Another Chance with the Duke

Ch 3 Part 1

The sound of Evalynn's violin resonated through the wind as she stood on top of the grassy hill. Kirin was asleep, resting in the shade against the thick oak tree. It was a normal occurrence when they went out. Between her duties and watching over Evalynn, Kirin's work was never done, and resting was a well-deserved luxury.

As each vibrant note traveled onto the warm late-spring breeze, Evalynn ran through the few options she had available for her future: running away, accepting her fate with Edgar while keeping Kenni at arm's length, dying, or somehow being with Kenni before her engagement.

Running away was a last resort, as was dying. In fact, Evalynn wasn't even sure what would happen if she died again. She'd been resurrected once, so did that mean it would happen again? She still didn't even understand how it had happened the first time. Reuniting with Kenni was her preferred option, but as it stood, Kenni, or rather Duke Kennington, had no idea who she was.

Which leaves me with accepting my fate with Edgar while doing my best to keep Kenni away. I suppose killing Edgar is also a choice, but I would definitely be executed afterward. But maybe that's for the best? Kenni would be safe and the world would be safe from Edgar's idiotic scheming. Knowing my luck, they'd execute me and I'd wake up like I did the last time I'd died, making it all pointless.

Evalynn's jaw tightened as she became more absorbed in her thoughts and she was only pulled from them by the sound of a loud screech interrupting her mindless melodic recital. Her lips pursed in annoyance that quickly turned into a resigned chuckle as she realized she had simply pressed down on her bow too hard.

"This is ridiculous," Evalynn sighed, resetting her position and playing a test note. Everything seemed in order and Kirin was still resting peacefully. "Maybe something more upbeat will lighten my mood."

Taking a deep breath, Evalynn began to fiddle a tavern tune that Kirin had brought her sheet music for years ago. She had never heard anyone play the song herself, but according to Kirin she played it perfectly, and in Kirin's words, "if you played it at a tavern, the men would fall at your feet."

The wind died down as Evalynn finished her song and lowered her violin as if it had only been blowing to accompany her as she played. It was quiet and-

A loud clapping caught Evalynn's attention and to her horror, there was a man standing by the stream. At first, Evalynn wondered if he was a shepherd, but there were no sheep as far as she could tell. Besides that, the dark brown pants and white shirt he wore were filthy, as was his face. On his head sat a brown cap that hid the entirety of his hair or lack thereof. In all, he looked like a vagrant or a thief.

Ensuring not to take her eyes off of the man as he strode towards her, Evalynn backed toward the tree, nudging Kirin. As expected, Kirin snapped awake, and as she caught a glimpse of the man she stepped in front of Evalynn, shielding her.

"I don't know who you are, but be on your way." Kirin's tone was openly aggressive, but Evalynn could hear the slight undertone of concern in it. Evalynn knew that Kirin would have no issues handling the man, but if he was a bandit, he wouldn't be alone.

"I'm sorry miss! I meant no harm. I was merely resting from my travels and heard a beautiful tune floating on the wind."

The man continued his march forward and Kirin moved forward to intercept him, ensuring that there was a significant distance between the man and Evalynn. The maid's neck was strained, and Evalynn could tell she was ready to fight. Unfortunately for the man, he either did not notice or simply didn't care as he raised his hand suddenly. Immediately Kirin lunged for him, grabbing his wrist and pinning him to the ground, knocking his cap off and revealing a head of thick chestnut hair. The man didn't struggle, submitting fully to Kirin's grip with an amused smile on his face.

"Is this really necessary?" he asked with a hearty laugh.

The sound of the man's laugh rang in Evalynn's ears and she covered her mouth in horror. It was a laugh she'd heard a hundred times before. Between his hair neatly trimmed quiff-cut brown hair and the carefree smile he had on his face even though he was in a precarious situation, there could be no question. It was Kenni.

"Kirin, let him go," Evalynn ordered with a shaky voice. They needed to get away before the situation escalated. There was no way that Kenni was traveling on his own and if he mentioned her or Kirin to anyone people, they would be immediately identified.

"We need to leave, quickly."

With one last press on Kenni's shoulder as a warning, Kirin rose to her feet and rushed over to Evalynn, helping her pack her violin away and stow it in the tree.

"Come now, ladies! Am I really that frightening? I know I'm quite the mess at the moment, but I hardly think that's a good enough reason for you to run away from me."

