Deviating from the original plot

Chapter twenty-five

After the garden party, Anneliese and Tilda took their leave, and the remaining girls eventually retired to their rooms for the evening.

Back in their shared chamber, Victoria sat at the vanity, gently removing the pins from her hair, while Evelyn stood by the window, staring out at the evening sky as twilight settled over Lythmore.

"It's been a long day," Evelyn murmured, finally turning around.

Victoria nodded, placing another pin on the vanity. "Long... but better than I expected."

Evelyn crossed the room and settled onto her bed with a sigh. "I was half-expecting someone to mention the rumours again."

Victoria's hand stilled mid-motion. "What rumours?"

Evelyn looked down at her hands. "About me and the Crown Prince."

"Oh..." Victoria paused, unsure how to respond. "Well, at least no one brought it up today; now you know your friends respect you."

Then, almost hesitantly, Evelyn asked, "Do you think they're just rumours?"

Victoria turned slightly, surprised by the question. "Wait... are you saying there is something between you two?"

Evelyn sat up abruptly, frowning. "What? No! I told you the other day—I'm not involved with him."

"Then why ask such a strange question?" Victoria said, arching a brow.

"I just wanted to know what you think. Do you believe what they're saying?" Evelyn asked, her voice quieter this time.

Victoria resumed removing the last of her pins. "Honestly, I don't know," she replied truthfully. She knew from the novel that the prince and Evelyn would eventually end up together. Whether their love story had started or not, she couldn't say. "But if you say they're not true, I'll believe you."

Evelyn watched her quietly. "They're not," she said a little more firmly this time.

Victoria shrugged lightly. "Alright." She slipped out the final pin and undid the tie in her hair, letting it fall in waves around her shoulders.

Evelyn blinked at the sight, momentarily stunned. A faint blush crept up her cheeks.

Without thinking, she stood and stepped closer. "Can I...?"

Victoria tilted her head slightly. "Uh... sure."

Evelyn gently reached out, fingers brushing through the strands before she picked up the brush and began running it carefully through Victoria's hair.

"You have beautiful hair," she murmured.

Victoria smiled faintly. "Thank you."

"It's really soft, too," Evelyn added.

"I guess Anne's hair care routine finally paid off," Victoria said with a light chuckle.

Evelyn hesitated, then said quietly, "I don't care what other people think... as long as you don't get the wrong idea about me."

Victoria blinked, surprised. "Oh... well, then I believe you."

Evelyn continued for a while, carefully brushing through Victoria's hair.

"Thank you." Victoria looked up and smiled at her.

Evelyn let out a small laugh, her cheeks still pink. "Right. Anyway..." She cleared her throat and set the brush down. "We've got an early morning tomorrow. We should rest."

Victoria nodded. "Goodnight then."

"Goodnight, Victoria," Evelyn said softly as she moved to her bed.