Chapter Text
Yerenika cleared her throat, nervous and shy all of a sudden as the neighboring king looked at her, has been for minutes now actually as they made their way to the temple. She was now being escorted by Sergey’s men, as her friend had matters to focus on that be by her side during their short travel.
“You trust him, I can see that. But please, Yen, just… just keep an eye on him? Don’t be too trusting just because he’s helping us.”
He’s the one who’s keeping an eye on me, Ser. Yerenika inwardly sighed as she was helped to exit the carriage. She blinked when she realized that the one who helped him was King Euredian himself.
“Oh,” she paled, “pardon me, Your Majesty. I had thought-“
“Please,” he intervened with a slight shake of his head, “it was my intention. You made no offense, Your Royal Highness.”
Yerenika merely nodded as she escorted the king personally once again and showed her the insides of the Temple. At the corner of her eye, she could see his burgundy gaze wandering. It shifted from the priests who were bowing to him to the columns and windows of the Temple. She briefly wondered if the Temples of Laurus in Bellecourt were different from the one they had here.
The Archbishop of Livne bowed to her and the Bellecourtian King. “It is an honor for the blood of Laurus to deign our Temple.”
The King merely nodded. “I am happy to help those who serve and follow my ancestor. There is no need for my comfort, nor should there be any formalities more. We’re help to help.”
***
“Here…” Yerenika whispered, helping an elderly man tip his head to drink some water. “Please, drink.”
Those with the illness of the plague first began coughing. Nothing noticeable and worrying at first, but then the coughing would last for days, and then what follows is blood. Their body would expel many liquids from their throats and are unable to find the appetite to eat, nor do they have the energy to move. Their skin would become dry and itchy, and they would have difficulty in breathing.
Two pairs of hand wearing a red and white coat helped her carry the man and she glanced up briefly, recognizing it as the red-haired aide that always followed his king around. She looked down and focused on her patient.
***
“Your King told you to assist me?” Yerenika asked dubiously. “Why?”
Yerenika’s blue eyes to where the largest temporary patient ward, which had been the public prayer room, was and watched the silver-haired monarch bend down and give divinity to the ones who had the worst cases. Her hands fidgeted in nervousness from the new information she has received and the aide must have noticed as he responded quickly, assuring her.
“His Majesty thought it best that someone with divinity should be with you after he saw you were alone. He also requested that you go back to the palace, instead, for your own safety.”
Yerenika frowned at the aide’s words and felt a fury bubbled within her. No matter how grateful she was to him, she could not let him dictate and order her around, let alone have someone from his own circle follow her.
“Tell your King,” she emphasized, making the knight look down, “that I am thankful for his concern for me, but my place is with my people and not within the walls while they fight for their lives. Should I be struck by the plague, then so be it.” She turned away and moved to where the archbishop was, seeking his comfort for some reason.
Had she only turned, she would have noticed the eyes of garnet following her small figure.
***
For the rest of the morning and afternoon, Sir Ferric, the King’s aide, followed and assisted her around. She made no further comments about the task assigned to him by his lord. Laurus knows she should have said those to Euredian instead of the poor knight, but she had been to startled and angry. Sergey’s reminder revolved around her head.
Sir Ferric seemed to be a nice and quiet man. He spoke to her respectfully and soflty, but not in a manner that would seem he was looking down at her for being a female. Yerenika liked the man, unfortunately, and eventually just patted his back once to let the poor aide know that she held no grudges against him for following his King’s orders.
“Blessing the people for the day is over, Your Royal Highness.” The archbishop let out a happy sigh.
Yerenika bit her lip. Ruining the man’s lively reaction is something she did not wish, but she had to know. “Recoveries and casualities?”
That smile slowly dimmed and he bowed his head. “Seventeen adults and elderly have joined our Lord in Yeudetta. A child, as well.”
Yerenika closed her eyes. “It’s better than before. Laurus have mercy on them.”
It was always strange for her to mention the god’s name, it felt so strange for a holy being’s name to pass her lips as her previous life never did so, other than when she was begging for mercy when it came to her mom’s illness.
Move on, Eun-seo. She took a moment to breathe. You’re no longer there.
“… I’d like to visit the prayer room, once again.” She whispered and the archbishop nodded in understanding.
“Would you like me to escort you…?”
“No need, Archbishop.” She said, feeling low and exhausted all of a sudden. “I believe I’d like to go on my own for now. Please tell the others to go on ahead.” She turned to where Ferric was waiting behind her. “I’m sure King Euredian must be exhausted after using all his divinity for the people of Livovny. Please tell him that he may go back and rest should he need it.”
Sir Ferric opened his mouth, as if about to share something, but stopped and nodded instead. “Yes, Princess Regent.”
Yerenika bowed to the archbishop and headed for the prayer room all by herself. The dark hallways were slowly being lit by the junior priests of the Temple and their orange glow bounced off the gold of the columns and walls that decorated the structure. Those who saw her bowed and let her through, knowing by now where she was headed after a grueling day.
Truthfully, she did not when it began. Was it when the plague first struck? Yerenika did not know. But she had been in the Temple for the entire day, and there were so many who passed, the plague being an epitome of equality. It spared no one, not even the newborn that Yerenika held and passed away.
The mother had caught the plague during her pregnancy and both mother and child passed, the woman following hours after her daughter. It was too much for Yerenika and she desired to be alone. By then, she had no one and was in the first week of being Princess Regent, her father having caught the plague and only a month from Theresia’s passing.
