Deviating from the original plot

Chapter twenty-five

Evelyn pulled the covers over herself and turned on her side, her back facing the room—but her thoughts were racing.

Victoria, meanwhile, changed into her nightgown, slipped into bed, and let her head rest on the pillow.

In that quiet, they both slowly drifted off to sleep.

✦ ✦

He didn't understand.

Resting his chin on his hands, Cassius leaned forward on the table, a brooding expression clouding his face.

'How could she just ignore me after all those letters?' he wondered.

Letters—dozens of them, carefully worded, sincere—sent without a single reply.

Documents and reports were scattered before him—important matters of state that should've had his full attention. But he couldn't focus. His mind was consumed by the one person who refused to acknowledge him.

Evelyn Leclair.

The noblewoman who first caught his eye with her calm presence and grace had chosen to disregard him entirely. No replies. Nothing.

Cassius wasn't used to this. All his life, he had been the centre of attention. Everyone bent over backwards to please him, the Crown Prince, future Emperor. A man like him was hard to ignore.

And yet, Evelyn managed to do that effortlessly.

Strangely enough... that only made her more interesting. What had started as mild curiosity was something else now.

Finally—someone who didn't feel the need to flatter him, someone who didn't grovel or cling to his every word. It was maddening... and oddly refreshing. Especially considering he was the one who reached out first.

Most people would've been honoured to be the focus of his attention. But Evelyn? She brushed it off like it meant nothing.

Cassius let out a quiet laugh.

Now she had his full attention. And he wasn't going to let her slip away so easily. Not now. Not ever.

✦ ✦

Later that night, Cassius slipped out of the palace, dressed in plain clothes and a dark cloak.

What he was doing was probably foolish—reckless, even—but he couldn't stop himself. He was far too invested now.

As he walked through the quiet streets, his mind wandered back to their past encounters. He remembered the way Evelyn looked that day, her expression soft, eyes glistening with tears.

Who would've thought that same gentle-faced noblewoman could be such a player?

Moments later, Cassius stood outside the Leclair estate. With a quick glance to make sure the coast was clear, he climbed over the wall and crouched low in the bushes, hidden from the patrolling guards.

"Another day gone, just like that. Same old routine," one of the guards muttered as they strolled past.

"Not exactly," the other replied. "The young lady left on a trip earlier today. A few guards went along with her."

"And how does that affect us?"

"I was just saying it's not completely uneventful."

"Shut up."

Cassius furrowed his brow. Evelyn went on a trip? he thought. So... she's not here.

He stared at the manor for a long moment, hidden among the shadows and leaves. His fingers curled slightly against the cold ground. All this effort—and she wasn't even home.