The Bet

~This is a fictional world, setting is Early 19-Early20th century and fantasy no real events or places are mentioned in this book~

While he pulled the trigger, looking at her with his eyes, Evangeline tried not to look at him.

"I'm sorry, Zard. I can't be as nice to your sister as I was to you," he said in his mind while pointing the gun at Evangeline's head. He closed his eyes as flashbacks of his memories with Zard came across his mind:

~Nine years ago, Clodanius 18, 1802~

Dominic walked with Zard in the schoolyard. Zard was 15, and Dominic was 14. They were both in their school uniforms. Zard wore glasses with his curly pale blonde hair, which he straightened when he turned 18. Dominic's hair was all down, with one of his eyes covered by his hair. He was nicknamed "Eros and Aphrodite's Love child" because of his beauty. As they walked, some girls squealed at Dominic, but he ignored them without remorse, which made the female students gasp in disappointment and heartbreak. Some even ended up crying.

"Ah! I heard the Bruswards family purchased the Beltran Bank. I must say congratulations; I know they have been working on it for years," Zard patted Dominic's shoulder and giggled.

"Zard... You know I'm not interested in my father's business. My elder brother can handle that," Dominic replied in a neutral tone. "I just want to be a free person... and not have people slander me because I'm a Brusward." He clenched his hands. "Zard, you're a good friend. You always look out for others and Caleb. You never saw me as a Brusward but as a brother in the midst of people criticizing me. And now that they have purchased a bank, the slandering won't end there," he said to himself while he stared at Zard.

"Oh, really? Then you're lucky, unlike me. I'm not interested in being the next governor." He looked upwards at the sky. "Once I turn 18, I'll be coronated as a crown prince, and I have a lot of responsibilities with my relatives. So much for a royal family member. I would love to be like Dad, but that couldn't happen," Zard held his books tightly to his chest.

"Why couldn't that happen?" Dominic asked curiously.

Zard just rolled his eyes. "The usual. We don't have many male children in the family, so according to some ridiculous traditions, the male children are destined to rule. I just want to be a soldier," he replied, adjusting his glasses.

"Care to ask me why I'm not interested in my family's business?" Dominic asked his friend.

"Nah, there's no need. I understand why. Stop pushing yourself so hard." Zard patted his shoulder again. "I know you like my sister. You've been hesitant to tell me, haven't you?"

Dominic was shocked by Zard's comment. He was right; Dominic just couldn't say anything because he wouldn't be accepted into the family.

"My sister might be the next governess. I'm not sure; I can't predict, but she would be anyway. I hope you protect her one day. Since you like her, go for it. I'll back you up. And as a soldier, I want to protect my sister as well. She won't be alone in her life, and I'll always be loyal to the country." Zard raised his hand towards the sky, and Dominic looked upwards as well. "I also want to open a business and travel around," he said to Zard. "Don't worry, I won't forget Evangeline." The Memory ended from there.

Dominic opened his eyes still pointing at the gun and pressing it against her head

"I didn't expect the woman I would adore this much would turn out this way, acting like a spoiled brat seeing someone else in my matrimonial home "He thought to himself while he sighed " I hope you're not disappointed dear friend. This is all for this fierce princess afterall "He smiled slightly and laughed while looking at her cranky expression,ready to bite him which he found sexy.

"What are you smiling for, and what's funny?!"Evangeline asked staring at him, gritting her teeth.

"You shouldn't have stepped in this office, sometimes your attitude is the problem I have with you,ever since we got married. I've been a nice guy because of your grandmother "He was right and also not right. He has feelings for her but he just wanted to keep quiet and watching from behind,he stared at her breasts again.

"If you want to kill me,do it now, since that's what your family is known for, stripping people of their belongings by force and killing them with no compassion" she said that to wound his dignity as her husband, the governor and his presence in this house.

Dominic smirked slightly "You're good at having a sharp mouth kitten. you'll have to wait longer for that. then, when I'm done with you and use you, I could kill you after getting rid of your grandmother "He knew he wouldn't hurt Azielle because of her kindness he's not like that and Zard being kind to him and always having his back he said that to toil with Evangeline's feelings and she fell for it , which made him satisfied to teach her a lesson he believed she read the letter on the table that he was writing.

"Tsk..You fucking son of a bitch" Evangeline replied with an angry expression.

"He didn't even try to hide it,I knew I was right about him" She thought as she clenched her hand in anger.

"Indeed dear wife.."He replied to Evangeline with a tease pressing the gun hard to her head again."You never trusted me, you think I'll betray you, kill you and your family and take everything from you "He cackled like an insane person and moved close to her

"As a proper adult and heiress you should to the same darling"

"What?"Evangeline replied" I'm shocked"with her eyes widened.

"Let's make a Bet Kitten, you should try using me too wouldn't that be fair then? putting our lives on the line , working towards our goals when we reach them we'll point guns at each other,if you shoot first I'll be ready to die for you with no regrets "He smirked at Evangeline which made her irritated. She was about to raise her hand to hit him, but she remembered that the gun is still on her head, so she didn't move she hesitated to raise her hand.

"If you fail to do that, then don't blame me for being heartless. I won't recognize the kindness from your grandmother and elder brother and you'll die. Hope I made myself clear?"He chuckled and touched her hair twisting a lock of her hair with his finger and sniffed it with satisfaction,he loved the fragrance of the hair oil she applied.He removed the gun from her head and emptied the gun letting the bullets fall on the floor.

He dropped the gun on her thigh, then caressed it with his hand after dropping the gun on her thigh.She grabbed the gun and hit on his head hard.He winced in pain slightly then he rubbed his head smiling at her and turned away. He later found his dairy and picked it up heading towards the exit.

"Who's your Rose of the lake?" Evangeline's question made him stopped his tracks"And also what deal did you have with my grandmother?"

Dominic turned to her "You should really mind your business. Afterall, your precious bodyguard strips your clothes every night and sleeps on your bed, am I right? Evangeline Vanth Sarogath?"He replied her with those words on purpose as pay back for humiliating him because of his family which made her pissed.

"You!...You Bastard!" Evangeline removed her shoe and threw it towards Dominic,he dodged but the shoe just brushed his shoulder missing it's target,He dusted that shoulder with his hand like nothing happened.

"Your grandmother just asked me to protect you. if you want to know about why we got married you should ask her when you're less occupied" Dominic said, turning away while holding the doorknob and opening the door

"Don't forget our deal dear, I'm looking forward to the outcome wish you luck "He went out and shut the door.

"Ugh" Evangeline threw the pistol on the floor , stomping her foot in anger.