The Evelina before him was completely different. Her long silky blonde locks were lost, replaced with dishevelled hair that had lost its charming glow. Her eyes had bags under it and looked very deprived of its past beauty. She was visibly thinner, she appeared as though even the slightest touch would shatter this withered flower. But the most shocking part was the bruise on her face that managed to reveal itself even though someone had tried to hide it under some powder. Her left wrist and forearm were covered with a bandage wrap. Did she get herself injured? How did this happen?

Rulias was startled when he laid eyes on her. He couldn't help but feel disappointed. He felt both concerned and annoyed. How could she meet with him to discuss their marriage in this state?

"Thank you for coming here, I haven't had much time recently so let's not drag out this meeting for too long." Evelina sat down on the seat before him and pushed a few strands of her hair behind her ear. Her white sleeves only made her thin wrist even more thin and sickly.

"Eve, how come you look like this? Is everything alright?" Rulias felt slightly irritated by how cold she was acting but he knew he shouldn't lose his cool over such a trifle matter.

"That's not important, please let's talk about the wedding." Evelina dodged his question and took a cup of tea, avoiding his eyes from the start. "Where should we hold the wedding? His Majesty didn't set the place so I believe us and our families have the freedom to choose."

Rulias was completely stunned by her coldness. He couldn't believe she was speaking this way to him. He was simply voicing out his concern yet she was acting so rudely. What happened to the sweet girl he knew?

Rulias's expression turned gloomy. Evelina could only sigh. She was engaged to the top bachelor and son of a powerful noble once… Now she was only the fiancee of a viscountess's son. She really had fallen from grace. Eveline could barely endure such humiliation. All those previous friends of hers have now become the same ones that would point fingers at her and spout hurtful words.

After a dreadfully long silence, the two planned the wedding in an awkward manner. During the days after this meeting, Evelina and Rulias tried to find a place for the wedding however, all of the places they had chosen refused them service. This was another slap in the face for Evelina as those places were where most esteemed nobles usually chose to wed. One of those places was where she and Chase were wed in her first life. But now they didn't even want to open their doors for her. With frustration and great reluctance, Evelina had no choice but to cancle her plans and settle for a more humble wedding.

************

When Lilith heard of Evelina's choice, she simply smiled. Staring at the simple wedding invitation in her hand, Lilith hummed a tune in a good mood. This was definitely not the grand wedding Evelina hoped for, oh alas beggars can't be choosers.

"Is Evelina out of her mind? She dares to invite me? Haha! Well if she wants me to come so badly, I'll gladly go!" Rienne clenched the wedding invitation sent to her as she mocked loudly.

"She invited all of us…"Alice muttered in confusion. Why would Evelina want to invite them?

"Best not cause trouble, Rienne." Arianna sipped her tea before advising.

"Huh? Why? Evelina is practically begging for me to ruin her wedding! Hehe." Rienne laughed once again.

"Exactly." Arianna said.

"Wait, huh? I don't get it? What do you mean exactly?" Rienne tilted her head.

"What Arianna means is that you shouldn't cause trouble because Evelina wants you to do so. If you cause a massive stir in her wedding, she could plan a narrative where you are the evil perpetrator, which would take public attention away from her temporarily and instead to you." Lilith explained.

"That wouldn't be good for you, would it, lady Rienne? Public opinion of you just started getting better, you wouldn't want Evelina to drag you down with her." Harper muttered in a gentle tone.

"So that's it! Ugh, that sly fox… Hmph! I won't be falling into your trap, Evelina! Ha, I'm much smarter than that!" Rienne boasted.

"Huh? What do you mean? Wasn't it you that couldn't put the pieces together just now? Without is you'd definitely fall into her scheme." Arianna grinned.

"... Well, if you gave me some time I would've understood eventually."

"Really? I think you wouldn't have understood anything until you've already put yourself in trouble again." Alice smirked teasingly.

"Hey! You all need to stop making fun of me like this… It isn't easy to be born short sighted!" Rienne pouted bitterly.

***********

Unfortunately for Evelina, the days passed swiftly. The day before her wedding, she went to check the preparations. The wedding decorations, cake, flowers, everything paled in comparison to the wedding she had in her first life. Before, every aristocrat rushed to partake in her and Chase's wedding but now, it was all different.

'This is so pathetic, Evelina.' Evelina thought to herself in ridicule. 'Is it too late to change everything and return to the past again?'

Just then, Rulias walked over to her and placed his arm around her thin waist. She felt repulsed but she couldn't upset him. This is her future husband, what can she do to act against him? Her every move is already under the skeptical eyes of everyone, one wrong move and her fragile world would come crumbling down.

"Eve, are you nervous? Don't be, this shall be the start of our future together." He laughed. Clearly he isn't aware of how bad the situation really is. This marriage wasn't something to be happy about at all! Their marriage is simply a joke for everyone! Yet he is here, smiling ignorantly! Evelina wished she could just slap that happy smile off his face! He didn't deserve her, she's the daughter of a duke but she's marrying him against her will! He is beneath her! It really is irritating to put up with him for so long.

