Deviating from the original plot

Chapter sixty-seven

Evelyn collapsed onto her chaise the moment her maid returned, her face pale and lips pressed thin.

"Well?" she demanded. "Did he believe it?"

The maid wrung her hands. "I told them you were sick, my lady. They believed it, but he said he'll return tomorrow."

Evelyn groaned. "Why? Why won't he just leave me alone? The entire empire of women at his feet, and yet he insists on bothering me."

She leapt to her feet, pacing the length of the room. "This is a nightmare. Does he not understand what 'no' is? Or is refusal such a foreign concept to him that he interprets it as encouragement?"

The door creaked open, and Evelyn stiffened as her father slipped inside, shutting it quietly behind him. His face was grave, shadowed with worry.

"Father..." she whispered.

"Evelyn," he said gently. "I was told you're unwell."

"I am," she replied quickly, then blurted, "But, Father... you're not going to make me court the prince, are you?"

He sighed. "I would never force you. But he is the Crown Prince. Turning him away could be... dangerous."

"I don't want him!" Evelyn burst out. "Why can't he just leave me alone?"

Her father's fave softened, though his tone stayed grave. "I will protect you as best I can. But you must tread carefully, my daughter. Promise me that."

"Yes, Father," she nodded.

The next day, Evelyn resolved that she would tell him plainly how she felt.

Her mother arrived with a flock of maids, fussing over gowns and jewellery until Evelyn could hardly breathe. She endured it in silence, knowing resistance was useless. When at last the Crown Prince arrived, her mother all but shoved her into the drawing room, closing the door behind them.

Evelyn's stomach tightened. Alone with him, just as he had demanded.

"Lady Evelyn," Cassius spoke, his eyes trailing over her attire, "you look especially lovely today."

"Umm... yes," she answered awkwardly.

He chuckled softly. "That was a compliment."

"Thank you," she fought the urge to roll her eyes.

"I brought you something," he continued, producing a small packet from his sleeve. "A fine blend of herbal tea. For your health, in case you are still feeling unwell."

"That's... thoughtful," she replied curtly.

Cassius tilted his head, studying her. "You don't seem very happy to see me."

"Because I'm not," she blurted before she could stop herself.

"You can stop being so cold now," Cassius said, his tone carrying confidence. "My engagement with Lady Celeste is finished, and I have come here to make things right. Official. I want to court you."

Evelyn drew in a long, weary breath. "It isn't about whether your engagement ended or not. Look, Your Highness... I appreciate your attention, truly, but perhaps you should give this chance to another woman, someone who actually wants it."

His expression hardened ever so slightly. "Lady Evelyn, I don't want anyone else. I want you."

Her hands clenched her dress. "Why? Why me? You could have any number of women who would welcome you gladly. So why insist on chasing after the one who won't?"

Cassius's smile was small, but there was a hard line to it. "They're all too easy," he said. "Everything in my life has been handed to me. You're the first person who hasn't fawned at my feet. it's new, so I want to earn you. It makes me want to prove myself to you until you think I am worthy."

Evelyn's fingers clenched at her sides. "I am not a prize for you to win. I have feelings, and I have boundaries, both of which you've trampled more times than I can count."

He studied her for a long moment, the amusement in his eyes dimming. "I know I have been...brash. I won't pretend I haven't overstepped."

"Then stop acting like words can erase it," she shot back. "If you really want to prove something, respect me enough to stay away."

Cassius's jaw tightened before sighing. "You set the rules, Lady Evelyn. I can—no, I will play by them. But understand this: you will not be able to push me away forever."

"You are threatening me." she said coldly. 

He straightened, then bowed. "Call it what you like. Tomorrow, I'll come bearing gifts of courtship. Perhaps then... you will see me differently."

Evelyn's stomach knotted, fury and dread twisting together. She already knew what such gifts meant, what they would declare to society. Acceptance or not, they would bind her name to his, tightening the chains he was so intent on clasping around her.

"I don't want this!" She burst out, her voice sharp.

But Cassius didn't falter, didn't even glance back. He simply turned and strode away, leaving Evelyn standing alone, her heart pounding, her mind reeling with anger, fear, and the bitter certainty that he was tightening the noose around her, right there in plain sight.

The next morning dawned, but Evelyn's heart felt anything but steady. She had slept little, her thoughts circling endlessly around Cassius's words.

Her maid came into the room.

"My lady," she said, "a carriage has arrived from the palace. They bear gifts... from His Highness the Crown Prince."

Evelyn froze. "Already?"

"Yes, my lady. They are unloading them as we speak."

She shoved past her, heart hammering, and reached the top of the stairs. From there, she watched the attendants in imperial livery meticulously arrange an array of ornate chests, velvet-wrapped boxes, and vases brimming with special flowers, each adorned with the Imperial crest. Throughout it all, Cassius wore a smug, unshakeable smile.

"Oh my, look at all this!" Evelyn's mother exclaimed. "Evelyn will be thrilled!"

"I hope so," he replied with a nod, while her father merely looked conflicted.

"Go get her. She should come and thank the prince," her mother ordered a maid.

Evelyn bolted to her room, thinking quickly. "Remove your dress," she instructed her maid. The maid hesitated, bewildered, but obeyed immediately.

Grabbing the maid's uniform, Evelyn handed over her own dress. "Cover for me," she said.

Slipping into the maid's clothes, Evelyn hurried out of the room, heart pounding.

"I hope I don't get caught..." The maid sighed, muttering to herself as she stayed behind, unsure what her mistress was planning but unwilling to question it.

"Evelyn, the prince came with gifts today! You must come see him!" her mother called a servant following her as she approached Evelyn's door.

"Mother, I'm very sick and I'm not decent." the maid croaked, mimicking Evelyn perfectly.

"Are you okay? Why is the door locked?" her mother pressed.

"I don't want anyone to see me like this... Oh no..." the maid continued, pretending to gag, sounding pitiful.

"Evelyn!" Her mother shrieked in shock. "Open this door!"

"I think it's the flu, It's very strong contagious; don't let the prince see me like this!" The maid cried.

Satisfied with the ruse, Evelyn slipped away, leaving her estate through the servant's entrance and disappearing into the city.

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A/n: Hello everyone, thanks for all the votes and lovely comments. They really mean a lot 💗!