“Will I always be alone, no matter what life is given to me?” she cried to statue with ruby eyes.
The public prayer room was filled to the brim, people lined up the halls of the Temple, and tents were raised in the gardens and courtyards. Only the priest’s prayer room was left, and without thought, she opened the room.
And she felt safe and welcomed there.
Yerenika bent her knees, resting them on a pillow that has been placed there for her should she visit. She heard the doors seal behind her and she closed her eyes. Her prayers were the usual, of course. Her people’s safety, her father’s recovery, Brigitte’s happiness-
A creak came from behind her and she knew the doors have been opened. Yerenika opened her eyes but made no motion to turn. In a span of a second, the beating of her heart quickened and the pace of her breathing became shorter.
Everyone in Livovny knew that when she was in the prayer room, she was not to be disturbed.
Who…? She gulped. Her hands, which were clasped in prayer, tightened and turned white.
The doors closed with a small slam, and footsteps echoed in the otherwise quiet prayer room. She could feel her body trembling and she hoped that her dress hid it. She was ready to scream, cry out, lash out and –
“Princess?”
Yerenika gasped and turned her head upon feeling a hand on her shoulder. Her lower lip trembled as she took in the sight of the man before her.
“… Euredian.” She breathed, hands keeping her upright on the floor and the King blinked in astonishment at her.
“Pardon?”
“Gods.” Yerenika sagged as she cradled her face on her hands. “I thought – Laurus.”
“Ah.” The man who was now behind her stepped away from her. “I apologize. I seem to have frightened you. Ferric and a priest directed me here when I inquired of your location. I beg your forgiveness, but I was worried as I had knocked and no one responded.”
“No, I…” Yerenika rubbed the area between her brows. “I apologize, as well. I had not heard the knocking.”
There was a heavy moment of silence as Yerenika now realized her embarrassing predicament. Fortunately, Euredian spared her the humiliation of standing from the position by herself and offered his hand. Yerenika smiled at him in gratitude and whispered her thanks once standing.
“I had not known you were so deep in prayer. I once again beg for your forgiveness.”
Yerenika shook her head. “As I said, it was I who had not heard the knocking.” She titled her head. “I’m sure I had told Sir Ferric that you and your men may go back first. Is something the matter?”
Euredian gestured for them to the doors and Yerenika followed the invitation for them to leave. She watched as a brilliant glow of white and blue pushed the golden doors opened and guards from both Livovny and Bellecourt waited in anxiety were seen. Once their leaders were spotted, they bowed in acknowledgement and made a path for them, following at a distance behind them.
“Nothing is the matter. Truth be told, I was hesitant in leaving without you. It would not be interpreted well by many if I left first without you.” The King told her, “I do not wish for your people to worry. Don’t be furious at Ferric.”
Yerenika pursed her lips when she recalled something. “… You have told Sir Ferric to follow me.”
As they walked down the temple stairs to where the carriages and horses were, she could see that Euredian’s were trained on her. She quickened her steps, somehow flustered over how tactless she was with her words.
He’s an ally. An ally who helped us in desperate need. Do I truly have the rights to complain? She pondered for a moment before strengthening her resolve. This is my father’s country. In his absence, I lead. I need to be strong. Though, she gripped her trembling hands tightly to avoid his attention drawing there.
“… I did tell Sir Ferric to assist you. Follow… can mean something different entirely, Your Highness.” He stopped at the middle of the stairs and Yerenika was forced to look behind and upwards for him.
At the glowing moonlight of the moon and the dark golden hue radiating from the Temple, his silver hair glowed and he shined like a god. In that moment, Yerenika felt the struck of fear and awe of being in the presence of a man whose very ancestry came from a god, and that this was the character she had wept over despite not knowing his name.
“I did not mean to undermine your ability in helping your people.” He looked down at her, gaze soft and sincere, making her wonder if she should trust it or not. Where was the rumored iron-walled king?
“Yes.” Yerenika nodded, trying her best to show a passive face, eyes heading to the two sets of guards dressed in green and red behind the glowing monarch. “Sir Ferric told me of my need for divinity. The Temple is a holy ground, Your Majesty. I thank you for your insight and for your care, but I do not believe it was necessary.”
Euredian nodded. “You’re right. The Temples of Laurus were all built in holy grounds, grounds that the god himself stepped on.” He spoke as he descended the stairs and stood beside her on the same step. “But divine energy is being blocked and sucked up by all the people in that Temple. You need to be protected from the plague, Princess. Sir Ferric may not have the same amount of divinity as a priest or a holy knight but he can use it to keep you safe.”
Yerenika didn’t respond immediately, not knowing what to say to a man whose very existence brimmed with divine energy. Who was she to rebut him with a topic that he himself grew up knowing and controlling?
“We spoke yesterday during luncheon. You have spoken of the unquestionable and understandable mistrust between our people. But you asked for my trust and for my word,” he offered his hand to her and Yerenika blinked down at it momentarily before looking into those burgundy eyes that seem to defy the colors of the night.
“May I have the same, Yereninovika?”
***
Yerenika’s eyes followed the King and his men as they left Livovny Palace to go back to the Temple the next morning. She was unable to follow them today because of the duties she held back to accompany them yesterday, but they now needed her attention and Brigitte hasn’t seen much of her yesterday aside from her saying her goodbyes before leaving for the Temple.
