The Imperial palace was as peaceful as always.
Nothing but the wisps of the faint breeze could be heard.
Evelina could thus hear her own heart beat hitting her chest and thumping loud and mighty. Her expression, though, was as calm as the water of the Imperial Moon Lake.
"A sudden male entry? The name sounds unfamiliar too.
If he is handsome, he might be a potential male lead or a side character I missed. If it's the latter, then I might as well have a change in plans." Evelina thought as she headed towards the Green House located north-west to the Imperial Palace.
Lily followed closely by. She noticed that Evelina was spacing out for the last ten minutes. Yet, she chose to let her remain in her thoughts while she stayed on high alert.
As they entered the Green house, a strong yet refreshing scent of wet soil was mixed with the fragrance of the flowers adoring the green-house.
In the middle of the beautiful garden was a neat set of tableware placed on the white furniture of the garden tea space. Covered in a light brown cloak, with his feet exposed, revealing a golden anklet and a pair of wooden sandals, while strands of his bright orange hair peeked out of his hood,a thirteen year old kid was seated at the table.
"Evelina Riverton, daughter of Duke Riverton, greets you." saying so, Eve announced her entry.
The kid was up on his feet, and bowed respectfully,
"Renard Velho, an esteemed Mage of the Magic tower, greets the future Crown Princess."
"Please, have a seat." Renard invited Evelina, as he pulled out the opposite seat.
Evelina gracefully took a seat and accepted his hospitality. She was eagerly looking forward to getting a glance of his face when she noticed his bracelet, hidden under his cloak's arms.
" Thank you for accepting my request, my Lady." Renard spoke, "I hope you were prior informed about my role in the investigation?"
"I was indeed." Eveina replied.
"Then I also hope you pardon me for my rudeness, my lady." Renard asked hopefully.
Evelina gave a nod.
Seeing this, Renard smiled ever so faintly before asking Eve, "Have you any enemies, my princess?"
Evelina realised his intention immediately.
The question was a twisted way of asking if she had made any enemies as a soon-to-be royal, seeing how he mentioned the word "princess" for the first time.
"A golden spoon is bound to be a prey for the greedy," Evelina replied, "but my sword shall remain sharp." Implying that she had many political enemies whom she wished to cut down by her own means.
Renard paused for a while before asking, "That day, were you aware of the poison laced in your evening tea?"
Evelina lifted her cup and sipped on the herbal tea before asking, "What is your intention?"
If Evelina revealed the truth about her knowledge of the poison, she would trap herself in the question of how she managed to get a cure.
"Nothing much, my lady." Renard smiled in reply, "I just wanted to know if you really wish to find your enemy."
Evelina paused for a while. If she agreed to this, the investigation she was once unaware of, would continue on. She had to find a proper reason for her survival from the poison by then. But if she were to reject this, it would look like an act of self-harm.
"You can proceed with the investigation." Evelina replied and got up from her seat.
She was about to leave when she turned around, "Next time, I wish you are able to show your true self."
Saying so she headed out of the green house, leaving behind a quite content Mage.
Evelina was quite upset with the meeting. It seemed like her hopes to find a handsome excuse were shattered.The kid seemed to know about the situation pretty well, for he has made sure not to reveal his real identity by wearing a magic bracelet. Thus, Eve was even more furious seeing a fake but handsome face.
"Seriously,"Eve sighed, "All men are petty liars."
All of a sudden, a commission seemed to have broken out somewhere close. Noises of quarrels and people chattering seemed to have snapped Evelina out of her thoughts.
"What's the commotion?" Evelina asked, facing the direction.
"I have no clue, My Lady."
Lily replied.
"Go and find out what's happening." Eve ordered, then called Lily closer and whispered, "If it's spicy news, remember every detail."
Lily gave an enthusiastic nod and headed off to the scene.
Evelina, meanwhile, continued heading away from the Green House with her eyes stuck in the direction of the noise and the retreating figure of Lily heading over there.
