The truth doesn’t matter

A soft sigh left Eve her lips, her green eyes scanning through the hallways of the castle. For months now it had been so familiar, knowing the way almost perfectly within the building. Knowing what rooms had been where, even the hidden alchemy rooms where she often found Trystane. Where she had woken up even earlier, seeing the castle for the first time. And even though she had been away for a little, not visiting that often, Eve could still find her way blindly within the castle. Like, in the middle of the night, she had done that more than once. But now, now it felt so different. So different, Evelyn started to wonder if she had felt it even when she didn’t knew the news. But even though she tried so hard to remember such a small, insignificant detail, somehow she still valued it. Maybe to prove herself guilty more than anyone else, maybe to keep here mind busy from thinking towards other stuff. Like the fact that he was dead, and she hadn’t even noticed.

Her body found its way to the huge library this castle possessed. She had found her peace earlier in that room, and Eve hoped it would give her some now. And even if it didn’t give her any of it, it would still get her mind distracted from insignificant details that still made her aware of the fact she was trying to avoid. Maybe learning something would be better, or losing herself in a book, away from the harsh reality she didn’t want to face.

Looking up towards the huge rows of bookcases, she picked one of the lanes to begin her search. Smiling just softly on all the possibilities she could distract herself. There were at least thousands of the books here, something that made her feel more relieve than it should’ve been. After some closer inspections, the brunette picked one of the many books. Grabbing it softly and with care in her two hands, before opening it. Checking the book if it really was what she wanted to read, and deciding to give it a shot afterwards. Folding the book under her arms she went for a quiet place to rest. But just as she wanted to sit herself down, her nose picked up the sharp scent of smoke. Following just that, her eyes found a man standing just in the shadows. ’Excuse me.’ Eve spoke in a rather neutral voice, after observing the man for a few moments. Not even sure what she wanted to do with the whole thing herself.

The truth doesn’t matter

The scent wasn’t something Evelyn had expected, mostly not in a library. There were so many, probably ancient books present in this room. And now there was somebody smoking in it, playing with fire if you could call it like that. Though, it was in line with what everything that occurred to her ever since she stepped into the castle just this day. It made her want to check the book to see if the writing wasn’t written upside down, Evelyn wouldn’t really be surprised anymore. It was like all was just a weird dream, and she just had to wake up from it and get on with her normal life. But even though she really wanted to believe that, there was something telling her, deep inside, that wasn’t the case.

The few moments Eve spent to observe the man, who was smoking, led to even more confusion than to begin with. Again, not something that was out of line with today, since everything was already out already. He wasn’t familiar to her, she hadn’t seen him before and still. The way he stood there was like he knew this place and was comfortable in it. And still, she didn’t recognize him, not even faintly. While speaking Eve saw how he turned around, probably in the same surprise she was in. The green-brownish eyes followed the movement of the cigarette, that was thrown out of the window, before her eyes flashed back again with the response she got. Not really acting on the not so friendly face she pulled the book she held even closer to her. ’Well, thanks.’ Eve responded, turning halfway to walk away before she stopped again. ’I’m sorry, who are you?’ The lady just blandly asked, squeezing her eyes a little as she turned herself towards the man again.

The truth doesn’t matter

Her turn back towards the man wasn’t received that well by the man. Not that Evelyn really cared at all. No, the few things she did care about were slipping through her fingers, and working on the nerves of someone else really wasn’t the thing she was paying attention to. It made her think for a moment, if she could’ve done anything to avoid this all, feeling the guild trip run through her mind all over again. Quickly she pushed the thoughts away, focussing herself on the man rather than her own thoughts. If it wasn’t a book, he would be a distraction, and any was very welcome at this point.

Following his movements, Evelyn stepped closer as well. Still trying to remember if he did had at least something she could recognize. But there wasn’t, making the confusion even bigger. He wore pretty fancy clothing, just like she did. Figuring that he must’ve a higher position, and the only position she didn’t know for now was.. As soon as she thought it, the man spoke, clearing up at least that piece of the puzzle. Not releasing the gaze of her green brownish eyes, Eve frowned shortly. He said it like it was nothing, and still it wasn’t for her. ’Ah..’ She responded, not able to say anything decent as she had a loss of words. Her fingers gently wrapped around the edge of the book, tightening them around it. ’Evelyn Keightley, Duchess of Cois.’ She filled in the rest of the sentence. ’I was just here to, read a book.’ Eve explained herself after a few moments, not really sure what to exactly do.

The truth doesn’t matter

Even though him naming his title gave some answers to all the questions that had raised within. Why he wasn’t familiar and why she hadn’t seen him before. That at least made sense, still, there were plenty left to answer. Not that Evelyn really had the idea that the man wanted to answer. His reaction to her naming her status was the same like hers had been. He probably didn’t know her connection with the previous Duke, coming from the fact Allison hadn’t know either. Not that that mattered much for the lady, no, he stood directly on the position he was in a small week before. The two of them had just taken over, and of course, Evelyn knew how things worked here as well. Especially in Rhoynar, let alone Brightwater Keep. If you weren’t prepared for everything, you could lose your status in a matter of days. Something that, apparently happened.

The answer on her comment made her drop her shoulders, tilting her head a bit in the surprise. Happy was a word she wouldn’t use to describe his expression, it made her squeeze her eyes for a moment. Was he just generally angry, or just mad at her for whatever reason? It didn’t do any good for Evelyn her mood, that was a thing she knew for sure. The next words surprised her again. ’I’m sorry,’ She started, not moving the slightest, certainly not out of his way. Yes, he had a higher position, yes, she wasn’t in the best mood either. But that didn’t make it acceptable to get pushed around like that. ’Sorry I was ruining your silence, sir.’ The words, spoken not so friendly as they were hints of sarcasm within. ’I’m sorry for stepping in your library, sorry for just being here as a whole. Because that seems quite the problem, doesn’t it?’ Eve bit further, not caring to control any anger as she stared mad at the man.

The truth doesn’t matter

Evelyn hadn’t been in her best mood ever since the news had arrived. Not that there was anything else expected, going from what really had happened. Though it had sharpened her for the first times in months. Eve had lived in the illusion of living well enough for her to just go on with her life. Never really taking steps at being a duchess. It could be called lazy, she was fine with everything she had then and there. But it was so fragile, since it all laid in the hands of one single person. Afterwards it was all so stupid to rely on someone that much, a hard life lesson she wouldn’t forget that soon. Besides the fact her emotions were all over the place since she heard he had died, her own little shame didn’t help with that. At all.

And with that, this man just seemed to be very, very annoyed with her. Before she could do anything. That didn’t help either. Evelyn pulled her brow upwards with the very annoyed look she gotten. What did she do to him to get almost hated upon? With his statement she sniffed, flashing a little forced smile. ’Ofcourse I’m, did you expect something else for being the new Grand Duke?’ There wasn’t really a filter on her words, if she would be a real problem for him, he wouldn’t be the new ruler. The next words made her look up towards the sealing, grabbing the book she was holding even tighter. ’You know, I wasn’t purposely getting in your way, sir.’ Eve didn’t care he held a higher rank at this moment, she didn’t want anyone to treat her like that. ’Did I do anything to piss you off, or is this the normal way things go now?’ She went on, ignoring the last words as she looked at him. Her green brownish eyes almost sparking fire within them.