What kind of family I am. Yerenika mocked to herself.
Much of her childhood and adolescence was more of a step towards adulthood, rather than experiencing them one by one. As she sat on the desk and read the reports on the western granary under her name, she recalled much of the events that had forced her into adulthood from an early age.
Her mother had been sick ever since she could remember and Eun-seo cooked for them and went to school by herself when she finally learnt how. Her father was never really there for them and the only sign of his existence was the monthly allowance that was given to her, which had continued on after her mother’s death and eventually stopped upon her father’s death. The relatives she had was unwilling to take her in because of their own difficulties and so, she spent her teenage years alone, without guidance but her own instincts.
I grew up fine. Yerenika thought as she flipped to the next page. But I grew up lonely.
She longed for company and she longed for sincere and true happiness, something that was difficult to come by. That longing eventually led her to read a book of the descriptive title and she was immersed in it.
Brigitte Levan was no different from Seo Eun-seo.
But she managed to attain happiness, while the other could not and died alone and forgotten.
Yerenika gulped and held a hand to her chest, the world heavy all of a sudden – as if there was a force that forcing her breathing to stop. Still, despite these overwhelming feeling, her darkened thoughts persisted.
Did anyone even know who I was in the accident? How could she have not thought of this before? Was she so immersed in this new world that she had forgotten the life she had lived? The people she had loved? Was someone even there to claim my body? Was someone even there for my funeral? Did I even have a funeral?
Yerenika let the paper fall from her hands and to the table as she sighed, rubbing her face in exhaustion. Perhaps she had been working too hard. Her eyes went to the portrait hanging above the fireplace of her father’s study.
It was a painting of them before Theresia’s wedding. Though, she had no memory of it, she envied and perhaps even missed the family that was there, despite not having experienced that moment.
When I came here, the Queen was dead, Theresia was dying, and the King was struck with the plague.
She stood and left her study, heading for the room where she knew she could see a radiant ball of energy that never failed to make her smile.
Seo Eun-seo was alone back in that world of greed and desire. But Yerenika wasn’t in this world of hope and happiness.
“That’s right, Your Royal Highnesses.” A kind voice passed though the small opening she made from the door of the private chapel in the palace. “Concentrate the flow of the divinity within your body and breathe. Never forget to calm your breathing.”
Sky blue eyes went to a girl sitting on a pillow on the floor, her eyes closed and her chest exaggerating the breathing she made. Yerenika covered her smile and watched her niece, and that was when she belatedly realized the people in the chapel.
The three main characters. The protagonist, the deuteragonist, and the antagonist.
Yerenika blinked in astonishment at her late realization and watched them silently and secretly.
Brigitte was doing her best to follow the priest’s instructions, and Alexio – despite not having any divinity – indulged his friend by doing the same. But Yerenika’s attention slowly shifted from her precious niece to the little wolf in the room, dressed in sheep’s clothing.
Dekalb de Bellecourt.
Yerenika slowly pulled away from the chapel doors and went back to her study.
***
“-so pretty, Auntie! And I could feel the energy flowing through my-“
“My love,” Yerenika interrupted softly as she cut through her luncheon, fond and exasperated sky-blue eyes meeting younger and excited ones. “Don’t start a sentence with ‘and.’”
Her niece only rolled her eyes playfully and giggled. “All I’m saying, Auntie, is that I could feel the divine energy in my body and it was so amazing!”
“The divine energy has always been there, Your Royal Highness.” The priest with eyes of gold smiled at the energetic child. “You have only learnt to harness it, which is why you could feel it more than you ever did before.”
It was when Brigitte’s attention went back to her teacher did Yerenika turn to her left and smiled at the Crown Prince of Bellecourt. The boy was shy around her. Shy was a word she would not have used on him, but he was quiet and squirmed whenever she tried to speak to him.
“I hope that the meal is to your liking, Prince Dekalb.” She began and the boy nodded. “Please, don’t hesitate to tell us should there be anything you like to eat or something you require to be more comfortable in our home.”
The boy only nodded again, “Thank you, Your Royal Highness. Your kindness is unmatched in all of Rhyger.” He said politely and Yerenika laughed.
“I don’t believe that the young prince has met everyone in Rhyger.” She teased him and the little prince blushed. In the back of her mind, Yerenika managed to think if this was how the King looked like in his youth and she shoved it to the corners of her brain. “But I am flattered that the Prince acknowledges me to be worthy of the praise.”
The divine prince nodded and Yerenika struggled what to come up next. Looking at the side where her niece and the priest from Bellecourt were speaking, she went back to entertain the King’s only son once again.
“How are your lessons with Brigitte?” she continued with a light chuckle, “She’s a lively child, but she’s willing to learn. She told me many things about your family, such as your ancestor and your family’s legacy.”
Yerenika chose to ignore the tension that appeared on his shoulders and the stillness of his utensils over his meal. She had to play the part of an ignorant woman well, one who does not know that the world they now live in was written and printed into a book.
This boy was raised by his mother who urged him to kill his own father. She waited for him to respond as she sipped some wine. All he needed was some affection from his own parents, and perhaps… perhaps he would not have turned out to be the villain of someone’s tale.
Yerenika stilled. Her thoughts somehow making her be more conscious of what she had done.
