Beyond the walls (Ruby Rose)

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Ruby's POV

'I'm such an idiot...'

I sigh as I lean back onto the sofa, staring at the cookies next to my now cold cup of tea. The words I harshly and idiotically spoke to Eva fresh on my mind even though an hour or so has passed.

"Evangeline, Ruby, lunch is... where's Evangeline? Why do you look so morose? What did you do?" Pepper instantly asks when she takes a look at my state, sounding very strict with her motherly tone. I look up at her, ready to argue her assumption of me being the cause of the tension of the room before stopping myself. Of course, it's my fault, and arguing the truth won't gain me any forgiveness from my Eva.

"I screwed things up because I'm a cruel idiot like my stupid father and Evangeline hates me now." Pepper furrows her brows as she comes closer to me, resting her hands on my cheeks like she did when I was little and gives me a sweet reassuring smile.

"I'm sure it's not that bad dear, you do tend to over-exaggerate things when you're upset."

"I called her a stupid village girl that wouldn't be able to understand my worries. I spoke to her in a demeaning manner and insulted her intelligence knowing very well how insecure she feels about it. Therefore, I'm as awful as my father."

"Oh dear, that is awful." Pepper is shocked by this. Then I feel a smack on the back of my head, making me stop my sulking for a moment to show her my detest and confusion of the sudden attack.

"Don't look at me like that, that's the least you deserve for speaking so horribly to your future wife." I pout but nod, knowing very well that her words are true. "Now back to the situation at hand, you need to go apologize. Though I, along with everyone else, know you're nothing like your father, you look like you need to prove this fact to yourself and that you need to show that to Evangeline. And when you're done you need to come eat, you're looking starved dear." I nod determined and thank her silently with a hug before leaving my office in search of my love.

Reaching our room, I find it empty. Not a single indication that she's been in here since this morning. The next logical place to look would be the library but I've already passed through it when leaving my office, not spotting her.

I continue to look around rooms she could possibly be in, even rooms she never touches, but come up empty-handed every time. I feel slightly anxious now as I make my way to the garden.

'surely she's out there...'

My journey is interrupted by the sound of a shaky voice by the front door coming from a young stable boy standing next to a worried-looking Pepper.

"M'lady....I-um..."

"Speak up, I'm busy with something important." I say impatiently as the boy stutters, Pepper giving me a look, warning to be kinder but I'm too anxious about my inability to find Eva to care.

"It's alright child, tell her what's happened." Pepper smiles at him and he nods and finally speaks.

"M'lady, one of the horses is missing. We had closed the stables when we went to have our lunch and when we returned, one of the horses was no longer there. We tried tracking it, knowing that someone must've taken it, and found that it has left your property through the front gate. The guards say they didn't see anyone enter or leave but the tracks are clear proof. I apologize, M'lady, we won't let it happen again."

He speaks a little rushed and still nervous but I manage to understand him. I'm annoyed at the news and also confused.

'why would anyone want to come here just to steal a horse?'