***

CABEL is looking at Evelyn, observing her like she's prey. ​​

But Evelyn is looking at him as a pest. They're having a staring contest.

"What do you really came here for, Lord Cabel." Said Evelyn amidst the stifling quietness.

"Hmm~"

"What?!"

Evelyn was impatient. She wants to get herself out of the parlor room and go back to her quiet chamber where she can relax.

But Cabel was scratching his chin, looking like he's seriously thinking of what to say.

But Evelyn knew better.

'He's just here to mess and get information!'

Cabel is that kind of character. In the novel, he shows that he's the flirtatious guy, he masks his real self by making it look like he's coquettish to let the other person brought down his or her guard and then he'll gather information, the reason?

Simple...

Because he's a trader and he owns the "Night Guild". The most known guild that specializes in getting information.

'So what information does he want from me? I know he won't tell me if I ask. I mean... It's a secret that he's the boss of the Night Guild.' Evelyn thought.

'Oh! And by the way... He's a murderer. In the novel "A Happy Ending", Cabel kills all the people who harassed Elise without getting an explanation from them, he just sliced their necks!'

Evelyn unknowingly touch her neck and gulped down.

She repeats her question again.

"Lord Cabel, what did you really came here for?"

". . ."

"If you want to express your gratitude like what the head butler told me. Then, you don't need to. I didn't do anything to deserve your thanks."

". . ."

Evelyn sighs when she saw that Cabel wasn't going to say anything.

"If we are done here then I'll excuse myself first, Lord Cabel"

Evelyn stands up and walks away, she stops when a hand holds her wrist.

She looks at Cabel and raised her brow.

"Is there something you want to say?"

He sighs~

"You're walls are too high... Lady Evelyn."

Her brows twitch and she faces Cabel.

"I don't know what walls are you talking about, Lord Cabel. I'm really tired right now and I want to excuse myself."

Evelyn didn't try to coax her words. She straightforwardly said her thoughts, annoyed at the situation.

"How long do you intend to hold me?"

She looks at Cabel again and down to look at his hand, still clutching at her wrist.

Cable followed her gaze and stare at his hand which is still holding hers. He hesitantly left the warm touch that brought by the skin touching each other.

He sighs again.

"I just wanted to see you again... and become friends... that's all."

Evelyn went back to the chair and sit across to Cabel.

"Now that you see me, I guess your business is done." Evelyn smiled.

She's not usually sensitive and feisty about this things. But her lack of sleep and stress was making her do lots of unusual things.

Cable smiled slightly. It was a longing smile, and Evelyn did not know how to interpret that.

"Well... I'm just glad that you're fine now. I've taken up the Lady's time so, I'll take my leave, Lady Evelyn"

She just nodded and smiled.

Cable reached out to take Evelyn's hand, and kiss the back of her slender hand.

"I'll be back again, Lady Evelyn."

He smiled and... 'he's gone...'

She heaved a sigh of relief and lean her head in the soft chair and quietly speak.

*Sigh~

"What did he really came for?"

***

The day of Duke Keene's return is fast approaching and today is his arrival.

"Haa...! I didn't get to enjoy the three-day absence of the Duke."

"Are you alright, Child?"

"I'm fine, Gil. Just... tired?"

The last word was said in a questioning tone. And Gil was doubtful because of it.

"Child, You don't need to hide it!"

"I know. Don't worry, I'm fine." Then Evelyn smile.

She observes the outside where the maids are busy cleaning the whole mansion.

The butler said that an hour from now, the Duke will be arriving.

"Should I go and greet him?"

". . ."

"I don't have a choice, right Gil?"

". . ."

*sigh~

"I should go and prepare."

***

*knock *knock

"Come in."

"Lady Evelyn, the Duke's escort has entered the gates."

Evelyn prepared herself not to sigh in front of the butler.

She looks at the mirror once again. A velvet dress that wraps her small frame, her porcelain skin, and rosy cheeks. Her hair was also braided.

Evelyn nodded. It's the first time she made an effort to showcase her appearance. She looked presentable now.

"Lead the way, butler Jede"

"Yes, Lady Evelyn."

*clack *clack

They walk together, Evelyn leading the way and the butler following behind.

Soon, they can see people waiting for the Duke, including his brother.

She heaved a sigh.

'I really don't want to see him right now!'

"... let's endure, Evelyn." She told herself.

Evelyn walks with dignity. Her face was covering her emotion. An indifferent face looking afar and not the employees.

Seeing their Lady like this, the servants were amazed again at the speed of change in Evelyn's attitude.

If she debuts into society, she will become a force to reckon by the nobles ladies.

"Tsk!"

Allan clicked his tongue. Seeing her sister changed makes him annoyed with the bones.

The sister who used to cling to her was so indifferent that she looks at him with no emotions.

It annoyed him.

He's not used to that kind of Evelyn.

***

The sound of hooves grazing the stone pavement was heard from afar.

Indicating that the carriage where the Duke is coming.

The employees looked at their uniforms and stand right up with their hands clasp together and their heads looking down.

They were lining up at each side of the road and at the center was Allan and Evelyn who's not talking with each other, even glancing was out of the question.

The servants who sense this, tense up with the cold atmosphere surrounding the two and bowed their heads much lower than before.

Then the coachman stops the horse and the carriage imbued with decoration halted in front of the two.

Soon, the Duke stepped out of the carriage.

"Welcome back, Father." Said, Allan.

"Welcome back, Papa."

Allan twitch while Evelyn has a poker face pasted in her face and the voice that came out was nothing like the clingy Evelyn that Allan used to. He frowned.

"Hmm. I'm back..."

The Duke answered while thinking about the stoic expression of Evelyn.

The Duke who heard Evelyn's emotionless words was disappointed, nonetheless, it was his daughter who said the word "PAPA" like what he requested.

He's fine with it not having much emotion to the word.

He knows that he has a lot of mending to do with the child, especially how he acted towards her.

So, for today, he was happy with just calling her "papa", he just wishes that someday his daughter will eventually open up to him. And call him as he used to.

The Duke slightly smiles, seeing that he can still make amends for the broken relationship he had with his daughter. So, for now...

'This is also fine...' He thought.

***

A/N:

Sorry I was late posting this chapter. I had a problem with the internet connection 📶😪... but now it's back so... here it is 🤭

Again, thanks for the power stones, reviews, and comments. I appreciate them all hehe ~

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