Chapter 26

[Evelyn’s POV]

No. No. No. No, this can not be happening.

I had somehow managed to get through the dressing process of this whole ordeal and actually convinced myself that everything was going to be okay. I was being draped in jewels that, no doubt, cost more than a luxury home. I was wearing a dress that belonged on a literal model.

I had my entire physical appearance temporarily altered for the sake of showing my face at some pointless event...Only to be told that Alexander would no longer be attending with me!

From the moment we both watched Oliver rush through the main doors, I knew that something was wrong. The man was known for his cool resolve and stoic demeanor, much like Alexander. To see him in such a state of panic and disarray, was something that was exceedingly rare.

Alexander had demanded to know what was going on that would elicit such a reaction. Oliver went on to explain that there’s been some kind of incursion on one of their newly conquered borders and it needed his immediate attention.

“Are you sure it was a rogue?” Alexander inquired.

Oliver nodded sternly. “Pretty certain. The soldiers are already in the midst of building up a temporary barricade until a builder can come in and remodel.”

Alexander let out a long breath and lowered his gaze to the floor. I knew in the back, recess of my mind what was coming. After a long moment of contemplation, he turned to glance at me.

“I won’t be able to attend the gathering today,” he said.

My heart dropped into my stomach while a tremulous wave of anxiety flooded throughout my body. I kept trying to convince myself that everything was going to be alright, knowing that no matter what Alexander was going to be by my side. And then something like that had to happen.

There was no silencing the anxious rage that was screaming inside of me. What the hell was I going to do? Hadn’t he been the one who wanted to introduce me to the Alpha King?

He was the one who made this whole event out to be some major thing—only for him to turn around and change his mind.

Surely if the border was already being worked on, Alexander could slip away for just a little while...

The firm expression on his face told me that such a possibility wasn’t going to happen. Goddamnit. My brows drew together in a mixture of pure disappointment and panic.

I let out a long deflated sigh and turned to head toward the door. The car was already waiting out front, so there was no point in further delaying the inevitable.

“Evelyn,” Alexander called out.

I stopped to glance over my shoulder. I really thought he was about to give me some half-assed advice the same way my father had done so on the day of my wedding. Or better yet, maybe it was a But, shockingly enough, Alexander wore a look I could only classify as something resembling sympathy.

I turned to face him completely.

“Yes?”

He contemplated his words for a moment before lifting his gaze back up. “I’m going to have Wendy accompany you to the event today in my place.”

My eyes widened in total surprise. “Really?”

“Sir, is your Grandmother well enough to attend such an event?” Oliver asked lightly.

“I believe so,” Alexander affirmed. “She’s been doing better ever since she started taking that special tea Evelyn has been giving her. Getting out of the house may do her some good, in any case.”

Oliver and I briefly shared a look between ourselves while Alexander called one of the staff members over.

“Please inform Grandmother Wendy that her presence is hurriedly requested,” he informed them. “Something has come up and required my immediate attention and Evelyn needs to have someone accompany her to the Luna gathering.”

With that message being taken to the opposite wing of the house, I felt my face flush with embarrassment. I wasn’t a fan of being made out to be like some immature child who needed to be looked after. On the other hand, I was somewhat grateful for the fact that he was willing to find me a replacement.

Oliver, on the other hand, looked skeptical of the entire debacle. He kept glancing between Alexander and me as though he was trying to decode something.

He narrowed his eyes, yet remained silent. Soon, the staff member quickly returned with a positive confirmation that Wendy would be joining me.

Okay. Okay, I can still make today work.

From what I had already gathered, many people admired and respected Alexander’s grandmother the same way that they all respected him.

“Alright,” I commented. “When she’s ready, we will head out then.”

Alexander nodded his head and made off with Oliver at his side. I wasn’t completely at a loss, at least I would still be arriving with someone dependable and experienced at my side. However, part of me was a bit put out by the fact that he and I weren’t going to spend any time together—even if it was at a pointless gathering.

...

Grandma Wendy, as usual, looked impeccable in a soft, petal pink-colored dress suit. One of the staff members helped pin her hair back from her face and dusted her cheeks with a light shade of blush. The woman looked like she had more energy within herself than I could ever dream of.

She wore a pleasant smile while blissfully glancing out the side window of the car. Meanwhile, I was secretly dreading the entire ordeal of having to be put on public display.

“You look very lovely today, dear,” Wendy acknowledged.

“Thank you. As do you,” I complimented.

“It is a shame that Alexander wasn’t able to attend the event with you himself,” she said.

“Yes, apparently something came up last minute.”

There was a short pause that drifted between us before Wendy spoke again.

“I could tell that he really wanted to attend this gathering with you.”

I couldn't keep myself from openly glaring at her for her remark. Was she serious?

As I had descended the stairs earlier, I caught a glimpse of Alexander’s expression...And for the record, the man didn’t actually appear excited. No, I knew for a fact that he didn’t want to attend this gathering as much as me.

Of course, I wasn’t going to tell Wendy that her comment was total bullshit but I wasn’t about to let her believe otherwise.

“Honestly, I’m sure Alexander is pretty pleased by the fact that he didn’t have to accompany me to this gathering today. It wasn’t as though he was required to in the first place.”

Wendy tilted her head. “That may be true to some degree. However, I know for a fact that he cares for your well-being.” I raised a doubtful brow. “My dear, if Alexander didn’t care for you at all, then he wouldn’t have gone out of his way to ask me to accompany you.”

Oh. I hadn’t exactly considered that...

As I turned my eyes to glance out the window, a small smile started to spread across my face.

“I’m very grateful that you agreed to come with me today,” I told her.

Who knows? Maybe today won’t be as horrible as I’m anticipating.