CHAPTER -6(A betrayal to express the great affection or a decision for saving or harming!!)

(Ancient Romance)

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"No, I'm not pregnant and I never been. I'm a soldier after all. it'll be unreasonable for me. Though we tried many times but I couldn't conceive anyways. Maybe it's because of my over training, countless journeys or joining the war....."Evelina replied to the 2nd Empress.

The Empress got a relief after listening Evelina's words.

" Then I'm okay with that. How about this.... You marry my Jordan and help him to ascend the throne. I want you to lead him until he become the Crown Prince . And if you could remove all my enemies, you can break off the marriage... I promise I'll let you go wherever you want to..Think about it, your power will strengthen my son's position....NO ONE WILL DARE TO HARM HIM ." The Empress tried to convince her.

"For this I don't need to marry him. I can do this with my current status. I swear I'll stay with him like his shadow.... I won't leave the palace until I eliminate the ist Prince and replace his position with Prince Jordan. " Evelina assured the Empress with her confidence.

"Is that so...." the Empress gave a mocking smile.

"Yeah..... Now I'll take my leave. You don't have to worry about the Prince. I'll go and talk with the Emperor to cancel our marriage." Evelina stood up.

She was about to leave the chamber but the Empress barricaded her way.

"You said you'll be a shadow for my son....SO THIS IS WHY YOU WERE PLANNING TO ESCAPE TO OUR SOUTHERN TERRITORY WITH YOU LOVER!!" the Empress shouted furiously.

Evelina's backbone frozed all of a sudden. She drowned into her own sweat. She didn't expected the Empress to find out about this so soon.

She couldn't look at the Empress out of embarrassment.

"My Grace.....I....How did you find out??....." Evelina kneeled down on the ground lowering her gaze.

"I'm an Empress..... deceiving me isn't easy.....but I've never expected that you'll hurt me one day." the Empress stood in front of her with a emotionless face.

" I'm sorry..... I was about to consult this with you. Even if I go away, I was about to support Prince Jordan with all my power.... You're misunderstanding me..." Evelina couldn't hold back her tears.

"You're late for this explanation..." the Empress didn't melt with her tears.

"I swear on my creator, I won't go anywhere until I complete my task." Evelina tried to convince her with all her excuses.

"Look, my child. I'm not that cruel.... I've always kept you in my wings. I'm like your mother. If you want to cancel the marriage, then you can go to the Emperor. you know that he'll stop all the arrangements with your one word. I'm in no position to order you as it's your personal decision. But if you ever valued me in your life , the I hope you'll accept my request and marry the Prince." the Empress gently pat Evelina's head.

Evelina furiously looked at the Empress.....

" When I'm saying that I won't go to the south anymore....Then why you keep insisting me to marry Jordan..." Evelina shouted.

"It's for your own good.... and it'll be beneficial for your lover too.... it's just a matter of time... You both can reunite as soon as you complete everything. What was his name....Oh... It's General Samuel, Right!!"the Empress gave an evil smile.

Evelina felt goosebumps on the whole body as she sensed a dangerous vibe from the Empress's words.

Out of her anger, she forgot all the manners towards the Empress and started breaking all the things in her chembar.

"It's okay..... let your anger flow away... then your heart will calm down....and you'll get back your senses of thinking something logical. I would better give you some times." the Empress left away leaving Evelina alone in the chembar.

Evelina didn't notice her leaving and kept breaking all the expensive goods or furniture presented inside Empress's chembar while tearing up.

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In the Evening:

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Evelina destroyed everything in the chembar. She didn't even consider the favourite flower vases of the Empress.

She has cried for hours.

And now she is sitting on a corner of the chembar as she got tired.

She kept staring at the hourglass with her empty gaze. She didn't break it.The slippery sand continuously reminding her about the passing time. Samuel won't be able to wait for her after the fixed date of their departure... She felt like the sand from the clock is falling on her body and forcing her inside the grave.

The Empress entered into her chembar and looked around.

"I'll forgive you for my son's sake." She didn't mind about her favourite vases and order some mains to clean everything.

She come towards Evelina as she noticed her sitting like a statue.

"So what did you decide?" The Empress asked.

