Chapter 17: Confrontation: Part 1
I focus my sight in front of me, I''m filled with irritation and the humiliation that I received today.
And these people won''t leave me alone. Dammit! I just want to stay in my room. And I can''t even do that!
I''m standing at the front door of the Dukes'' office. The doorknob clicked- and a young man is standing on the other side of the door.
His silver-blue hair and his pair of sunset eyes which the only resemnce to mine, are looking at me indifferently.
The door closed and we''re standing, facing each other.
I set my eyes down so that he will not see how angry I am right now and it was the only thing I can do to prevent any blunders.
The butler who is standing at my back before immediately tried to open the door and excusing us by greeting the silver-blue hair brat.
"Greetings, Young Master An." the old butler bent his body with perfection.
"What''s this...?" a mocking tone came from the young man standing in front of me.
"You were called by father? Hah... You must be happy, aren''t you?" An smirked.
The butler seems to be worried at the words spoken by An. He was looking back and forth to us.
"I don''t know what you''re talking about. I''m just here because Father wants to see me." I answer with a calm face.
"What? Does he want to see you? Haha! Are you sure about that?"
"..."
"You really are full of yourself! But I must say, after pestering everyone now you get what you want. Ahh... I''m sure you''re happy now." He mockingly shed a smile to me.
''This brat!'' I stared at him as he said those words.
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh right! You don''t have your memories. Ha! You really have it easy huh."
I was baffled by what he''s saying when the butler suggests ending the conversation.
"Young Master An, we should let Lady Evelyn inside, the Duke can''t be left waiting."
An looked at the butler coldly and turn away to left us but before he leaves, he left some shocking words that made my sour emotion even worst.
"You must be d... You''re going to marry your prince charming..."
I was left stunned as the words that I fear the most are bing real.
''Wait... Me? ....marry? You''ve got to be kidding me! I didn''t even get the chance to avoid this...!''
I looked at the Young Man who''s walking away until his shadows can''t be seen.
''I swear that brat...! Once I stop the engagement I''ll freaking leave this ce and I swear I won''t look back to this ce!''
The butler cut off my inner battle and continued to do his task.
The butler knocked a few times and let the Duke know that we are here.
"My Lord, Lady Evelyn is here." the door slowly opens and I see the Duke working on his desk full of documents.
"Greetings, Father." I first did my greeting elegantly as my teacher said to me.
It was quiet, after the words that left my mouth, nothing can be heard only the quilt that scratches the white sheet of paper.
A few minutes pass by and the Duke spoke his first words.
"Sit..."
"...."
I look at him and then on the sofa. I hesitantly walked to the right, where the table is. I sit and the softness of the surface was evident.
''This is such high-quality material.'' I touched the fabric and felt a calmness.
The anxiety fade away when the butler brought a tea set with chamomile tea.
The butler must have seen my nervous look and prepared this tea to help me rx.
I smell the familiar scent and the aroma drifted in my nose and my stiff body gradually loosened up.
I savored the tea but I chocked myself when I heard the Dukes'' voice.
"Evelyn..."
"...."
I force the tea to send it down to my stomach, then I wipe the liquid that escaped from my mouth.
"Yes... Father?" I finally found my voice to answer the Duke who keeps on staring at me.
I was nervous that maybe what he called me for is bout the engagement to the Crown Prince.
I patiently endure the Duke to react to my stare.
A moment of silence urred after my bted answer.
I gulped down my dry saliva as the tension inside the room builds up.
The Duke finally opened his mouth and ask me a question.
"Don''t you have any report to say to me?" the Duke inquired.
''Report...? What...?'' I begin to ask myself when I suddenly remember about the sses and the deal we made.
"Ugh... Well... My teachers said that I made an improvementpare to the first time that they taught me-" I haven''t finished my words when the Duke interrupted me.
"Ha... Of course, you should improve given the conditions that I provide you an excellent mentor."
"...."
"But I don''t need improvement Evelyn, what I need is excellence, you have my blood!"
"..."
" I told you before that what I need is to be satisfied with your result... And what you''re telling me is not gonna cut it."
I look at the Duke who said those words.
''So, what you mean is... it''s not enough?'' Iugh dryly at the thought. So, I looked at the Duke with full of resolution.
"What proof do you need?" I told the Duke with my eyes full of determination.
The Duke looked at me with amusement. It was the look of someone who saw a rebelling kitten.
He smirks and announces his requirements that I need to do to get his permission and so I can resume my training.
"Bring me a part of a dead wolf..."
"..."
I was stunned because I''ve already killed one before. I thought he would unreasonably demand to make me fight a full-fledged knight or kill dozens of monsters.
"Your answer, Evelyn?" The Duke was impatient and tried to get me to answer as quickly as possible.
"Yes, Duke," I answered without dy.
''Didn''t he got a report about my exam with the teachers?'' I asked myself, doubting the Dukes'' order.
''No. I should just do what he wants and quickly get out of this room.''
Before I get up and leave the room, I ask when does he need the proof...
"Tomorrow..." Is what the Duke said.
I promptly get his permission and let myself out of his office.
While walking, I begin to think about the things that I need to prepare.
"I should get ready..."