Evara saw the person standing with his back to her.
The man had a strong build, she could tell that his hair was dark blond but in the moonlight, it looked platinum making her feel that she was in the presence of a God.
Evara did not know what to do. She did not want to disturb but soon a sharp voice brought her from reality.
"How long are you just going to stay there?" The man said in a low tone but the silence surrounding them made it sound much louder.
Evara could tell that the man had mistaken her for someone else. Although she was confused, she still found herself walking towards him. Soon she stood beside the man as none of them looked at each other but she could tell he took a small step sideways. Maybe he was as confused as her.
"Sorry to disturb you…" Evara managed to say after a long time when she saw that the man had not said anything. "I was about to leave when you called me out…"
Evara's voice was small but it was comforting. The man felt at ease but as soon as he turned to see the person he was shocked to see her state.
The woman had beautiful black hair which was rare in their Empire and even though her face was filled with tiredness, she was beautiful. Her black eyes looked silverish under the moon and yet she gave a subtle charm.
He looked around and saw no one else. There was a quick thought in his head. 'What was the lady doing here alone.'
But before he could voice out his question he answered it himself. "Did you run away from home?"
Evara tensed up as she heard the words. She swallowed nervously and soon turned around to look at the man. She was a little frightened. After all, she did not know who the person was. What if he was a criminal and wanted to kill her? So someone who would rob her?
Evara thought about the sack of money in her bag and her heart tightened. Soon her eyes met with the man's and she took a sharp breath.
Yes, the man standing before her was handsome. No one could deny it. But that was not the reason why she gasped. He was the man who was on the month of every single person in the Empire.
"Prince Darcy…" Evara murmured under her breath. She had seen the portrayal of this man so many times over the years that she could not mistake him. No one knows.
She looked down at her legs. It was only then that she noticed in what condition she was. Her shoes were worn out. Her dress was old and she was not presentable enough to be in the presence of such a nobleman.
'I should have washed before leaving home.' A thought flashed Evara's mind but before she could think deeper into it, she shook her head, 'How could I when I was in a hurry to leave.'
Crown Prince Darcy looked at the girl who stood before him like a lost soul. He could tell that she was not older than 20. She was young and maybe was kicked out or had run away from her home.
"Are you alone?" Prince Darcy asked with concern. It was not suitable for a young girl to roam the streets alone at night. "Where is your home?"
"I have no home…" Evara said in a sad voice. She did not want to disrespect the man in front of her. If he asked something, she had to answer.
"Did they kick you out?"
Evara shook her head as she refused to look up. "No, I left…"
Prince Darcy wanted to ask the reason but she decided not to probe into the girl's affair. It was true that it was his mistake to call her out without looking back who it was but how could he tell as well? He thought it was one of his brothers who came looking for him. After all, everyone knew that he had a habit of leaving the palace without guards when he wanted to have peace.
Evara bit her lips nervously. She did not know what she was supposed to do. The man in front of her did not do anything which made her more nervous.
'Is he mad at my appearance?'
'Should I not have come here?'
'Is it okay to leave?'
Evara's mind was full of thoughts. She wanted to say a lot of things and yet she could not voice them out because of fear.
She took a step back and decided to gather her courage one last time. "I am sorry to disturb you, Prince Darcy… I did not know it was you… If I had then I would not have come here. Sorry to show my unsigned self… But I am so happy that you have been crowned the Crown Prince…."
With those words, Evara turned around and she took fast steps. She wanted to disappear from the man's sight.
But before Evara could make a run for it she heard a commanding "Wait.."
Her steps halted as she took a few deep breaths. The man had many rumors surrounding him but it was only now that she was afraid of him. Was it because of his tone? Or his strong aura that made her heart beat faster.
Evara turned around. Her eyes were moist as she struggled to keep her composure.
"Prince….."
"Are you alone?" Prince Darcy interjected before she could complete her sentence, making Evara stunned. This question made her feel exposed. Was she looking so pitiful?
Evara could not disrespect the man so she nodded to his question. "It was today itself that I found I had nowhere to go and no one to trust."
Prince Darcy felt pity for the young soul. "How old are you?"
Evara would have answered it in a heartbeat just yesterday but today she found the question difficult to answer.
"According to my mother, I would turn 20 in two months but it was only today that I found out I was an orphan so I cannot truthfully answer that question."
Evara's words make Prince Darcy a little confused. She was a young lady but to think she did not have her coming of age yet…
Prince Darcy did not know why but he felt that he needed to help the lady. "What is your name…"
Evara bit her lips as she looked up at the Crown Prince. She was afraid but she was also a little careful to be on her best behaviour.
"Evara…" Evara said as she tried to smile… "My name is Evara…"
"Do you live nearby?" Prince Darcy did not know why but he was eager to know a little bit more about the lady. Was it because she was a beauty that he had never seen or was it because of her black hair?
"I used to…" The sorrow in her voice was evident and no matter how hard she tried, Evara could not remove it.
"So you have nowhere to go.." The sudden question brought Evara back to reality. She did not know what was happening to her but she was answering the man's questions naturally.
"Yes.." Evara tried to keep a straight face but she was afraid now. Was she hypnotised? Why was she answering so naturally, even when she was supposed to be quiet?
The little fear on her face made Prince Darcy amused. He knew that he had such an effect on people but did not know why, when he saw her coming to reality, he was baffled.
"You know I have recently gained the title of the Crown Prince.." Prince Darcy took a step towards Evara as he said with a smile, "I will be shifting to a new courtyard soon and I might need a few maids to help. As you have nowhere to go, why don't you come to the Crown Prince's palace and work there."
Prince Darcy could see the doubt in her eyes as he said in a soft tone, "The pay will be a handful and in any case, you do not have anywhere to go…"