Duke Grasitias looked at archduke Thawne with enlarged eyes. He had heard about the rumor that a woman was calling her as the future wife of Leonardo, but he did not take it seriously even when his daughter warned him. He was sure that his daughter would handle a commoner like Evangeline.
With the status Thawyne family had in the capital, all the eyes were set on him. So, he was sure that they would not dare to marry their single son to a commoner even when they wanted to, especially when the recent marriage of their daughter with the crown prince is on the point of breaking up.
But announcing Evangeline, his daughter in law in front of everyone caught him off guard. In fact, he was not the only one, every noble was looking at Duke Thawne with shock in their eyes.
"Your excellency, i thought that you are considering Olivia as the wife of Leo." he asked directly as he had always thought that marriage was set in stone.
William looked at the man apologetically. He had asked for Leo's marriage with his daughter many times and before William had never thought about it seriously or had any other girl in his mind so he never denied it. But now the situation has changed. He knew that he had to act meticulously or it would be a further loss in their political upholding.
"I apologize, duke Grasitias. But I have never promised you. Olivia is a perfect girl, it would have been our honor if she would have married Leo. but I have promised Evangeline's father on his deathbed that I will marry Leo and his daughter.`` Duke Thawyne told the whole story to the nobles in a glorifying manner and everyone looked at him with eyes full of respect.
Duke Grasitias gritted his teeth. The way William presented the whole picture, every noble felt he was a great person now it would be difficult to pressurize him for choosing his daughter instead of that commoner.
"Now, excuse me, please." the other nobles nodded as he left for the scene.
On the other side, Leo was keeping a close eye on the scene too. He wanted to make sure that the matter escalated enough. A smile bloomed on his lips when he saw Eli, Eve and his father walking towards the crowd. He kept sitting there, taking small sips of his tea alone while other nobles slowly excused themselves to see what the matter was!
Aron, his aide and the closest ally continued to look at the matter with a frown. He knew the deal both of them had but he did not trust Evan. she was a commoner and who would not be attracted towards all the riches, money and power and name they had in the society. But Leo was looking carefree.
He could not believe that Leo was trusting a commoner so much, a woman at that.
"My lord, are you not going to see what the matter is?" he asked but Leo shook his head.
"I will only go when my father will decide to annul the marriage." Aron was at a loss of words after hearing the confidence in his voice and stood behind him with an uneasy face.
Evan looked at the crowd proudly. "Is there anyone else who doubts me too? Ha! I am the new duchess. So, of course I am more talented and wise. I am better than anyone present here. So you better start respecting me and bow down to me." she challenged like she was not even a human but a god! They all looked at her dumbfounded.
She was sure she had annoyed everyone present there up to no end. Now they all would complain to the duke and she would be thrown out. After all, who would want a haughty, prideful and wicked woman who picks a fight with everyone as the mistress of the house.
She continued to look at everyone with sharp eyes. Olivia who was standing in the corner silently till now could not bear anymore and challenged Evan.
"For a noble, knowledge of horses is not even a trait to judge. As a noble lady you should be good in etiquettes, manners and have skills of running the estate. Above that you should be well versed in arts. Like reading, writing, music and dancing. I challenge you to play piano and then dance." she was sure as a commoner, Evan would not have even seen books, let alone be a piano.
Evan smirked, that was easy! Though she wanted them to challenge her in things she did not know like eating etiquette or reading and writing their way. She knew piano as strongly as her heartbeats. But that was fine, others did not know that fact.
Now she had to play piano badly and lose. So that she could embarrass the family and viola they would scorn her and throw her out.
She looked at Olivia with challenging eyes, "ha! So you think that I am uneducated and lack skills. While you are perfect. Now we will see who is better. But the competition would not be good if there is no bet." Olivia raised her brow. She was about to say the same words. So, she nodded readily.
"Loser would leave the will to marry in the house of Thayne and leave from here silently." came the strong remarks of Olivia. Evan jumped in her heart. Yes yes! That was all she needed.
"I must say you are daring enough to put the Thawyne family on the bet. What if they punish you for that?" asked Evan and the smile only spread further on the face of Olivia.
"Why? Are you afraid that you will lose and embarrass Thawne's?" The whispers once again increased and even Eli and Eve reached the scene and frowned when they heard Olivia's last words.
"Evangeline" Eli warned the girl with sharp tone but it was too late.
"I accept it."
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