The Masked prince
Chapter 133: The Start Of Doom(2)

Chapter 133: The Start Of Doom(2)

Outside the dining room, Evelyn, Oliver and Arthur who heard Gianna’s words had different emotions.

Oliver had a frown on his forehead and he seemed to be in some sort of conflict. Evelyn was confused. These three years she had rarely stepped out of the house. She helped Gianna in house chores and then spent some time with Oliver and Arthur. There would be days where the three of them would play some games where they didn’t have to move legs keeping Oliver in mind.

Hence, the eight year old Evelyn still didn’t know about many things. Her mind was still innocent as that of five year old.

She actually didn’t even know what the true meaning behind marriage was. Hence, she was confused.

Then there was Arthur whose eyes were filled with shock.

After all, Arthur had never been told of any such arrangement between Oliver and Evelyn. He never knew that his mother had brought Evelyn because she wanted Evelyn to marry Oliver.

Arthur was sixteen this year. He understood many things very well.

Looking at the girl who was still below his chest and then looking at Oliver beside her, he felt as if he couldn’t breathe properly.

Especially when he saw Evelyn raising her hand to hold Oliver’s sleeve and ask

"Oliver, what is Mother talking about?"

What was marriage certificate? Why her mother wanted them to get that? Evelyn didn’t know anything.

But the two other boys knew.

Oliver looked down at Evelyn’s innocent eyes. He suddenly felt peaceful inside his heart and smiled gently.

"I will tell you later."

He patted her head gently and Arthur stared at his hand with cold and emotionless eyes.

After that, Oliver held Evelyn’s hand and took her inside the dining room. Arthur stared at their joined hands as he followed them silently.

Inside the dining room, Cooper had wanted to say something to his wife but when he saw three children entering the room, he shut his mouth and signed his wife that they will talk about this later.

Gianna frowned but listened to her husband.

The five of them had their dinner and Gianna asked Oliver

"Oliver, when is yours Royal Entrance examination?"

Oliver didn’t raise his head and answered his mother’s question.

"Next month, Mother."

Gianna glanced at her husband again who shook his head again. Arthur who was silently seeing this interaction calmed down a little.

His father didn’t seem to agree.

His eyes then went to Evelyn who was peacefully having her meal.

However seeing her sitting so close to Oliver made him want to do something...to lift this table and throw everything away.

He saw how Oliver served vegetables in Evelyn’s plate. Arthur’s eyes narrowed and he picked the meat putting it in Evelyn’s plate.

However, as soon as he was about to put in Evelyn’s plate, Oliver stopped him and said

"Evelyn doesn’t eat meat, Arthur."

Arthur stiffened. His eyes stared at Evelyn who merely glanced at him with a smile on her lips and then continued to eat.

He had actually never paid much attention before. During the meals in dining room, he would stay silent all the time and would not talk to anyone.

It was because of his mother.

He didn’t like how his mother behaved with him. Arthur could always see that she loved Oliver more than him so he preferred to stay away from her.

Sometimes, he felt as if his mother could even kill him if it meant that Oliver could get his legs back.

Although somewhere it used to hurt him before, he had gotten used to of it in the last few years.

He had bowed down to all her demands. He took care of Oliver in school if it meant that he could attend his class every day.

However, not this time.

He didn’t wish to bow down in front of his mother’s wishes this time. And the strange thing was he couldn’t understand the reason.

Was it because Evelyn was too innocent now? That she didn’t even know the meaning behind marriage.

However, the image of Oliver and Evelyn together just didn’t settle well with him.

Even if it was to happen in the future, Arthur felt immense suffocation.

Evelyn suddenly held Oliver’s sleeve and signed to the plate that was placed near Arthur. Oliver silently picked it and served the dish in her plate and she happily ate it.

Arthur didn’t like how Oliver stared at Evelyn’s smile...how his eyes were filled with all gentleness as he looked at Evelyn.

And for the first time in his life, Arthur wanted to tell Evelyn to stop smiling.

He liked his smile.

It was just that...he didn’t want her to smile for anyone else except for him.

.

.

.

After finishing the dinner, Evelyn went to the kitchen to help Gianna in washing the dishes.

Inside the dining room, only Oliver, Arthur, and Cooper were left. It was unusual for Arthur to stay like this. He would usually leave for his room as soon as he would finish his meal.

However, today he stayed.

Perhaps because he knew that Oliver wanted to talk to Cooper regarding what Gianna had said.

And he was right.

"Father, I think it is not the right time for me and Evelyn to marry."

Cooper was surprised and realized that his eldest son had seemed to hear everything. He sighed and said

"I know. I will talk to your mother."

Not only Oliver but Arthur was also relieved to hear this...but only to some extent.

Today was not the right time.

But in the future, there would be the right time one day.

And he wished that such a right time would never come.

Later when Evelyn came to his room to give him the glass of milk just like every day, Arthur stared at her other hand which held another glass for Oliver.

Evelyn saw him staring and asked

"Arthur, do you want to drink more milk?"

Without even letting him answer, she suddenly smiled and got closer to him as she said in a low voice.

"If it is so then I will give you my glass. I don’t like to drink mil but you can’t tell Oliver that I didn’t drink my glass. Promise?"

Arthur stared into her green eyes which were bright, lively and innocent...completely opposite to how his own were.

He suddenly raised his hand to stroke her cheek gently. Evelyn flinched and looked at him in confusion...especially when she heard him say

"Evelyn, Never smile in front of anyone else except me."