Do You Like What You See?

Two jewelers arrived at Evangeline's home one evening while rain poured heavily. They came bearing jewelry that Evangeline had requested after attending Louise Rosebland's tea party. The dealers were named Sarah and her apprentice, Anne.

Sarah, a woman in her fifties, stood tall at 5'8". She wore a refined black dress paired with a hat, her ensemble adorned with pearls that added a touch of elegance. Her apprentice, Anne, a seventeen-year-old with black hair, was the same height as her madame. She wore a red blouse and a long black pleated skirt, her youthful energy contrasting with Sarah's seasoned poise.

Upon their arrival, the pair were shown into the living room, where they waited for an hour. Eventually, Magdalene, one of the servants, entered the room. "Just be patient," she said with a polite bow. "My Lady will be with you shortly." As Magdalene left, Anne sighed dramatically, folding her arms in impatience.

"What's taking her so long? She can't be that busy," Anne muttered, her voice carrying her irritation.

Sarah pressed a finger to her lips. "Shhh... lower your voice, young lady. This is your first time, so try not to make it too obvious that you're new to this. Behave yourself."

Anne rolled her eyes. "All this fuss for one lady. They must be rich—rich people always take forever."

"Of course they are," Sarah replied, organizing the jewelry in her case. "That's why you must wait. When she's ready, we'll meet her."

Anne giggled, watching Sarah's meticulous movements. "I see… so that's why you're always close to the store whenever you visit this place. You must enjoy spending your day waiting for her."

Sarah smiled knowingly. "Of course. We can't do business in this kingdom without Lady Evangeline. She's one of our most important clients. It's a privilege to serve the Sarogaths family. And it's a great honor that they choose my jewelry, especially Lady Evangeline, the young mistress. She's royalty, you know. Our King is her relative. Now, if you had a client like that, would you let them go?"

Anne shook her head, fidgeting nervously. "No, I wouldn't. It's just… I've never met her in person before. I'm kind of nervous. And… we've been here for almost two hours now. What could be taking her so long?"

Sarah chuckled softly. "Isn't it obvious? She's probably napping after enjoying a night of fun with her lover—or, as she said on the phone, attending a 'tea party.'" Sarah smirked and stifled a yawn, her movements graceful and refined.

Anne's eyes widened. "Wait, what? Lover? I thought Dominic was her husband! Isn't he supposed to be incredibly handsome? She's married to a man like that and still has a lover?"

Sarah laughed lightly. "Yes, Dominic is her husband. And yes, he's every bit as handsome as they say—a true gentleman, with an angelic presence, if I may add. But unfortunately, marriage doesn't always mean happiness. Dominic's duty is to serve Azielle, and he's brilliant at it—always helping the kingdom with his intelligence and strategic mind. But Lady Evangeline, well… she has her own emotional needs. There's this man with brown hair and green eyes I've seen with her more than once. He's not just around sometimes, mind you—he's always by her side. A bit of a confidant, perhaps? Some say he's her hired bodyguard, but I'd bet he's more than that. She keeps him around like an emotional crutch."

Anne blinked, trying to process it all. "Wow… I had no idea. It must be complicated."

Sarah folded her arms, settling comfortably into the sofa. "Marriage can be, my dear. It's not always about beauty or status—it's about what you need, and sometimes that's not what the world sees."

Sarah folded her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly as she recalled the times she had seen Evangeline with Richard. "I've witnessed them together more than a few times," she said thoughtfully. "Richard—brown hair, green eyes—always by her side like a shadow. They share a certain closeness, something deeper than just a client-bodyguard relationship, if you ask me."

She paused, tapping her chin as if piecing together her memories. "I've seen them laugh together, walk side by side as though they were the only ones in the world. And it's not just in public places either. He's often seen entering her private quarters—at all hours, mind you. If anyone's watching, they might assume he's just doing his job, but… there's something about the way they look at each other. It's subtle, but unmistakable."

Sarah glanced at Anne, who was listening intently, eyes wide. "Evangeline may have her issues with Dominic which everyone knows, but with Richard... it feels like she finds some sort of solace in him. A connection she doesn't seem to share with her husband. The way she leans on him emotionally, it's almost as if he's filling a void Dominic, despite all his beauty and intelligence, can't."

She smirked slightly, a glint of amusement in her eyes. "You know what they say—appearances aren't everything. Even the most perfect-looking marriages can hide the deepest cracks."

