Evangeline met the eyes of Harold. She was not able to attend because she was injured by him. He had raped her last night and did not leave maids to help her get dressed. He made sure that Daisy was not there. Sophie was sent to market. When her physician arrived, she was lying there wrapped in a blanket because she was not able to walk.
"Lord Crawford." his voice rose a bit when He noticed something was amiss. But Evan had already nodded her head.
"Yes, I was sick." The man smiled at her, ignoring her husband.
"And the day after, did you attend it?" Elene frowned and looked at Harold but he did not look back at her. As if her existence matters nothing to him.
"Yes, but only for a short amount of time." she replied in a low voice. A tinge of regret filled her face again when the man comforted her with an understanding look.
"And I heard that you fainted while entering the academy too. Your husband informed the authorities that you are skipping meals for a few days because of your sickness?" she nodded again while everyone exchanged glances not understanding what was happening exactly but Harold knew. He just did not understand why the second son of the baron was helping Evangeline.
"Evangeline!" The cold voice was a reminder and Evan stiffened. Not because she was scared of Harold. But.. this was the moment she wanted.
"You did not need to fear, my lady. We will provide you protection if needed." the nail was hit. Dread filled Harold when he realized he had made a mistake but he was not ready to give up so easily.
He feigned ignorance as he stared at them with a frown.
"What are you talking about Lord Crawford? Since you know she is sick, you should not be considerate and do not question her. She had already accepted her mistake. And who did not make mistakes. It is normal for sisters to fight and be jealous of each other. Must you insult my wife in public." he took hasty steps and held Evan's hands. He would drag her if needed but would not let this man have his way with her.
His cold eyes threatened Crawford. "Do not cross your limit in the name of justice. I will go to any length to end this matter. I am sure you would not want to go against the family of Midnight Star." The threat would have worked perfectly at other times, on other men or in other situations.
The person would have realized the underlying meaning of Harold and given up on saving Evan, especially when did not plead saving.
But this was Jonathan and Harold's threat stood no chance in front of that man. He took a deep breath and shook his head as if he was dealing with a child.
"My lord, you misunderstood. I am trying to save your wife because she is innocent." His words earned gasps and shocked looks from many of them.
"Lady Agatha.." Elene whispered softly to the woman as she held her hands. The elder woman felt the trembling of her student's hand and frowned.
She walked forward and glared at the investigating official.
"Why do you think so when she had already accepted her mistake and apologized? To be honest, we do not want to pursue the matter since she was also a student of this academy before. Mistakes happen and it is time to let go." she pressed and then held Evan's hands.
"My lady, though I feel that jealousy is a sin. You have apologized and I respect it. Since you are sick, you should leave and rest in your palace." Evan scanned the room and saw panic and anxiety on their faces and snickered.
They were ready to make a huge issue out of it when she was accused of the crime. And now that her innocence could be proved, it had suddenly become a mistake and she was no longer a sinner but a fool.
They still think she was a fool. Her eyes settled on Elene who was covered with sweat and she smiled.
"I can not stop an investigation officer. Can i?" Jonathan took the hint and shook his head at once. Everyone around her felt infuriated. They all wanted to hold him and throw him out. But the investigating officials work directly under the archduke with the permission of his majesty. Only he could control them.
Wait! Archduke… Harold remembers finding Ian in the building. What if he was still there? He could stop this fool from creating more drama. Harold was sure that Jonathan would beg for mercy when Ian would confront him. His confidence returned as he signaled May to come closer.
He whispered something in her ears and the woman left with a nod.
"So, where were we.. you were sick. Right?" he asked in a serious tone when Evan nodded.
"Do you think a sick woman would come so far only to ruin the career of her sister because she was jealous when she did not have the energy to attend the funeral of her father?" many exchanged glances and thought about it. "That also happened when she was the eldest daughter of Marques. She could have taken the position of her father but she let her husband take it.
If she was a proud or jealous woman, would she have accepted it?" His voice was filled with humor as if he were dealing with kids.
"But she had come here. If not jealousy, why did she come too far to take the position of her sister?" the dean asked with pressure in his voice. His jaws were clenched and his eyes were narrowed. "No matter what the reason is, the fact that she cheated could not be changed. We were ready to let go of the matter but if you kept making a scene, I would be compelled to punish her."