"Whatever, I'm tired. I'll be taking my leave now." Evelina turned away indifferently. It would be best for her to avoid talking to him at all, if she stays for too long she fears she would lose her patience.

"..." Rulias was increasingly growing annoyed at her. It wasn't his fault she is in this state! Why must she act so coldly to him? She was the one who approached him before with that tempting smile. Now that they were about to be wed, she's treating him as if he was some contagious plague! With his patience broken, Rulias could no longer take it and shouted, "Evelina, what is wrong with you? You're so different now, I feel like I don't know you!"

Eveline froze. Her expression darkened but she refused to face him. Why does everything that comes out of his mouth disgusts her? The thought of marrying him disgusts her so much she wanted to puke. Facing him back then seemed fine. Maybe because she thought of it as a performance of sorts. Now that mask that protected her for so long has been stripped off her face, this vulnerable feeling is creeping inside once again.

"Evelina! Answer me!" Rulias shouted into her ear.

'I wish he would just shut up.'

"What is it!? Face me! We're about to get married yet you're acting like this now!?"

'The servants are looking…'

"Evelina! You dare to ignore me now!? If not for this marriage with my family, you would've just rotted in the Skyler estate! You should be grateful that I still value you!"

"You!"

"Hah! You finally want to look at me now!?"

"Me? Grateful to you?" Evelina muttered with disbelief.

"Yes! You used to cling to me so much but now… What? You think you're better? Eve, you're losing everything. So just stay obedient and go through with our wedding peacefully. If you fix your attitude I might treat you well." He said, his head raised up high.

Rulias thought what he said would scare Evelina into obedience but he didn't expect for her to return his words with a fierce response.

" Only in your dreams will I act sincerely as your wife. Listen here, you big mouthed dog, your family is going down along with mine. You're the one who should be licking my shoes with gratitude for being able to marry a beautiful woman like me when your appearance can only be dull. Don't think you're better, in the end we will bear the same fate. Both our families are crumbling, so why don't you fix your attitude!?" She spoke her mind finally.

"You! Evelina, how dare you say that!? Do you even know what you're saying!?" He screamed. One could see the mix of shock and rage in his expression. All the servants were terrified and kneeled down to avoid angering Rulias any further.

"I dare, after all I have nothing to lose now, isn't that right?" Evelina smiled but that smile was a lock that prevented the rest of her turbulent thoughts from turning into words and escaping her lips.

"Evelina! Hah, I really never thought you were so disgusting and vicious! I really am damned to have admired your beauty! Just you wait, b*tch!" He left with loud steps after screaming right in front of her face again.

**************

That night was quiet even though chaos was stirring. Evelina couldn't sleep. Perhaps because tomorrow was her wedding, or maybe it's because of the uncomfortable sleeping position she's in. Her arms and legs were tied to the bed with a rope. Why? Her father has learned of her multiple attempts and has resorted to this so she couldn't hurt herself. Not only that, a servant would always accompany her in her room as she slept just in case.

'What kind of torture is this? Hopefully I fall asleep soon, can I not just look decent at my own wedding? A dreaded wedding but still, I don't wanna look ugly at such an occasion.' Evelina chuckled and tried to move but it was to no avail. She glanced at the maid sitting in the corner knitting something and sighed. 'Those two sisters of mine must be sleeping very comfortably.'

*****************

It was the day of the anticipated wedding. While most noblewomen and noblemen were dressing up accordingly in excitement, Evelina's experience of getting into her wedding gown was much more… boring. The wedding gown was quite simple though not too plain thus it wasn't much of a pain to get into it. As Evelina stared at the mirror, she couldn't convince herself to like it. Aside from the gown, she only wore a simple necklace. Everything was simple, too simple for her liking. Though this wedding was treated as a wedding, it was really more of a festival to the eyes of those attending, a festival where a comedic play would be held.

Lilith arrived wearing a beautiful dark green gown with matching accessories. She was accompanied by the first princess, little Elizabeth. The two other princes were unable to attend. Looking around the room, Lilith didn't see her friends, it seems she is the only one among them that came early. Not many people were, so she could spot Rulias very easily. He appears to be chatting with some guests.

"Is that the groom, sister Lily?" Elizabeth asked.

"He is. He's smiling but he doesn't look happy." Lilith answered while holding Elizabeth's soft little hand.

"Haha, who would be happy getting married to a lady like Evelina?" Elizabeth mocked the bride with a smirk.

"Don't say such words in front of others. What if they call you a rude and disrespectful princess. Her Majesty the Empress wouldn't be too happy with you once she hears." Lilith warned seriously but also jokingly.

"I'm just a kid, how much can they blame me? And I'm mother's favorite child, she wouldn't scold me too fiercely." Elizabeth said with a cute smug look. With that she walked to the tables where all the food was and began to fill her stomach.

'You might not be scolded but I will if I let you cause trouble.' Lilith sighed. She heard footsteps coming from behind. She turned around only to see Arianna, Rienne, and Alice all wearing black gowns.

"How do we look, my princess?" Rienne asked after giving a little twirl.

"Like someone had died." Lilith said.

_______________________

A/N: Uploads been very late, sorry about that. Exams are almost done so once holiday arrives I'll try to post more. Thanks for being patient.