Dominic and Caleb returned home late that night, their footsteps echoing softly in the dimly lit hallway. Standing in front of the office, Magdalene bowed her head in greeting, her posture stiff.
"Welcome back, Master Dominic," she said, her voice low and formal as Dominic paused mid-step, his gaze narrowing on her.
"Where's Evangeline? She has work to do," he asked, his tone clipped, though his eyes glinted with something unreadable. Caleb, standing just behind him with a portfolio in hand, shifted slightly, giving Dominic some space.
Magdalene raised her head, looking uneasy. "She's at the old building in the Eastward wing. She's been there since you left, not stepping out. We sent food, but she mentioned something about studying books."
Dominic's brow furrowed. "Oh, so she's made herself comfortable somewhere other than the greenhouse, surrounded by all those books. What a spoiled woman..." he thought as he began walking past Magdalene, his coat brushing lightly against her arm. "I'll check on her there," he added over his shoulder.
Magdalene's eyes widened, and she quickly spoke up, stepping forward slightly. "I'm afraid that's impossible, Master Dominic. You can't go there unless... well, unless the cleaners are there to tidy up," she said with a heavy sigh, her hands wringing together.
Dominic paused briefly, a faint smile playing on his lips, but it never reached his eyes. "Oh, don't worry, I understand. Azielle already filled me in. I'm just curious. Evangeline's banned me from the greenhouse, after all. I thought she'd be there studying, but it's fine." His words were calm, almost too calm, as he reached for the office doors.
"She did what?!" Magdalene exclaimed, blinking in shock.
Caleb let out a nervous laugh, scratching the back of his neck. "It's a long story. Lady Evangeline can be... uh, cranky," he murmured.
Before Caleb could finish, Dominic's hand gripped the door, and with a firm push, he stepped into the office. The door slammed shut with an aggressive thud that echoed down the hall, making both Magdalene and Caleb flinch. They stared at the door, the tension left hanging in the air as the sharp sound faded, signaling that Dominic had sealed himself away inside, clearly not in the mood for further discussion.
Several Minutes Later, in the Office
Caleb stood in front of the empty table, his brows furrowed. "So, she carried all those books to study? Isn't that a bit harsh? It took me ages to get through all that, and it's a huge amount of work…" he muttered, glancing over at Dominic, who was standing by the desk.
Dominic's calm, composed figure didn't waver. His fingers moved deftly, gathering together some paperwork and tapping the stack lightly against the table to straighten it. "She's fond of books, more than attending or hosting parties, sipping tea with friends. I've decided to keep her busy. After all, she wants to learn," he said, his tone neutral, neither cold nor warm, just matter-of-fact.
Caleb crossed his arms, still concerned. "You have a point, but no matter how smart anyone is, no one can study all that in a few hours. It's impossible."
Dominic's hand hovered briefly over the papers before slipping them into a drawer by the small library. "She's capable of more than you think," he replied quietly. A soft chuckle escaped his lips as Caleb, frustrated, facepalmed when he noticed the broken chair leg.
"Now, who did this?" Caleb grumbled, inspecting the damage.
Dominic glanced at his watch, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips, but he didn't acknowledge the chair, knowing full well it was from when he had kicked it while carrying Evangeline. "Well… if anyone could memorize things that quickly, it's Evangeline," he added, closing the drawer smoothly.
"Is that so…" Caleb mumbled, holding up the broken chair leg, his eyes narrowing slightly in suspicion as he looked at Dominic.
"It's true, Caleb." Dominic's gaze remained steady, unfazed by Caleb's look. "When we first arrived here, it took us some time to figure out this place. Thanks to the servants, we managed, but for Evangeline, she grew up here. She was surrounded by the things in those books long before we set foot here. I've only made some changes, corrections to the mistakes Azielle and Adrielle made with my new strategy. She's not going to back down easily. Don't underestimate her."
Dominic's hand absently rubbed the spot where his wedding ring once rested, his fingertips lingering over the surface of the telephone on the drawer. "She's seen everything in those books, plus she had some training from her grandmother. That's another advantage."
Caleb listened, though his thoughts were elsewhere, still grappling with the enormity of Evangeline's workload.
Dominic, however, remained composed. "Like I said before, we don't know the kind of beast she'll be when it comes to things like this. It's what she's always wanted, and I'm giving her that chance. Plus, I'm fixing our marriage and removing the obstacles in our way…"
He paused, his voice lowering slightly, as if speaking more to himself now. "I'm not going to my bedroom tonight…" he added, a distant look in his eyes, though his demeanor remained as indifferent and composed as ever.
The Old Building - Cold Palace
The interior of the Cold Palace, once a grand yet somber part of the estate, now had a desolate chill. Evangeline's childhood bedroom, though vast, was sparsely furnished and cold, both in atmosphere and temperature. The heavy curtains framing the large window were drawn halfway, allowing pale, silvery light to filter in. The aged wallpaper, still vibrant in the midst of a less dull hue, giving the room an almost a bit quality. A worn but elegant sofa sat by the window, where Evangeline now perched, surrounded by stacks of papers, ledgers, and event records.
Evangeline hunched over the sofa close to the window she sat on , furiously scribbling notes in the margins of the hotel's activity reports. The records of the hotel's board meetings and upcoming anniversary events sprawled across her workspace, each sheet meticulously detailed, as if daring her to falter. Her fingers tightened around the pen as she glared at the pages.
