Evangeline rolled her eyes and glared at Dominic. "I told you before, this seat belonged to my grandmother and mother, so don't tell me what to do. If we're doing business, this should be my seat, not that one," she snapped, her voice firm with a sense of entitlement.
Dominic merely shook his head, staring at her with that same detached, emotionless expression. "I don't have time to argue with you, Evangeline. Just get up." His arms folded across his chest, the weariness in his tone showing he was already growing tired of her attitude.
Her defiance flared again. "Let me make something clear for you... Just because I'm learning from you doesn't mean I'm your subordinate. You can sit there if you want," she retorted, rolling her eyes again, her tone laced with impatience.
Without a word, Dominic sighed softly, the only hint of his growing irritation. In one swift motion, he reached for the chair she was sitting on, lifting it with her still on it. He moved with calm precision, his lack of concern evident in every action.
"What the hell are you doing? Put me down!" Evangeline exclaimed, clutching the sides of the chair as if her life depended on it, her voice rising in disbelief.
Dominic, ignoring her outburst, carried her across the room like she weighed nothing. He didn't even spare her a glance, his movements efficient and deliberate. Reaching the spot he had originally pointed out, he kicked the other chair aside and set hers down with a heavy thud.
The sudden impact made Evangeline gasp, her fingers tightening around the arms of the chair as Dominic leaned in close. His dark eyes locked onto hers, his voice low and commanding. "Listen here, annoying little miss," he began, his words sharp and precise. "If you want to sit in an important place, you have to earn that spot. You're supposed to know that by now."
Evangeline's breath caught as his words struck her with cold reality. She met his unflinching gaze, her knuckles white from how tightly she was gripping the chair. He continued, his tone a mixture of teasing and icy seriousness. "Apart from your little art career and farming projects, you can't manage that on your own, and yet you think you're ready to sit where your grandmother and mother once worked? Compared to your oversized ego, it's nothing in the world of serious business. How shameful."
His words hit like a slap, a deliberate wake-up call meant to strip away her arrogance. For a moment, the room was silent, the weight of Dominic's words hanging in the air like a challenge Evangeline couldn't immediately answer. He stood there, unbothered, as if her resistance was merely a passing irritation in his otherwise calculated world.
Evangeline gritted her teeth, narrowing her eyes at Dominic, anger coursing through her. "I'm Evangeline Sarogath. I have every right to this seat—nothing can deny that," she huffed, her voice full of defiance.
Dominic, unfazed, raised an eyebrow and leaned in slightly. "And I am your lawfully wedded husband. I can tell you where to sit and where not to. I'm also married to this family," he added, his tone slipping into one of mocking amusement. "So, how about you just accept that? Because as far as I know, being part of the Sarogaths family doesn't mean you should sit where you're told not to, especially when their blood runs through your veins.it doesn't matter..."
His eyes locked onto hers, cold and unyielding, but Evangeline was used to his tone by now. It didn't intimidate her anymore.
"I thought you respected your grandmother and mother," Dominic continued, his voice taking on a sharper edge. "But clearly, that respect is rather shallow, don't you think? Just because the seat's empty doesn't mean you've earned it."
"Shut up, Dominic! What do you know? I'm done with your games and—" she snapped, but Dominic cut her off, raising a brow in challenge.
"Then prove it," he said, voice steady and no-nonsense. "If you care so much about the Sarogaths, don't take this duty lightly. You're going to be the next Duchess of Verdaselles, so make your family proud. Make your parents' resting place proud."
He placed a hand on the backrest of the chair, his gaze intense as it bore into her. "Prove that you deserve to sit here—not for me or anyone else—but to convince yourself."
Evangeline clenched her fists, her heart pounding. "Gladly, Dominic," she bit out.
Dominic's lips curled into a small, satisfied smile. "Host the hotel anniversary this year, and then you can sit here. Or," he teased with a smirk, "I'll just set up an office for you in one of the spare rooms since you're going to be a Duchess after all. Remember, we're on a bet."
Evangeline scoffed, her chin lifting in defiance. "I'll do it. I agree," she said firmly, meeting his gaze head-on. "Just wait—I'll surprise you and that smug, pretty face of yours."
