Troubled Mind
Evangeline wondered what kind of business Dominic could possibly have with those people, especially since he was aiming to be the future governor of the country. She planned to report this to her grandmother the next morning.
But when morning came, her plans fell apart. Her grandmother was too busy with wedding preparations and seemed to have complete trust in Dominic. Frustrated, Evangeline stormed into the living room, her face twisted in anger. Her trusted lady-in-waiting, Magdalene, noticed her sour mood immediately.
"My lady, what's the matter?" Magdalene asked, concerned.
"My grandmother just blindly trusts that Brusward bastard!" Evangeline snapped, scoffing in disbelief. She then twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, a habit she had when she was thinking. "Magdalene, I need a favor."
"What is it, my lady?" Magdalene bowed her head, her hands clasped together.
"Before you became my lady-in-waiting, you knew a lot of people. I need you to find me a personal bodyguard, someone who can protect me from Dominic Brusward—someone who isn't afraid to kill if necessary. I want feedback by tomorrow." Evangeline stopped playing with her hair, plucking a flower from the vase in the living room and sniffing it. Magdalene nodded and left the room.
Meanwhile, Dominic was out participating in activities to secure his election, accompanied by Azielle and surrounded by bodyguards. They went through all the necessary procedures, signing papers and seeking approval from the King. However, the King was hesitant due to Dominic's family background, which he viewed as criminal. This pending approval weighed heavily on Dominic, adding to the toll on his shoulders.
After their exhausting day, they returned home. As Azielle stepped out of the car with Dominic, they were welcomed by the guards and servants. Azielle looked around but didn't see her granddaughter. She sighed, assuming Evangeline was in her room, and went to take a nap, bidding Dominic farewell. Dominic headed to his room to continue studying.
Evangeline, however, had slipped away to the memory room, dressed in a different outfit. The guards opened the doors for her, and she stepped into a space filled with paintings and photographs of her family—her parents and her brother. As she gazed at each picture, tears welled up in her eyes. She gently touched her father's portrait, sighing deeply.
"I wish you were here... I miss you so much," she whispered, her fingers tracing the contours of the family portrait. The caption read: "Governess Princess Adrielle Varyn Sarogath with Husband, Norman Reed Lushford and children, Evangeline Vanthshi Sarogath and Zard Batheon Sarogath."
Her eyes fell upon a younger portrait of her grandmother, who had striking black hair in her youth, wearing a familiar necklace. The description read: "Azielle Erya Sarogath, 8th Crowned Princess of Verdaselles." Beside it was a portrait of her grandmother in her current state, a visual reminder of the passage of time.
Evangeline placed her hands behind her back, slowly walking past her mother's youthful portrait. The description read: "Governess Adrielle Varyn Sarogath, age 18." She touched several items in the room, her fingers lingering on the necklace the King had gifted her grandmother—the "Heart of the Deep Blue Sea," encased in glass, prominently featured in her grandmother's portrait.
She was lost in thought as she walked past her father's medals, knowing these were only a portion; the rest were in Rovensth. "I would like to visit Father's country after this wedding," she mused, her exploration interrupted by a servant calling her for dinner.
She checked her pocket watch and blinked. "Is it night already?" she murmured in surprise.
Evangeline entered the dining room in a light green dress with a modest neckline, paired with champagne gold crystal heels. Her curly hair had been straightened, and she wore light makeup. She saw her grandmother and Dominic waiting for her. Noticing that Dominic's bandage was gone, she rolled her eyes and sat close to her grandmother, completely ignoring Dominic's presence.
"Good evening, Grandmother," she greeted. Azielle smiled warmly at her granddaughter, gently rubbing her hand.
"Where have you been? I was worried sick," Azielle asked, her voice filled with concern.
"I was in the picture gallery," Evangeline replied bluntly, picking up her fork from the napkin.
"Oh, alright… but you forgot to greet your future husband, dear," Azielle reminded her gently.
