A Charming family Part 3

"I truly believe I am doing nothing wrong," Evalyn declared as she stood to confront the duchess at the head of the table. Her unwavering gaze challenged the unjust accusations against her mother. 

The atmosphere in the grand dinner hall shifted abruptly; an uncomfortable silence fell as everyone registered her unexpected bravery. Gasps and murmurs of disbelief filled the air, mingled with admiration for her audacity.

In stark contrast, the duchess looked bewildered, her eyes widening in response to Evalyn's challenge to her authority. The tension was palpable. Meanwhile, the duke maintained a calm demeanor, a slight smile on his lips as he continued to savor his meal, seemingly unfazed by the unfolding scene.

"I don't care who they are or what influence they think they have; if they blame or bully my mother, I will handle them without hesitation." She strode confidently toward the duchess, commanding attention.

Pausing beside the duchess's ornate chair, she leaned in to firmly whisper, "If you don't stop this behavior, I will deal with you soon." A subtle smile crept across her face, radiating confidence and defiance.

After this impactful exchange, she gently squeezed her mother's hand for reassurance. She turned to everyone, bowed in greeting, and apologized for her behavior with a smile. 

The duchess's furious glare filled the room, creating a tense silence as she exited, her heels clicking on the floor. The unexpected drama prompted a few onlookers to exchange glances and smile at the absurdity of the moment, a striking contrast to what had just happened. 

"Wow! I can hardly believe she has changed so completely after that huge accident," Oliver said, breaking the silence. Seated near the duke, his voice captured everyone's attention, eager for more insights into the duchess's surprising transformation. 

"Is that really why she changed her style? That's fascinating!" Jay, the second son of the duke's second wife, expresses his amusement at Evalynn's transformation and eagerly wants to discuss it more. 

"Uh, I don't think we should talk about ladies like this," Troy, the fourth son and Jay's brother, interjects, feeling uncomfortable and believing that discussions about women's appearances should be handled with more respect. 

"Why? She is our sister, isn't she!" Jay counters sharply, just as Troy is about to respond. Their mother intervenes to stop the argument. 

"Both of you! That's enough!" She commands, cutting through the tension. 

''Yes, mom'' Both of them replied and stopped talking. 

"I'm finished with my meal, your grace!" Duchess Erika, mother of Troy and Jay, addresses the duke as she departs, followed by her sons, who bow their heads in greeting.

''I've finished my meal too, your father!'' Draken, the first son of the family and the son of Duchess Galadriel talks up then he bows his head before leaving. 

All of children of the Lord Drachenstein, Rainier, Andre, and Aslan are the sons of the Fifth family, with Rainier's mother being Duchess Amelia and Andre and Aslan's mother being Duchess Galadriel. Aslan, who sits closest to Evalynn, is more connected to her than any of his siblings. 

"Father!" Rainier called, trying to capture the Duke's attention. He exchanged a glance with Andre and Aslan, seeking their support. After a moment, he continued, "Is this really a good idea?" His raised eyebrows conveyed his uncertainty.

Duke Gregor, momentarily distracted by his meal, looked up at his son. "What do you mean?" he asked curiosity in his voice.

"I mean about Eva! I truly believe it would be beneficial to tell her..." Rainier started, but Duke Gregor raised his hand, signaling him to pause and rethink his words.

"Let her know at a later time," he instructed, standing up to make his exit while the three sons of his shared knowing glances with one another.

Meanwhile, Evalynn and her mother, after leaving the dinner hall, went to Duchess Amelia's tea room. Duchess Amelia looked at her daughter with surprise and a hint of pride in her behavior.

''Eva!,'' Duchess Amelia called her daughter after they entered the room. '' You're okay?'' She asked when Eva turned to look at her after she heard her call. 

"I'm not," Evalynn stated, her brow furrowing in confusion as she tried to grasp the situation around her.

"Mom, does everything unfold like this every single day?" She took a few steps to the side and approached the chair that had been meticulously arranged by the maid, glancing back to seek reassurance in her mother's expression. 

"No... I mean sometimes," she wanted to refuse, but when she saw Evalynn's glance, she averted her eyes and spoke in a soft voice. 

''Okay! Mom, I understand,'' she put her head on the table and led the way as if she was bored. And Duchess Amelia looked at her daughter, then turned to the servants and told them,

''Go get her a pillow,'' she ordered the servants, then pointed to her daughter, who sat down on the chair next to her, and continued,

"It looks like a daily now,... I can bear it! Just think about your own business. You have to go to school tomorrow.'' 

''Where?'' She asked her mother, Evalynn looked a little bit interested in the school what her mother said. 

''Kyudai Genso Academy''