04. The Hero Saved The Beauty

Evangeline Ethare pov.

Without saying another words, that man swing his fist towards me, trying to punch my stomach.

Of course I close my eyes instinctively. But, even after ten seconds had passed, nothing happened.

When I finally opened my eyes, I realize that someone had blocked that man's hand.

Silver hair, tanned skin, and grey eyes. He is undoubtedly one of the capture target, Michael Steinhardt.

Michael blocked that man's attack with his scabbard and glared at him. Shocked and scared by Michael's sudden apperance, that man finally ran off to an alley.

"Are you okay?" Asked Michael to me.

Our faces are just about 15 centimeters apart. From this distance, I can clearly smell the masculine scent from his body.

His handsome face seems even more captivating and his grey eyes are hypnotizing. His sweet voice is....

Oh my! What am I thinking?! He is one of the capture target! The person who will bring dangers to my life! I mustn't forget that!

As expected from one of the capture target.... His charm is really amazing! I must be extra careful in dealing with him!

"I'm okay! Thanks for saving me!" I finally answered him.

"That's good. That man is widely known as a swindler around here. He claims himself as Kristoff, the infamous killer. That's why people didn't dare to help you before," explained Michael.

"Oh....Once again, thanks for saving my life. I will excuse myself now," I need to quickly get away from him to avoid getting myself in troubles.

"W-wait!" Michael grabs my hand and stops me.

"It's dangerous for a girl to walk alone. Let me escort you," said Michael.

"I-it's okay, my house is already near from here," I politely rejected Michael offer. He is really such a gentleman. I will definitely fall for him if I continue to interact with him.

"I don't accept any rejection," said Michael with a smirk. He hold my hand and forcefully escort me to my house.

I didn't realized this before because I was too worried about Giselle, but the weather here sure is cold....

I didn't even remember to wear a jacket.....

As if he can read my mind, Michael suddenly take off his coat and put it on my shoulder.

"I-it's okay, I-I'm fine!" My face must be really red by now.

"Like I said, I don't accept any rejection," said him with a smile.

It only takes about 5 minutes for us to arrived at my house.

"We're here. Thanks for escorting me," I thanked Michael once again, signaling him to let go of his hand.

"Ah, sorry...." said Michael immediately let go of his hand.

"But, I never thought that you are Duke Ethare's daughter, please forgive my impoliteness before," said Michael while bowing his head.

"No, no. You were very polite with me. You even saved me from that swindler and escorted me back home," said me.

"It's a relief if you think so," answered Michael with a smile.

"Ah, please forgive my late introduction. My name is Michael Steinhardt," continued Michael.

"I'm Evangeline Ethare," It will be rude to not introduce myself after everything he had done for me.

"Evangeline Ethare.....what a beautiful name. It really suits you," said Michael.

I can feel my cheeks become hot after hearing his words. Even my heart starts to beat a lot faster than normal.

"T-thanks....?" I didn't really know how to respond to his compliment.

Hearing my flustered answer, Michael let out a chuckle from his mouth.

Ugh....this is embarrassing.....

I get flustered by an eleven years old child's compliment....

Eventhough I'm physically 8 years old now, but my mind is already an adult! I definitely won't fall for him!! I'm not a pedophile!!

"Then, since we already arrived at your home, I will excuse myself then," said Michael with a smile.

After saying that, Michael leave my house and.....I forget to return his coat.....

Michael Steinhard pov.

Evangeline Ethare. Duke Ethare's only daughter. It's been five days since I first saw her at Stephan Clarkson's birthday celebration. The moment I saw her, I've decided in my heart that I will definitely make her mine.

Love at the first sight? Of course no! It's definitely not because of a childish and vague reason like that! The reason why I want to have Evangeline Ethare as my wife is simply because she is Duke Ethare's only child. As an only child, the person who marry her will naturally become the next duke.

Eventhough Ethare household is not very rich, but it's still one of the most powerful household in the country. On the contrary, the Steinhardt family, eventhough it is pretty wealthy, they held no power in politics.

If I manage to marry Evangeline Ethare, then I will have both the power of Ethare household and the wealth from Steinhardt family. That way, I would be able to carry out my long awaited plan.

But, what I didn't expected is.....that girl didn't even have the slightest interest in me!

On Stephan Clarkson's birthday celebration, I tried to talk to her. But, do you know what her reaction was? She ignored me! She totally ignored me and instead approached an orphan girl!!

I was really pissed off at that time. I will never forget the humiliation she had given to me!

That's why, today, I even hire a famous big and scary looking man to harass that girl. After that man scared her, I will make my appearance as a hero and save her.

Everything went exactly as I planned, except for.....Evangeline's reaction!

Since I was a kid, I've always been popular with girls. I am smart, goodlooking, and come from a rich family. Even if I didn't do anything, many girls will still try to throw themselves to me. Well, I refused all of them though.

But now, even after all the troubles I've been through for this girl, she still treat me coldly like this?!

I even gave my coat to her!!

Well, she indeed looked a bit flustered when I treated her gently and complimented her, but it only last for seconds! After some seconds had passed, she will immediately changed into her usual self again!

This is really frustrating!

But, I won't give up!! Just you wait Evangeline Ethare!! I will definitely make you fall for me!!

Evangeline Ethare pov.

After I arrived at my home, I write two letters for Stephan and Selene. I told them about our gathering at the fountain five days from now.

After delivering that letter with pigeons, I go back to my room and throw myself to the bed.

It's really comfortable.....

While closing my eyes, suddenly Michael's face pop up in my mind.

"......!!" I was really startled that I almost jumped out from my bed.

This is really bad..... I could even feel that my cheeks got flushed again....

