"Oh! Do not worry about me father, I have already had my meal. The whole set of food will be made especially for you!" the look on the face of the man changed instantly when Evan finished speaking her sentence.
Looking at the ashen face of her father, she hurriedly explained,
"It has been more than 2 hours, waiting for you and the food was turning cold. That is why I have it.
But do not worry, I have asked the maids to bring a better and special meal for you!" but the more she tried to assure, the more his face lost color.
"Special meals" were no less than the warning bells for him.
"If that is the case, then I should be more considerate! You should not order fresh food for me.
Do you remember how I used to have cold food when I came home late? The cold would only help me in reliving those memories!" he hurriedly explained and persuaded her.
Her eyes soften as if she was lost in past memories too. With hazy eyes that have a dull mist over them, she nodded,
"If that makes you happy!" She rang the bell and the maid bowed her head and soon returned with the cold food she had taken back.
But when Edward raised his head to take the tray, his eyes widened.
This woman was.. "Since you were pressured that you wanted to have a cold meal, I have added a few nutritive to it and make it special for our esteemed guests.
I hope you enjoy your meal!" she bowed her head as she placed the food in front of him.
This woman! She has been trying to feed him poison since last night! He was not going to bear it anymore.
"That is enough! I thought that you would take care of me! But this is how I am treated here. If it continued i would rather leave the palace and go back!" with a look of scorn in his eyes, he gave one last glance to the maid before staring at his daughter with anger.
She had always trembled whenever he had shouted at her. Today would be no different.
With a look of arrogance in his eyes, he stared intensely at Evan who blinked. Her body shook lightly but she covered it up when her eyes fell on the number of servants and she took a few breaths to calm herself first.
"Father! Did something happen?" in a soft tone she asked but he sneered further.
He had noticed the small changes in her body and face. So, he was right! She was a weak girl like before but this time she was trying to put on a brave front for the spectators.
"You are asking me like that! Not only have they given me the servants quarter to stay but they even dared to bring poison in my food?
Have you called me here just to get rid of me? Huh?" He was about to throw the food again. But just as his hands reached the bowl of soup, he halted.
"Father, that.. That is impossible. Jenny, what is this?" the maid flinched and squeezed out a few tears from her eyes.
"My lady, I did not know what our esteemed guest was talking about. I would never dare such a thing. I have my family to support.
How could I even think of this heinous crime!" She fell on her knees and held her dress with her eyes full of tears and her face full of aggrieved as she suffered false accusations.
"Ha! If that is the case, then why don't you drink this soup by yourself?" If Evan had the same meal, then it was impossible to add the poison in solid food like bread and cookies.
So, this cunning woman must have added her so-called nutritive in the soup only!" he haughtily picked up the bowl and placed it in front of her as he crossed his hands over his chest.
"My lady, how could I do that? The food is for my masters." she shook her head and trembled as if she had lost all her courage and bawled her eyes out louder so that it gained the attention of everyone.
Many servants who were working on other matters turned to look into their direction with curiosity and whispering started to fill the room.
A crafty ray of light passed through the eyes of Evangeline when she basked in all the attention they were getting. But when her father turned to look at her, her eyes filled with conflict and worry.
Looking at the look of hesitation in her eyes, he lost all the sanity.
"Why? Are you trusting her more than me? If she is so innocent then why is she so afraid of drinking the soup?" he hollered and blabbered like a crazy person as she pressed the soup closer to the mouth of the maid who trembled by the force he had used.
"Jenny, father is right! If you are innocent, then you should not think much about it and drink the soup!" Finally satisfied, an arrogant smirk formed on his face as he stared at the maid who was looking pale and repulsed by the idea of drinking it.
Jenny stared pleadingly at Evan but when she noticed the stern expression on her face, she bowed her head and accepted her fate.
With trembling hands, she held the bowl and took few sips,
"Drink all of it!" he forced and she could only comply since Evan was on his side.
But the face of the man who was gloating for his success turned stiff when he noticed that the girl had emptied the whole bowl but her body did not react at all.
Moments turned into minutes and even the audience that was holding their breath in the start to know how the drama would unfold started to feel bored and returned to their work.
"Tsk! What a drama."
"I know. This old man had tainted the respect of the duke by such false accusations!"
The whispers only brought him to his edge and he gritted his teeth,
"Evan, listen to me, she had surely mixed something in the meal! I swear"
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