I have changed so much of the original plot. Her eyes went to her smiling niece, her attentive godson, and the solemn prince. Theresia was never meant to die so early, Euredian was never meant to come here, she placed down her wine and smiled distractedly at the would-be antagonist, and I was never meant to survive nor be the Princess Regent.
“… Brigitte is a… fun classmate, Your Royal Highness.”
She let out a huff of laughter. “Distracting and inattentive, you mean.”
A shadow of a smile formed on Dekalb’s face. “I’m… happy when she’s happy, Princess Regent.” He said lowly before going back to his meal.
Suddenly, an image of a boy who sat alone in a long dining table came to her mind. He was surrounded by darkness and loneliness, as he ate by himself, his parents either dead or uncaring.
This boy, a hand reached out and cupped his cheek, was born to become the villain.
Startled burgundy eyes, the same as the one that looked mature and gentle to her last night, met hers.
Truthfully, she didn’t know what she was doing. All she knew was that from the very beginning, from the very moment she knew the King who killed his father in anger and pain, she knew he deserved more, he deserved what he longed for the most.
“Dekalb.”
The prince’s mouth slacked open, and for a moment there was a flash of anger in those hell-colored eyes, but she ignored them and rubbed her thumb against those smooth and pale cheeks. The flames became an ember as she leant forward and kissed the tiny forehead, unmindful of their other companions.
“Y, Y….”
“You’re such a lovely child, Dekalb.”
***
Yerenika glanced unsurely at the silver-haired man who focused on offering his divinity to the old man she was feeding.
“… There is no need, King Euredian.” She spoke after laying the man back down and picking up the bowl. Yerenika turned and went back to where the food was being cooked in the middle of the dining hall. “Sir Ferric would have sufficed.”
She did not dare to mention how she could feel the energy from the heavens oozing out of the ma, and she did not dare mention how much it relieved her.
“You must take care of the others, and I’m sure following me around will only be a burden for you.”
The hand that was about to scoop up more soup was defeated when the pale hand covered in red and burgundy clothes reached out for the ladle first. She watched, embarrassed and speechless, as the King of Euredian poured more soup onto the empty bowls.
“It’s no burden.” He muttered, perhaps ignoring the eyes their way. “The people may think that I am being desperate for peace by sticking by your side, and that would be a good sign.”
“Desperation is never a good sign.” Yerenika countered, holding the new bowl he was filling up. “I should know.”
They didn’t speak for a moment, only listening to the busy hall filled with coughing and gasping from the ill. Her blue eyes went to the two bowls that the foreign king was now holding and she lifted her gaze.
The man was never open with his emotions in public, and she had heard from before and even read of how he was so aloof to others. Yet, over the course of a week, she had seen him smile at her. They even spoke of how cold was his marriage bed, and she knew of it basing off what will happen in the future, but then,
Was my arrival here a catalyst for so much change? Her grip on the bowl tightened as they both looked at each other. Would this change be even for the best or the worst?
“Hasty generalization.” The voice beside her suddenly declared and she jumped, startled from her thoughts.
“I beg your pardon?” she inquired, confused with his words. He nodded his head to the patients and they walked together to where patients have yet to eat.
“It’s a fallacy.” He spoke softly as the passed through sleeping and hungry patients. “It’s when you declare something too hastily, and there isn’t much to support your statement.”
Yerenika frowned at the silver-haired man. “Are you invalidating my experience?” she kept her anger at bay.
Ally, Yerenika. She bent down and tried to help a plague-ridden woman to sit. He’s an ally, a powerful ally you don’t want to be enemies with.
“No, of course not.” He said, frowning in return. “What I meant is that just because your experience of desperation was terrible, it doesn’t mean that that should be the case for the rest.”
She looked at him, perhaps in annoyance with his words. “Since when has desperation come with fortune?”
Euredian gave her a chuckle. “Isn’t the reason why I’m here because we’re both desperate to save lives and stop this plague?”
***
Yerenika pondered on the two weeks that have passed since Bellecourt has aided them. In some days it felt like a year had passed, yet in other cases, she would think that it was impossible for the days to have gone by so quickly.
Like how you’re growing so quickly. She thought as she combed through the red hair of her niece to the back of her head. Softly, she pressed her lips against the red tresses of her favourite character who had become her family. Where has the time gone, little one?
Yerenika did her best to balance the time of her work – being a diplomat with Bellecourt and regent to her people – and her time as a guardian and aunt to Brigitte.
Am I even doing well as her guardian? She thought as she tied the white ribbon behind her head. Am I doing the right thing, Theresia? … 엄마…?
An image of a sickly woman wearing hospital clothes came to her mind and she closed her eyes.
“Auntie?” Yerenika smiled at Brigitte through the mirror and kissed her cheeks, giggling at the book of holy texts she held in her hands.
“Someone’s eager.” She teased as Brigitte’s sky-blue eyes gleamed. “Is Archbishop Schumart a good teacher, my love?”
“Very!” she nodded enthusiastically. “He’s very kind and patient with me when I have sooo many questions. Although, he says that Dekalb’s father has to be the one to answer them when he can’t.” she pouted and Yerenika hummed.
“And do you ask him?” she wondered.
“Who?”
“Dekalb’s father, the King of Bellecourt.” She elaborated as she lifted her niece in her arms and hip. She’s getting heavier. “You’ve spoken with him before, yes?”
