บท 3: The Final Suitor
~This is a fictional world, setting is 19th-Early 20th century and fantasy no real events or places are mentioned in this book~
~Cripsus 18, 1810~
Evangeline was sitting in the garden near the greenhouse, enjoying the view. The greenhouse belonged to her mother. She wore a green gown, the fabric fluttering in the breeze, and was accompanied by her maids and the physician, who was checking her pulse with his fingers.
"You're getting better, my lady. Don't forget to rest well," the physician said. Evangeline nodded, and he left the greenhouse. She rang her bell to order tea and desserts, then put her gloves back on. One of the maids went to fetch her order.
Leonard walked toward Evangeline and greeted her with one knee on the ground. Leonard, now in his 30s, had been a loyal bodyguard to her late mother. To Evangeline, he was her official knight.
"Your Grace," he addressed her as she turned her head toward him.
"Good morning, Leonard," she replied with a smile as some servants brought her tea and desserts on a cart. "Is my presence required?" she asked, pouring tea into her cup.
"It's your grandmother; she requests your presence immediately," Leonard replied. Evangeline dropped the teapot and clenched her fists in anger.
"I knew it—another suitor. This old woman won't stop with this nonsense; she just interrupts my quiet time," she rolled her eyes. "I'll be on my way. Tell her my message," she gestured for Leonard to leave.
She sipped her tea, wiped her mouth with a napkin, and stood up. "Send these to my chambers. I'll eat them later," she instructed the maids, who bowed and moved the cart with the desserts and tea to her chambers.
Evangeline followed Leonard to the office. The guards at the door opened it for her. Inside, she saw her grandmother sitting at the study table and a strikingly handsome man standing by a painting on the wall standing at 6'0 ", with an extraordinary, almost ethereal beauty. His long, strawberry blonde hair flows down past his shoulders in soft, wavy strands that catch the light, giving it a warm, golden glow. His facial features are strikingly delicate and refined, with high cheekbones and a perfectly sculpted jawline. His eyes are particularly captivating, possessing a feminine grace with long, thick lashes framing almond-shaped eyes. The irises are a vibrant shade of grey resembling those of a god eyes adding a mesmerizing quality to his gaze. His overall appearance combines strength with an almost otherworldly elegance, making him stand out in any crowd. wearing a black coat in a striking attractive figure. His strawberry blonde hair and charismatic presence made him look like he could be a muse for her art.
There were three guards in the office. Evangeline rolled her eyes. "You called for me, Grandmother? Did you find me a muse for my art?" she asked as she saw the handsome man, with her tone sharp.
Azielle gestured toward the handsome man. "No, silly. This is Dominic Brusward, a successful businessman. He will be your husband and the future ruler of the country."
"Hello, Evangeline," Dominic greeted her with a respectful bow. The name "Brusward" made her frown. The Bruswards were known for their criminal background, and she couldn't understand why her grandmother would choose such a man.
"Grandmother, why him? He's a criminal," Evangeline said, her voice filled with disbelief.
Dominic smiled at her accusations. He had chosen to distance himself from his family's criminal activities and agreed to marry Evangeline to help the old lady while promising to protect her.
"Watch your mouth, young lady. I've prepared the documents. You and Dominic will marry whether you like it or not. Your wedding would come when you're 19. I'm tired of bringing suitors for you, and you never agree, so I had to change alternatives!" Azielle's voice was stern, causing Evangeline's eyes to well up with tears.
"I hate you. Ever since you pushed me away when asking about my parents' deaths," Evangeline shouted before storming out of the office and slamming the door behind her, crying.
Azielle felt a sharp pain in her chest. Dominic rushed to her side to prevent her from collapsing. "Get the doctor quickly," he ordered the guards, who hurried to fetch the physician.
"Lady Sarogath, hold on. The doctors are coming," Dominic said, rubbing her back and showing his concern.
"That ungrateful child... I'm doing this for her own good and protection," Azielle coughed as Dominic tried to comfort her.
Evangeline locked herself in her chambers, sitting on the couch by the large window. "Why is she doing this to me? I can't marry him," she sobbed. She looked at the food cart, uncovered a dessert, and took a bite. The teapot was still warm. She mourned, wishing her mother were there to save her from this misery, unaware of her grandmother's deteriorating health.
Evangeline stayed in her room all day. At 8 PM, she heard a knock on her door. Her maid announced that it was dinner time and then left. Sighing, Evangeline cleaned her smudged makeup, applied a fresh layer, and went to the dining room.
Her grandmother and Dominic were already seated. Evangeline didn't say a word to either of them, focusing solely on her meal. After eating a little, she wiped her mouth with a napkin and stood up.
"Evangeline," Azielle called out, but Evangeline remained silent and left the dining room.
Dominic placed his hand on Azielle's and shook his head. "She'll be fine after you talk to her tomorrow," he consoled her, handing her a tissue to wipe her tears.
"Thank you, son," Azielle said, taking the tissue and dabbing her eyes.
~CHAPTER END~
NB: Dominic's family had a notorious criminal background. They were known for stripping people of their possessions, taking lives, and engaging in various illegal activities to gain status.
However, Dominic chose to leave his family and was stripped of his inheritance because he refused to dirty his hands with their criminal deeds. Traumatized and abused by his family's actions, Dominic sought a different path. When he heard that the Sarogaths' former governess was looking for a husband for the young miss, he volunteered, hoping to start anew and distance himself from his family's crimes.
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