The Masked prince
Chapter 20: A Life Of Fortunes

Chapter 20: A Life Of Fortunes

Evelyn was dismissed by Regan after they finished their dinner. However, as soon as she stepped out of the chambers, Regan’s bodyguard, or as she knew of him, Elias came behind her and suddenly blocked her way.

"Evelyn."

Evelyn stopped walking immediately. She looked at his cold eyes and already had a guess of what he was going to say. With a calm and composed face, she didn’t look nervous at all under his cold eyes that could scar anyone.

However, this behavior of hers only increased Elias’s suspicion.

An ordinary slave should be cowering under his cold eyes. He might not be as scary and cold as his master was when angry but he also had his own influence.

Stepping closer to his master’s new slave, he threatened her clearly

"If I found anything suspicious regarding you...Anything!"

He emphasized coldly and continue

"I shall not hesitate to take your life away...even if for that I would need to go against my master. Do you understand?"

Evelyn was silent for a moment before she calmly nodded her head.

She understood that there was no use in giving any explanation to Elias. She would need to prove her loyalty as time will pass.

When he was finished, she stepped aside to walk past him and left from there. On her way, until she made a turn, she could feel Elias’ cold eyes on her back continuously.

Though her purpose was never the one Elias was thinking of, Evelyn knew that she still needed to be very careful.

.

.

.

The next morning, the castle started to buy farmers’ produce.

Many farmers had already started harvesting their crops so when they came to know of the announcements, they brought their fresh produce to the castle.

A long line could be seen at the castle’s gates. One by one every farmer registered their name with the appointed guard who will also check the quality of the produce and then give the money.

The guard suddenly paused when he saw a figure walking in his direction. The silver and golden mask was the recognition of the figure from far away.

He immediately stood up from the chair he was seated on and bowed his head to greet the prince.

"Your Highness"

Hearing the guard say, Your Highness, the farmers also bowed their heads.

Behind Regan were Evelyn and Elias.

Regan looked at the line of farmers and asked the guard

"How is it going?"

"Everything is alright, Your Highness."

Regan nodded his head and said

"From the evening, start selling this produce to the people."

"Yes, Your Highness"

The guard said respectfully and Regan turned around to leave. But when he was about to do so, one of the farmers came running in front of him.

Elias was immediately alert and took out his sword but before he could do anything, Regan raised his hand to stop him.

"Y...Your Highness... was it Your Highness who came to my field yesterday?"

The farmer was kneeling on the ground and his voice was slightly choked as he raised his head and looked at Regan. He didn’t even wait for Regan’s answer as he was sure that it was Regan only.

The mask was the same. He could recognize it very well. He remembered the whole conversation from tomorrow. Only now he understood why he was asked those questions.

His eyes started to fill with tears.

He didn’t know what to say but his heart was filled with gratefulness.

"Your Highness is great...Your Highness is great like Her Highness, Princess Regina."

Regan ignored the part where the farmer mentioned his mother and said calmly.

"Get up."

The farmer did as he was asked to do but his head was still lowered.

"Your Highness, this one doesn’t know how to express my gratefulness. Not only I but every farmer in Mazic is grateful to Your Highness."

The money they received from the castle in exchange for their pride was four times more than they used to get from traders.

How could they not be grateful!

All the farmers also echoed the same.

"Your Highness is great."

Regan looked at them and said calmly

"It is not me who you all should be grateful to."

The farmers were confused when they heard these words and looked at each other. They saw Regan looking behind himself and saying

"It is she who thought of this."

The farmers looked at the girl whom the prince was looking at. They were surprised when they saw the black band on Evelyn’s wrist as they understood that she must be a slave.

Mazic never had slaves.

So she must be from outside but she still thought of them.

Evelyn’s head was lowered all the time. When she heard Regan’s words, she couldn’t help but still slightly.

There was only one woman in the outer hall ...was he talking about her? But how could he...

She was brought out of her thoughts when she heard her master’s voice

"Evelyn, step forward."

Evelyn was confused but she did as she was asked and took a step forward.

Regan looked at the girl who was still a step away from him. He sighed and suddenly held her hand to pull her beside him.

Evelyn was shocked because of the sudden move and unconsciously raised her head to look at him.

But she found him looking in the farmers’ direction and ...they were looking at her.

Under so many gazes, she couldn’t help but lower her head again.

The farmer who was standing in the front stepped forward and said politely

"Lady Evelyn.."

The farmer followed the same name by which Regan had called Evelyn.

"We all are very grateful to you. Our children would have warm clothes this winter and they might be able to get some books as well to study. If Lady ever needs any help in the future, then don’t hesitate. Every farmer of Mazic will try their best to help Lady."

Other farmers echoed the same words.

The words overwhelmed Evelyn who had always been looked down upon and seen as a burden.

"May Lady Evelyn have a life of fortunes."

The farmers blessed her.

A life of fortunes...Evelyn was at lack of what to say. She never desired a life of fortunes. She just wished for days where she would not be beaten and starved.

She could only raise her head and say politely

"I am grateful for all the blessings."

However, these simple words and the sincerity in her eyes won many hearts...including of someone with a pair of red eyes.