vii. the duel
Was12 years ago
"Owen are you done with the piano?" My mother asked me, I was fifteen, back then, this was the day I had my last piano lesson and gosh I desired to keep them going, therefore my parents had sketched their future plans for me already, my concerns were not a priority, unlike my spot to the society.
"Yes mother" I stood up and nodded with a slight smile she sighed, her smile though, she looked different. Saddened, I didn't know why, I approached her, and kissed her cheek with a frown. "Is everything alright?" I asked gently, I held her hands for some moments sensing that she wished to tell me something.
"Your acceptance letter, You are leaving for Oxford… tomorrow" she sighed and looked at me. "You got accepted at the law department…" my mother spoke her words with half heart. She squeezed my hands as I held on them, for no longer though, I dragged my hands out of her grip.
"What letter mama, I never applied anything" I spoke confused looking at her as she approached and held my collar. Her eyes , they were matching mine, were shining, watering. "I was supposed to do economics or mathematics or something about business-" I looked down at her.
"Your father, you know how he gets sweetie." My mom tried to excuse him once again…
"Stop excusing him mama, he doesn't even ponder of my believes and desires" I exclaimed, I hated speaking to my mother like this, however at this point I was infuriated.
"He only seeks your own good" she spoke, then tears were rolling down her cheeks.
I removed her hands from my collar. "Just like he seeked Jessamine's, who are you kidding, if he did she would still be here" I turned to leave only to find out how my father was standing on the door frame.
"Care to repeat that last part?" He asked and I felt my throat go dry. I turned around and saw him standing at the door, my mom's hands dropping from my figure, she took a step back. I turned to face my father, I didn't speak.
Now
Eva's POV
There was a bang, a scream and then void. I was seeing the sky for some moments, as if it was going to rain.
"Daphne! Are you alright?" I heard Basset
"I am okay! Eva?" Daphne spoke of me, that put me through a process off estimating myself and the damages, I couldn't move, the voices a far blurr
"Eva! She is not moving!"
"Let me go, I am alright"
"Eva wake up"
"Do not move her, let her move herself"
"Is she breathing?"
"Yes idiot, her chest is moving"
Those voices were so far, and coming closer until I was able to make out who was who, the blur I was seeing was starting to clear out. I was looking at all of them. Colin was holding Benedict's hands, he must have been the one to move me, from the other side there was Anthony and Daphne who was held by the Duke. I smiled slightly.
"I am alright, sister, talk with the Duke…" I groaned while my eyes fell upon their hands holding, Anthony sighed, shaking his head. Daphne giggled and so did the Duke as he helped her up and walked further… he had to learn about Cressida.
"Eva how are you feeling, dizzy?" Anthony asked me, he leaned in clearing my face from all the hair .
"Positive" I explained and smiled softly, "I don't hurt anywhere though right now" I added, I was slightly scared to move.
"Ah wait until your body temperature lowers" Colin sighed patting Benedict back. Benedict was kneeled next to Anthony, his frown great, I could see his fear
"Benedict I am alright" I smiled at him with a sweet wink stroking his cheek.
"Alright alright… maybe we should help you up now that we know there is no injury" Benedict held my hand and stroked it, I could feel his hand shaking.
"Yes yes, she should be alright now" Colin explained and walked to my back and held me under the shoulders as Anthony pulled me up gently I held on his sleeves to steady myself. I breathed out as I got dizzier. Benedict was right there and rather silent. His hand was over my waist gently supporting me.
"Can you stand?" He asked me gently and rubbed my back, I shook my head negatively
"How do you know so much about first aids?" I asked Colin and he shrugged his shoulders in response. I was trying to light the atmosphere, I could sense my two eldest brothers look at me concerned.
"You'll ride with me" Anthony announced and moved to his horse riding it with a swift movement. Benedict sighed and turned at Anthony who smiled. "I promise you I will take good care of your sister" our big brother chuckled.
Benedict sighed as he approached me and Colin who was still supporting me and kissed my cheek "let's get you up heh?" He smiled and Colin patted his back as Benedict got to my waist and lifted me up. I hugged my brother's neck as he placed me on one side in front of him. I laid my head on his shoulder.