"Have I ever did anything against your will....!! " Evelina forcefully smiled.

"That what I've expected from you. After your parents death it's me who helped you to survive.....my child, You've to understand... They'll kill my son if I don't do this. Do you think you can stay here and save my son.... They will never let you stay here without any reason. Even the Emperor will never give us the permission to let you stay in the palace leaving your all responsibilities or duties towards your territory. How would I convince the Emperor to let the Northern Commander stay here just for my personal interest. This is the best way for you." the Empress tried to give a valid explanation of make herself looked less cruel.

Evelina said nothing but kept staring at the hourglass restlessly. The time is passing out of her hands.

"Still I would have considered your feelings....But my Prince is in love with you so deeply. I don't want to hurt him. He never listen to me anyway. It's hard for me already to raise him as an ideal heir of our dynasty. And this is the first time he has showed his interest towards woman. Maybe through you he'll start living a normal life like other. I've always saw my son immersed in depression.... Finally he started smiling after you came here. It's just a marriage.....you can just marry him for a while. After he learn to pull himself together, you can go back to your old life." the Empress dragged Evelina's hand and took her to the bed.

"But if I pretend, it'll be deceiving him. He'll get hurt when he'll find out the truth...!!" Evelina sat on the bed beside the Empress.

" Don't think too much... You're just a inclination of his young blood. He'll get rid of these ridiculous emotions with his maturity... I'll arrange the best novel ladies from every province under our empire.Then leaving him won't be a problem for you." the Empress made a reliable tone.

"I HOPE YOU'LL KEEP YOUR PROMISE.... AND WON'T CREATE ANY PROBLEM LATER ON..." Evelina suspiciously looked at her.

"Don't you believe me.... I said I'll let you go.... For now you just focus on my son. Take him out of his own world..... I want him to be the Crown Prince. I know he's not worthy of the throne. But at least he's better than the ist Prince....And Jordan will learn everything with time." the Empress held Evelina's cheeks with a great care.

The Empress didn't use her dominating tone anymore.

Evelina looked at the maids and shifted her gaze towards the Empress again.

"Don't worry, they're my trusted people." the Empress assured her.

"I'll take it as a token of our deal." Evelina stood up and picked the hourglass. Then she left the chembar within the moment without even looking back.

The Empress let out a long breath of satisfaction. Finally she convinced Evelina for what she wanted. She has been always wanting Evelina as her daughter-in-law. That's why she send her to the army to gather as much power as possible. Evelina blindly achieved all the ranks, power, positions, supporter, armys without even asking the reason.

But the Empress didn't expect Evelina to fall in love with another man.... But eventually Jordan make everything easier for her by falling for Evelina. At any cost the Empress wants to keep Evelina by her side forever so that she can fight with the ist Empress and defeat her.

Though she felt a little guilt for forcing her. But she was left with this only option. If Evelina become a part of Royal family, she won't be able to leave Prince Jordan's side so easily. Or else she would leave some days anyway.....

But still observing Evelina's condition, the Empress promised herself, If Evelina can eliminate all her enemies and placed Prince Jordan into the highest position, then she'll let her go... It's just a matter of few years. By that time Jordan will turn into a sensible person.

The Empress let out a sigh and looked around to find her teapot to have some tea. But she realized that Evelina has broken the teapot too. She smiled with a glaze in her face....

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In the garden

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Evelina entered the garden thinking a lot of things in her mind and walking in a distracting way. She kept biting her lips out of overthinking. She's about to change the history of their dynasty.... It's a big deal for her. She never thought she'll took part so directly in selecting the future ruler.

"It's late night.why you took so long."Andreas came towards her as he detected her coming outside of the Empress's Pavillion.

He has been waiting in the front garden since then.

"Let's go to the Emperor....."Andreas was about to take her to the main Court pulling her hand but Evelina stopped him.

"We'll meet with the emperor tommorow. It's late.....The Emperor might be sleeping by now.You just leave me alone. See you tomorrow. I'm tired."Evelina requested him with a low voice.

Andreas didn't understand the sudden change of her behaviour.....

"Then you go and take some rest." Andreas left for his duties as he has wasted his whole Evening standing outside the Pavilion.

