" We have arrived, milady. I would advise you to go straight to Master Evans's office."
" Sigh, can I go there after making a stop by my room?" I basically pleaded.
" I am afraid not. Master Evans is rarely seen, angry, but apparently, he has been in a foul mood ever since those rumors surfaced." Lily explained.
" Alright,Alright.I will go.Lead the way." I said to Lily as we got out of the carriage.
" Yes, milady." She responded and led the way. Come to think of it, I had never been in Master Evans's office, nor have I ever seen him angry, which made me curious about the events around this whole situation. How bad were the rumors that had reached his ears? I asked this because something as fickle as a rumor always landed in different lands in different forms.
As we walked, we passed a huge statue in the middle of a garden. It was the statue of Master Evans in military attire holding a sword.
" The statue is huge, right, milady?" Someone asked
" Why, yes." I answered unconsciously only to turn and find that the source of that sentence was not Lily but someone else.
" Ms Lily, I will take over from here. I shall escort the duchess from here on." a man in our worker's uniform said. Personally, I had never seen him before.
" May I ask who you are?" I asked
" You probably don't know me. My name is Frank Sean. You can call me butler Sean, I don't work often because I receive orders ordering special occasions." he explained. He had a funny voice. It was a little too soft, and I guess that was why I thought Lily was the one speaking to me earlier.
" Oh, alright then. Lily, you can go back." I instructed.
" This way." Butler Sean pointed.
" Yes." I nodded and followed him.
It was not a long walk because he found us just below the steps of the house and intercepted us. Which made me wonder why he stopped us. Did they not allow servants to go into the master's separate house?
" We are here." Butler Sean said as he pointed at a door, catching me off guard.
" Oh, thank you." I said, and he bowed and left without a word.
(knock, knock, knock)
" It's open." Master Evans said, and I entered.
" Greetings, father-in-law. " I said with a polite curtsy. Master Evans, who was looking at some documents, paused for a while before looking at me.
He sighed, and I got nervous. His natural demeanor was not there at all, which made me think about what Lily had said. Was he really mad?
" I heard that you were looking for me." I said again when he didn't respond.
" And I heard that you were somewhere you were not supposed to be?" he questioned.
" Pardon?"
" What were you doing at the military test center?" he asked.
" I..."
" Charlotte, that is Ryan's territory." he said.
" And that's why I wanted to be there." I exclaimed.
" I wanted to see how he is like when he is there versus when he is at home, ignoring my existence. Father, you should be aware by now that Ryan has never spent a single night in his room ever since you said that we must share a room." I explained, I believed with this I would hit a nail, and indeed I did.
Master Evans sighed, " I know... I even had to stop a rumor from circulating throughout the capital."
" But now there is another rumor that emerged from the military." he continued.
" About that, father I-"
" It's alright. I know something ridiculous when I hear it. That's not why I called you here today." he said, which shocked me
" It's not?" I asked.
" No." He said as he shook his head sideways and took off his glasses.
" I am sure you are aware that your marriage is not legally recognized in our kingdom nor have we requested permission from the king." he explained, and I nodded.
" Yes, I was made aware by my aide."
" Yes, so the king has issued out a verbal " friendly" reminder that Ryan needs to get married. And since he is pretending to not know of the arranged marriage I have set for my son, the whole society will do the same thing, and thus, your marriage won't be recognized." he explained and sighed yet again.
" Father-in-law, sighing is not good for your health. Tell me, what can I do to help?" I asked him. Although I was facing the crises of being evicted as the new duchess before I had my rein, I did not like seeing Master Evans so down and defeated.
" There's a lot you can do. Ryan is the one who can fix all of this, but he is as stubborn as a muel." he said, frustrated.
" I see. He has also told you that he wants to send me back to my kingdom?" I asked, and he looked shocked, so I clarified.
" He told me that on my first day here."
" That good for nothing." Master Evans cursed
" That is why, I want to go to the military, ( that and other stuff) if he is not convinced by the time I leave the military then I will willing return to the marquess's house." I explained.
" What? Nonsense. You don't have to go through such great lengths." Master Evans said
" I have to father-in-law, I believe it is something I have to do as a woman, fight for the marriage bestowed upon me, and if it does not work, I will simply walk away." I said, though the thought of leaving the family hurt me, particularly leaving Jay Jay. I missed him, speaking of which, he was enrolled in a boarding school and did not come home as often. We usually communicated with his tutor because the rules of their school stipulated that we are not allowed to speak to them often because we might distract them, hmph, utter nonsense!
" Are you certain?" Master Evans said, pulling me out of my thoughts.
" Absolutely." I said
" Then do you want me to assist you to get into the department? I have connections." he said, wiggling his eyebrows, and I was relieved that he was back to his usual self.
" Oh, no father-in-law. I want to get in using my capabilities." I said.
"Alright, how long will the program last?" he asked.
" 3 months. They will decide on the final members after the probation period." I explained.
" Alright. You have my permission." he said
" Thank you, Father-in-law." I said happy as I skipped to the door. At least something was going well.
3rd person narrative
" Was he here today?" Master Evans asked butler Sean
" Yes, he just left." Butler Sean answered
" Good. Let's hope he tells Ryan exactly what Charlotte said." Master Evans said.
" But Master, if he does and Charlotte fails at her mission, will you really allow her to go back? Won't that endanger master Ryan?" Butler Sean asked.
Master Evans sighed, " Enemies are lurking everywhere nowadays. Of course, it would be good if Charlotte remained married to him because she is from outside our society, and she is neutral. Hidden forces are tagging everywhere, however, I can't force them to stay married, I mean, even my own son has sent his personal aide to spy on me and this already shows that he doesn't trust the choices I make for him. So, in the end, I am helpless."
" Yes, Master." Butler Sean replied.