"This bastard... using my love for books against me," she muttered under her breath, stabbing her fork into a small piece of steak on the plate beside her. She chewed thoughtfully, her eyes never leaving the document before her. Determination flared in her gaze as she flipped to the next page, the creased paper crackling under her touch.
Leaning back against the sofa for a moment, Evangeline let out a groan, pressing her forehead against the open book in frustration. "You've got this, Evangeline," she muttered to herself, forcing the words through gritted teeth. She sat up straight again, shaking off the weariness and spearing another piece of steak with unnecessary aggression. Her focus returned as she gulped down a mouthful of lemonade, the cold, tart liquid providing a brief moment of clarity.
The weight of managing the hotel's anniversary event pressed on her shoulders. Every detail needed to be accounted for—staff assignments, the guest list, logistics, catering, and even the speeches to be made. Pages upon pages of board meeting notes cluttered the table, alongside records of past celebrations and budget approvals.
Her fingers moved steadily over the notes, making annotations, revising strategies, and cross-referencing dates and vendor contracts. In the dim light of the Cold Palace, her efforts felt like a battle fought in isolation, the room a silent witness to her growing frustration and resolve. The cold seeped through the floorboards, but Evangeline hardly noticed, too wrapped up in her work.
She set the pen down for a moment, rubbing her temples before leaning back and looking out the large window as the wind rattled the glass but she paid it no mind. "Of course, Dominic would give me all this," she mused bitterly, taking another aggressive bite of steak. "But I'll get it done. I always do."
Even in the quiet stillness of the Cold Palace, Evangeline's mind buzzed with energy, her every thought laser-focused on the task at hand. Despite the overwhelming workload, she knew deep down that this challenge was one she could overcome. It wasn't just about the hotel or the events—it was about proving herself. And if that meant staying up all night in this room, she would do it.
An Hour Later
Dominic walked purposefully through the Eastward hallway leading to the old building, his polished shoes tapping softly against the stone floor. Caleb and Magdalene watched him from a corner, their eyes filled with worry as his figure disappeared into the distance.
"He's going to check on her... Oh goodness, I don't want another fight," Magdalene sighed, her face showing clear concern.
"It seems so... She'll be furious when she finds out," Caleb added, rubbing his chin anxiously. "The Cold Palace is off-limits, even to Mr. Richard. What should we do?"
Magdalene fidgeted with her fingers in fear, knowing how possessive Evangeline was about the place.
Dominic continued his steady walk toward the Cold Palace, crossing the narrow stone bridge that connected the main building to this secluded part of the estate. The guards stationed at the entrance bowed their heads as he approached, not daring to stop him, though the area was technically off-limits. Dominic's gaze shifted toward the towering gates ahead, supported by two tall towers on either side, their aged stone surfaces gleaming faintly in the moonlight.
As the guards opened the gates for him, Dominic paused, taking a moment to admire the architecture. The moonlight bathed the courtyard in an ethereal glow, casting long shadows from the statues and hedges. The gentle sound of crickets filled the air, mingling with the soft splashes from the fountain in the center of the garden. Nearby, a small bridge arched over a lake, its water reflecting the silvery light.
"I never knew it would be this beautiful at night," Dominic thought to himself, his expression neutral but appreciative. "It almost reminds me of Mother's garden, though this place feels even grander. Azielle once told me about the Cold Palace... it was the family's original home before the construction of the main building. The current building was organized by her husband she said it the day she left after her last visit."
He recalled his conversations with Azielle as he descended the steps leading to the inner part of the palace. The interior had been well-preserved, its grand design a testament to its importance in the family's history. The marble floors were polished, reflecting the dim candlelight from sconces lining the walls. Rich tapestries hung along the corridors, their patterns woven in deep reds and golds. The air inside was cool, with a slight mustiness that hinted at the building's age and infrequent use.
"Evangeline grew up here," he mused silently. "Even though her parents died when she was young, this place was always private for the family. It's larger than the main building, and there's an undeniable sense of space there. I've thought about renovating it, but Evangeline would never agree to that... Ever since the shipwreck, she's made this place her private sanctuary. No one enters here, not even Richard. The servants are the only ones allowed to clean it."
As he walked further inside, Dominic took in the grand yet simple beauty of the place. The Cold Palace, though impressive, had a plainness that set it apart from other estates he'd visited. It was as if the grandeur was subdued, almost humble in its display of wealth. The sitting room he entered next had two simple chairs and a small wooden table, its surface cluttered with old storybooks. A fireplace sat unused in the corner, cold ash marking the stone hearth.
"When I made the deal with Azielle and first explored this place, I didn't think much of it," Dominic reflected. "It didn't hold much monetary value—nothing here could pay off the country's or hotel's debt. But it's sacred to Evangeline. Even if she recovers in health or have children, I won't tear it down. This place has meaning, even if the fanciness of the decor makes it easy to overlook its simplicity."
With Magdalene's words in mind, he moved toward Evangeline's childhood room. As he approached, he noticed how the corridor seemed quieter, the air thicker with the weight of memories. He knocked softly on the door but was met with silence. Slowly, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Evangeline's childhood room was as preserved as the rest of the palace—pristine, but with an undeniable chill in the air. The large window framed by heavy drapes allowed a sliver of moonlight to pour in, illuminating the elegant yet modest furnishings. A four-poster bed stood against the far wall, its canopy pale and sheer, while a small desk sat by the window, papers neatly stacked beside an old lamp. The room, though grand in size, had a coldness to it, as if it had been left untouched by time.
Dominic's gaze swept over the room as he stepped further inside, his thoughts momentarily lingering on the quiet stillness that enveloped him.