บท 7: The Bodyguard
Evangeline woke up in her bedroom, puzzled about how she ended up in her bed.
"I was in the library last night... and I fell asleep. Could it be...?" she said to herself, holding her chin. The only person who came to mind was Dominic, as he was the only one who could have carried her to her room, not the bodyguards.
She raised the bed covers, her mind racing with possibilities. Did he harass her? Or see her naked? She clenched the bedsheets in anger, vowing to make him pay for what he did.
Then the telephone beside her bed rang. She hastily picked it up and said, "Hello?" Her voice was hoarse.
"My Lady, it's me, Magdalene. I've been calling, but there was no response," Magdalene replied. "Are you alright, my Lady?"
"Oh, Magdalene," Evangeline rubbed her eyes and sighed. "Did you find someone?" she asked.
"Yes, my Lady. Later today, they'll bring three men for you to choose from," Magdalene replied.
"Good... I'll be looking forward to it," Evangeline ended the call by dropping the telephone.
"Dominic Brusward..." she muttered his name, clenching her fists.
Meanwhile, Dominic was trying on his wedding suit, with Caleb and Azielle accompanying him in the living room. A guard from the King's palace entered, greeted everyone, and handed Azielle a letter. She opened it and saw the King's seal, indicating his approval of the position and the marriage, which made her smile. "Tell my cousin, thank you," she said, as the palace guard bowed and left.
"Dominic, the request is approved," Azielle said, folding the letter. Dominic smiled and bowed his head slightly.
However, Evangeline stormed into the room. When Dominic saw her, he began, "Oh, you're awa—" But before he could finish, Evangeline picked up a cup of champagne and poured it over his face, causing everyone to gasp. "You pervert! What did you do?" she shouted, cursing Dominic in anger and accusation.
"Evangeline!" Azielle yelled her name in annoyance. Dominic didn't react; he simply grabbed a napkin and wiped his face, ignoring the wet puddle on his suit.
"Grandmother, he snuck into my room and saw me naked!" Evangeline accused, pointing at him as everyone in the room gasped.
As Dominic was about to explain himself, Azielle interrupted, standing up from the sofa. "Dominic would never do such a thing! He told me himself that he found you asleep in the library and took you to your bedroom. Isn't that enough for you?!" She struck her walking stick against the ground.
"I don't believe you... and this Brusward has bewitched you!" Evangeline stomped her foot in frustration as Dominic sighed.
"And you haven't been taking your medication as the physician prescribed. Your wedding is in two days, and my cousin has approved the marriage. I won't tolerate this behavior from you as my granddaughter. You must be in good health! To your room, now!" Azielle gestured for her granddaughter to leave. Evangeline, already annoyed by the news, reluctantly obeyed.
Luckily, Magdalene approached Evangeline and called out, "Miss..." She bowed her head, and Evangeline turned to her.
"Magdalene, let's go," Evangeline ordered, leaving the room with Magdalene following behind. Azielle sat back on the sofa, sighed, shook her head, and instructed the suit vendor to get Dominic another suit.
Evangeline walked toward the greenhouse, boiling with anger, with Magdalene trailing behind. After a moment, Evangeline stopped, and her lady-in-waiting did the same.
"Do you have information on these men?" Evangeline asked Magdalene.
"Yes, my Lady," Magdalene replied, bowing her head and handing Evangeline a file containing the profiles and pictures of the men she could choose as bodyguards.
As she went through the profiles, one caught her attention. "Richard," she murmured.
Richard was a handsome man with short brown hair and green eyes. He didn't appear too tough, but he was attractive.
"He's handsome and attractive. He'll protect me from that Brusward and keep me company," she thought to herself as she reviewed his achievements and occupation. "Assassin," she read with a smile. "Perfect!" she exclaimed, pulling out his profile.
"I want Richard," she declared, closing the file and handing it back to Magdalene. "There's no need for the other men to come here. I want the assassin. He can start tomorrow. Let him pack his things and move to the Serenity House. I'll pay him well." She stroked her hair with her fingers. "I'm hungry. Send my breakfast to the greenhouse. I'll be there," she instructed. Magdalene bowed her head and left.
Evangeline chuckled, stretched, and yawned as she walked toward the greenhouse.
The next day, Richard was brought to the Sarogath estate. Evangeline was waiting for him in the living room. Magdalene entered with Richard, and Evangeline saw the handsome man before her—standing around 6'1", dressed in a white buttoned shirt and trousers. He greeted her with a deep voice, "My Lady..." and bowed his head. Magdalene was also struck by his appearance.
Evangeline stood up and ran her hands over his shoulder and arm in a flirtatious manner, making Richard a bit uncomfortable. She shoved a bundle of cash into his hand. "Call me Evangeline. Also, this is your first salary. I'll add a bonus later. Let's get to know each other, shall we?" She winked at him, ignoring the gossiping servants passing by.
"You're lucky to be my bodyguard," she said, handing him a book. He accepted it gently. Then, she opened a file with a pen in her hand. "Sign this," she instructed. He signed the file and handed it back to her.
"It's settled. Join me for dinner tonight," Evangeline ordered, and the servants packed his belongings to the room prepared for him.
The news of Evangeline's new bodyguard spread throughout the estate, reaching Azielle. She sighed, "This reckless child... if that makes her happy, so be it. I can't take this anymore." She lit a large cigarette and took a long drag.
Dominic also heard the news and saw Evangeline with the bodyguard following her. A pang of jealousy struck him, but he quickly dismissed it. He had more pressing matters on his mind. However, he decided to investigate the assassin's background, as something about Richard's face seemed familiar from his family's past.
~CHAPTER END~
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