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Then Evelina silently walked away towards Prince Jordan's Manor.

There's a bunch of guards surrounding the residence.

"Jordan are you awake?"she entered the chember with her steady steps.

Jordan was reading a book. Seeing Evelina at this late hour, he overwhelmed with joy.

"Oh... it's you. Why you're here at this hour?Are you already missing me?"Jordan gave her a sweet smile keeping his book aside.

"You didn't sleep yet..!!..." Evelina asked gently patting on his head.

"I'm used to sleeping in the midnight. So it's early for me to sleep now... you've came to a perfect time." Jordan said while putting his book on the bookshelf.

"You should not keep awaking so long at night." Evelina said while cleaning the study table as she saw a lot of books keeping their opened.

"No...it doesn't matter anymore. At first I was just afraid of that the Emperor father would come and kill me... So I've always tried to stay cautious and careful even at night. But later on, it has become a habit.... So can't help but to stay awake...." Jordan explain with a painful smile while putting all the books on the shelf one by one.

"Will you go with me to the garden?"Evelina asked to draw his attention somewhere else.

"You mean outside? NOW!!"he got scared...

"If you don't want to, then it's ok. I'll tell someone else to accompany me."Evelina turn back to left.

"Hay wait!....mmm....I'll go with you. But only up to the inner garden of my residence."Jordan hesitatingly agreed to go with her.

He held Evelina's hand tightly while walking outside. Even though they were about to go to the inner garden but Evelina dragged him to the outer garden crossing the main gate of the Manor. Jordan said nothing and kept walking with her. But Evelina could feel the vibrations coming from the link of theirs grasping hands. She understood his situation but still intentionally took him inside the big garden.

Jordan got a little bit scared but he can't let this chance to go away like this. No matter how much hard it is for him, but he have stay with Evelina.

Jordan can feel the thrills in his ranching heart. He's walking with the love of his life. Or even got the opportunity to touched her hands for a long time....How could he miss this chance.

"He really listen to my every words."Evelina stared at Jordan and thought .

Confronting with Evelina's his face turned red while blushing. He tightened the grip of his fingers wrapping around her wrist.

"Let's seat over there."Evelina indicated some chairs and tables middle of the garden.

Jordan obediently sat with her. But he kept looking around nervously.

The moon was shining so boldly. The moon light make Evelina more beautiful. While looking around Jordan's eyes frozed on Evelina.He couldn't help but look at her with an obsession and forget that they're outside.

"So you want to Marry me,right?"Evelina asked with a smile.

"Yeah!! I like you after all."Jordan blushed more.

"But don't you think you're too little for this....!!"Evelina tried to tease him.

"So what !! I'm taller than you. I'll love you so much that you won't complain....."Jordan defensed himself.

" So how much you love me.....?"

" This much.....no no....more than that." Jordan expanded his hands widely.

Evelina burst into laughter.

"You've a good logic."she nodded while laughing.

"Even I can carry you. I'm so strong you know."Jordan smiled back.

Evelina laughed more loudly. All her anxiety faded away.

"Will you do everything I'll say?"Evelina took a breath and made a serious demeanor.

"As long as you will stay with me I'll do anything you say....no matter what."Jordan said confidently.

"Then you have to accept at least 13 women as concubine from our 13 provinces and 4 concorts from the 4 region..." Evelina created a ordering tone.

"But I have you. I don't need any other women."Jordan refused.

"Think about it ...orelse I won't merry you."Evelina said.

"Okh okh.... I'll accept them . I'll make a harem as same as Emperor father." Jordan smirked.

"That's good."Evelina felt a relief in her heart.

It won't be as hard as it seems.

She also felt a little bit guilty. She's playing with Jordan's innocent heart. He will be upset when he'll know the reality. But all she's doing just for the nation. She can't let destroy Jordan's bright future just because of his stupidity.

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They had a long conversation....

"Today is full moon. The moon looking so beautiful.... of course not more than you..."Jordan was about to continue the chatting.

But his utter surprise he saw Evelina is leaning on his shoulder and fell asleep clasping his one arm.

He can't believe..his heart began to beat faster and his shoulder got paralyzed where Evelina put her head... That unusual feeling again enchanted him .... What is this strange feeling he never felt before. It only appears with Evelina...

