"God, I can't believe I came to the office like this… it's so embarrassing!" Evangeline thought, stepping out of the moonlight. She hugged her arms around herself, trying to hide as much as possible, her cheeks flushed a deep red.
Dominic watched her with a slight, amused smile tugging at his lips. "Her outfit… it's proof that she's taking her duties seriously, even if she doesn't realize how much it affects me," he mused, taking in her every flustered movement. "As my wife, I'd actually like to see her in more clothes like this… often...." His smirk grew, unable to resist a small laugh. "So, this is what Richard has been accompanying, touching… and I, her husband, don't get to enjoy that? Not for long…"It might be a bother to train her," Dominic thought, a small smirk tugging at his lips, "but she's more determined than I expected. And she's… surprisingly fun to tease. Her reactions and that fiery spirit—those only add to the charm. How amusing that she's acting all innocent now, as if she hasn't driven me to the brink."
His mind wandered to moments that still stirred something in him—the heated exchange in the car, the way her fiery glances dared him to respond, and that accidental encounter by the river, where she'd caught him off guard and unguarded. "She's probably forgotten all about it, too. But I haven't."
Inwardly, he was impressed by her resilience and strength, hidden beneath her stubbornness. "She pretends not to be affected, but that only makes her more intriguing. She's nothing like the other women I've known… and perhaps, that's why I keep wanting more."
He studied her, admiring her fiery spirit as she clenched her fists in frustration, biting her nails in agitation. She was acting all innocent now, seeming to forget the very memories she'd stirred in him, from driving him mad in the car to stumbling upon him naked by the river. Each time, she'd managed to leave an impression he couldn't shake.
"I can't believe I forgot to dress properly," she fumed inwardly. "Now he's seen me like this! Even if I saw him naked at the riverside, that's no comparison! I'm out of here…"
Turning sharply, she marched toward the door, her mind set on leaving—but the moment her foot stepped forward, she felt a sharp pain. A piece of broken glass had pierced her slipper and sliced into her skin. She let out a low groan, looking down to see her foot beginning to bleed.
Dominic's gaze softened, though he maintained his usual calm. He approached her without a word and held out his hand. However, she immediately waved him off, muttering, "I'm fine… I didn't ask for your help," even as she winced, struggling to pull the shard from her foot on her own.
"She's still so stubborn," he thought, watching her with a mix of amusement and quiet admiration. "Enduring the pain, pretending she's fine, even while she's bleeding… she hasn't changed at all."
Ignoring her protests, he reached out, scooping her up effortlessly in his arms as she squirmed, trying to break free. Carrying her to the sofa, he set her down with a gentle but firm "plop" before walking to the drawer and retrieving a first aid box. Evangeline's glare was intense as he approached with the box.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, but he ignored her, opening the box and pulling out a bandage and a small bottle of antiseptic. He knelt down, grabbing her leg as she tried to jerk it away.
"You're bleeding," he stated simply, holding her leg firmly.
She attempted to free herself, but he was faster, his patience wearing thin. With a decisive move, he placed a bandage over her mouth, silencing her protests, and then tied her hands gently to keep her from struggling. Despite her glare, she quieted, her eyes watching his every move with a mixture of anger and something else—something she couldn't quite place.
Dominic knelt, focusing intently on her foot. He applied the antiseptic with precision, and she stifled a cry from the sting, squeezing her eyes shut. As he carefully wrapped her foot, she looked at him, surprised by his tenderness.
"This… this feels familiar," she thought, her gaze softening. "Someone… once attended to my injured feet this exact way…"
His hands moved skillfully, wrapping her wound with careful attention, his gaze never wavering from his task. For a moment, her stubbornness melted as she saw him in a different light. "He doesn't like to show it, but he's… gentle."
Dominic, noticing her quietness, looked up, his eyes meeting hers, still bright with restrained desire.
Flashback
At age 14, Evangeline attended the Grand Duke of Verdaselles' masquerade ball, a grand event held by the esteemed Duke Daniyel Leryn Sarogath. She wore a light green gown that matched her curly hair, pinned elegantly to suit the evening's formal atmosphere. Standing beside her grandmother, Azielle, Evangeline exchanged greetings with Duke Daniyel. The Duke, platinum-blonde and strikingly handsome, looked about the age of her mother, and his smile softened as he acknowledged her.
"Evangeline, you've grown so much—just as beautiful as your mother. It's an honor to have you here at my ball," he said warmly.
Azielle chuckled, gently nudging her granddaughter with pride. "The pleasure is ours, Your Grace," she replied, then glanced at Evangeline with a sad but proud smile. "She truly is beautiful, like my Adrielle... I only wish her mother were here to see her tonight."