Evangeline's Bedroom

Richard lay shirtless on the bed, holding Evangeline close from behind as they slept. The room was in slight disarray—her shimmering lilac dress draped over the backrest of the sofa, one shoe discarded near the bed, and a half-empty bottle of wine with two cups on the table. One cup had tipped over, spilling its contents into a growing puddle on the table and floor, while the other stood upright, droplets of wine clinging to its rim. Richard's shirt lay crumpled on the floor, a quiet testament to the intimate, albeit not entirely physical, night they had shared.

A loud rumble of thunder broke the silence, stirring Evangeline from her sleep. Groggy, she sat up, her pale blonde hair in disarray, having fallen from the loose bun it had been tied in. She wore a white nightgown with lace detailing at the bust and hem, the fabric delicately revealing more than modesty would allow. The thin straps clung to her shoulders, and a high slit ran along her left thigh. Letting out a yawn, she groaned, rubbing her temples. "Ugh, my head... it hurts," she muttered, her tone thick with irritation as she shifted to leave the bed.

Richard stirred beside her, his voice a gentle murmur. "Why don't you sleep a little longer? You've had a long day. The rain sounds perfect for resting," he suggested, his hand reaching out to gently hold hers. "It's been raining since you got home, and there's no sign of the moon yet. Between the tea party and the wine, no wonder you've got a headache. Just stay and rest a while longer." He smiled, pressing a kiss to her hand.

Evangeline sighed, rolling her eyes. "Pfft... The jewelers are probably already here. I don't have time to sleep," she said, her voice laced with irritation. "I need to change."

"Oh?" Richard sat up, his curiosity piqued. "You're expecting someone?"

Evangeline yawned again, her head tilting to one side in exhaustion. "What day is it? I've completely lost track."

"Today's Thursday, Evangeline. The last day of the week in the Month of Natalis," he replied, stretching as he noticed her fingers clenching the bedsheets.

"You say it's Thursday?" she repeated, her voice tinged with surprise as she raised an eyebrow, her hands tightening their grip on the cloth.

Richard nodded and got out of bed, his mind briefly wandering. *Why is she so irritable tonight?* He wondered silently.

Walking over to her, he wrapped his arms around her, planting soft kisses on her cheek and shoulder. "Aren't your arms sore? Would you like me to give you a massage?" His hands roamed gently, caressing her thighs and working their way up to her torso, his fingers fumbling with the fabric of her nightgown as he touched her breasts.

Evangeline let out a small, irritated moan but quickly yanked his hands away, slapping them with an annoyed huff. Without a word, she slipped out of bed, leaving Richard watching her in quiet amusement. He smiled and kissed the back of the hand she had slapped, the gesture playful.

She noticed and glared at him. "What are you smiling for?" she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Let's go—I don't have time to waste. And tell the servants to clean this mess up." Her tone was sharp as she pointed toward the table and the spilled wine on the floor.

Richard, still smiling, thought briefly of Eliza's words. His curiosity piqued as he wondered how she knew about the Bruswards and his past connections with them. But as his eyes returned to Evangeline, he couldn't help but wonder what had put her in such a foul mood today.

**Back in the Living Room**

"Madame, it's been almost three hours now. Shouldn't we ask the servants when she'll be coming?" Anne, growing impatient, set her teacup down a little too firmly on its saucer. Her restless energy was palpable, but Sarah remained unbothered, calmly sipping her tea with an air of unshakable confidence.

Before Anne could continue, they both heard the distinct sound of clacking heels approaching from afar. Sarah's eyes sparkled with recognition. *Those steps...* she thought, instantly knowing it was Evangeline. Sensing Anne about to voice yet another complaint, Sarah raised a hand, cutting her off. "Shhh... Keep it down, young lady. Don't you hear her coming?" she whispered sharply, her voice filled with authority.

The room seemed to still as two guards opened the door, revealing Lady Evangeline of Verdaselles. She stepped gracefully into the room, the soft click of her glass-heeled shoes echoing in the space. Evangeline was dressed in a dark blue, slim-fitting gown with short puffed sleeves and elegant fringes. A large, elaborate bow adorned the back of her dress, and her bold red lipstick contrasted with her porcelain complexion. Her hair cascaded down her back in soft curls, and she wore striking blue pearl earrings that shimmered in the low light. A pair of gloves dangled from her fingers, held with effortless grace.

"Lady Evangeline of Verdaselles is here," the servant announced, bowing her head before stepping aside.

