I plopped down on my bed as I heard the news of my engagement with the Crown Prince.

"It's not supposed to be this early! I should have a few months left before the engagement so... ​​

Why?!" I rest my right hand on top of my head. The throbbing pain was starting to overwhelm my whole being.

"It wasn't supposed to be like this! Did I change the future? But I didn't even get close with the male lead, heck! I didn't even see the Crown Prince in real life!"

"I should go and ask the Duke." I pushed my aching body to stand and go to the Duke's office.

"I can't give up without fighting!"

I grab the knob and -click! Giving it a bit of force, the door to open.

The knights who were there when I wreaked havoc was still here standing and are stationed at my front door.

I looked at them and both were being wary at my appearance.

'I won't bite... You know." I thought to myself.

Then the young knight asked in a hurry.

"Lady, wha- what do you need?"

I looked at the knights who shiver in fear.

*sigh

'This is better, I guess. They'll know that I have enough power to step on them and they will not look down upon me.'

I replied at the young knight with my haughty voice. 'There's no point in hiding my real personality anyway.'

"I need to see Father."

"Lady Evelyn, the Duke didn't allow you to get out of your room until the Young Master's birthday banquet." Said the other knight.

I bit down the cursing word that wants to escape from my mouth.

"Tell the Duke that I need to talk to him." I pursued.

"Lady, we can't do that. The Duke sternly ordered us to not let you get out of this room." The knight pleaded, looking troubled by my insistence.

"Do I need to throw a " tantrum" again?" I ask, raising the corner of my lips into a smirk.

The young knights stared at each other, having a conversation of what to do and I patiently wait for their answer... 'If not, I'll just rush my way out.'

The knights agreed to let the Duke know about my intention and the young knight turned around and stride to the Duke's office to get permission.

'I don't have enough time. I need to go and see the Duke! I need to learn where Gab is. That young wolf can help me if the worst-case scenario happens, he's strong. He can help me if I bring up that I save his life.'

When I found out that the runaway slave can transform into that of a beast, I started to plan out to get him to my side and make him my ally.

"That would work too..." I mumbled to myself.

The idea of getting help from the outside started to form in my head.

***

*knock... *knock...

"Your Grace, Lady Evelyn request an audience." The head butler said on my behalf.

"Let her in..."

"What do you want, Evelyn?" The Duke continued.

I pushed down my anxiety and finally talk.

"I want to request something from the Duke."

"You won't call your father a scumbag anymore? Hmm? Evelyn?" Duke Keene said in sarcasm.

I glance and saw the cold gaze of the Duke, I abruptly looked down. 'The guy obviously holds grudges...' I thought.

"I'm sorry about what I said in the heat of the moment. I sincerely apologize." I bowed my head down in a full swing and talked again.

"I don't want to be betrothed to the Crown Prince, Duke..." I said with a quivering voice.

I waited for the Duke to answer while I still bow my head low.

'Do I need to beg?'

The thought slipped in my mind as I know well that Duke Keene Emsworth, the military general in the novel is the only one who can request to dissolve the engagement of me and the Crown Prince.

'He has enough power to oppose the decree of the king.'

"And why?" After the long wait, the Duke finally answered, Evelyn straight up and looked at the Duke with determination.

"I'm not fit to become a Crown Princess... I think his highness, the Crown Prince would understand that a future Empress should be level-headed and smart enough to stay in the palace and become the mother of this land..."

It was the reason why Evelyn didn't hesitate to hurt the Duke when she woke up.

She knew that sooner or later, the letter for the engagement would arrive. She needs to find a concrete reason to make the Duke have second thoughts.

'For this family, reputation is the most important. They wouldn't risk having a family member disgrace their prestige'

The Duke only stared into space as he seems to be agreeing at my explanation.

"I know that you're a disgrace to this family. But aren't you the one who wanted to get married to that silly Crown Prince? Why the sudden change...?" The Duke pointed out what I fear the most.

I flinched when I heard that it was I who pestered the Crown Prince, but that was the me before! When I don't know the doom of my future.

Now, I still need to battle this out with the Duke. A reasonable excuse will help me convince him.

"As you can see, Duke. I lack many things, I know full well my own capabilities... And I'm sure that I can't take responsibility such as becoming the Crown Prince wife..."

"No." The Duke said, cutting my explanation.

Flustered, I ask without losing a single beat.

"What? Why? But! I can't be an Empress!" I bit down my frustration.

"If you really think that you don't fit in the category of becoming a Crown Princess. Then learn, Evelyn!" The Duke said with a scrunched face then he continued.

"I don't need a daughter whose imbecile enough to go against his father and don't even try to make herself better!" The Duke roared.

"Now! Go back to your room!"

I clutch my palm hard that it turns white as a sheet with my fingers blocking the blood to pass through my hands.

"Then..." I stand still, determined to get at least one of my problems to be solved.

"I request to see the young boy that saved me in the Shield Forest." I looked at him. My firm voice resounded at the Duke's office.

'I won't back down here!'

***

I was on my way to the chamber where Gab was being monitored.

"Let me in!" I shouted at the knights who were eyeing me like a madman.

'The news of what happened sure circulated fast in this mansion.'

The knights who heard my arrival soon step out of the way and open the door.

The room was dark and cold, not a single candle was lit inside the desolate room.

I called and a disheveled young boy came into view.

Not a single scratched can be seen but the poor treatment was evident.

Clothes that have holes, his red hair that was messed, and his pale-looking face, caught my attention.

'Damn you, Duke! How dare you do this to a young child!'

I paved my way to his direction, snapping my finger and chant... "Fire Klein."

A small fire was shot into the place of the candle near the fireplace and the whole place lit up, enough to see his face.

I stop when I see the boy observing me.

"Why are you here?!" The boy shouted!

"I knew it! You're also one of those nobles who has a weird kink and will exploit a child." He hissed.

"I understand. I'm sorry if I didn't get here fast. I just recently gained consciousness and I thought that you were being welcomed here. I never thought that you were locked up." I hang my head low.

'I know that the kid has trust issues. I can't blame him, he has experienced enough suffering from those slave traders.' I told myself.

"But I need you..." Gab looked at me, perplexed. His whole body flinched when he heard my determination.

"Wh-what? What are you sa-saying all of a sudden!?" Gab, flashed red? His eyes were unfocused and try to look around the room, avoiding my gaze.

"I need an ally!" I cut his thoughts that were seemingly visible.

"I need someone who I can trust and are willing to help me!" I said in desperation, my voice was quivering in fear.

"Why me? I'm just a runaway slave."

"Wait... Is it because I'm a transforming beast?!" Gab shot back.

I placed my hand in his mouth, trying to keep his loud chatter from leaking in the room and risking his life.

"Sshh..." I motion my forefinger near my mouth, indicating that he needs to keep his mouth shut.

"This Kingdom hates other races. If you don't want to die or be auction off then be quiet!" I scold him.

He nodded, then I asked again.

"Can you be my ally?!"

His eyes scan my whole face, trying to determine if I was bluffing.

When he saw that I was serious he only... smirk?