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"I apologize if you have felt that I had disrespected you but there must be a reason to punish anyone. We are not living in the age of tyranny. Are we?

" Evan asked in a calm and collected way. Her voice was filled with respect yet strong enough to know that she was not going to relent just because the person was older than her. She looked at the old woman in front of her defiantly.

nA displeased look formed on her face when she got a reply for the first time in her life. Not even her family had ever got the courage to reply to her. Her words were the royal decree which had always been followed without a word. Every head had been bowed in front of her since she remembered. When she heard Evan, her deep and old eyes turned icy cold. It was like a beam of frost was charged towards Evan.

nBut even did not feel anything. From the past few days, she had been spending most of her time with Leo who was a walking iceberg. He had the capability to freeze everything to death just by looking at them. So, the gaze of the old lady was not at all effective. It was like a snowfall for the person who had come out after living a long time into the glaciers of the north pole.

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"What punishment were you going to give her? I think a small scolding would be enough even if you think she had disrespected you by speaking between us.

" continued Evan, ignoring the displeasure of the old lady.

nBut her expression soon returned to normal and she smiled back,

"no doubt you will take side of her. After all, both of you share the same origin!

" her eyes filled with disdain as she looked at Evan as if she was looking at something very dirty. Even her eyes would malign just by looking at her!

nThen she casually turned her head towards the maid who had stopped in her tracks and was looking back, towards them. With the same smile she asked her again.

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"Shall i need to remind you who is the matriarch here and who has the right to issue orders? Or shall i take it as a rebellion against me?'' The old lady raised a brow casually but it was enough to turn the pale girl ashen. As if her soul had left her body, she collapsed on the floor and bowed her head.

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"I apologize.. I truly apologize.. I will leave now.

" She collected her fallen bones and ran from there before she could be chewed raw and her bones were thrown out of the palace. She only prayed that the old lady did not remember her name or face while staying there.

nThen the old lady turned her face towards Evangeline with pride. As if telling you that you had no standing in front of me. How did you even think that you would be able to cut my words and stop the girl from getting her punishment?

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"When I heard that William had chosen a wife for Leo, my happiness had no bound. I took the carriage immediately and ran here. But when i reached here, i was informed that the girl did not belong to any noble family but a commoner.

nI knew that instant that he had done the biggest folly of his life. Yet I wanted to trust his wisdom and judgement. There must be something he had seen in you that he accepted you as the future mistress of the house of Thwayne. But after meeting you I am sure that my first assumption was right. You are a good for nothing girl who did not even know how to respect elders and behave in front of them. You had not even greeted me even when you heard her calling me matriarch.

nYet when you opened your mouth for the first time, you started speaking against me. That also for a lowly maid! But as I said, it is not your mistake. After all, you have never been taught manners in your life. Your origins only matched the maid, so you felt a sense of duty to speak for her.

nI pity you. But this is not a school to teach manners but the family of the royal duke! How did you even think that you! A girl who did not even deserve to be the maid of Leo could be his wife. Huh?

" her tone stayed calm and her words were low yet each word was filled with disdain and venom. Evan could see the disgust in the eyes of the old lady. She was looking at Evan like she was standing in front of a pile of garbage that was making her nauseated.

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"My brother may have made a mistake, but did not think that there was no one to correct him. I am still alive and I would never let you be the part of the house. So, it is better that you come back to your senses and leave the palace as soon as possible.

" with those words she gave one last look to Evan's face that had turned pale.

nSatisfied with the result, she nodded and then turned to leave. She knew that a slight reminder would be enough. She had only left the palace as she was ensured that Eli was smart enough to take care of the palace. And her brother was wise enough to handle the matter of their marriages. But when she came to know that he had decided to break Eli's marriage with the crown prince and choose a nobody for Leo, her fury knew no bounds. Only now when she had got rid of Evan, did she feel better. But before she could take a step further, she heard a furious sound behind her

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"Wait a minute. Are you done? Now it is my turn to speak up!!

"

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