10/10/2023
🌹Evelyn Neven 4🌹
"Why now? " Evelyn breathed out
"When else would it be? hmph, If you think my brother would seriously marry some other girl from nowhere you've been mistaken" Jaziel, scoffed turning her face away
Evelyn's heart skipped a beat before speeding up, threatening to fall off her throat.
What does she mean? Wasn't he going to pick a bride today?
"No, he isn't going to pick a bride today, come one he loves you! Why would he marry anyone else?"
"Then… the I don't understand, explain it to me! "
"It's not in my place. But everyone in the court on the day your family emblem was taken away knew you were being punished for a crime you didn't commit. Of course, Father had to bring you to the palace to keep you safe since my brother demanded it. Your parent was placed under house arrest to keep them away from digging in the enemy's backyard. We all know how virtuous and upright your father is, he won't sit still. Ugh even while he was on house arrest he was still working to bring the truth to light" Jaziel explained while helping Evelyn in her new dress.
Once fully dressed, Jaziel admired her work and nodded in approval "Yup, you look so breathtaking, he won't be able to keep his hands off you" she giggled
Lost in thought, Evelyn stood in place, not knowing how to react to the new information she had just received
"Why wasn't I let in on it? We've been in the same castle for three years, you two never talked to me, not even as much as look my way. It felt like you were both accusing me of a crime I didn't commit, like you two didn't believe me or my family! We could never kill so many people!" she yelled angrily, the pain of not being heard filled her heart as more tears poured out of her eyes "It was so painful to pass by your sides all those years. Why didn't you tell me sooner? " she added in a weak voice
"We couldn't " a male voice responded as the four were pushed open "We wanted to but we couldn't" he repeated standing by the door, he stood elegantly dressed in his blue and gold royal robe, his decorative sword hanging by his side, his dark chocolate hair desired in a way that showcased his blue eyes, filled with love and apologies stared at the Evelyn who had on a dress matching his colour, she turned to fully face him, her hands trembling
He walked towards her, stopping only an arm's length from her, to give her enough time to register the situation, but the overwhelming feeling of having her between his arms, where she belonged, took over his rationality as he brought her in for a tight embrace. He held her tenderly but tight enough for both of them to feel each other's racing heart.
"Terrum" she whispered into the embrace, as her trembling hands held his robe tightly.
She needed to make sure he was here this time, not a fraction of her imagination. Like it had been for the past three years.
"God, I miss you so much" the prince breathed out, resting his head on her shoulder and inhaling her rose scent.
10/10/2023
🌹Evelyn Neven 3🌹
"What would you have me do, Jazi… Princess Jaziel, what was I supposed to do in a situation where physical evidence and witnesses were standing
against my family? You and I both know that without counter-evidence, the court won't hear me out! " tears slipped down her beautiful face as she remembered the reason behind her and her family's fall.
Not that she doesn't always remember, how could she forget something like that?
Jaziel made an attempt to talk but was cut off by the sobbing and upset Evelyn
"Everything happened so suddenly, it was so sudden, we weren't expecting it. I was sent to the palace to serve and my parents were placed under house arrest for the rest of their lives, then, do tell me, how do you expect me to gather counter-evidence and keep up the fight? " She asked angrily,
Bowing, she mutters "I don't mean to be impolite, please forgive my discourteousness, I will get cleaned up and be back immediately " She pulled the door open and hurried out of the room hastily while wiping her tears
Jaziel, stood by the door dumbfounded by her best friend's outburst, she clenched her fists and let out a sigh before marching back into her closet to get the other accessories ready.
As promised, Evely didn't take much time to return fully freshened up with a change of clothes that looked more decent and presentable than the one she had on previously, Jaziel gestured for her to sit by the covered dressing mirror. Without saying a word, Evelyn marched to the mirror with her head bowed and sat down obediently, as Jaziel began working on her hair.
"I didn't mean to upset you the other time, I'm sorry " Jaziel apologised as she applied essential oils to Evelyn's hair and began styling it
"You don't have to apologize, Princess Jaziel, you did nothing wrong."
"Let me explain, when I said you gave up too early, I wasn't talking about the case, I was talking about him. And before you say anything please listen to me"
"You two were betrothed to each other before birth, even before you knew about it, you had love at first sight, remember the first time you met him? We were thirteen and it was the summer game-hunting period for the nobles. I was a third party but I couldn't forget. No, when my brother looked star-struck for a whole month, you should have seen him, he looked silly" Jaziel chuckled at the memory while Evenly fought and failed to keep the smile away from her face
Jaziel, once done with the hair moved to her face and began applying makeup.
"For his training, he had to leave the capital to the neighbouring kingdom and he didn't return until five years later, when you too were informed of your ties. For those five years, he was away, whenever my brother wrote to me half the letter was always about you, he'd ask about things you like eating, things you enjoy doing and the like. Of course, since I was a big fangirl of you two, I was telling him everything. It was so cute and I loved it. I loved you two together Evelyn" Jaziel said holding her shoulder, she moved to remove the cover on the mirror earning a gasp from Evelyn, a drop of a tear running down her cheeks
21/09/2023
🌹Evelyn Neven🌹
Standing before the all too familiar mahogany doors, Evelyn felt nervous to knock on them After all she's never had to knock when coming into this room.