Anne was momentarily breathless, her eyes wide as she took in Evangeline's beauty and poise. The woman was smaller in stature than she had imagined, but her presence was commanding, her elegance almost intoxicating. Anne felt her heart race. *So this is her? Evangeline Sarogath. I've heard so much about her, but now that I see her up close, she's even more stunning. Small and thin, but with a kind of charisma that makes you forget her size. I can hardly believe I'm in the same room with her.*

Sarah, brimming with excitement, interlaced her fingers and giggled softly. "Good evening, Lady Evangeline. My goodness, you look absolutely radiant!" she gushed, her confidence shining through, though there was genuine admiration in her tone.

Evangeline, her expression neutral, gave a slight nod as she took her seat across from them. "Apologies for keeping you waiting. I was occupied with personal matters," she said smoothly, her voice calm yet leaving no room for further inquiry.

"Oh no, not at all, Your Grace!" Sarah replied, flustered but eager to please. "Your servants have treated us wonderfully—the tea is delightful, and the desserts are simply exquisite. We've had a lovely time relaxing."

Evangeline's lips curled into a faint smile, though her tone remained even. "I'm pleased to hear that. I expect nothing less from my staff. They are trained to serve with the same care, regardless of how long a guest may wait."

Sarah nodded quickly, fully aware of Evangeline's standards. "Of course, Your Grace. You've trained them well. As you know, I always close my shop early when I come to visit you."

Anne, still mesmerized by Evangeline, gulped nervously. *So this is the woman I've heard so much about. She's even more elegant in person. How can someone so small hold such power and beauty?* Anne thought, as she fidgeted with her cup. *I wonder how her husband, Dominic, looks—and that lover Madame Sarah mentioned...*

Evangeline glanced at Sarah, slipping her gloves on with methodical precision. "You don't need to close the store, Madame Sarah. Surely, with all the staff you employ, they can manage the shop while you're here. I wouldn't want to inconvenience your business." Her voice carried a subtle hint of concern, though it was masked by her composed demeanor.

Sarah, too confident in her own narrative, missed the concern entirely. She placed a hand on her chest, laughing nervously as she replied. "Oh, Your Grace, you don't understand! When I bring jewelry to you, it is a special day—dedicated entirely to you and your esteemed family. Before and after your mother's passing, I've remained loyal. These days are sacred to me, and I would never dream of having other clients on such occasions." She smiled boastfully, as though proud of her unwavering loyalty, completely unaware of Evangeline's silent irritation.

Evangeline's eyes narrowed slightly, though her expression remained polite. "I see," she said, her tone neutral but with an undertone that hinted she wasn't entirely impressed by Sarah's grandstanding.

Sensing a need to shift focus, Sarah quickly gestured to the ornate jewelry box she had brought. "Well, as you requested, I've brought some exquisite pieces for you to see today," she said, her voice regaining its excitement as she opened the box, revealing the dazzling array of jewelry inside. The light caught the jewels, making them sparkle as they were laid out carefully on the table before Evangeline.

Suddenly, Richard walked into the living room. His mid-length brown hair was combed neatly, framing his sharp green eyes. His half-buttoned white shirt revealed just enough of his chest to be tantalizing, with the collar popped in a way that gave him a casual, yet alluring appearance. He wore well-fitted trousers, his confident stride and presence undeniable. Anne's gaze immediately shifted to him, her breath catching in her throat as her cheeks flushed a deep crimson.

*It must be him,* Anne thought to herself, holding her chin as she tried to calm her fluttering heart. *The lover Madame Sarah described… He's a fine work of art, my goodness! His torso…* She bit her lip, her tea cup forgotten in her hand. *I wonder how he looks without clothes. I'm so glad I came today.*

Richard nodded politely to both Sarah and Anne, who only managed a bashful nod in return. He took a seat in a nearby chair, crossing his legs effortlessly. Anne, still captivated, was unable to tear her gaze away from him. *Lady Evangeline is lucky to have such a dangerously handsome man… But wait, what about her husband? I wonder how he compares,* she mused, her curiosity piqued by the stark difference between the two men.

Meanwhile, Sarah was already engaged in conversation with Evangeline, trying to regain her attention. "Lady Evangeline, how is Master Dominic? Is he around today?" Sarah inquired, her tone polite but interested in learning more about Evangeline's mysterious husband.

