"He is looking for a wife?" The baroness flinched when Evangeline held her hands suddenly but still nodded her head.
"Yes, I have heard they are trying to buy a noblewoman. It is an open secret that they had issued a reward for the family if they gave their daughter. I feel bad for the young ladies from the fallen noble families. They might suffer from the greed of their families." The woman sighed exaggeratingly, getting attention from many nobles.
Evangeline stood up. She almost ran out of the room, following the man when the idea struck her mind.
"Your grace! Your grace." She called a few times when she had trouble breathing but the man did not stop.
His aid was already looking back at her and then at his master confused.
Though his master was cold and domineering. He never behaved this way.
"My lord, the lady is calling for you. She did not look well." His steps halted when he heard the last line.
Evan finally took a deep breath and reached there.
She stood in front of him and stared at his red eyes again. A proof that he was a demon, someone who did not hold a soul.
"I heard that you are looking for a wife. You are ready to give any reward in exchange for a woman."
"......" his lips arced upward. It looked like a smile but at the same time, it did not.
"Yes, I am looking for a bride. Do you have anyone in mind?" The aide nodded his head again and again. He would be free from the torment if they were able to find a wife for his master.
He had knocked on all the doors of the empire but no one had the courage to marry him.
"Yes, I want to present myself as your bride."
Ian froze in disbelief. Wasn't she the wife of Marques Harold? The eldest lady of the house. It had been one year since her marriage. Was she mocking their master!?
Evan stood straight in confidence, she had gathered all her courage to do this.
Damien kept staring at her intensely. He could feel her racing heartbeat, sweat dripping from her face to her neck. Her pupils dilating and trembling yet she did not take her gaze away.
She kept staring at him. The woman was ready to do anything! Even death was welcome if she could marry him.
Two minutes later, the man's lips twitched ever so slightly as he responded with one word, "OK!"
"That.. but my lord!" Ian was petrified. The woman was crazy but his master was crazier.
"Can you not manage it?" These five words, but had such a deep impact on Ian that he trembled.
There was nothing he could not do for his master.
"I will make the necessary arrangements." Ian wanted to cry. He felt his throat burnt when the words left his mouth.
Great! Now he had to force a noble to divorce his wife and then arrange a marriage of his master with that wife!
"It will take three days to handle the matter. My aid will stay in touch with you and come to pick you up for our marriage ceremony. I have no one to invite. You can bring your guests with you at that time. If you need anything in the meantime, you are free to speak." He waited but the woman shook her head.
"But after marriage, I want my position back as a reward!" He paused, the woman would get the position of duchess after marrying him.
She could enjoy a much higher position with all the wealth at her disposal yet she wanted that position.
"Would it not be better to let him be the marques while you will be the duchess? You know that I own all your business ventures right." She held her dress tightly as her body trembled.
No! She did not. Her father never took out a loan. They have sufficient wealth. Why in the world would he own their businesses?
Looking at the shock in her eyes, a smirk formed on his lips.
"We can discuss the details after marriage. You have a lot of things to handle till then." He started walking again leaving the stunned Evan behind.
She was the one who offered the deal, yet she felt she was forced into a swamp, she would not be able to come out from.
But she was prepared! Even if she had to sell her soul to the devil. She was going to take revenge on him.
"My lady, why did you suddenly run like that?" Daisy was standing just a few steps away all this time.
The aura of the man was so strong that she was not able to breathe if she took a step closer.
Her body was crushed by the invisible weight. She was worried that her mistress would be struggling. But she was shocked to see that peaceful smile back on her face.
"My lady!"
"I am tired, Daisy. I need to go and rest. Will you help me?" Daisy forgot all her questions and held Evan's hand.
Evan could feel the eyes of Elene and Harold on her when she returned. Many guests were staring at her too.
No one ever dared to call Damien and she dared to stop him when he was leaving and stare back into his eyes. Was she not afraid that she would die?
She ignored all of them and walked away. Closing the door of her room, Evan lay in her bed.
"Daisy." she looked at the young maid with worry and guilt, "I am going to leave the palace in three days. I... I am going to marry Duke Lancaster."
The shock was a small word to explain her expression, Daisy looked like her soul had left her body.
"What did you say, my lady? But.. you are already married." Evan held the sheets tightly in her hands.
"Yes, but he would handle it. He would come to take me away. I will not ask you to follow me. I know how many dangers that palace holds. But they will not let you stay here once I leave. So, I want you to leave the job tomorrow and never come back."