"What?" Evalyn asked, her voice laced with confusion as she caught sight of the fear etched across the maid's face. The maid hesitated, her eyes darting anxiously around the room.
Evalyn could sense the weight of unsaid words hanging in the air. She felt a surge of empathy but knew all too well that the other maids in the mansion loathed both her and her lady. They often mocked and bullied them, creating an atmosphere thick with tension and mistrust.
"Alright, I understand... I will go there" Evalyn continued, trying to coax more information from the maid. As she spoke, her gaze flickered toward the door; a nagging suspicion tugged at her that someone might be eavesdropping on their conversation.
When alone, Evalyn chuckles a bit and makes fun of her life, transforming into a novel character.
''Hahaha... haha.... what an unfortunate life!!!!!!'' She shouted, but not a stronger just heard herself.
"Wait! Father's wives? Does she mean he has more than two? Does that storyline exist in the novel?"
At this, Evalyn sat on the bed, contemplating the implications of what lay ahead.
Evalyn's thoughts raced, her mind weaving intricate plots as if she were the author of her own story. "Perhaps I'm meant to be the villainess who controls them!" she mused, a sly grin creeping across her lips. The notion excited her, igniting a spark of intrigue.
''The wives and siblings?... bullied me and what' about mom?''
Leaning back against the pillows, Evalyn stared at the ceiling, tracing patterns in the plaster with her eyes.
The old door groaned in protest as it swung open, sending a thrill of anxiety jolting through Evalyn's chest. Who could it be—her father, with his steady demeanor, or one of the enigmatic women whose whispers lingered in the shadows? Resolute in her intent to keep her latest scheme concealed, she masked her unease with a veneer of casualness.
"Evalyn?" a voice dripped with mockery, drawing her attention. It was Oliver, her brother—the notoriously unreliable narrator in the ongoing drama of their family saga. He seemed to relish every opportunity to tease her.
"Plotting your escape from mediocrity again?" he quipped, a sly smile playing on his lips.
Evalyn narrowed her eyes playfully. "Ah! No, I was just curious about the latest developments!" She tilted her head slightly, her expression feigning innocence. "While my memory might be a bit foggy..."
"I heard everything from your mother, Oh! I forgot to introduce myself, I'm Oliver, your step-brother" Oliver shot back, the teasing lilt in his tone unmistakable. He leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, his gaze playful yet shrewd.
"If you want to piece together the fragments of your past, I suggest you join us for dinner with our charming relatives!"
As anticipation coursed through her veins, Evalyn felt her imagination ignite at the thought of what the evening might hold. The stakes were rising, and the air crackled with possibility.
"Stay sharp, dear brother," she responded with a smirk, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "The evening might unfold in ways that take us both by surprise!"
Oliver raised an eyebrow and stayed silent, noting the sudden shift in Evalyn's personality. He straightened his body and exclaimed,
"Be careful of others! They won't leave you alone!" Then he left.
''Haa... Does this novel really have a toxic storyline? It feels so optimistic, not negative when I read it.''
"My lady!"
Evalyn was taken by surprise, her heart racing as she jumped at the sound of the familiar voice calling out to her.
"Huh!" she exclaimed, momentarily disoriented by the sudden interruption.
"It's time for dinner, my lady," the maid announced with a polite smile, her tone indicating that it was time to set aside whatever Evalyn joined the others for the evening meal.
''Okay!...'' Evalyn rolled her eyes and followed a maid.
In the hallway, a familiar tension hung in the air, with silver light flowing like magic. As she walked, she pondered whether this scene was déjà vu. All thoughts vanished when she reached the dining room.
As she approaches, the air thickens like an impending storm. The Duke, with a finely handsome face and commanding presence, scrutinizes her as if assessing her worth with every blink. The grand table shines under flickering candles, mirroring the tension surrounding them.
The woman in deep emerald eyes her fiercely, leaning closer to the Duke, whispering words meant only for him, her smile not reaching her calculating eyes.
Evalyn grinned, thinking, "That old fox!" while maintaining a pleasant smile.
Her son sat neat and aloof before her, regarding her with a blend of disdain and curiosity, his smirk hinting at his awareness of the gathering's absurdity.
"Do sit, Evalyn," the Duke finally rumbles, gesturing to an empty chair across from his mother, his command veiled in civility. She complies, sitting down calmly as if nothing is happening.
"You look so calm, Eva," a boy sitting nearby whispered to her.
"Eh! And you?" Evalyn replied with a puzzled expression.
"You've really lost your memory," the boy sighed, straightening up as he heard the duke's voice.
"Quite the occasion, is it not?" he continues, glancing at his tight-lipped wives. "We gather to discuss important matters, the alliances of our houses."
"But before that, I shared some insights on the topic! Amelia!" the Duke called from a distance.
"It seems your daughter is worthless!" he said, his serious tone directed at Evalyn's mother.
"I'm so sorry, my lord," Amelia replied, her voice trembling.
Evalyn sat apart, her heart pounding as the Duke's words echoed in her mind. Worthless?
"What do you mean?" Evalyn interjected, her tone as serious as the Duke's, surprising everyone in the dining room with her bravery.
The Duke raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of curiosity and disdain. The silence that followed Evalyn's declaration was palpable, as the other guests exchanged tentative glances.
The Duke, momentarily taken aback by the girl's defiance, leaned over the table, narrowing his gaze upon her.
"And how, pray tell, do you deem to speak to me, child? Worth is attributed to one's virtues, and it seems you possess none that are of interest," he replied, his voice dripping with condescension.
"But you don't know me, Your Grace," Evalyn shot back, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.
"You do not know the kindness I've shown to those less fortunate, or the way I've supported my mother through her struggles."
The room held its breath, the tension thickening as Amelia looked on, a blend of pride and fear swirling within her. She understood the precariousness of the situation; challenging a Duke was no small matter, yet she could not suppress the swell of admiration for her daughter.
The Duke leaned back in his chair, his expression shifting momentarily from disdain to intrigue.
"Kindness? A trait admired in theory, dear girl, but in the real world, it is strength and influence that ensure one's survival. Perhaps you would do well to consider your standing before making such bold claims."
Evalyn felt a fire igniting within her, fueled by the injustices of a world where people like the Duke wielded power without regard for those beneath them.
"Then if kindness is seen as weakness, perhaps it is time for me to show my strength."
The Duke's brow furrowed, the flicker of surprise returning to his eyes as he regarded her with newfound respect—yet, he would not yield to it.
"Bold words from a girl who knows not the depth of the world's cruelty. You speak of strength as if it can serve you alone," he countered, his voice still stern. "You are but a candle flickering against the tempest."
Evalyn stood firm, the heat of the exchange warming her blood. "Perhaps, Your Grace, but even the smallest candle can light the way for others. I refuse to accept that I am worthless. I have value, as do all those who are overlooked by the likes of you."
A heavy silence settled once more, the atmosphere thick with an unspoken challenge. The Duke's lips tightened, the thin veneer of his authority cracking under the weight of Evalyn's conviction. Finally, he let out a low chuckle, albeit with a hint of admiration.
"Very well, Evalyn," he said, abandoning his previous sarcasm for something more genuine. "I shall keenly observe how you intend to illuminate your path. Perhaps there is a flicker of worth in your fire after all."
"Hahaha! That's how you're my daughter," the duke laughed, looking incredibly proud of Evalyn, as if she were his favorite child.
She glanced at the other child by chance but saw a similar face. They are the ones who sharpen a knife on her, and the others who give her a box.