A place she once referred to as a second home, a place with so many memories. Nonetheless, she is grateful for the time they gave her to get used to her new position as a servant, "It's high time I get my s**t together and face reality" she muttered as she knocked on the door awaiting a command to come in.
The door was pulled open by a grinning princess dressed in a beautiful and elegant royal blue ball gown, hair adorned with jewels that made her eyes pop. Gone were those days when Evelyn could tease the princess who hated getting dressed for such events as tonight's, gone are those days where she'd be the one to choose the dress the two would put on, give were those days she could wear matching cloth with the princess, her best friend.
Oh how the mighty had fallen
"What does the princess think about me now?" he thought, her question was answered as the Princess pulled her in excitedly
"I thought I would have to wait forever! why were you standing by the door? " Jaziel, asked as she removed the tray and placed it on the table
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting your highness, I will try not to be late next time." Evelyn apologized keeping her head down and momentarily missing the flinch from the princess who had been too excited to explain things, no who had made a promise not to explain things.
Jaziel cleared her throat swallowing her excitement as she schooled her expression to match the ones she's been wearing for the past three years around her best friend "It's fine, you weren't informed of your duties for tonight beforehand, but it's almost time for the event and you have to attend it in a formal attire" she explained
"Your Highness, the maids don't wear formal attire, we have a uniform" Evelyn pointed out, feeling out of place with her maid uniform in the luxurious room standing before an elegantly dressed princess.
"Nonsense, if I'm going have a maid tail me all night, it's going to be someone I trust and someone who looks just as beautiful as I am. Go into the washroom and get washed I'll arrange for what you'd wear" Jaziel waved her off,
"I'll get washed right away" Evelyn bowed and made her way towards the exit
"Where are you going?" Jaziel asked "To get washed at the servant Quarters, your highness"
"Use my washroom, I have your Shampoo and everything ready," Jaziel noticed the hesitation in Evelyn's movement and sighed cussing a certain person for making her make a promise against her best friend.
"Evelyn?" Jaziel called tentatively as she got closer, upon getting close enough she held Evelyn's calloused hand in her smooth one,
"My Best Friend was never one to give up early, but you, my dear gave up way too early. Either way, Evelyn Neven, you will always be my best friend"
To be continued...
20/09/2023
🌹Evelyn Neven🌹
"By the power bestowed upon me as the King and the ruler of Nedas, I hereby strip The household of Neven of their Noble emblem!" The golden-haired king announced with his staff outstretched
"Every offspring of Julius Neven the Fifth should remain in the palace as a servant of the kingdom starting from their first daughter Evelyn Neven to all generations to come!"
"Long live the king"
* * *
Evelyn Neven, no, no longer is her household known as Neven, they lost the privilege, the emblem. The name that once sent shivers down the enemy's back is now a name mocked in every household, a name no one wishes to associate with, how sad.
Evelyn stood in the line amongst the palace maids as they instructed tonight's banquet, unconsciously fidgeting with her maid uniform, her mind miles away from her body as she thought about what tonight's event meant.
Tonight she'd have to say a final goodbye to the one she once called a lover, to the person she had loved from childhood. A goodbye she wasn't ready for, despite the three years of preparation, three years of seeing him without being able to talk to him, three years of indifferent looks from him, three years of heartache,
"Do I have to say goodbye? " she brooded not knowing she was being addressed
"Evelyn! Evelyn! " Jenna, the head maid called angrily, glaring daggers at the distracted Evelyn.
"You called? " Evelyn asked innocently, fully aware of the older lady's hate towards her, no, towards all nobles, since she couldn't express her hate to others she chose Evelyn to be the scapegoat.
"Of Course, I called!" Jenna sneered
"I was a bit distracted, I'm sorry, do you mind repeating the instructions, ma'am? " Knowing fully well she wouldn't be getting the wanted reaction from Evelyn who had been trained all her years to wear a smile even in pain, Jenna hissed and repeated the instructions to her
"You will be in charge of bearing the Prince's cup tonight, as you know it's a big banquet and envoys from other kingdoms will be here, no form of mistakes will be tolerated" Jenna smirked Mischievously , aware of how much it would affect Evelyn to be in such close proximity with the Prince on such a night.
"Last I remember, Nina was in charge of this task? " Evelyn asked, looking from Nina who kept throwing daggers at her through her eyes to Jenna who had a smirk on her face
"Nina has been given another task to do… "
"Evelyn will be serving Princess Jaziel tonight" Ammon, the prince butler walked into the servant hall with a tray of white towels well balanced in one hand, Evelyn sighed in relief thanking the stars for the saviour sent her way
"And I'll be in charge of the prince's drink tonight" he added handing the tray to Evelyn who bowed in appreciation at being saved from the witch's claws.
To Be Continued....