Brigitte hid in the corner of her neck and shoulders, rubbing her nose and making Yerenika resist the urge to curl herself at being tickled. “His Majesty is very king. When we were still in Bellecourt, he offered to have a princess castle made for me to play.”
“Oh?” Yerenika whispered as she walked to the direction of the chapel, where she knew the archbishop was waiting for them. The image of the noble and elegant king ordering the toy makers for a dollhouse was something she never thought she would make up in her mind. “And did he make one?”
“He was going to.” Brigitte pouted, “But Dekalb’s mother told him it was… anwise.”
“Unwise, my love.” She said as she stopped before the doors of the chapel.
She reached for the golden handles, but it opened from the other side and she blinked at the stranger before her.
“Oh!” the maid bowed lowly. “Thousand pardons, Your Royal Highness.”
“It’s alright.” She assured, pushing Brigitte forward to let her in. Brigitte immediately dashed to where her waiting friends were – the prince of Bellecourt’s eyes, however, were trained on Yerenika and the maid. “You must be one of the maids from Bellecourt.” She assumed, basing on the maid’s clothes.
“Yes.” The brown-haired maid smiled and bowed her head. “I’m Prince Dekalb’s nursemaid, Marianne Levasila.”
***
It was the first time that Yerenika sat in one of their divinity lessons. She watched in curiosity and in awe as a light of blue and white emerged from the black-haired priest and Brigitte would try to copy, no matter how little her divinity was still compared to the adult. In the corner of her eyes, she would peek at the young prince whose brows were furrowed, looking between his hands and the archbishop.
Yerenika gulped and looked down, hands combing through the ebony hair of her godson who was asleep after a morning of sword trainings.
This boy was destined to kill Dekalb. Her fingers lowered to his ruddy cheeks and she smiled as he snuggled closer to her waist, brows scrunched at the disturbance. I hope that won’t happen anymore.
Beside her was Marianne Levasila, the maid who had taken care of her sister for ten years in Bellecourt. Yerenika, while going back to playing with Alexios’ hair, pondered over Marianne’s words.
“I may serve Bellecourt, Your Royal Highness. But Livovnyan blood run through my veins and it was my duty and honor to be able to serve Princess Theresia, may Laurus have mercy on her soul.”
Yerenika almost laughed. So much loyalty, and for what? She bent down and kissed Alexio’s head. Ferdi had that trait, that naïve loyalty, and now where did that loyalty land him? She watched the innocent boy whose hands were dirty from training, wishing to follow his father’s footsteps.
Loyalty is a wonderful thing, only if you choose the right people to follow.
Every time her eyes landed on the man who lost his eye and leg from the war, she could not help but feel the weight of her father’s actions more. The one act of greed from a king has caused many lives and it all fell to her to fix them all.
“Go on, try it, Your Highness.” The priest, Thierry Schumart, encouraged Dekalb who looked tense and agitated.
Everyone in the room waited patiently and Yerenika felt sorry for the child who was clearly pressured by their gazes. They waited as the ten-year-old prince raised his hand, but no sign of divinity showed.
***
“The rumors in the streets are that you and His Majesty King Euredian are becoming friends.” Lord Veritas said as they walked the corridors of the palace. The man had seen her as she was about to make her way to the gardens for some fresh air after a morning of being stuck in her father’s study and going over the budget for the mines, as well as to support the farmers in the western territory. “Although there have been some people wary of the sight of him following you in the temple, most of them are hopeful that your friendship with the King would benefit the Kingdom.”
I wouldn’t call it friendship. Yerenika hummed at her vassal’s words, allowing him to prattle on about his hopes and wishes for Bellecourt and Livovny. I would say we’re on civil terms, at least. But…
“It will be alright soon.”
But… Yerenika discreetly held a hand to her chest as she entered the council room, I wish we could be.
“I hope the people don’t think I have any intention of becoming King Euredian’s second wife.” She shook her head as she heard the nobleman continue to share what her people have been up to once cured from the plague.
“Oh!” Lord Veritas laughed, “There are some, of course. Everyone in the continent knows of the relationship between the King and his wife. But the council would be displeased at the thought of you becoming a second queen consort, Your Royal Highness.”
Yerenika cleared her throat. “It would not do well to discuss the King’s marital matters, my lord. Besides, even if it was not a love match, they seem to be doing well in their decade-long marriage.” She said as they now entered the golden gardens of the palace.
“They are mere words, Princess Regent.” The councilman assured. “But, of course, we also have to address your marriage…”
“The kingdom has yet to recover from the plague, and the demand for basic needs such as food and livelihood are more important, Lord Veritas.” Yerenika diverted with a soft smile to one of her father’s most trusted men. “I’m already considered a spinster by some aristocrats. Besides, even if I don’t marry, don’t I already have an heir?”
Many would protest, of course. Although Brigitte did have the royal blood running through their veins, she carried the Levan name with her. That could be easily changed, though she was unsure if that was what her niece wanted. Also,
She’s the last thing that Sergey has of his brother. To remove his name after he gave his life o get them back…
She could see that the same thought process of Brigitte’s name was passing through Lord Veritas’ mind.
Unless Brigitte carries the Livovnyan surname, there would be some who would disagree with her position.
