3 - Evaporation

"Those most moved to tears by every word of a preacher are generally weak and a rascal when the feelings evaporate." Someone stated. However, anyone can be weak and a rascal at the same time. Just some conceal the latter and show the former. Or vice versa.

'Tis the day of meeting the crown prince of the empire. The existence of absolute monarchy would thrill the young lady if she were not meeting a royal family member. She is nowhere near excited. She is nervous, but pretending calm and collected would be the most appropriate façade. Since it Is a royal summon and a big deal in this world, she had no choice but to comply or be thrown into the lion's den. Pick your poison.

"I want it to be simple yet elegant." She ordered. Amy, the youngest, pulls a rack of dresses and gowns from a walk-in closet.

"The maroon gown seems fitting. What do you think, young lady?" Eve can feel the weight of the gown on the servant's hand. She shut her eyes, making the servants vigilant of the objects about to fly.

"So be it." Despite her face's disagreement, she approved, knowing that the royal palace was her destination.

The Levite gown was intricately wonderful yet heavy. It is a casual dress with an exotic flavour, similar to the Turque. The shift was loose-fitting, long-sleeved, and the bodice closed in front. A dark green sash was tied around her waist. It will be the first time going outside the gates and the county. She wished she could wear a loose in the long travels instead of this stuffy gown. She silently prayed not to pass out in the palace.

The carriage with the Cadwyn seal in front is waiting in front of the manor's entrance. Five knights, a coachman, and Rebeka will accompany Eve on his three-hour travel to the royal palace. A tall, well-built knight saluted to her.

"Good morning, my lady. I am Forrest Simon, vice-captain. The carriage and the supplies are all prepared." The stern, young knight said. With a hint of indignation, the knight offered assistance, but the young lady ignored it and held her weight to the chaise. His black horse neighed from the rejection as if teasing the knight. Eve assumed that such chivalry without pure intent was repulsive. The knight prefers to train than to accompany an ill-mannered young lady to the palace. She settled in the fancy chaise along with her servant Rebeka. A few moments passed, and the chaise began to move on.

-

A knock can be heard in the window. Rebeka left it ajar to listen to nature's sound, as the lady instructed. A knight whispered something to the servant.

"My lady, the horses needed to be fed, and the chaise's wheels are to be checked for maintenance, so they requested to halt the travel for half an hour. Would that be fine?" Rebeka carefully asked, as the young lady dislikes delay. Punctuality is one of the lady's favoured redundant sermons to servants who arrive a minute late. She would continue for hours until one servant would faint. Of course, that is just hyperbole.

The young lady, with her eyes closed, did not respond momentarily. Eve's stress levels on these days plummeted greater than they were in medical school.

"Very well." She opened her eyes and looked at the scenery outside. They are currently in the forest. Awed by the place's sight and peacefulness, she decided to hop off the chaise.

"My lady! Where are you going?" It brought the attention of the knights, including Forrest.

"Just nearby to stretch my legs. I won't be gone for too long."

"My lady, let me accompany you." The vice-captain said. Eve's eyebrow raised, and she crossed her arms. She did not utter a word and turned around. The knight instructed his subordinates to make the maintenance haste and followed the lady three feet apart.

"Ugh, I'm exhausted." She voiced out what was on her mind forgetting someone was following her. Sat on a small boulder, the gushing of the river and the rustling of winds can only be heard. She looked at the knight from behind and met his eyes intently staring at her.

"What are you looking at? Have a seat if you want." She taps the space beside her. "It is fine, my lady." Eve did not insist anymore. She finds it even more exhausting to force people. But food changes even the fickle-minded.

She took something from her pocket. A snack she bought from the red chaise. She offered it to the knight, at first hesitant, but finally accepted it. He took a bite and nodded in approval.

"It's delicious." A rash commentary was especially talking to a notorious villain, but the lady paid no heed. Unbeknownst to the lady, the knight has been observing her emotions since he met her in the manor. There is something different about her, he thought.

"Indeed, if you want more, I have plenty back in the carriage." Eve nonchalantly said, her back facing the knight. Appreciating the mountains from afar, she suddenly spotted a white mansion on top of a hill in the western area. Her eyes accommodate as part of the reflex to see the white estate thoroughly.

"That white manor in the west is the Cadwyn's." The knight from behind suddenly talk.

"I see." She had no reason to be cruel to this handsome young knight; her safety was in his hands. But she reminded herself to be mindful of her words and actions. Although, it is challenging to be Evelyn and Eve at the same time.

"The county was surrounded by mountainous regions making bandits and invaders difficult to attack." He uttered. As he finished his sentence, a gust of wind blew the lady's black hair, causing the ornament to fall. The lady did not notice it and still admired the beauty of the place while staying vigilant of the knight behind. Her back is open; he could slash it without blinking.

"...What about that tiny object in the top of that huge mountain on the east?" The knight glanced at the lady's back. He did not expect it to continue the conversation.

"That's the Temple of Anais, pilgrims and holy knights would visit every twice a year. If the temple is bright at night, that means the pope is there at the moment."

"So it seems." She agreed while holding her hair to the side so as not to get blown by the wind again.

"My lady served for a month in the temple." He once recalled the Countess' sermon had reached the barracks. He thought that the lady must have been the reason for it.

"Of course, and it didn't end well, right?" Finally, the lady turned her back and met his eyes. The knight was slightly taken aback by the sudden eye contact but managed to stare back.

"Well, my lady caused a small ruckus there so you were called a spawn of Henna by the Holy Maiden."

"I doubt my entry on the New Year's ceremony will be welcomed. Nevertheless, worship did not appeal to me the slightest since then." According to accounts, Evelyn was a famous troublemaker, but even Eve can understand that it gets monotonous in temples and churches.

"Well... the New Year's festival is much more exciting than kowtowing to deities.

"Such blasphemy to the gods!"

"My lady just stated, not too keen on the gods. Besides, if there is a higher power, why the suffering and bloodshed? The gods are merely amusing themselves on the anguish of others." Eve held her breath and fell silent. Despite serving in the Order, the knight's blatant profanity would make him strip his title, tortured, and killed. Despite that, he shared his sentiments with a notorious villain, thus making Eve wonder about his intention.

The knights and the servant was stunned by the atmosphere of the two going back. They were discussing an important matter; both fell silent near the camp. The vice-captain only speaks if asked by superiors or commanding the Order. The vice-captain's hand seems to be clutching his left han