Ahh.....that's right, speaking about Michael, I still need to return his coat to him.

I should send it to him as soon as I washed it.

"Miss Evangeline! Miss Evangeline!" Just after I told a maid to wash the coat, a guard came running to my room.

I give a confused look to the guard.

"Duke Ethare was attacked by a group of assassins!" Said the guard in panic.

"WHAT?!!" I was really shocked to hear the guard's statement.

What the hell is happening here?! First Giselle got shot by a poisoned arrow, then Stephan fell from the stairs, now my father is attacked by a group of assassins?!

"Where is my father now?" I asked the guard.

"The duke is in the hospital. Doctor Greyham was treating him," answered the guard.

"Prepare the carriage! I will go to the hospital now!" I ran to our mansion's gate and ordered the guards there.

"I-in a moment miss!" Said the guards before immediately prepare the carriage.

I impatiently wait for the carriage before a voice is heard, "There's no need for that."

When I look for the source of that voice, my eyes meet that man's eyes. Yes, he is Michael.

Oh my....He look really cool riding a white horse like this. He is just like a prince from fairy tales!

No! I shouldn't think about this right now!

"I will take you to Duke Ethare, Miss Evangeline," said Michael.

Take me there? But he only has one horse with him.....

"B-but...." I intend to refuse his offer, but as usual, he just forced himself on me.

"As I always said Miss Evangeline, I don't accept any rejection," said him with his smile.

He get off from his horse and lift my body from the ground.

"Uwaaa!! What are you doing?!" I screamed in panic as I felt that my feet weren't touching the ground anymore.

He ignores my scream and put me on his white horse.

He was helping me to get on horse? Crap! If things like this continue to happen, I will definitely fall for him!

After putting me on the horse, he also hop on and sit right behind me.

"W-what are you doing?!" I ask him.

It's a relief that he sit behind me. That way, he won't be able to see how red my face has become now.

"Well....do you know how to ride a horse?" Ask Michael.

"No...?" I answered.

"Then, this is the only way for us to ride it!" Said Michael with a smile.

After saying that, Michael grabs the horse's rein and start to ride it to where my father is.

What's with this position?! He is basically hugging me from behind!! Too close!! My head went blank throughout our journey to the hospital and it's all that man's fault!

After we arrived at the hospital, I quickly jump down from the horse and run into the hospital.

Michael? Of course I left him.

I could found my father's room in no time thanks to the help from the nurses.

"Father! Are you okay?!" I asked him as soon as I walked into his room.

Seeing my worried look, my father smile and lightly nod his head.

"Father is okay," said him.

I let out a big sigh as I heard his answer.

Looking at his condition, I think he only got some superficial wounds. It's really a relief.....

"Good afternoon, Duke Ethare," I heard a familiar voice greeting my father.

Ah....I forgot about him.....

"I am Michael Steinhardt, Duke Steinhardt's son. I'm sorry, my father is currently outside the city, so he told me to visit you on his behalf. Are you okay?" Said Michael politely.

"Oh! Steinhardt's son! It's okay! It's okay! Theses are only some superficial wounds, they will heal in no time!" Said my father with a smile.

"That's really good to hear, Duke Ethare. I hope you will get well soon," answered Michael.

"Thank you......Ah! I forgot to introduce you, this is my daughter, Evangeline," said my father.

"Ah, I've already met Ms. Evangeline at th-" Before Michael could finished his sentence, I stomped on his foot and cut his words.

"Yeah, I've met him at the hospital's corridor before, Father," cut me quickly.

Hearing my lie, Michael lifts his right eyebrow and looks at me with a confused look.

"Ohh....is that so?" My father seems surprised and confused to see our strange behaviour.

"Yes. Father, there's something that I need to say to Mr. Michael, please excuse us for a moment!" After saying that to my father, I drag Michael out of my father's room and pin him to a wall.

Michael is really shocked by my action. His eyes widened in surprise.

"Mr. Michael, please keep our first meeting as a secret from my father!" I begged him.

".....why....?" Asked him with a confused look.

"Well.....actually.....I went out without my father's permission this morning. So I will be in trouble if he knows about this. Please help me...." I begged him with my puppy eyes.

I will definitely get punished if my father knows about this.

"I understand," said him.

"Thank you so muc-" Before I could finished thanking him, Michael suddenly cut my words.

"But, you must also do something for me!" Said him with a smirk.

"Do something....? What do you want me to do?" Asked me.

What in the world does he want from me?

"I want you to be my fiance!" Answered him.

"WHA-" My heart almost stopped beating because of his crazy statement. I almost screamed out loud if Michael didn't covered my mouth with his hand.

He must be joking, right?

"Your father will hear you, if you scream," said Michael to me.

I nod my head as a sign that I understand him.

As Michael withdraw his hand from my mouth, he say to me, "I'm serious. I promise that I will treat you well, so please be my fiance," repeat Michael with a gentle smile.

Oh my gosh! What should I do now?! If he tell my father about me going to the town without his permission, I will definitely get punished. He will most likely prohibits me from going outside the mansion for some weeks. It will be terrible if I can't meet up with Giselle, Selene, and Stephan!! That definitely can't happen!

But, I also can't be Michael's fiance! He is one of the capture target! My life won't be peaceful if I have to be engaged with him!

Ugh.....What should I do?! What should I do?!

Seeing my stressed expression, Michael let out a sigh and say, "If a fiance is too much for you, then just give me a chance. One month. If I can make you fall in love with me in one month, you must be my fiance."

Well....if it's like that.....it will be okay, right? As long as I say that I don't love him, I won't have to be engaged with him.

"Okay, deal!" Said me satisfied.

"Deal," said Michael too.

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