There were already talks of the Levan Family marrying their two sons with the two princesses of Livovny. Of course, there were talks of an engagement between the original Yereninovika and Sergey, but from her reading and research of the past and present, as well as some theories she came up with, those talks failed because of the worry that the Levan Family was using this as a means to take the throne for themselves.
That wasn’t true, of course. Yerenika thought as Lord Veritas said his farewells and Yerenika was left to herself in the vast and colorful gardens. Theresia and Duke Levan loved each other. There was no thought from him of taking Theresia’s claim.
She paused and sighed, resting on the bench by the fountains.
How am I to know his character when I already came here ten years after his passing?
Yerenika had to admit that she was only basing her theories based on her perspective of the novel. How was she supposed to know the personality of the former duke? It was only something that the original owner of the body she possessed would know.
The heavy feeling came to her chest again, and she was uncertain if it was something mental or physical. Perhaps both. She had come to the gardens to free her minds from the worries of being princess regent, but instead the worries of being Yerenika came to her.
What happened to her…? She thought as she glanced at the snow-white hands, calloused from months of writing and working. How did I come here and why?
Yerenika rubbed her forehead. No, does that even matter now? Brigitte and Livovny should now be my priority.
Her sky-blue eyes went to the East Wing before she redirected it to the West Wing of the Palace. She let out another exhausted sigh and stood, leaving the place that she thought would bring her tranquility.
***
Livovny Palace was always a splendor to behold.
With the gold accents and decorations, the stunning and intricate designs and architecture, and the wondrous gardens that held life that could not be seen outside Livovny. It was, perhaps, a palace that could have symbolized what Yeudetta could have looked like.
But the pains of war and plague have brought the thought of heaven crashing down and it now resembled a cold and miserable hell that was silent as the cemeteries and catacombs underneath the Temple.
Yerenika walked around the dark and empty halls of the palace, not really having a location in mind.
She was unable to sleep, especially after what the doctor had told her of the King’s declining health.
“I do not know what else to do, Your Royal Highness.” The tired and pitiful expert had bowed his head lowly, along with his apprentices and colleagues. “Although the plague has left the King, it had taken much of his life and energy. Not only his physical state is worse, but we believe that his mental state has also contributed to his health.”
Yerenika said nothing as she listened quietly to the Royal Physician’s words, she could only clench her fist as Sergey placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
“… How long will the King last?” the duke quietly asked.
“We believe he has a month, at most. Least? Days…”
Yerenika collapsed on one of the windows and she leaned her head against the cold metal and glass as the moonlight penetrated them and covered her face in a pale blue of the night.
The King of Livovny had been a father for more than a year, but he had become precious to her for over a life time. The father of Seo Eun-seo was always absent at their home, always working if not with his other woman. The only thing she received from the man who died so suddenly was money, but the man who was dying gave her his love and affection, even if in a weakened state.
She did not forget that this was the same man who was the catalyst who brought tragedy upon Livovny, but this was the only father she knew and recognized. This was the father that she learnt to love.
Perhaps I’m cursed. She closed her eyes and let the cool sensation of the window try to calm her mind. If I die here, would I be going to another body? How much more must I suffer? How much more must I endure before I finally rest?
The air she was breathing suddenly felt heavy and she wanted to choke and throw up. Her forehead scrunched in pain and she groaned. There had been much to do today, and numbers and legislation weren’t really her forte despite the years of academic background and the months of reading laws.
She didn’t even want to be a politician back there in the first place. She wasn’t even aiming for the top hierarchy. She just wanted to live by herself, reading books and drinking coffee while tuning out the scolding of her employers.
Now she was placed in the second-to-the-highest role of the kingdom and was reading laws and leading men left and right, while reading the wrong kind of books she wanted and was the person scolding others.
Yerenika rubbed the back of her head while pressing her forehead to the window more.
Much to do, much to do, much to do…
She was also scheduled to appear once again in the Temple tomorrow to oversee how the relief efforts were going and what the King as doing.
Sergey would accompany Euredian when she was unavailable, but she could tell from the way Sergey’s scowl was placed and how Euredian’s silence would be more deafening that those days did not pass off well, no matter how much she tried.
I must speak with Sergey. His anger and loathing is understandable, but this is the King of Rhyger’s most powerful kingdom and the man who is helping us. Should the King no longer tolerate him, what would become of us? The mines are yet to be established and workers are still lacking, and the fields are still being sowed.
A clack of feet and her body flinched, a small gasp leaving her small mouth and blue eyes wildly scanning the supposedly empty and dark halls of the Main Palace. Her already-widened eyes only opened further and her jaw dropped some more when she noticed the stunned man who was coming from the East Wing.
Like always, whenever she would see him, the entire weight of her bod seems to have disappeared.
“Euredian!”
***
Normally, when a priest or a holy knight has used much of their divine energy, they would be spent and could sleep for the entire day. But when one’s blood and body is practically the source of divine energy, how can one even rest?
Euredian could use his divinity for the entire day, use the Flames of Purification even, but would still be able to wake up normally the next day and do it all over again. Exhaustion only happened when he was with the Court or when he was going over the papers in his desk that he detested but had no choice.
Though, Elodia is the personification of my exhaustion.
Whenever he was with his wife, he just doesn’t have the urge to do anything but go back to his room and fall asleep, dreading the next day in seeing the same blood-red hair and empty eyes that screamed false love and ambition. Perhaps his ancestor really showed his powers and proved the reason why he was a god of mercy when Dekalb was conceived in their first and only night.