Dominic chuckled softly, pleased. "What you need to do is handle the guest list, event preparation, dinner, and after-party. Once you've done that, then you can sit in the chair you so desperately want." He released the back of the chair, his hand brushing past her as he stepped away, heading toward a pile of thick books on the table.
Evangeline watched him, her mind already racing with thoughts, determination building within her. She wasn't going to let Dominic have the last word—not this time.
"This day marks when the hotel rooms are empty, and yet it's the most important day for us," Evangeline thought, her mind drifting over the significance of the event. "We host a secret party for the upper class—sometimes even guests of lesser status get invited. But receiving an invitation means you're either nobility or part of a royal family from another country or kingdom. Every year, the question of who gets an invitation becomes a matter of great interest. We have the power to give or take away someone's influence with a simple piece of paper."
Her gaze wandered, imagining the intricacies of the event. "That's why we're careful in our choice of words when sending invitations. A single misstep, and we could receive a blessing or a threat in return, regardless of someone's title. Verdaselles is our responsibility. Everything has to be harmonious, carefully orchestrated in every move we make."
Flashback: 1809
Evangeline, now lost in thought, recalled the pressure and lessons from two years ago. Her thoughts narrated the complexity of preparing for the event. Socialization, information, satisfaction—all of it has to be perfect, down to the smallest detail. There can be no mistakes. The guest list alone, she remembered, was a challenge.
"When Mom was alive, she was always occupied with political matters, leaving grandmother to handle the guest list for this grand event. Even after Mom's death, grandmother didn't stop. The pressure didn't let up."
In the memory, Evangeline saw herself at sixteen, standing next to her grandmother, Azielle. She could feel the warmth of Azielle's hand holding hers as they stood in front of a large desk cluttered with parchment, quills, and notes. The soft rustling of papers filled the room as the older woman carefully reviewed the invitations.
"We must not make any mistakes," Azielle had said, her voice firm but kind. "Even if you haven't mastered everything yet, I'm glad you've been assisting me. With what you've learned, you'll only get better in time." She squeezed Evangeline's hand, her wise eyes watching her granddaughter intently. "When it comes to matters like this, you must follow every detail as though you are their shadow, yet shine like a light when the time comes."
Evangeline remembered feeling both overwhelmed and determined. She watched her grandmother move with precision, flipping through names and titles, her hands steady and sure.
"The title of the book must be Sarogath's Serenity," Azielle continued, placing a hand on the cover of a leather-bound ledger. "You must always remember that, Evangeline. Perfection is the standard."
As the memory faded, Evangeline felt a pang of longing. Her grandmother's guidance still weighed heavily on her mind, especially now that she had to prove herself at the upcoming anniversary. The pressure to maintain perfection was the same as ever, but the stakes had only gotten higher.
Back to the Present
"That's this month, Dominic," Evangeline replied, her voice edged with determination. "It takes a lot of work, and it's already close... that shouldn't be a problem, right? I'm starting today."
Dominic, who had his back to her, couldn't help but smile, though his expression remained unreadable as he faced away." She started off acting like an entitled brat... Now she's confident. Isn't that interesting? She has no idea how much she impresses me every time I'm around her," he thought, feeling the faintest thump of his heartbeat quicken. Turning to face her, his sharp eyes locked onto hers.
"That's good, then," he said, his voice dripping with calm authority. "You should start preparing diligently, starting now." He tapped his slender fingers rhythmically on the pile of heavy books stacked on the table. "These are the records of the Anniversary from the very first year up until last year. Caleb put them together under my orders, and I expect you to read them thoroughly. Grasp everything. Memorize it."
He leaned casually against the table, letting his words sink in before continuing. "Since you're fond of books, I'm sure this won't be a problem for you. Once you've finished, I'll provide you with the records of the former Grand Dukes and the less... noteworthy achievements of Daniyel, the most recent late Grand Duke. You'll learn all this without a single mistake."
Dominic's voice took on a sharper edge, his gaze following Evangeline as she stood from the chair, her movements decisive. "Keep in mind, the guest list for this year might face some unexpected changes. We can discuss it later."
"Piece of cake," Evangeline muttered under her breath, starting toward the door.
