Pink Hair. Green Eyes.
Too thin. That was my reaction. For people in this age they would have considered this beauty standard. But, all I saw was a thin body and of course a bit*hy attitude.
"Evelina! How many times have I told you not to cause trouble for the Duke!? Don't you feel even a tad bit of shame? Fainting infront of Prince Kael. What were you thinking!? Is this how a ducal princess should act!?"
Okay. If being bitchy was a contest between her and the Duke... She won by a long shot.
"I apologise for the inconvenience, mother."
"Why are you yelling at her, Melissa? It sounds like you are mad at her for fainting not for not taking good care of herself. How is it my daughter's fault if she fainted? It's not a trouble for me. And, if Prince Kael has problems with it. I'm still alive to stick up for my daughter."
But, you also... almost said the same words. Keyword : almost.
"I'm sorry, mother."
"Again! Again... you go with mother. Do you not understand I am not your mother! I'm the Duchess! You-"
"MELISSA!"
The Duchess froze mid-rant, her sharp tongue retreating so fast it might've set a world record.
So... Either Evelina's mother is a stuck up bit*h or Evelina is just not her biological daughter. Which one is it?
The Duke's voice had sliced through the air like a guillotine, leaving her glaring at the ground as if it had personally offended her.
I stayed silent, my gaze darting between the two like I am watching a fencing match. Though, to be fair, I am the fencing dummy here.
Fantastic.
The Duke turned his attention back to me, his expression now an unreadable mask of authority. It was like the earlier glimpse of a softer side had never happened.
Maybe I hallucinated it. Stress does weird things, after all.
"Evelina," he said, voice sharp but quieter this time. "Go to your chambers and rest. No arguments."
Wow... You are asking a person who's sick to get up and leave. How nice. Ugh!
I opened my mouth to argue anyway... because, hey, I was the villainess. I should apparently be terrible at following orders... but his gaze pinned me down like a butterfly on display. I snapped my mouth shut and gave a stiff nod.
"As you wish, Your Grace." Ugh, even my voice sounded like it was saluting him.
The Duke stepped aside, gesturing toward the door. I didn't need to be told twice... Or maybe I did, but I wasn't about to test his patience. I already felt weak.
I got off bed, wore my princessy heels, turned and walked out, my head held high despite the knot of irritation twisting in my chest.
Ugh please don't let me faint again.
Kael was waiting right outside the door, leaning against the wall like he'd been posing for a royal portrait. His sharp green eyes flicked to mine, and that lazy sad smile of his stretched wider.
"Your father is really something," he drawled, pushing off the wall with the kind of grace that screamed I know I'm hot, and so do you. "How do you feel right now? Let me carry you to your room."
I glared at him, though it lacked any real venom. "You're worrying too much, Your Highness."
Too much for someone who should have nothing to do with me.
"Am I?" His voice dripped with innocence, but his eyes sparkled with sadness like a lost puppy whose owner left him in middle of nowhere. "But, I am worried, Lina. Truly. So worried I thought about busting the door down just to check on you."
I snorted. "Sure. Please with that thought note I'm careful of walking on my own and this is The Duke's property. Don't do anything that causes trouble for both of us."
Sorry, baby. But, I have to be strict with you.
Kael's smirk faltered for the briefest second, and something unreadable flashed across his face. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by his usual air of nonchalance.
"Trouble?" he repeated, voice soft but carrying a sharp undercurrent. "You think I'm afraid of a little trouble, Lina?"
You should be.
Kael's gaze held mine, and for a moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of us. The air between us seemed heavier, his presence impossible to ignore.
Why... Why?
"I'm not afraid of trouble," he murmured, stepping closer, his voice dropping to a low rumble that sent a shiver down my spine. "Especially not when it comes to you. Do you know how I feel when you run after Adrian!? I feel like setting the entire kingdom on fire."
Damn him and his ability to turn even a simple conversation into something that felt like a confession. Why do you love the villainess so much, baby?
I blinked, breaking the spell, and took a step back. "Your Highness, you're overthinking things."
Kael tilted his head, studying me like he was trying to decipher some complex puzzle. "Am I? Or are you just underestimating how much I care about you? I care about you more than Adrain! Why don't you understand!? Adrain is playing you, Lina."
Ugh. Why did he always have to say things like that? It was infuriating. And distracting.
"Prince Kael," I said, exhaling sharply, "I appreciate your concern, but I can handle myself. And, don't worry I don't love Prince Adrain."
"Really!?"
"But, I don't love you either, Your Highness."
Kael froze.
"...You don't?" he asked, his voice quieter, softer, like he was afraid of the answer even though he'd just heard it.
I crossed my arms and looked away, willing myself not to feel guilty. Damn him for making me feel anything.
"No, I don't. And you shouldn't, either. This… whatever this is... it's not good for either of us."
Kael blinked, then blinked again, like he was trying to process my words.
"You don't love Adrain."
Did the fact I don't love him either go over his head?
"No."
"F**k!"
Why is everyone here crazy?