Evangeline's response was cool, her fingers gracefully inspecting a piece of jewelry laid out before her. "He's away on a business trip, out of the country. I don't know when he'll be back." Her voice carried no particular emotion, though her eyes held a faint trace of irritation. It seemed Dominic's absence was more of an inconvenience than anything else.

As Anne listened, her thoughts drifted back to Richard, her fascination with him only growing as she continued to sneak glances his way. But she snapped back to attention when she heard Evangeline's sharp criticism.

"I was expecting more when you said you had something special," Evangeline remarked, her gaze narrowing as she held a diamond necklace between her gloved fingers. "But why this dull Charisse diamond? It's not attractive enough for my taste."

Sarah, not one to back down easily, responded carefully, "I know you're not fond of Charisse diamonds, my lady, but this particular piece is exquisite craftsmanship. It's a limited edition, released just this month. The quality of the gems is unmatched."

Evangeline remained unimpressed, her lips curling in disdain. "I've told you several times, Sarah, I don't care for anything from the Charisse brand, even if it's a diamond. Regardless of the quality, I find their designs uninspired." Her voice was cold, her tone unyielding as she handed the necklace back to Sarah with a flick of her wrist.

As Sarah faltered under Evangeline's icy gaze, Evangeline's sharp eyes shifted to Anne. She noticed the young apprentice's cheeks still flushed, her gaze locked on Richard. And then, she saw it—Anne's lip caught between her teeth, the subtle, almost sensual way she was biting it as she stared at Richard.

Evangeline's eyes darkened, her expression growing even colder. She watched Anne's every move, her gaze following the way her lips moved with barely concealed desire. The young girl had no idea she was being observed, but Evangeline took note of everything.

Without breaking her gaze from Anne, Evangeline spoke, her voice cutting through the air. "It seems we have a distraction in the room." She let the words linger, her tone laced with subtle warning, her eyes never leaving Anne.

Sarah's heart sank at Evangeline's harsh critique. With a trembling voice, she tried to recover, "But... My Lady, pardon me. If you're not satisfied with this brand, I have other jewels, other brands that—"

Before she could finish, Evangeline interrupted her without a shred of sympathy. Her cold gaze shifted to Anne, who was still lost in her own thoughts. "Madame, today doesn't seem like the best day for this," Evangeline stated icily, pulling off her gloves with deliberate precision. "Why don't you head back and bring me something more to my taste next time?" Her tone was devoid of warmth, completely dismissing Sarah's efforts.

Then, with a sharp, almost disdainful tilt of her head, she pointed at Anne. "And who's that girl? She's not the one you usually bring with you."

Anne, caught off guard, snapped out of her daydream and blinked, clearly startled. "Oh! What was I thinking?" she muttered under her breath, her cheeks flushing as she stood frozen under Evangeline's cold stare.

"Pardon me, Your Grace," Sarah interjected hastily, clearly unnerved by Evangeline's cutting tone. "This is my apprentice. She's learning how to cut gems and manage the shop. A new student," Sarah added quickly, fidgeting and bowing her head, hoping to appease Evangeline.

Evangeline leaned forward, crossing her legs elegantly, her eyes narrowing as a sinister smirk spread across her lips. Resting her elbow on her crossed thigh and placing her chin in her hand, she looked at Anne with mocking amusement. "Ho? Is that so?"

Richard, observing silently, sighed internally, knowing what was about to come but making no move to intervene.

"As an apprentice jeweler, she doesn't seem all that interested in selling jewels," Evangeline continued, her voice laced with sarcasm. "So I was just wondering—who exactly is she, if not that? Pretty, isn't it?" She chuckled darkly, the sound of thunder rumbling in the background as the rain poured harder, making Anne flinch in fear.

"Pardon?!" Anne stammered, her face growing redder by the second, clearly mortified by Evangeline's words.

Evangeline flicked her heels nonchalantly, her smirk widening as she glanced at Richard, then back to Anne. "That man," she began, voice dripping with mockery, "the one you've been sneaking glances at, the one you're practically drooling over."

Anne's eyes widened in horror as Evangeline openly called out her behavior.

"You're free to think whatever you like about him," Evangeline continued coldly, "but it seems you haven't been paying the slightest attention to your job or any of the business here. So tell me, young woman—are you here to ogle men, or to work?"

Anne winced, her whole body trembling under the weight of Evangeline's words. "Forgive me, Lady Evangeline," she muttered, bowing her head in shame, her voice shaky. "It won't happen again."

