Evangeline looked at the grave with remorse. Once she left the house, she would not be able to meet her father for a long time. No! She would snatch everything back earlier.
Her eyes stirred with new determination and scanned the vicinity.
"Harold did not come?" She was surprised. She had thought he would make this deal but he had sent Elene? Did he not say that he was using Elene too? Or was he lying? When it comes to Harold, she did not trust a single word he spouted.
"Why? Were you looking for him? Why does it matter anyway? Are we not going home together?" Elene whispered softly with a chuckle. "I am impressed, sister. You actually found a man so fast to make your husband jealous." Elene walked closer when Even did not move and circled around her.
"But don't you think choosing a cursed duke was way too much? He is so desperate for a woman that I heard his aide was offering immense wealth to fallen aristocrats. He was basically trying to earn a woman, a sister. Do you think he would let you go once you have entered his den?" Elene shook her head with pity in her eyes.
But inside, she was raging. She had thought Evan would either be angry or create a scene or she would break down. But the woman was standing there coldly as if they were not talking about her. There was not a single emotion in her empty eyes.
"Tell me, was he a beast in bed too like Harold?" Elene leaned closer and whispered in the ears of Evan, "oh.. But you do not have a good experience with Harold for comparison." Elene covered her mouth with her left hand and giggled as if it was her personal joke.
"But do not worry sister, if you share your experience, I will compare it with Harold for you. And give you a perfect answer. Tell me, did you enjoy sex finally?" Elene was referring to the night Harold had taken her with force. The young girl knew about it, initiated and now she had the guts to insult her about it. How blind she was to not notice the wickedness of her sister.
"Elene, i am not here to brag to you about my nights. I am here for a business deal. If Harold does not have time to meet me, I will not waste my time here." She turned to leave but the knights were blocking her way.
Six knights had covered the entrance of the graveyard. Her eyes narrowed. She recognized these men. They were knights of their family, she had grown up among them and now they are… standing against her.
"Sir James." she looked at the man, "are you going to stop me from leaving?" her voice had a hint of disappointment that made the man flinch.
He bowed his head and replied in a hurt voice, "it is only for your welfare, my lady. The cursed duke is a beast. I can not let you hurt yourself because you have marital issues. It only shows my loyalty to you, my lady." marital issues? Ha! A dry laugh escaped her lips as she looked at them incredulously.
"Your definition of loyalty is very twisted sir James. Last time I remembered, loyalty meant following the orders of your master without a question." she stared at the man with mockery but he did not move. He did not let her go. He only bowed his head further as if he was afraid to meet her eyes when she felt a hand on her shoulders.
"Sister.. Sister! You are putting the man in a tight spot. Of course, he wants to follow your orders but which sane man would let you return to Duke's house. Honestly, I did not mind if you did that. But… Harold wants you back in the palace. So come with me." She held Evans' hands tightly and attempted to drag her. Evan had been sick after the death of their father. She had skipped so many meals and suffered so much that Elene was sure it would be an easy task.
The plan would fall perfectly but Evan did not move an inch. Elene frowned and was forced again. She could not ask knights to help her or her plan would fail.
"Evangeline, do you really want to leave so desperately that you want to fight with me?" she scowled when Evan raised her brow.
"Let me go!" she was not going to waste her time on her foolish sister. "And inform your lover, if he wants to talk with me, meet me at the count's estate tomorrow. I will wait for him at that same place at the same time." She turned to leave but Elene could not accept it.
She held Evan's dress and pulled it hard. Before Evan could stop, her dress tore and her eyes widened.
"What are you doing?" she held Elene's hands tightly and shouted when Elene smiled. But her eyes filled with tears as if she had suffered great injustice.
"Oh sister, why must you hurt me? I know that you did not like me or my mother. But we have always lived like ghosts. Please do not kill me, sister. I promise that I will leave this palace. I will live so far away that you will never hear about us. But please.. Please sister." Elene slapped herself so badly that her lips bled. Evan's eyes widened as she looked around.
"It is a trap. You.. What are you planning?" but it was too late. Elene grinned sinisterly as she took out a dagger and used it to stab herself, making Evan shriek.
"Please.. Do not kill me sister. I will be good." Elene fell on the ground and Evan crouched beside her holding her. She was struggling to decide if she should pull the dagger or let it be when she heard footsteps.. Several of them. She turned to ask for help when her eyes widened again.
"You vile woman. What did you do to her?"
please read my new wsa entry. it had a strong steamy romance.