But his divine energy wasn’t the only reason why he was unable to sleep after a day of blessing and purifying those who caught the plague. No, his son was also the reason for his insomniatic state.
Of course, Dekalb had been nothing but a behaved and good-mannered child ever since they have arrived in Livovny. He had rarely seen the menacing eyes of burgundy and detached attitude his son always carried around him. He would have to thank the princess and her little friend for that. Dekalb had never been this lively and this only increased his lack of regrets in bringing him to Livovny with him. Soleia could screech at him for all he cared.
But most importantly,
“… Do you know something?”
It has bothered him for nights now and sleep became something of a sideline, his son more important than rest. He was thankful that no one has yet to notice the small bags underneath his eyes. Well, no doubt those who knew him and saw him on a daily basis back in Bellecourt would have noticed it by now and would think he was tired from blessing people, but the ones who truly knew him would know it was something else. Euredian Louis Soledor de Bellecourt would not be brought low from something his blood naturally oozes.
He had written to Ivan to investigate and keep an eye on Soleia. In the times that Dekalb was with her, which was nearly always, what did she say? What did she do? What did she show him? What did she teach him?
No doubt the Prime Minister understood his concerns and would do a quick investigation with the holy knights that Euredian had assigned to him. He would be damned if he left Ivan all alone in the Palace with Soleia who could easily kill him with a snap of her fingers. Now, he briefly wondered if she had even done that before.
Soleia was a person who wasn’t afraid when it comes to taking risks. What would she care of the death of a man that holds no value for her?
Euredian ran a hand through his hair as his brows scrunched up together in frustration.
A decade ago, he thought it was for the best that he married Elodia. Now, he had nothing but regrets. He knew he should have brought her to trial, but he had no evidence. Magic could not be seen by those who have divinity, and even if they bring witnesses, what evidence was there beside their words?
Unable to force himself to sleep, he grabbed a robe and walked out of his room.
Ten years ago, when he came to Livovny Palace for the first time, he was first blinded by the golden domes of the structure. In the gardens, where he had taken Princess Theresia, he could see that this was a palace that was seen as a home. It was smaller than the Imperial Palace, which was comprised of numerous palaces, but it felt like a place where a family should be.
I reside in Bellecourt Palace alone, he thought as his feet dragged him to a room beside his, while Elodia and Dekalb resided in Star Palace.
But the dark palace was now a contrast to the golden days of Livovny. He was angry at Livovny for their impudence, but he was not a man who would wish for the pain of others who he deemed innocent. Should there be anyone who suffered for the crimes of arrogance, it was the King of Livovny, and the King alone. Though, Euredian won’t try to deny that he had multiplied the pain of many. It was he, after all, he took a pregnant woman away from her family. His fury had blinded him for a moment that also worsened the relationship of two kingdoms.
Gently, his hand turned the door knob and he slightly pushed the door open, enough to let an eye see inside.
His ruby eyes landed on the soft silver hair glowing in the pale blue of the night, and the soft rise and fall of his back as he slept. His body resembled that of a white cocoon underneath his cotton blanket as he rested his head against the large pillow.
Euredian rested his head on the door frame and watched his son, his only flesh and blood, continue in his slumber.
Watching him now, he could recall that Dekalb was nothing more than a child still. There was none of the aloofness that a prince of Bellecourt must have, and his son’s red glare wasn’t directed at him, even if they had dissipated over the weeks as they stayed in Livovny. His son had changed a bit and he was grateful for that, and he would do everything in his power that their relationship could stay like this and perhaps they could even bond more.
“… Do you know something?”
Euredian closed his eyes with a sigh and closed the door.
***
Euredian’s eyes watched the gold and green patterns on the walls and floors of Livovny Palace as he quietly walked the empty hallways of the palace. He had dismissed the guards to the lower section, not wanting to be disturbed or watched by any person. Their stay in Livovny was almost three weeks by now and nothing has happened to them yet. Indeed, there has been hostile looks but they did not make a move and just accepted the help being given to them.
It’s better than I had anticipated. He thought as his hands touched the intricate tiles and carving on the passage ways of the palace. If I endure just a little while longer, relations between us will be fine once again and the rest would be recorded in history books.
Of course, this also meant that he would return to Bellecourt, his home.
Is it still a home?
The tranquil and content childhood he had disappeared once his parents died. There were no more gentle smiles and warm caresses on his cheeks, or a fond ruffle on his head when he gave the right answer.
There’s hope for both me and him still. Euredian closed his eyes and he could feel the same silver hair underneath his hands. I can fix this. I can fix everything.
Euredian didn’t know how long he had been walking. All he knew was that he was walking in a forward direction, and it was only when he saw hung portraits of red-haired royals along with a familiar pink-haired princess did he realize his destination. He blinked his ruby eyes and scanned his surroundings.
There was more gold and greenery in the hallways, the flag of Livovny hanging at the end of the hall, and of course, the portrait of the royal family. He knew that he shouldn’t stare so much at a family he had brought so much devastation, but he couldn’t help it, for some reason unknown to him.
The shadow that came from the windows loomed over the standing image of Princess Theresia and her mother, the late queen, who was sitting in front of her. But the other half was illuminated by the blue moonlight, shining dimly on the painted faces of the sitting king and the standing Princess Regent behind him.