She's so close to him. He got frozen totally and hold his breath. Moon light shining in his eyes.

Jordan kept down his gaze towards Evelina without blinking. He's just wishing that moment lasts forever. He slided some hair over Evelina's face and keep staring at her without any tiresome. He slowly placed his hand on her backbone to generate a support.

He also tried to suppress his growing heartbeat as he didn't want to wake Evelina by the sound of it...

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It's been midnight.

jordan still staring at her.His red blushing face didn't fade away a little bit. Soldiers are guarding the garden area quietly.

"My prince!!"Andreas shocked seeing Jordan outside, from the corridor.

He was marching for the last time around the Manor as it was almost Prince Jordan's sleeping time. But he didn't expected the Prince to find outside the Manor.

"How could it be possible!!"Andreas rushed to the garden.

"My prince,are you ok...Oh.....Evelina also here!!"Andreas asked as he noticed Evelina.

"Shh!! She's sleeping." Jordan wishpered keeping his index finger on his lips.

"Let me take her to the bed.... there's a lot of mosquitos here..." Andreas quickly lifted Evelina in his lap .

"You're already taking her....!!" Jordan stood up.

"I'll take her to the chamber...but before that let me take you to your Manor. Follow me." Andreas carried Evelina inside the Manor.

Evelina is in a deep sleep as she didn't wake up.

"You don't have to take Eve to her residence...You can keep her here in my chembar. She can sleep in my bed..." Jordan said standing in front of the door of his chembar.

Andreas made an expressionless face and looked at the Prince...

"WHAT.....Give me her.... It's an order." Jordan extended his arms towards Andreas in a smiley face.

Andreas let out a frustrating sigh.

"My Prince, I can't break any rule. You better go back to sleep... I'll take her." Andreas walked away holding Evelina in his lap without letting the Prince any chance to talk back.

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In The Next Morning

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Andreas's Chembur:

Evelina come with a letter on the early hours of the morning. She's sad indeed but she knows this pain will hunt her only for short period of time. She'll go back to her old life soon.

"Andreas I've decided to marry Jordan."Evelina said with a sharp voice.

"WHAT!!Are you out of your mind. You love Samuel!! I won't Permit you for that.Did the Empress manipulated you in this way.....!!"Andreas shouted while getting ready for joining his regular duty.

"I've discussed with the Empress. This marriage will help Jordan to ascend the throne successfully.. It'll be a short lasting marriage.. I'll explain it to Samuel later. He won't be sad"Evelina forcefully smile.

"You think I'm worrying about Samuel...what the heck!! I'm talking about my Prince."Andreas gave a mocking smile.

"What do you mean?"Evelina got curious.

"I know what you and the Empress is planning. But I won't let my prince's heart be broken because of you and that Samuel."Andreas said.

"You!!!"Evelina looked at him angrily.

"Listen to me. Though I love you but I'm loyal to the Prince. I've spent a significant period my life with him. You weren't here all these time. I know how he has suffered every moment.Now he finally got a hope through you. If you don't want to stay, then don't play with his emotions....i won't let you hurt him just because of a mere throne."Andreas said with a pain.

"I won't hurt him"Evelina defensed herself.

"Whatever you do.I should make myself clear if you marry Prince Jordan then I won't let you meet with Samuel ever again. Once you entered then there's no turning back."Andreas said while wearing his boots.

"You're my friend...or his" Evelina shouted.

" I don't know anyone but only my Prince. If you're intended to marry my prince, then I'm swearing , that I won't let you hurt him.... I'll do everything that make you stay beside him." Andreas said in a bold voice.

"Everything is already enough for me and now I've to tolerate your stupidity too...!!

"Whatever we'll talk about it later.Now take this letter and deliver it by yourself. And it's an order as a Commander...."Evelina gave him a letter with an irritation.

"Okay then. What's that?"Andreas took the letter.

"Take it to Samuel..."Evelina said.

"Okay... I'll do that but for the last time. I was about to meet with Samuel anyway..."Andreas left hurriedly.

"Don't do anything stupid..." Evelina shouted out on his way.

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To be continued....