration echoing in the confines of the cold palace.
Later that night, two guards escorted Evangeline to the door of Dominic's bedroom. She wore a long-sleeved satin nightgown that resembled something a young girl might wear, with her platinum blonde hair cascading down her back. Her interior slippers made no sound on the polished floor as she wrapped a soft scarf around her shoulders, clutching a volume of records she had been studying close to her chest. She knocked on the door. No response. Letting out a frustrated sigh, she clenched her fists around the book.
"I can't believe it... I'm spending the night with this bastard instead of Richard. Ugh, whatever." She took a deep breath, steeling herself before stepping inside. Her eyes scanned the room, taking in the elegant but simple style of Dominic's bedroom. It was refined, though not as extravagant as hers.
"This is my first time in Dominic's room... It's not bad." Her gaze lingered on the bed for a moment, her shoulders slumping slightly as she made her way toward it. "As long as he doesn't do anything stupid, I can handle myself." She placed the book under the lamp on the bedside table and slumped onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. She noticed a study table across the room, stacked with several books.
Sitting up, she muttered to herself, "Hm... He has a study table. Those must be the Duke's records and nobility books he studies to become the Grand Duke. Let me take a look."
Curiosity getting the better of her, Evangeline got off the bed and walked toward the table, picking up one of the books. Flipping through the pages, she confirmed her guess—it was, indeed, filled with detailed records about the duties of the Duke. But before she could delve further, a low, familiar voice made her flinch.
"And what do you think you're doing?"
Dominic's voice came from the corner of the room, where he stood brushing his long strawberry-blonde hair. The soft bristles of the brush slid through the silky strands, revealing the perfect sheen of his hair under the dim light of the room and the soft glow of the moon outside. His almond-shaped grey eyes, which could steal anyone's breath away, were half-lidded with a look of cold amusement as he approached her. The wedding ring on his slender, elegant fingers caught the light as it reflected off the smooth surface of his dark red robe, which hung open slightly at the chest, revealing a glimpse of his toned skin underneath.
Evangeline's heart skipped a beat at the sight. She had never seen him like this before—so casually disheveled and wearing a robe, yet radiating an effortless beauty that caught her off guard. His long hair, smoother than before, framed his face, with a few strands falling over his left eye, while the rest cascaded down his shoulders like a waterfall of gold and copper. The dim light of the room and the silver glow of the moon highlighted every sharp angle of his face, making him appear both angelic and untouchable. Her cheeks flushed a deep red as he approached.
Dominic's gaze flicked over her, lingering on her simple nightwear. He scoffed softly, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "This woman... dressed like a little princess from a fairytale. How fitting. Not a shred of vulnerability." His eyes shifted to the familiar book lying on the bedside table.
"You didn't answer my question," he said coldly, stepping closer to her, his gaze now locked on her face as she quickly put the book down. His presence seemed to fill the room, his beauty almost too intense to bear up close.
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