"The pay will be a handful and in any case, you do not have anywhere to go…"
As soon as Evara heard it, her heart sank. The man was right. What could she do? Will she be able to work in peace? Will her mother come to search for her? What if her mother finds her and forces her to come back? Worst sell her off.
The thought alone was making Evara shiver, but this reaction did not sit well with Prince Darcy. He thought that the lady was afraid of him and thus had such an extreme reaction. After all, her face was an open book and showed the fear and disgust on her face.
"If you do not want to, it is fine. I cannot force you…" Prince Darcy said as he tried to mask his disappointment with a smile.
"NO!! I would love to work in the palace." Evara's eyes shone as she struggled to hold on to the hope that had suddenly appeared in front of her.
Evara smiled brightly as she blinked her eyes. "If the offer still stands.."
Prince Darcy looked into Evara's eyes. He did not know what he was feeling but soon he found himself being drawn to her. His heart was calm and his mood was good.
"Of course it does." Prince Darcy said as he took a step forward bringing his hand out in hopes of taking the bag from Evara's hand but the lady refused as she took her hand back voluntarily.
"It's not that heavy. I can carry it…" Evara said as she looked at the Crown Prince. She could not help but feel a little nervous. After all, how could she make the Crown Prince of the most powerful Empire take her small dirty bag?
Prince Darcy did not force Evara as he accepted her thoughts, If the lady wanted to be independent then he would only be happy to comply.
He did not waste any time as he turned around and commanded, "Follow me. It is a long walk.." Prince Darcy did not wait for the lady as he was sure that she would follow him and soon Evara was on her way to a new destination.
She was sure that her mother would never find her at the Imperial Palace. No one would think of the possibility that she would be there.
The wind was mild but it was enough to touch their faces. Their hair floated as the moon shined gloriously, making the water shimmer like diamonds in his presence.
Evara felt at ease. She was finally free and was about to find herself. She was going to create her existence. Soon she will be the one who would not be bound by her mother's shackles but by her own thoughts.
– - - -
Prince Darcy was amused to see the questionable expression on the young lady's face. Although she did not say anything, he could hear her thoughts loud and clear.
'Is he really the Prince?'
'Why are we here?'
'Is he crazy enough to kidnap and kill someone? Otherwise, why would we be standing here in all the palaces?'
Crown Prince Darcy laughed as he said in a small voice, "Well, I ran away from my home. So no one knows I wasn't in the Palace. Imagine how shocked they would be if they saw the Crown Prince who was supposed to be in the palace suddenly come from outside? And that too, with an unknown lady? I just got the title, so you can understand my need to avoid unwanted gossip."
Evara nodded her head in understanding but her eyes could not help but look at the man in front of her at one side and the tall wall at the other.
'Does he expect me to climb this thing?' Evara thought as she swallowed. The wall was six times taller than her if not more. How was she supposed to go up?
She could not help but look below at her legs. Although she wasn't too short still it was humanly impossible.
Prince Darcy did not waste any time as he picked the lady up and said, "Don't shout. It's the only way."
As soon as Evara heard those words, the scream got stuck in her throat. How could she say anything to the man who would be the next King?
And soon Evara felt weightless. She could see the floor going at a far distance as she shivered in fear but soon the distance was coming near. And before she knew it she was put back on the floor.
Evara's body lost its balance but before she could fall, a strong hand held her up. Her eyes were dizzy at first, but soon she regained her composure and looked at the person who helped her.
Prince Darcy was looking straight at her. He could see the shock in her eyes as she moved her body back and swallowed hard. The quiet night was exaggerating everything that the lady was doing.
"So … Sorry…" Evara managed to say as she bit her lips. She looked around and did not see any guards to her surprise.
"No one is here" A whisper made Evara shocked and soon she realized that it was no one other than the Crown Prince himself. She took a hurried step back as she put her hand on her ears. Her eyes were full of questions.
It felt as if she was blaming the Prince for being immature. But the Crown Prince was enjoying it. The lady was frightened but it was not because of him. It was a new experience for the man.
Crown Prince Darcy had always been surrounded by rumors and everyone except his family was frightened by him. Although no one said it out loud, he could see it on their faces.
"My assistant is waiting at the far right. Do not worry, No one will come and arrange you. The Crown Prince is there with you.." There was a playfulness in the man's words as his lips curled up making Evara a little irritated.
She did not know if she was imagining things or if the man in front of her had a playful side too. After all, all the rumors portray him as a bloodthirsty cursed demon.
Evara shook the thought away as soon as it came. How could she think so about a person who had given her hope to start new? She did not care who the Crown Prince was. A Demon or God. For her, he was her employer.