"Are you sure you are feeling well?" Anthony asked me, securing me between his hands as he was pulling the strains of the horse that obeyed into going faster.
"Yes Anthony I am feeling good, I am only outraged with you. What were you thinking?" I asked him and all I earned was greatly annoyed. I was laying my head on his shoulder as my hand was hooked over his neck as we were galloping. I was lying, I was feeling lightheaded.
"It is Daphne, I cannot let her honor be rubbished like this" Anthony sighed "Benedict would do a great viscount" he stated and sighed. "Are you crying?" He asked me
"What why?" I asked him rather puzzled.
"I feel like uh…" Anthony mumbled and sighed, he placed his hand on my face holding my jaw and turning my face on the other side gently. He wasn't wearing gloves, his hand was soft against my skin, I sighed as he didn't ask me to do it. "Evange- you are bleeding…!" He exclaimed and paused the horse.
"What?" I asked softly and turned at him making a move to touch it and see for myself I wasn't feeling anything.
"Do not touch!" Anthony yelled slightly and removed my hand that was bound to touch my head. He stroked my hair softly to spectate the situation a bit better. He exhaled loudly "it's nothing only a scratch" he spoke up and kissed my forehead "you only managed to destroyed my coat" he huffed playfully avoiding my question.
"I am glad that only my blood was spilled" I rolled my eyes and hugged him kind of tightly "promise me please though, if you ever want to go through such actions you will talk to me… Converse it with me." I asked him and stroked his cheek softly turning to face me, he could tell I was sad.
"Evangeline, you know I do not like to burden you, I know that once we shared the weight of this family, you owned the role of mama years ago, but now you do not have to concern yourself with that" Anthony spoke and hugged me back as he was holding the rope.
"Anthony, it is my concern if you die or be a runaway;" I exclaimed and sighed heavily and kept my arms. "I am part of the family, just as much as Benedict and we also work great together…" I looked at him and rubbed his shoulder.
"I love you Eva, and this level of stressed situations harm you, you already have insomnias, I don't want you harmed, I will try to share… as long as you tell me your concerns as well…" Anthony made a deal, I nodded as I was still hidden in his neck, I felt him exhale again his free arm around me hugging me tightly like I was. "That's my girl, deal like we used to"he reminded me and kissed my cheek.
~
It was late night when we returned, Benedict approached me and Anthony held my waist lowering ,me to the ground softly. Benedict supported me to my feet making sure i was able to stand on my feet. "are you alright?" He asked me rubbing my back as we waited the rest to gather so we enter the house quietly so no mama or child would realize that we were gone
"I am very well no need concern, brother… how about you, I know all these were stressful for you, knowing of the situation, being bound to be the next viscount and all that escorts those circumstances… when you could've told me,and we could've talked him out of it, make sense into his brains avoiding the violence and all that comes along." I spoke up, I had a smart gaze that stared into his eyes. I hugged his arm as we were waiting for the rest. I was smiling
"I couldn't betray Anthony's trust you are fully aware of that Eva. I am glad that you girls made an entrance" he added them but didn't speak further. Soon Colin Daphne and Anthony they were serious as I was smirking slightly at Daphne's and Anthony's face.
"Oh come on now, that is a happy ending" I commented as Benedict opened the door for the rest of us. I walked in and looked around.
"I shall wake up the maids to prepare you both a bath" Anthony offered.
"That won't be necessary… we are perfectly capable of doing this on our own" I pointed out and smiled at him talking Daphne's hand "I bid you a good night brothers" I spoke and escorted my younger sister to her room closing the door.
She sat to the couch and I stood taking a deep breath, we stared at each other and burst out laughing. "This was Elite" I laughed and looked at her.
"We are getting married Evangeline…" Daphne announced and sighed happily. "I can't believe we just invaded in to 'men's business' " she commented and looked at me, joy sparkles were all around her eyes.
"I am glad, now Cressida Cowper will shut her mouth and we will live happily ever after" I chuckled and pulled her in a tight hug. I kissed her cheek and grimaced "ew mud, we should get cleaned" I smiled And pulled her in her bathroom.