Part two people, here we go.
Evelyn and Bruno walked down a long hallway in silence. Neither was entirely sure how to make small talk with the other. Bruno in particular was very nervous as he'd never met a woman like Evelyn before. She wasn't like the court girls who would flirt with him at parties or the girl that hung around Lehe. She had an air of strength and confidence about her that was almost intimidating.
"So, Lady Evelyn I…" But she put her hand up making Bruno pause. She looked him in the eye, but it was a different look from the pointed glare she'd given his youngest brother. Her eyes were calmer and now that he'd gotten a good look, rather lovely.
"There's no need to call me Lady. I'm no duchess or the like, Evelyn will do fine my Prince." Her voice had lost its harsh edge, but was still very matter of fact.
"Oh of course, my apologies. I'm rather used to the women I speak to to have some kind of title. No offense to you obviously." Evelyn hummed at Bruno's words and continued on with a response. Bruno hoped he didn't mess up right then.
Soon enough they reached Bruno's room and he opened the door letting her in first. Evelyn's eyes went wide as she looked around at the bedroom which looked more like a library.
"Please come sit La… Evelyn. I've had some tea and snacks brought for us while we chat." Evelyn snapped out of her daze and sat across from the Prince. They sat drinking their tea in quite for a bit before Bruno broke the silence.
"So Evelyn, if I may say so you are rather remarkable. To be the first woman in our kingdom to be awarded such an honor is very impressive alone, but to do so at your age is twice as amazing." Evelyn was taken back a bit by his cheerful yet serious tone.
"You're too kind my Prince. I believe hard work and dedication can gain you anything you want no matter gender nor age. I simply did my job and my efforts were noticed." Bruno couldn't help chuckling at this which gained him a confused look from his guest.
"I see, you're very humble dear girl and that's lovely, but I can't say I agree completely. Yes hard work and dedication gain you much, but not normally this level of notice. You have much to be proud of." Evelyn smiled sweetly at Bruno. Most people would criticise her for not acting like a "proper" young lady as they expected her to.
"Thank you my Prince. Your words are very nice to hear. I suppose I'm so used to having to prove myself I'm not accustomed to praise from anyone beyond my Professor." This made Bruno think, was her being in this field really so taboo? He understood that archaeology was a male dominant study, but it couldn't be that bad?
"I see. Also I'd like to apologise for my brother earlier. His comment was out of line, though I was surprised at how you countered him." Evelyn rolled her eyes thinking about the young Prince.
"Well if he intended to be so blunt then he should have been willing to take a blow in return. Clearly the boy hasn't been told to behave himself enough for it to actually stick." Bruno sighed and nodded in agreement. Out of all the Princes Lehe was the most spoiled being the baby brother. He really hasn't been told no much and even when he had he'd do whatever he wanted anyways. He never expects any consequences for his actions and it can be troubling.
"Indeed he can be rather clueless. But he's not completely brain dead. If you call him out on his behavior most of the time he'll see what he did. Occasionally he'll be stubborn and try to justify himself, but so long as you stand your ground he'll figure it out." Evelyn smiled at this. The chat soon returned to simple small talk and both enjoyed themselves. On the other side of the palace Professor Monterey and Heine were have a chat of their own.
"So Heine I'm curious just how long you were in Evelyn's life before you left the Church. Did you have her for some years or no?" Heine froze remembering the day Evelyn came into his life. It had been a frightening sight, and he didn't like remembering it.
"Well sir, Evelyn came to the Church as an infant. Her birth father brought her there when she was only a few days old. His wife passed in childbirth and he believed her to be a bad omen. He didn't even give a name when he handed her to me, simply saying he hoped we'd do the right thing in his eyes and drown or burn her." Monterey went wide eyed listening to Heine.
"I see, but you didn't clearly. Why was that?" Heine sighed taking a sip of tea.
"Because despite living in a Church I'm not a religious man. Death during childbirth isn't an uncommon thing and I saw no need to kill a newborn baby over something they couldn't possibly have control over." Monterey nodded.
"So I assume you named her then. How did you come up with her name?" Heine smiled.
"I named her for another girl I knew long ago. She was bright, kind, happy and all around a wonderful person. Unfortunately do to illness she was taken before her time. I thought passing on the name would maybe rub off her luck on the new child." Monterey laughed clapping Heine on the shoulder.
"A fine philosophy man. I see now why Evelyn always looked up to you so much, you were the one who raised her." Heine nodded, his smile broadened a bit. He really did raise the girl. thought he'd never refer to her as his daughter. She wasn't the only child he brought up in that Church over the years, but she was one of the most memorable.
"I believe it's about time we go check on Evelyn and Prince Bruno yes?" The two men shared a look and stood up leaving the room and heading down the hall. A comfortable silence sat between them, each having a respect for the other as a scholar and a parental figure in Evelyn's life so far.
That's chapter two. Chapter three will be next.
