-Evelyn's Quarters- 

You’ll have to take my last name by morning…”

“What?!” Evelyn shrieked, jolting upright in her bed.

Her pillow launched across the room. Her sheets were a twisted mess. Her face—redder than the royal carpets.

She clutched her chest. That stupid dream… That stupid, smug, emerald-eyed—!

Evelyn groaned, flopping backward into her pillowless bed, then immediately groaned louder at the empty space.

“Why am I dreaming about him?! Yesterday I couldn't recognize him that he was the same guy that helped me out at the ball. Well I guess it was a given since he had a mask on but I never imagined that I would be able to meet that mysterious guy ever again..." 

"Urgh!!! Iciest water...yeah that's what I need! Lily! Bring me the coldest the iciest water you can find in this mansion!!!"

"What's wrong my lady?" 

Evelyn scrubbed her face with the iciest water the Manor had and dragged herself downstairs expecting the usual talkative breakfast table but stepped into dead silence.

“…Good morning?” Evelyn offered, forcing a smile.

Nothing.

Not even a twitch.

Are they fighting? she thought. Did Mother put too much sugar in his tea again? Or maybe father complemented the empress again? I mean they used to be quite close when they were younger and practically engaged...that topic always starts something!" 

She slid cautiously into her chair. “Soo… lovely weather we’re having?" 

Just as Evelyn was about to ask what was going on, the butler entered, crisp and silent as ever. “Pardon the interruption, my lord, my lady… but this letter arrived. It is addressed to Lady Evelyn.”

That got everyone’s attention.

Evelyn blinked. “For me?”

"Damn this royal crest!!!" Evelyn muttered. 

Evelyn opened the letter and to her surprise the crown prince had invited her to the palace. Obviously Evelyn didn't want to go but the warning was as clear as day and the fact that he threatened in the letter too was enough to put Evelyn in panic.

"What should I do? If I don't go....something bad will happen?" Evelyn kept staring at the letter for a while.

"What does it say?" Her mother asked calmly.

Her father also looked eager to know it's content.

"The Crown Prince....has invited me to the royal palace....it seems..." Evelyn said in hesitation.

"What? You are not going!" Her father announced without a pause.

"I don't understand? Didn't you both want me to act like a nice little lady infront of him? And also considered me getting married to him? Now what's with this sudden change?" 

"Well..."

"You are not going Evelyn and its final." Said Catherine without a flinch.

"What are saying mother!? You know how much bad it will be for the reputation of our dukedom? Or suddenly you don't care about that anymore? I will have to go because obviously this letter doesn't seem to be giving me any choice. It sounds more like a command!" 

"Evelyn...." Evelyn's father couldn't say a word.

"Sigh....fine. Just be careful." 

"Then, please excuse me. I will go and start the preparation." with that Evelyn zoomed out.

"Dear! What are you thinking!?"

"Calm down. Its the first time our daughter has actually thought of something like that! Don't you think there is a reason for that? Maybe she is finally mature or something else is going on here." Catherine replied calmly sipping on tea.

"That's....you are right. Maybe we should observe for now?"

"Hmm. You are quite slow on the intake aren't you? Dear husband? (Catherine giggled) The Crown Prince probably won't be able to do much for now because he also knows that we hold the most power after the imperial family so he will definitely not make a rash decision." 

Evelyn dressed up very plainly and left for the royal palace to face the crown prince. The moment she reached she knew that she was being watched. The guards bowed but not to low. Still Evelyn decided to move ahead with her head held high.

"Greetings you highness!" Evelyn bowed elegantly.

"My lady! Welcome! I was so very much excited to meet you that I couldn't even wait for a second!" The Crown Prince on his knees gave a peck on the top of her hand. 

Evelyn felt so disgusted that she barely managed to keep her expressions in control.

"Let's have some tea? Shall we?" He grinned.

For a while they talked, it was mostly meaningless conversation only one sided from the crown prince as he kept pushing his feelings onto Evelyn and his desire to marry her. But Evelyn as the flower of high society managed to smoothly dodge all of his attacks. But what she didn't expect was the fact that the crown prince would do something so unspeakable. Evelyn felt dizzy and clearly something was off about it.