Dominic's eyes gleamed with amusement, and a hint of a smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Did she just say 'piece of cake' as if this is nothing?"he mused, watching her with growing interest. "This woman... Well, Azielle wasn't wrong about her granddaughter's potential, but it's still not enough. I'll train her to perfection"
Just as Evangeline reached the door, his voice cut through the room like a blade. "Giving up already?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. "Where did all that confidence go? Or were those just empty words?"
Evangeline halted in her tracks, her spine stiffening at his provocation. Slowly, she turned to glare at him, her eyes burning with a mixture of anger and resolve.
Dominic's expression remained calm, but beneath the surface, he relished her defiance. "Good," he thought. "Let's see if she can handle more."
"I'll ask Magdalene to bring the books later. I want to read them somewhere comfortable, relax with some tea, and we can discuss whatever you need afterward. Is that enough?" Evangeline said, her tone nonchalant, as she turned toward the door, dismissing the weight of the task ahead.
Dominic lowered his head, a low, sinister chuckle escaping him as he rubbed his eyes. "What a spoiled little princess," he muttered, amusement lacing his voice.
Evangeline's hand froze on the door handle. Offended, she turned sharply to face him, her eyes narrowing. "Spoiled little princess? What did you just say?" Her voice rose in anger, barely hiding her irritation.
Dominic's movements were swift. He crossed the room in two strides, kicking the door shut with his foot and planting his hand firmly on the wood, blocking her way. Evangeline flinched at his sudden proximity, stepping back as her hand fell away from the door.
"Why you—!" she snapped, but Dominic leaned in, his voice dropping to a low, commanding tone.
"Not so fast, princess," he said, his eyes flashing with a mix of seriousness and mockery. "Where do you think you're going? I think there was a little misunderstanding. When I asked you to read those books, I meant finish them today—not when you're lounging around like it's some lady-like pastime, like embroidering handkerchiefs." His gaze darkened, recalling the memory of their engagement, when Evangeline would sit with other women, quietly embroidering as if there weren't larger responsibilities waiting and him watching her.
Evangeline rolled her eyes, clearly not in the mood for his condescension. "And who said I don't know that? Get out of my way. Let me call Magdalene," she spat, reaching for the handle again.
Before her hand could reach the door, Dominic's grip closed around her wrist. She tried to pull free, but his hold was firm. Without a word, he pulled her back toward the pile of books and the nearby sofa, his strength overpowering her resistance. She gasped as he forced her down onto the sofa, her eyes widening as he leaned over her, his presence overwhelming.
Dominic's fingers brushed over her thigh through the fabric of her dress, sending a jolt of anger and discomfort through her body. His hand grazed her breast, his touch deliberate and controlled. Evangeline clenched her fists, her body tense as she fought back the urge to slap him.
He leaned closer, his lips brushing against her neck, and she flinched at the sensation. "Also, I need a favor from you..." His breath was hot against her ear, and her eyes widened in both fear and fury.
"What does this bastard want now?" she thought, gritting her teeth, her anger simmering just beneath the surface
"I want you to warm my bed every night... after you've studied." Dominic's words made Evangeline gasp in shock, her eyes widening as she shoved him away. Dominic chuckled softly, the sound low and teasing, his charming demeanor only adding to her frustration.
"Don't get the wrong idea, Evangeline," he said, stepping back slightly, though his intense gaze stayed fixed on her. "Just sleep on it. If you really want to learn from me and play along with this whole charade, we need to act like a proper husband and wife. We can't afford rumors about us being... out of harmony." His tone turned playful as he picked up a document and tossed it lightly onto her lap.
Evangeline picked up the document, her fingers trembling slightly as she clutched it tightly. "Did he really prepare this?" she thought, her mind racing. "He's such a pain in the neck!" Dominic, clearly enjoying her reaction, smiled as though this was all a game.
"Stop acting surprised," he teased, leaning against the desk with a casual grace that only made him more infuriating. "It's not like you didn't see me naked by the river yesterday... We are husband and wife, after all. Seeing me naked isn't exactly a crime—same goes for you." His smirk deepened as Evangeline blushed furiously, the memory of catching him naked by the river flooding her mind. She closed her eyes, mortified.
With a glare, she yanked the pen from his hand. "Isn't your bed warm enough? The servants always prepare warm blankets for us in the house, and you want me to sign this nonsense?" She waved the document angrily, her temper flaring.