"It has nothing to do with you. We just need to be on our way before it gets dark."

Kenni scoffed, pulling himself to his feet, and pointlessly tried to dust off his shirt. Even covered in filth it was challenging for Evalynn to keep her eyes off of him and by his smirk it was clear that he noticed. Even if they tried to run away, he would follow them, drawing unwanted attention that would undoubtedly cause trouble in the long run. He was harmless but stubborn and rarely let go of something he wanted, especially when it came to her. That's why even with all the danger, he had continued to pursue her in her last life.

"From your smile, I can see that you can't take a hint," Kirin growled. "Neither I nor my friend have any interest in a dirty vagabond and if it's money you're after, we have none."

"You have none? What a shame. But I'm not here for money. I only want to listen to that platinum-haired goddess behind you play a few more songs."

A scream welled up in Evalynn's chest that she struggled to keep contained. Had he always been this annoying? Maybe dying had removed the rose-colored cloud that had blinded her to his faults, though it seemed unlikely since even in this situation she found his annoying attitude somewhat charming.

"Unfortunately, my friend is right," Evalynn snapped. "It'll be dark by the time we get home if we don't leave now."

"He's not going to listen," Kirin said, her eyes narrowing sharply. "I'll handle this and you go on ahead."

"I'm not going to leave you, Kirin. Let's try to convince him a little more."

"You don't know how men like this are. He'll talk for hours if we let him and with each word expect more from us."

"You wound me," Kenni interjected, the side of his mouth twitching from the insult. "I'd like to think that I'm not as rude and aggressive as that."

"Then let us leave."

Kenni didn't move and Kirin swung at Kenni's face, but the man deftly dodged the strike. Through all the bickering he'd gotten much closer than Evalynn or Kirin had realized and had become an actual threat.

"Enough! I'll play you a song and we can chat a bit more but then you have to let us go."

Kenni's almond-shaped violet eyes stared into Evalynns and she could feel her heart start to pound in her chest. She wanted nothing more than to jump into his arms and tell him everything. The option she'd thought impossible was suddenly on the table. He didn't know her in this life, but he was clearly interested in her. How much effort would it really take for her to get him to fall for her again?

Evalynn glanced her eyes telling Kirin her potential plan, but to her surprise, Kirin shook her head. It was comforting to know that Kirin knew her well enough to know what she was thinking, but at the same time, she wished she knew why her friend objected.

"Your offer sounds lovely, my dearest angel."

Kirin's lips pursed and she looked as if she was ready to smash Kenni's face in. "Then let's get this over with. What would you like to talk about?"

"Well for starters, can I get your names?"

"Shouldn't a gentleman first introduce himself before asking a lady her name?" Kirin growled.

"You're rather rude," Kenni said in a vexed tone. "But you can call me Kenni."

Evalynn's teeth grit together at the introduction. Since when had he introduced himself as Kenni? That was the name she had personally come up with. When she had first called him Kenni he had laughed and told her how cute she was and that no one had ever given him such a mundane nickname before.

"Nice to meet you, Kenni," Evalynn said, shifting her posture. "Is that short for something?"

Kenni shrugged. "No, it's just a name someone called me once."

A breath caught in Evalynn's chest. Was it possible that he remembered something about their past life as Kirin did? If so, then was he just waiting for her to prove that she remembered him?

"Was that someone special to you?

"No," Kenni said, his face grimacing for a fraction of a second. "It's just my name."

"If it's just you're name," Kirin interjected, "then why did you say someone? That implies that it's not your actual name."

"You got me there," Kenni chuckled, scratching the back of his head nervously. "though I didn't think our conversation would be an interrogation."

"It's not an-"

"Duke Kennington, where are you!"

The call came from several men in the distance who were looking around. After a few moments, one caught sight of the group and called to the others until there were almost a dozen men running toward them.

"Dammit all. Well, it appears that our conversation is being cut off at introductions, though you still haven't shared your names. Maybe we'll meet again sometime soon. And don't worry, I'll lead my men away so they don't bother you."

Evalynn's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Kenni turn away and jog towards the oncoming men, smiling broadly and waving to them. Things had worked out somehow, but watching him leave her behind made her want to beg him to come back She wanted to scream for him, tell him everything. To drop to the ground kicking and screaming for him to save her and hold her in his thick strong arms like he used to. But she didn't. Instead, she watched him leave with his men at his side while fighting back her frustrated tears.