Evan walked with an uneasy heart as so many thoughts started to fill her heart.
Why would they receive a royal summon and even if they did, why did they not call Eli but her!
Or could it be that they called their whole family to be present so that they all could deal with it together!
Evan still felt bad for Eli who showed that nothing had happened yet her eyes looked dim and lost. If only she could tell Andrew how much Eli had loved her so he would return to her.
Shaking her head at the possibilities that could never happen, she walked in with a heavy heart.
"Father, you have called for me!" Once the knight knocked and got permission, they both entered and she greeted her father to see everyone was already there and looking at her.
Theri faces were solemn and worried while his father was looking gloomy.
"Come and sit, Evan. We need to talk about a lot of things." Evan turned her head to Eve to see if the matter was about her marriage but she shook her head in denial that brought another frown on Evan's face.
"The royal family made a rule long ago that men are required to run the family.
If a family did not have any son then it would dissolve and be part of the royal family.
It was to protect women from living without any support." her eyes widened as she realized where the matter was going and turned her head to leo whose face was blank.
She could not fathom what he was thinking about no matter how long she looked at him.
"Though we have tried our best that the swapping matter of yours and Leo did not come into the eyes of the public, as you have asked, the royal family has still got a wisp of it.
And they have taken it as an attempt to deceive the royal family. They have pressed charges against me and Leo to mistreat you and lie to everyone.
I will try my best to not drag you into the matter but they will surely call you and ask you many questions.
So, I want you to be prepared." though William was telling her lightly as if it was not a big matter, she knew better.
She could see into their eyes how tense everyone was!
The only punishment for lying from the royal family is the death sentence. Even if their family was relative of them, as William was cousin of the present emperor, he had never shed any respect for him but always tried to humiliate.
Everyone knew that the emperor was wary of their family. Would he let go of such a chance to weaken their roots?
"You did not need to worry so much. I can handle this small matter. Our family is not as weak as you think!" Evan raised her head when she heard William chuckling and tried to bring a smile over her face too but failed.
"Oh my, look how pale you are looking! Leo, is that how you are taking care of her?" he snapped as he stared at Leo coldly who had a frown on her face too while looking at Evangeline.
"That is because you are always worrying them and keeping them on their toes with your unbridled behavior father.
Do you even have any idea how many complaints I hear about you from Eli and Eve?" Leo pinched the space between his forehead as he stood up and walked towards Evan while William stared at both girls who had an awkward smile on their faces.
They were not even prepared to be dragged into the conversation like that.
"You brat! You have become cheeky these days. What have I done? Huh?" with a growl William hollered but Leo just shook his head.
From the day Evan had accepted them, his cold and calm father who always had that dominating aura on his face had turned into a kid who always throws tantrums.
Sometimes he felt like he needed to take him to the physician but looking at that wide silly grin on his face when he bragged about having a nice family with so much love, he let go of that thought.
"Now, we both know who is doing what? Anyways, she is not looking good. Since we have already told her about the matter, let her rest first. We will discuss the rest by ourselves." and before anyone could refuse to complain, he had already bent down and took the girl in his arms.
"Leo! What are you doing? Let me go!" Evan shouted in a low voice as her eyes widened.
Not only the whole family is there but so many knights and staff. Not to forget that her father, Duke William, was looking at them with a stunned expression on his face.
Her whole face turned red as she tried to struggle in his arms but he did not budge.
"How could you be so shameless? Can't you see everyone is looking at us! Let me go." she exploded as she glared at him with fierce eyes when she heard the muffled laughter of others.
She did not even want to look back and find who was the one laughing. She was so embarrassed, yet the man was behaving like a hooligan.
Even after beating him so much, he was not letting her go.
"You are looking tired. So, I am only helping you in going to your room. What is there to be ashamed about?" with a look of innocence as if he did not understand what she was talking about or what had he done wrong, that left her speechless.
She was astonished at his level of shamelessness and muttered under her breath,
"If you did not let me go this instant. I will make sure you spend the rest of the week on the sofa without any sweets!"
"Thud!"
"....." 'at least let me balance first, you scoundrel!'
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This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