Dominic folded his arms across his chest, flashing her a lazy, devilish grin. "It's not warm. Not without you there," he said smoothly, his voice dropping into that dangerously seductive tone that made her pulse quicken despite herself. "Since our wedding night, I've never felt the warmth of your body. You've been spending too much time with Richard. But now that you'll be training with me, we'll be together. You can't deny this, can you? Go on, read it." His eyes glittered with amusement as he watched her face twist with anger.
Evangeline clenched her fists, her knuckles white as she lowered her gaze to the paper, her heart pounding in her chest as she read the outrageous conditions.
Condition One: Warm my bed every night after studying.
Condition Two: If you fail to meet Condition A, you'll make up for it with a kiss. Fail both, and you'll face unknown consequences.
Evangeline's eyes blazed as she finished reading, her jaw tightening in disbelief. "This is absurd!" she snapped, glaring at Dominic, who only laughed in response, running his fingers through his tousled hair with a carefree charm.
"It's not that hard, princess," he said with a wicked grin, his voice dripping with playful arrogance. "Your bodyguard isn't around to shield you anymore, so now you're stuck with me. And a handsome man like me can't be denied a little... love language from his wife, right? Isn't that fair?" He winked at her, and despite her anger, Evangeline felt her heart skip a beat at his devilish charm.
She bit her lip, trying to suppress her fury. Dominic could make any woman scream from just a smile, and he knew it. But Evangeline wasn't any woman. With a deep sigh, she stared at the paper again, her mind spinning.
"Now, be a good wife and sign it," he added, his voice softer but still laced with that teasing edge that made her want to throw something at him.
Evangeline held back her retort, her mind racing. This was a game to him—but she wouldn't let him win so easily.
"Fine!" Evangeline snapped, grabbing the pen and angrily signing the document. Dominic took it from her, his eyes scanning her signature with a look of genuine admiration. A small, impressed smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.
"She has a lovely signature... Azielle should see this," he thought, amused, before clearing his throat to maintain his composed demeanor.
Evangeline, still fuming, clenched her fists at her sides. "This man... Ugh! I'll just do it for the sake of learning from him," she grumbled inwardly. Rising from the sofa, she shot him a cold glare, as if her resolve was the only thing keeping her from tossing something at him.
Dominic, ever the gentleman—though his smile suggested otherwise—gestured toward the towering pile of books on the nearby table. "I'm afraid I have some unfortunate news for you," he said smoothly, his voice dripping with amusement. "There are a lot of books to study. And it's more than just five." His expression held an almost sadistic delight, enjoying her impending reaction.
Evangeline's eyes widened as she turned to face the intimidating stack. "Goddamnit..." she muttered under her breath, barely able to hide her horror. Her gaze darted between the massive pile of books and Dominic, who looked far too pleased with himself.
Dominic leaned against the edge of the table, folding his arms across his chest, watching her like a cat toying with a mouse. "What's the matter, princess? You seemed so eager to learn earlier. Is it too much now?" he teased, raising an eyebrow.
Evangeline huffed in frustration, her hands gripping the back of the sofa tightly. "You... You didn't say there would be this many," she shot back, her voice strained, as if the sheer volume of reading material felt like a punishment in itself.
Dominic chuckled softly, his deep, velvety laugh only adding to her irritation. "Come now, Evangeline. You're not backing out, are you? This is what you signed up for. Quite literally," he added, waving the signed document in the air. His eyes sparkled with mischief, enjoying every second of her torment.
Evangeline glared at him, her face a mixture of anger and exhaustion. "Torture. This is what he wants—he enjoys watching me suffer!" she thought, trying to steel herself for the inevitable hours of reading ahead. But she refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her completely break.
"Fine," she muttered under her breath, though every fiber of her being screamed against the monumental task before her. "I'll show him..."
Dominic smiled again, that charming, heart-stopping grin that could drive anyone mad. "That's the spirit," he said softly, leaning in just enough to make her pulse quicken. "Just think—by the end of this, you'll know more than anyone. And I'll be right here... keeping you company."
Evangeline glared up at him, determined. She wouldn't let him win this game so easily.