Chapitre 25: The Disparities
"It is disgusting." Silence fell thick into the room. Her words were like lead between them.
Evan regretted the words instantly. If he really decided to discard her, she would have nowhere to go. Her sister hired goons to rape here. She could not return to her palace. God knows what they would do this time.
This man.. He was her last hope. Even if it was a pity, she had to survive on that. But the thoughts burnt her bones. She had too much pride to accept pity.
She did not meet his eyes but she knew he was staring at her. His intense gaze was burning her body.
"I…"
"Call the physicians to check her. She is not to leave her bed until she recovers." she stiffened at his cold tone but when she raised her head, he was already at the door, his back facing her.
He paused for a second, and she held her breath. But he did not turn and left without a word for her. She fell on the bed like a deflated balloon, sighing.
"Evangeline, you fool. Do you think you still are the proud daughter of marquees who can throw tantrum." she shook her head as tears filled her eyes.
The flashes of man chasing her while Elene grinning burnt her soul again and again. Her grip on the sheets tightened and hatred started to fill her soul.
"I will not forgive you, Elene. This time… I will not."
"Knock" "knock" "my lady, i am here to check your condition." Evan nodded to the maid who opened the door for the physician.
Evan was surprised to see a young boy there. He bowed his head and sat on a chair beside her bed.
"Pardon me for my rudeness." he whispered and held her wrist to check her pulse.
Then he asked her to lift her dress a bit to check wounds on her knees, her elbows and her shoulders.
When he cleaned the wound on her cheeks, she realized she was more hurt than she had thought. How unsightly she must be looking. No doubt, the duke was angry when she hugged him.
"Your wounds are healing but it will still take a week to heal completely. You should refrain from walking until needed because your ankle is swollen.
Your other wounds are deep too. Did you know you had shards of glass dug deep in your skin when you were brought here? Any later, and you would have bled to death." her eyes widened only for a second then she looked at the cut on her knees.
He had meticulously changed the bandages and applied the green ointment she had not seen before. Yet.. he did not leave. And she was feeling embarrassed now.
Evan cleared her throat. It would be better that she befriend a few members of this palace.
"You are too young to be a physician." she looked back at him when he blinked and his face went crimson.
"I understand that it is difficult to trust a new physician. But I assure you that my age is no hindrance in my treatment for you. Your wound would take at least a week to heal no matter who would treat you." his went stiff and his voice was the strictest he could offer when she paused.
"It was a compliment." she added when he stood up at once.
"Was it?" He looked skeptical. Did she sound rude? It was already a great deal to accept that it was a compliment. Yet he was confirmed? Still, she nodded again but the man did not look convinced.
"Pardon me, nobles do not compliment commoners easily. And yes, I am too young to be a physician, but my master trusts my abilities and I will do anything to get his appreciation." there was a hint of longing in his voice, "and for that, you need to rest a lot. Please do not stand carelessly like you did when you woke up. The maids would be here to do your bidding."
The maids bowed their heads again the moment they were pointed. When she nodded, the physician left and she sighed.
She was leaving bad impressions on everyone. They all were wary of her. She could feel hostility in their gaze.
"Excuse me, can I have some water or juice?" she asked a maid. Realizing their folly, the maid hurriedly brought a glass of water for her.
"Would you like to eat something light too, my lady?" the maid inquired when Evan did not say anything. She was looking at the burnt arm of the maid.
She had never seen any disfigured maid before. They were chosen with strict measures because they represent their house. Yet… she was working for the duke.
The maid hesitated and took a step back, finally breaking Evan's gaze.
"It would be better that you eat something. You have been unconscious for a day." Evan blinked and then gave a passing glance to her hands, she nodded.
The maid retreated and returned with another maid bringing a tray of fruits and soft porridge. Evan noticed her strange way of walking too.
"Your dinner, my lady." Evan took the tray of fruits first and took a piece of apple in her mouth.
"I did not mean to stare." she realized, she needed to speak better or they all would be further hostile to her. "I just found you.."
"Different?" different? Was that the word she wanted to use.. She shook her head and looked at them again.
"Interesting. I found it interesting that you all are working hard despite the injuries you have. I find it… inspirational." she did not realize she had that thought in her mind until she said it. It surprised her and the maids who looked at each other.
The elder one nodded at the younger.
"In the duke's estate.. We are not ridiculed for our weakness, but we are respected for our strengths."
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone