Evelyn, The Red Moon - Chapter 9

Evelyn spent the morning taking literature and history lessons from Lady Redicia. Evelyn’s enthusiasm to learn and using her intelligence to learn two or three things at once were deeply admired by the tutor.

Evelyn was the best student in comparison to any noble family Lady Redicia had taught so far.

After noon, Evelyn went out for the first time after coming to Antimar. She had to see a place, the residence of Marquis Jervas Sigmund.

Evelyn stepped out of the carriage in a modest, unobtrusive way.

Her heart was pounding already. It’s been over 20 years, he must have changed a lot, but all her memories were still vivid as if it just happened yesterday.

They couldn’t even imagine it. They wouldn’t know Decilia, the maid they killed so cruelly, got reborn as Evelyn.

God helped me get my revenge!

I’ll crush them, make them squirm desperately, and make them beg for their lives. 

To be able to do that, I have to get better at everything, by all means. 

Jervas’s mansion wasn’t far from the palace. It was on a street where luxurious mansions were lining along the sides of a wide road.

Noblemen who possess castles and territories outside of Antimar, had townhouses in the capital /to have a smooth and luxurious social life.

As a large garden and a two-sided mansion with a massive gate, came to her sight. Evelyn stopped walking and stood there.

Jervas, Vestina!

Evelyn called out their names in silence as if she was vomiting blood. She couldn’t breathe and her eyes got bloodshot.

She didn’t forget anything. The look in the eyes of Vestina as she swung the leather whip and screamed the words, ‘Die, you filthy prostitute!’.

Even when Jervas saw Decilia being dragged away by the vicious woman, stood back.

The cowardly look on his face and the expressions he showed on that day would never be forgotten by Evelyn, no matter how many times she gets reincarnated.

In order to stop her shaking hands, Evelyn clenched her fists so hard that her fingernails dug her flesh.

Jervas’s house, which Evelyn used to live in her previous life, became more vibrant after all the years that passed. It was because of Vestina’s dowry which she got from her parents.

Even though it was a bright day. Evelyn, who was staring at the mansion outside, suddenly felt empty.

As she was about to leave, she felt as if she was falling apart and collapsed right on the spot.

***

A fragrant lingered around Evelyn’s nose. It felt familiar to her. Evelyn struggled to open her eyelids. When she finally opened them, she noticed her vision was blurry.

She blinked a few times and heard someone’s breath somewhere close to her. As her vision got normal, a man was seen in bright light.

The man who had blonde curly hair and a mustache was standing with arms folded on his chest. While Evelyn found herself lying on a bed.

Shocked, she sprang up her upper body and wondered. With that, the man’s eyes fixated on hers.

Evelyn was stunned for a moment. His deep and cold eyes looked familiar as if she had seen them somewhere.

“You’re awake.”

Unwrapping his arms, Theodore stared calmly at Evelyn.

“Did I pass out?”

“My schedule got delayed because of you.”

“I apologize for causing you trouble.”

“I tried pretending to not notice you, but I still brought you here at the end. You were pretty heavy.”

Evelyn’s ears and face burned up from what he said and immediately rushed out of the bed.

“Can you return on your own?”

“Yes, thank you for helping. Have I been here for a long time?”

Then, the clear afternoon sun shone through the open window.

“For a short while, I thought of leaving you here and taking my leave first.”

“Sorry.”

“Did you purposefully pretend to faint?”

“What?”

“Because there are women who do that kind of show.”

Evelyn was dumbfounded.

“Thank you again for your help, but you are being too much.”

“Is my guess wrong? That’s actually possible.”

Theodore’s face, which displayed a shrugged expression while saying those words, now had a faint smile.

The big, comfortable bed and luxurious furniture made it seem like it was a fairly wealthy house.

This man had to be a nobleman since his clothes were also classy.

Either way, Evelyn thought that it’s best to leave this place as soon as possible.

“I shall now take my leave.”

“Where is your house? Do you need a carriage to ride in?”

“Thank you for the kind offer, but I will decline. My legs are actually quite strong.”

Evelyn then left after a light bow. The maid guided her to the front door as if she had already been waiting for her to come out.

After Evelyn left, Theodore went to the window, took off his wig and mustache, and just threw them on top of the tea table. The reddish-brown, rich, glossy hair shone under the sunlight.

He stared out of the window with arms folded. As he watched, Evelyn’s back passing through the garden and leaving through the gate.

He felt that she was strangely familiar. He must have seen her at some point, somewhere.

‘Should I have asked for the beauty’s name instead?’

