The Masked prince
Chapter 278: The Guilt Of Selfishness

Chapter 278: The Guilt Of Selfishness

"His Majesty wanted to announce Prince Regan’s coronation date today but His Highness as well as many nobles refused to accept it."

A minister said to the other.

"I heard about it. What happened exactly? Is it because of the slave His Highness married a few months ago?"

Evelyn stood stiff when she heard the other minister’s question.

"I think so. Two days ago, I did hear His Majesty asking His Highness to take in a girl from a noble family but His Highness refused immediately. His Majesty was angry and said that he will marry him forcefully to the girl even if he refused. There was a huge argument between the two which I couldn’t witness because I was sent away by His Highness Prince Rex."

The other minister was shocked when he heard that while Evelyn suddenly remembered how Regan and Rex looked grim when they had returned from the Royal Palace two days ago.

Was it because of this?

"His Majesty is also helpless."

One of the ministers sighed as he said

"The nobles would never accept a slave as a queen so as long as Prince Regan doesn’t marry another queen, he would not be able to ascend the throne."

"Hmm...half of the faction of nobles is still on Prince Regan’s side but these ministers are the ones who have been hired very recently. Other halves are those who are old nobles and they refused to accept Princess Consort as a queen."

The further talk between the ministers faded slowly from Evelyn’s ears as they walked away.

Evelyn stood rooted to the spot as Derrick’s words flashed in her ears where he had requested her to allow Regan to have another woman.

She had been living in such a beautiful bubble in the past few days that she forgot all about what Derrick said

Her prince would not be able to ascend the throne because of her.

She was becoming an obstacle for him.

Evelyn stepped inside the banquet hall absentmindedly.

She actually wished that Alexandria would return and talk to her so that she would feel lighthearted but no one really approached her.

It made Evelyn wonder if it was because of her past of being a slave.

The frustration and helplessness that she had felt a few days ago after Derrick’s request returned with full force this time.

She stood silently at a spot without interacting with anyone.

She only came out of her thoughts when she heard Regan’s voice.

"Evelyn!"

Evelyn tried to smile forcefully but she couldn’t. Regan frowned seeing the expression on her face and held her hand as he asked.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes"

Evelyn whispered softly and then a moment later, made an excuse

"I am just having a headache."

Regan looked concerned when he heard this and said immediately

"We will leave right now."

Evelyn didn’t say anything.

"I will send someone to tell Rex,"

Evelyn nodded her head and saw Regan sending someone to inform Rex.

As she stood there, she suddenly saw a commotion. It was none other than Prince Richard who was trying to touch a woman in front of everyone. From what it looked like, the woman was married and her husband had a red face as he saw all this but he couldn’t do anything.

It was only when Richard collapsed down on the ground because of too much alcohol that two servants helped him outside the banquet hall.

She saw how respectfully they held Richard in spite of his disgusting actions.

It was all because of one status.

Just because he was a Royal Prince, everyone respected him....while she...regardless of what she did, she will always be looked down upon by them.

Evelyn felt a lump inside her throat but forced it down knowing that she couldn’t cry here.

Around fifteen minutes later, she was seated inside the carriage with Regan and Rex. The whole ride was silent.

Regan was more concerned when he saw this.

So when they reached the palace, he asked Isla to call a physician for Evelyn. Evelyn tried to refuse but Regan didn’t listen to her.

A physician came but didn’t find anything wrong with Evelyn’s body. But seeing the worried prince, he still prescribed some medicine that could provide strength to Evelyn’s body.

Evelyn was forced to have some rest after taking her medicine. She closed her eyes knowing that Regan was there with her but sleep was far away from her eyes.

Hence, as soon as Regan left, she also climbed down from the bed and left the room.

She was feeling very suffocated suddenly so she decided to take a walk in the garden. Isla seemed to be busy somewhere because Evelyn didn’t see her around which relieved her because she wanted to stay alone for some time.

When she was walking inside the garden, Evelyn suddenly saw Peri walking towards her.

"How did everything go in the banquet?"

Peri asked her as soon as she was near Evelyn. Evelyn nodded her head and whispered absentmindedly.

"Alright"

Peri went silent after that and Evelyn also didn’t wish to say anything.

It was a few moments later that Peri spoke up again

"I wanted to talk to you about something."

Evelyn stopped walking and turned to look at Peri who continued speaking

"Evelyn, you don’t know much about Royal Palace rules and manners. But I have stayed there and I know more than you. I have been a concubine before and have already attended many banquets on many occasions. I know how to serve a prince because I had done it before."

Evelyn was hearing everything very calmly until she heard Peri’s last few words.

Her heart went cold suddenly as she realized what Peri was trying to imply.

But Peri was unable to gauge Evelyn’s expression and continued speaking

"I was thinking about this...how about you talk to His Highness about taking me as his concubine. Of course, I will never compete with you regarding anything. I will only help you."

Peri stopped speaking when she suddenly looked at Evelyn who was not saying anything.

"Evelyn..."

She whispered.

Evelyn looked at Peri silently for some time before asking

"Why not Prince Rex? You can help me even by becoming his concubine."

Peri was startled by the question for a moment and she didn’t know how to answer but Evelyn received her answer.

It was because Peri knew very well that Regan was to become the next King.

It was never about helping her. It was always about her own wishes.

In the end, Peri helped her yesterday because she had planned it all out yesterday only.