The Useless Duke's Daughter Saves the World

♧ [V1 || Chapter 22] ♧

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"Is that Lady Evangeline? From the Alcmene ducal household?"

"Oh my! How can she show her face around here? Does she not have a sense of shame?"

"I heard she couldn't even take out a single low-level demon by herself"

"Really? Then, why was she picked as the representative for this year?"

"Her father probably bribed the higher ups. There's no way someone as weak and useless as her could get through the selection on her own"

"How despicable! The fate of our kingdom lives in the hands of that useless idiot?"

What—? Who said that?

I tried to turn behind me to face the snickering behind me but my feet were rooted on the ground. My fist were clenched until it turned white and I could feel blood dripping as my nails dug into my flesh. I couldn't see anything in front of me—it was simply a black void.

Mhm? Now that I think about it, it doesn't hurt? And... why can't I move my body?

"Shut up. Shut up! SHUT UP!" a voice shouted.

'—!' 

Wait! Wasn't that my voice? But, I didn't open my mouth though. How did I get here? Wasn't I getting into a carriage with Marise earlier? 

Then, could this be.... a dream? Of the real Evangeline Alcmene's memories? 

My hands were brought up to my ears in an attempt to drown out the mocking laughter from behind me. But inside, my mind seems to be separated from my body's actions. I decided to sit back and watch it unfold.

I've always wondered what Evangeline's role was in the novel. She wasn't exactly the villainess since she never harassed anyone, except for trying to pursue Malakai. She also wasn't a heroine; her qualities of being selfish and cowardly didn't seem to paint her in that light. To me, the novel's Evangeline felt like she didn't belong there. Sometimes it even felt like the author didn't even care about her as much as she does the male leads. She was much too dependent on those around her and had her head in the clouds too much to survive outside her comfort bubble. 

The only part where she actually made an impact in the story was when she was running away and became an opening for Elijah to hurt Malakai.

That's why, with all these people mocking and looking down on her, I didn't exactly have sympathy for her situation. In the end, Evangeline didn't think about anyone other than herself. Not even her so-called 'love' for Malakai could overcome her cowardice and selfishness.

As the laughters grew louder, my body fell in a crouching position. It seems as if Evangeline was reaching her boiling point.

"Evangeline," someone called out. I was still looking down but, a hand appeared in front of me. I felt Evangeline loosening her shoulders as she reached out towards the hand. Who is that?

And then, a sudden pressure hit my chest. It was so heavy and suffocating.

"Stop! It hurts! I can't breathe"

For once, I was in agreement with her but I couldn't do anything. I was simply an outsider looking in.

"Stop! STOP!" her screams started to grow louder, the mocking laugher behind her were deafening.

"STOP—!"

"MY LADY!"

My eyes snapped wide open, coming face to face with a pair of bright green eyes. My mind was still in a state of partial consciousness so I couldn't really comprehend my surroundings right now.