Evangeline shot Dominic a deadly glare, but he didn't flinch; he merely smiled. "Looking at me like that just makes you cuter," he thought to himself.
For the sake of her grandmother, Evangeline forced herself to mutter, "Good evening, Dominic."
In her mind, she added, " I meant Good evening, you despicable bastard." She scoffed internally.
Dominic chuckled softly. "Ma'am, you don't have to force her. She probably just ate too many cakes and is a little tired," he said to Azielle, who was busy enjoying her meal.
Evangeline blinked in surprise, taken aback. "Did he just cover for me?" she thought, her eyes narrowing at him suspiciously.
"Oh, that's understandable... Evangeline does eat a lot of desserts," Azielle replied, taking a sip from her wine glass.
Dominic winked at Evangeline, which only served to annoy her more, though she tried her best not to show it. Dominic seemed to enjoy watching her, shaking his head slightly as he played with his food.
Later that night, Evangeline sat in the library, wearing her nightgown, trying to distract herself from thoughts of Dominic by reading history books. Unbeknownst to her, Dominic also entered the library, looking for a book. He noticed the pale blonde hair by the corner and realized it was Evangeline—no one else in the house had such hair.
He quietly watched her from his hiding spot, his eyes tracing her figure from her head down to her hips and legs, lingering on the locket hanging over her chest. His heart beat faster at the sight of her beauty. He sighed quietly, trying to remain unnoticed.
Suddenly, there was a thud. He turned to see Evangeline had fallen asleep, the heavy book she had been reading now lying on the floor. He approached her carefully, his gaze softening as he touched her cheek, admiring her peaceful, sleepy face. She was deep in slumber and didn't notice a thing.
Deciding to help, he gently lifted her into his arms and carried her to her chambers, wanting to spare her the discomfort of waking up with a stiff back. He laid her gently on her bed, adjusted her position to ensure she was comfortable, and covered her with the blanket.
He couldn't take his eyes off her, sitting on the bed and brushing a strand of hair from her forehead. Just as he was about to leave, she grabbed his shirt sleeve tightly, mumbling in her sleep, "Mummy, please don't leave me... please stay. Mummy, please come back." Tears slipped from her closed eyes as she cried softly in her sleep.
Dominic's expression softened at her words. He gently removed her hand from his sleeve and replaced it with a pillow, which she clutched tightly, still crying. He sighed deeply, feeling a pang of empathy, and quietly exited the bedroom as Evangeline continued to murmur in her sleep, "Mummy, you said you'd come back… Why aren't you back?" Her tears soaked the pillow, but gradually, she stopped crying and fell into a more restful sleep.
NB: The Heart of the Deep Blue Sea is a necklace and a priceless treasure. The King obtained it in his youth when he collected gems at sea. During one of his adventurous expeditions, he discovered an underground mine. As an avid stone collector, he unearthed a rare blue gem deep within the mine. The gem's rich color and mysterious aura captivated him, and he named it the **Heart of the Sea**. Fascinated by its beauty, he had the gem crafted into a magnificent necklace.
The necklace was unlike anything ever seen before—a brilliant blue stone set in a delicate chain of platinum, with smaller diamonds surrounding it, enhancing its deep ocean hue. It was said that the necklace's value was so immense it could buy an entire country. Such a valuable item was not just a piece of jewelry; it was a symbol of the King's remarkable find and his adventurous spirit.
The King, recognizing the importance of this treasure, gifted it to his relative, Azielle, when she became Governess. For Azielle, the necklace wasn't merely a piece of jewelry; it was a cherished family heirloom, a symbol of the King's affection and the honor of her position. She wore it often, the deep blue gem resting just above her heart, its color complementing her regal attire and adding to her already commanding presence.
Azielle kept the necklace safe, valuing it not just for its material worth but for the deep familial bond it represented. Whenever she wore the Heart of the Deep Blue Sea it served as a reminder of her family's legacy and the King's adventurous spirit that ran through her veins.