Theodore’s sharp gaze was still stuck on Evelyn’s back as she moved away.

This house was his secret hideout called ‘Red Rose.’ There were many red roses in the garden.

Theodore needed his own space outside of the palace, where Rasmania’s surveillance can’t reach him. There were even times where he would take breaks or conduct secret meetings.

An hour ago, Theodore saw a woman as he was riding his horse towards Red Rose. As soon as she tried to walk, she suddenly collapsed.

Theodore, who stopped his horse, was startled. He looked around but there were no passersby on the wide road.

It was not a situation where he could just ignore and continue on his way. So in the end, he picked up the woman.

“Well… you are conscious again.”

Mumbling to himself, Theodore closed the window.

Meanwhile, Evelyn quickly walked towards the palace. She was in a hurry because she was already late. Taking one last look at Jervas’s mansion, she felt that she was yet again filled with anger and hatred.

Thinking back about it, it was quite embarrassing. The fact that a man, who she isn’t even familiar with, took her into his arms to his house, and even stayed there for a short while.

He was a very handsome man except for his mustache which looked awkward for some reason. As she tried to recall it, he was the most handsome man her eyes had ever laid on, ever since she was reborn. With a dazzling natural cuteness surrounding him

But… she definitely has seen that stare before.

It was not even a distant memory.

His eyes were very deep that she couldn’t forget even if she only saw those pairs once.

Evelyn paused for a moment. On that day, the eyes of the masked man, which she clearly saw on the cliff, came to her mind.

‘Really?’

Evelyn’s heart started to pound! She then sat down.

The man who helped me was the head of the masked group who attempted to kill the lord?

She only had a glimpse of those pairs of eyes in the darkness, so she couldn’t be so certain.

‘I don’t think so. There is no way! I guess I guess I mistook him for someone else. I was surprised for no reason. Phew…’

Calming herself down, Evelyn then hurriedly returned.

***

[A year later.]

“Uh, ugh!”

Evelyn groaned loudly.

“Hold on, miss. We need to make your waist slender by just an inch.”

Evelyn felt as if the voice of the stylist, Mrs. Luciad, was hitting the back of her head. Her hands were pulling the cord of her corset with no mercy/remorse.

“I, I can’t breathe, Ma’am.”

“This is nothing. There are even girls who would try to make their waist, to something like half your waist size.”

“Do we have to go that far?”

“It’s your first social debut. Besides, it’s a royal banquet.”

Mrs. Luciard gave more strength to her hands.

“U-ugh… you’re gonna break my back…”

“That wouldn’t happen with just this much. Trust me, Miss.”

Mrs. Luciad’s skills were excellent. She was able to quickly finish Evelyn’s makeup and trimmed her hair with very skillful hand gestures.

Then she tightened Evelyn’s corset even more without mercy to make her get into the best shape.

Only after Evelyn groaned several more times did she tie all the cords of the corset.

“Fashion starts and completes at the waist.”

A pannier made of whalebone was tied to Evelyn’s waist with a string. That made the hem of the skirts appear full by extending it.

She wore an under-dress to make her dress visible under her petticoat. It was uncomfortable enough to have her waist tightened, but wearing layers like this, Evelyn already felt like fainting.

Lastly, she wore a crimson banquet dress that has a deep chest decollete with wrinkle decorations. Paired with a ruby necklace and earrings that match the color of the dress.

“How beautiful!”

Mrs. Luciad spoke with admiration.

***

“It’s special because the best seamstress made it!”

Rasmania nodded to Evelyn, whose preparations were ready.

“I was aware that you’re a jewel. I knew my eyes saw right.”

“I’m flattered, Mother.”

Evelyn bent slightly to pay homage to Rasmania.

“Tonight’s royal banquet is your social debut. You are the adopted daughter of the princess of the palace, you have to be shining and dignified more than anyone else.”

“I’m aware.”

For the past year, Evelyn has learned, mastered, and worked hard to be reborn with a spirit of a noble family. As a result, she was able to fully transform herself. She became beautiful, radiating an aura of arrogance and a person full of elegance.

“How do you feel?”

“I’m excited but I’m also worried whether I can do it properly.”

“Confidence adds to the beauty, that is the greatest weapon a woman possesses.”

“Thanks to my mother. I won’t forget the mercy and grace you have shown me.”

“Of course, you shouldn’t forget. You swore allegiance and obedience.”

The gorgeous and dazzling Rasmania whispered while maintaining eye contact with Evelyn.

“Your life is mine to own. In return, I will give you another brilliant life.”