The Duke nodded, a flicker of sympathy in his eyes. "We all wish Adrielle could be here. But Evangeline has a strong future ahead of her. With her studies at Eardoznia Academy, she'll be well-prepared for leadership. I'm confident she'll honor her mother's legacy and aid our military as the next Viceroy." He laughed, taking a sip of champagne as Azielle raised her glass in agreement.
While the adults spoke, Evangeline glanced around, noticing noble children and other royal heirs her age engaged in dancing. A few noble boys caught her eye and gestured invitingly, eager for a chance to share a dance.
"Evangeline, darling, why don't you join the dance? You might meet a suitable young man," Azielle suggested, but Duke Daniyel gently interrupted.
Evangeline smiled softly but shook her head, replying, "I'm not sure about dancing… or finding a husband. I just want to protect what I love and serve our country." She adjusted her gloved hands, feeling a bit out of place, then looked up at Daniyel with a respectful bow. "Please excuse me, Uncle Daniyel. I think I'll take a short walk." With that, she turned and left the grand hall, seeking a quiet moment to herself.
As she walked through the moonlit gardens surrounding the palace, she lost herself in thought, thinking of her lost parents and elder brother. The warmth of the ball faded behind her, and she moved further along the empty pathways, enjoying the cool night air.
Suddenly, she heard the rumble of a fast-approaching carriage. She glanced up to see a horse-drawn carriage out of control, hurtling directly toward her. The coachman was yelling in panic, frantically trying to steer the horses, but they only accelerated, their hooves pounding the earth as they neared. Evangeline froze, terror holding her in place.
In that instant, a masked figure with strawberry-blonde hair—someone who looked to be about eighteen—rushed forward, grabbing her arm and pulling her out of harm's way. They both tumbled to the ground, Evangeline landing atop him as they both gasped, catching their breath after the close call.
The carriage finally skidded to a halt, and a baroness leapt from it, rushing toward them in horror. Evangeline tried to move but groaned in pain; her ankle throbbed, injured from the fall. Tears pooled in her eyes as she clutched her leg, unable to suppress the sobs that escaped her.
The young man sat up, his eyes sharp and focused on her injury. Gently, he moved her hands away from her ankle to examine the wound. "Easy," he murmured. "Let me help you." His gaze softened as he saw her pain, and without hesitation, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, giving her a quiet strength that calmed her a bit, even as her tears fell.
The baroness, pale with panic, bowed her head deeply to Evangeline. "I am truly sorry for my coachman's carelessness…" she breathed, barely able to steady herself. Turning to one of her guards, she urgently ordered, "Fetch a bandage from the carriage, quickly." When the guard returned, she handed both the bandage and a small bag of coins to the masked boy who had just saved Evangeline. "Please, take this. I can only hope to make amends, however small."
The Duke's guards, noticing the commotion, rushed over and quickly recognized Evangeline. They immediately left to inform Duke Daniyel of his niece's injury, their expressions tense.
"What is your name and your family name? I must compensate them properly for my oversight," the baroness asked, remorse weighing heavily in her voice as she watched the masked boy carefully tending to Evangeline's wounded ankle.
"Evangeline Vanth Sarogath," Evangeline replied, watching in quiet amazement as the masked boy gently removed her shoe. Her cheeks flushed as he wrapped the bandage with surprising tenderness, his hands steady despite the tension in the air. She could feel her heartbeat quicken, and she was slightly embarrassed by her reaction.
The baroness gasped, her eyes widening. "Oh… Your Grace! I didn't realize… Please, forgive me, young lady." She bowed even more deeply, visibly distressed, whispering to herself, "I must seek the Duke's pardon." Evangeline gave her a small, understanding nod.
At that moment, Duke Daniyel arrived, his face a mixture of concern and fury as he took in the scene. "What happened to my Evangeline?!" he demanded, his voice sharp with protectiveness. The baroness quickly approached him, recounting the accident and taking full responsibility, even vowing to fire the coachman who had lost control of the carriage. She introduced herself formally, her apology clear and humble. Recognizing her as one of his invited guests, Duke Daniyel softened. With a sigh, he forgave her, clasping her shoulder as they quietly spoke, resolving any tension with a respectful understanding.
Meanwhile, the masked boy rose to his feet and held out a hand to Evangeline. She looked up at him, noticing the kindness in his eyes, though the mask obscured much of his face. With her pulse racing, she took his hand, feeling the warmth and strength in his grip as he helped her up. A bit unsteady on her injured ankle, she nearly lost her balance, but he swiftly caught her by the waist, pulling her close to him.
Evangeline's breath caught, her heart pounding as her eyes met his. She sensed an unexpected safety in his gaze. The moment lingered, her face growing warmer as he looked down at her, his own expression unreadable but calm. Though she couldn't see his entire face, something in his presence told her this stranger would mean more to her than she could understand now.