Peace Offering To The Cursed Prince

Prince Sébastien felt curious, so he turned to face the maiden that just called out to him. Eva took a deep breath when she felt the prince's gaze on her. 

She was still very sacred so she continued to look at the ground as she tried to gather up all her courage. This might be the only chance she gets to set herself free from the hell she has been living. 

The woman Eva called mother earlier was not her biological mother. That woman is a sister to Eva's mother. Eva's mother was fortunate to have become a mistress for a rich man. As a mistress, Eva's mother gave birth to Eva. This made Eva the daughter of a noble but since her mother's position was just that of a mistress she could not be considered a noble lady.

Eva's father also did not pay attention to her. Especially when her mother became sick when Eva was just eight.

Since Eva's mother could no longer satisfy the need of the rich man he took on a new mistress. When Eva's mother's sickness become worse, the woman sent for her elder sister who lost her husband recently to stay with them. 

The woman could already tell she would not make it out of her sickness so she hoped that her sister would take care of her daughter when she was no more. 

Eva's Aunty also had a daughter who was also around Eva's age. This Aunty of Eva was poor, she was very happy to live in a better house with her sister. At first, this aunty treated Eva well when her mother was still breathing but as soon as she died Eva become a servant in her own home. 

This Aunty has always been jealous of her sister since her sister managed to taste the good life. During their childhood  Eva's mother was always praised for her good look, eventually, she was fancied by a Nobleman. Years passed and it seems as though Eva's father has forgotten all about her. Eva's mother made a big mistake by giving a small pendant to her sister. She was afraid that Eva was still too young and might misplace the pendant thereby ruining her chance of living a good life. Eva's mother could not have imagined that giving the pendant to her sister was killing all the chances of a good life that her daughter could have. Eva"s mother was not aware of the jealousy and hatred her sister had for her.

After all, Eva's mother has always been nice to her sister. while she was still fancied by her lover she always send gold coins and dresses for her sister and daughter.

Eva's mother told her that one day, the man who was Eva's father will definitely come to seek her. That pendant will be used to identify Eva since the man did not know what his daughter looked like.

Just like Eva's mother had said when Eva turned sixteen her father did come to take her back. Although she was a child birthed by the mistress she still had the chance to become a second wife to a nobleman. No matter what she still carried the blood of her father.

That day the aunty had worn the pendant on her daughter and handed her over to Eva's father in place of Eva.  She especially sent Eva out of the house. During that period her aunty became nice and order Eva to address her as "mother."

By the time Eva found out what was going on it was already too late as her cousin had taken her place and married into a noble family. 

Eva had no other choice but to swallow her grievance. Without the pendant, it was impossible for her to prove the truth. 

Another year pass after this and now her aunty decide to sell her to the inn to become a prostitute but lucky she ended up in the prince's room who was uninterested and speared her life. 

"What do you have to say?" Jeffery asked as he noticed the prince was getting irritated.

"My mother is not telling the whole truth," Eva finally said. There was no going back, Eva hoped that the prince will get angry with the woman and kill her or throw her into the dungeon. Whatever as long as the woman could live her life.

This will set her free from her evil aunt. Although she would be unable to get her identity back Eva was confident that with the gold coin the prince gave to her and the one her mother took from the stranger she would be able to live a good life.

"Tell us what she left out and I will spare you for speaking up voluntarily," prince Sébastien said.

"When we went to the inn last night, my mum did meet a man but she did not meet him in the inn. The man was standing at the corner so I did not really get to see his face properly but I thought the man is not from Avalo. He looks different and spoke differently too. There is a possibility that he is not from this side of the sea altogether.

I am not so sure about this but the way the man act made me think of this possibility, " Eva said in a small voice.

When prince Sébastien heard her words he become even more interested in what she had to say. Previously when the beast eat up Biel's soul he felt that the man that came to her at night was not from Avalo or their side of the sea but he was not so sure. 

Meanwhile, Jeffery frowns his brows hearing Eva's words. He could not think of a reason why someone from across the sea would try to send a maiden to the prince's bed.

"speak," prince Sébastien commanded impatiently when he saw the young lady keeping quiet for a long time.

"My mother tried to sell me off to him, the man said he had no need for me but then he offered mother a lot of gold coins. He said all I needed to do was spend the night in his highness room to prevent him from going back to the Palace. Mother did not care if his highness will kill me she immediately accepted the gold coin and made plans, " Eva said as she started to snob quietly.

Meanwhile, Prince Sébastien's blood run cold when he heard the real reason she was sent to him. Even Jeffrey was speechless. Why would someone try to stop the prince from going back to the Palace, Jeffrey had the same question the prince was asking himself in his mind.

The prince stayed quiet for long, the only reason that he could think of was the person was trying to hurt his sunshine. 

"If I find out what you just said is a lie I would not spare you," prince Sébastien warned.

"I dare not lie to his highness," Eva fell on her knees and bow to the prince. Her heart was beating fast. She knew that she could forget about living if her plans failed but she could not take it anymore.

"I will run away from Avalo, if my plan fails," Eva told herself as she unconsciously feel the gold coin given to her by the prince.

"Bring that woman to the darkroom, " prince Sébastien ordered. He was eager to find out if it was the same man that approached the maid a while back. 

"If what you said is true your mother will die," prince Sébastien said as he looked at the young girl would still have her head bowed to the ground not daring to look at him