Eve maintained her speed, which seemed to have been getting faster with time, for she felt a little impatient to hear about the fight when all of a sudden she crashed onto something.
Or better said, someone.
"I am extremely sorry-" Eve started before getting spell-bound by the beauty in front of her eyes.
Golden hair paired with hazel green eyes, while skin as soft and pale as milk. A young girl of no more than eight was about to be on the verge of bursting into tears.
She seemed to have been playing around and might have been hiding somewhere nearby, for her dress seemed to be in tatters and her nails had mud in them.
The little girl seemed to be putting up a brave front by trying her best not to cry. She landed hard on her rear when she crashed into the hurrying Evelina.
"Ah, Young Lady! Are you alright?"
Evelina asked as she helped up the little girl and dusted off her dress.
"I am fine." The little girl mumbled and gave a long sniff before looking up at Evelina.
This time she seemed to be spellbound by Evelina's beauty. Her jaw dropped while her eyes stared at Evelina with utmost curiosity and awe.
Evelina meanwhile seemed flustered finding a young noble kid in the middle of the Imperial Palace.
She looked around to see if anyone was coming for the girl, but found no one.
"May I know your name, sweetheart?" Evelina asked with concern, "Do you know who brought you here?"
The little girl didn't reply, but lowered her eyes to her ground.
"Did she sneak in?" Evelina thought to herself.
"My Lady!" Lily called out , rushing up to Evelina.
"Lily," Evelina turned around, "what was the commotion about?"
"Ah! The Imperial Maids seem to have lost a kid they were looking after," Lily started, "The described her as short, blonde head with a pair of green eyes."
"Uh, Lily.."
"They said she is very shy and is scared of strangers."
"Lily.."
"Her father seems to be anxiously looking for her so he burst out on the maids, but immediately apologised."
"Lily!" Eve nearly yelled out to stop Lily from rambling on.
"Oh! I apologise, My Lady."
"We have the kid."
"Yeah, we have the-"
"We have the Kid?!"
Lily exclaimed in shock and checked around Evelina, only to find a little girl hiding behind Evelina's purple gown.
"Yes." Eve replied, "Do you know where her father is?"
"Yes, My Lady." Lily nodded, "He might be heading over here soon. He has already searched the other end of the road."
No sooner had she said that, a desperate cry was heard,
"Elisse!"
Evelina almost thought she misheard it, when another cried followed and confirmed her thoughts.
"Elisse! Where are you?"
A man in his mid-thirties sprinted up towards Evelina.
His eyes desperately wandered around, until he caught the sight of his daughter.
"Oh Elisse!" He said as he nearly stumbled on his way up to her.
"Sir, careful."
Evelina spoke, but it seemed like he didn't hear her.
He rushed in and hugged the little girl.
"Never leave papa again, you understand?"
The man asked the girl, as he lifted her up in his arms.
The girl nodded, but lightly tapped her father's hands as though she wanted to be let down.
"You are hurt," The man spoke, patting her hand, "Stay like this for a while."
He turned around to face Evelina and bowed, "Thank you for taking care of my daughter."
"It was nothing, really" Eve smiled, "I wonder, have we met before?"
"Ah! Where are my manners?" The man spoke flustered,
"The Grand Duke of the House of Lins, Bayne Aureolin, greets you, My Lady."
"Avalina Riverton, daughter of the Duke of Riverton, greets you, My Duke." saying so, Evelina respectfully bowed to the man in front of her.
"It was a pleasure being your acquaintance, Your highness." Duke Lin respectfully spoke, "I shall repay this favour one day."
"The pleasure is all mine," Eve replied and bowed, "Until next time, Duke." Saying so, she walked away. Anxiety and surprise twisted in heart, she felt uneasy.
"Elisse Aureolin," Evelina mumbled, "How on earth did you become a Riverton?"