Evangeline's eyes bore into her with icy disdain. "Oh, I understand perfectly," she said with a mocking tone. "Humans are drawn to beautiful things, whether they're jewels... or people. And I suppose that's the predicament you're in right now, isn't it? You simply can't resist the urge to look, can you?" She chuckled again, the sound filled with venom.

Sarah, utterly humiliated, couldn't find the words to respond. Her face turned pale as Evangeline's words hung in the air, slicing through her composure. She stammered, "I beg your pardon? M-M-My Lady, Lady Evangeline!" Her voice was shaky, the once confident jeweler now reduced to fumbling over her words.

Evangeline's smirk only deepened as she looked from Sarah to Anne. "Perhaps next time, you should both focus less on distractions and more on the task at hand. I expect better."

Evangeline scoffed, completely ignoring Sarah's attempt at a response. Her expression remained cold as she rose gracefully from the sofa and walked toward Richard. Without hesitation, she grabbed him by the shirt as if he were merely an object. Richard, ever obedient in her presence, did not resist.

"If you want to see him so badly," Evangeline said, her voice dripping with venom, "like I saw you biting your lips, practically drooling over him," she dragged him toward Anne. Then, with an icy smile, she forced Richard to kneel in front of the trembling young woman, staring her down. "Why don't you take a good look for yourself? You were so obvious with your desire, why not enjoy the view up close?"

Anne's face turned pale, her breath catching in her throat. She was paralyzed by the shock and humiliation as Evangeline mocked her openly. "I know exactly what you were thinking when he walked in—wanting to see him without clothes, to have him under your control or under his control, submitting to your fantasies. Isn't that what you want?" Evangeline's tone was laced with cruel amusement.

Without warning, Evangeline's other hand forcefully unbuttoned Richard's shirt, the buttons flying in different directions. His chest and abs were exposed, and she caressed his torso with an almost possessive, mocking touch. Then, her hand slid dangerously close to his groin, unzipping his pants halfway, her movements slow and deliberate, designed to push Anne further into discomfort"Do you Like What You See?"She added with a cold tone

"I-I-I'm so sorry, Your Grace," Anne stammered, her voice barely audible as her hands trembled uncontrollably. Her face burned with shame, her eyes filling with tears as she clutched her skirt tightly. "I'm so sorry," she repeated, her head bowing lower as her tears began to fall. The weight of her embarrassment crushed her spirit, leaving her to regret every stolen glance.

"Do you want him between your legs too?And inside of you" Evangeline asked, her voice low and mocking, her gaze fixed on Anne with cold, merciless intent. "Do you want what's mine?" She yanked Richard's shirt tighter, ensuring his bare chest was fully exposed, while her other hand remained near his unzipped pants, taunting Anne with her power over him.

Anne's tears flowed more freely now. "No, I would never think that way, never take what's yours, my Lady... I just... I just—" she trailed off, her voice cracking from the overwhelming shame.

Evangeline smirked, pleased by her dominance over Anne's emotions. "No matter how beautiful or tempting he may be, he already belongs to someone. You know that, don't you?" She pushed Richard closer, making his lips hover near Anne's, the tension between them thick with unspoken intimidation. "Isn't it wrong to covet something that already belongs to someone else?"

Anne's realization hit her like a punch to the gut. She knew Evangeline was right, and the weight of her actions bore down on her like a storm. In a desperate attempt to seek forgiveness, she stood up, but Evangeline's grip on Richard forced him back down to kneel in front of her. Without thinking, Anne dropped to her knees, bowing her head low and kowtowing repeatedly.

"You're right, My Lady, I was wrong. I'm terribly sorry for my behavior. Please forgive me, both of you," Anne sobbed, her voice shaking as she apologized, her tears spilling onto the floor. The humiliation of kowtowing in front of the servants and guards, who witnessed the scene, left her trembling uncontrollably.

Evangeline watched with cold satisfaction as Anne grovelled. Her lips curled into a small, cruel smile as she finally released Richard. "That's a good girl," she said, her voice soft but menacing. "I hope you've learned your lesson."

She called for the servants, who entered the room, witnessing the aftermath of the humiliating scene. "Get Richard a new shirt," Evangeline commanded with a dismissive wave of her hand. As they hurried to obey, she glanced one last time at Anne, still kneeling and sobbing on the floor. "Now, be grateful you still have your dignity intact... though I wonder for how long."