This was clearly done more than a decade ago. There were some signs of age in the painting, dust gathering in some thick elaborate details of the frame. But most of all, it was the presence of two members who have already passed, and also because of the youthfulness depicted in Princess Yereninovika.
Euredian nodded how much younger the young monarch-to-be looked younger. There were less bags underneath her eyes and she smiled brightly in the portrait, unburdened by the duties and responsibilities of both adulthood and royalty. The inherent sky-blue eyes of the Royal Family were twinkling in the portrait, and Euredian knew that the painting was more than skilled and talented to have captured those glimmering hopes in her blue orbs.
His eyes went to the loose strands of pink hair, the rarest thing Rhyger has to offer other than his eyes and silver hair, something that has been passed down only from Laurus’ blood.
Ever since he saw the princess, he had never seen her with her hair down in such a manner. It has always been tied and kept away from her face, as though she no longer had the freedom to let the wind pass through those pink flocks. Those blue eyes as well, they never depicted the youthfulness and liveliness as it did before. There was now a looming shadow over those skies, her growth and exposure to everything that has happened for the past ten years maturing her into a hardened woman.
Guilt came to him and he looked away, wanting nothing more than to leave the West Wing before he causes any trouble and suspicion by being caught wandering the night halls alone. But it was in that moment that he saw her a few windows away.
At first, he thought it was only an afterimage from staring at her painting for too long, but then he realized it was truly her in the flesh. He blinked, making sure one final time she was there before moving towards her.
It was not his place to say anything in her own palace, but she shouldn’t be here all alone, especially in the presence of foreigners in her land – foreigners that had been their enemies.
His eyes warily scanned the entire hallway, taking note of the fact that there was not a single guard in sight, not even a servant. He ruffled his hair and quickened his pace to her direction.
Perhaps it was his hastiness to reach her that caused his steps to be louder, but the figure turned to his direction, frightened and startled in search of an intruder before those trembling eyes stilled at the sight of him.
“Euredian!” she gasped, whispered, at him, her body slowly moving away from her sitting position on the window. She stood now, back to the moonlight that highlighted her hair and made it turn dark on one side, and white on the other. “What are you doing here?”
Euredian momentarily forgot the fact that she had once again addressed him by his name for her. “I should be saying that to you, Your Royal Highness.” He smiled awkwardly, unknowing of what to do being alone with a maiden at night. He shifted and dared not approach her from where he now stood. “I saw you while walking. You shouldn’t be alone, Princess. It’s far too dangerous.”
“I’m not alone, I’m with you.” She teased with an unsure smile, the tension and nervousness slowly ebbing away from her body.
Does she know what she’s saying? Euredian’s awkward smile only grew as the hands on the pockets of his robes fidgeted. Perhaps not. She’s a princess sheltered closely by her parents. With the war, I doubt she had time to be courted by men.
Or perhaps, she did. As she is a princess, only dukes and foreign princes or kings were the option for her. But who would be willing to marry the princess of a small kingdom being beaten down by Bellecourt?
“Besides,” she added, snapping Euredian from his thoughts. “There’s no real danger. I’m in my own home. I grew up here.”
He then thought of his own home, Bellecourt Palace and its many other palaces inside the large grounds. It had once been a home of his childhood, but the deaths of his parents, the five years of solitude, and eventually his marriage with Elodia had changed all of that. A home? Can he even call it that still?
Euredian frowned. “Even the places one grows in can become its own prison or trap.”
It must have been an unexpected statement as the silence between them grew. A delicate cough cleared him from his thoughts and he looked up to see her shuffling and fidgeting.
“It’s… not my place to say such a thing. It’s so personal, after all.” Her pale face became flushed, and her eyes fell to the tiled mosaic floors of the west wing, the green and gold dim in the moon’s weak light and the large shadows of the palace.
Euredian kept his eyes on her hesitant face, not truly knowing where to look and not wishing to be rude.
“Uhm,” she cleared her throat once again and Euredian gestured for her to continue. “I… heard of Queen Soleia.”
Ah. Euredian frowned unconsciously at the mere mention of her name. Here I thought a walk could free me at the thought of her.
“I, I-I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable!” the princess was incredibly flustered and she approached him a bit before stopping some four or five steps away from him. “It is incredibly intrusive of me, but I couldn’t help but wonder because of your words-“
“Yes,” Euredian huffed a smile, “it is because of her.”
Silence.
He didn’t know how long they stood there in the middle of a dark and gilded hallway, but they avoided each other’s gazes and it was every bit awkward. It was only broken when he noticed her gesturing to the window where she had been sitting before his arrival.
“Shall we?” she asked, shy and uncertain. “I have a feeling we both have a long night ahead of us, and it will be good if we have some company.” Then a chuckle followed. “As much as I want to take you to a sitting room, it would not do if we are to be discovered in a room alone.”
Euredian was sure that they didn’t need to get in a room to have themselves compromised. A married man and a maiden alone at night was enough for their reputation. Still, like he always did with her, he complied.
***
They had their backs turned to each other, her silk night robe meeting his, and some loose strands of hair on the top of her head tickling the back of his neck. It was the best they could come up with to preserve some decency and propriety on this sleepless night where they didn’t want to be alone after seeing the other.
Euredian felt her shift and he lightly looked behind him, enough to see the outline of her neck and shoulder as they settled by the window. They managed to light one of the candles in the sconces and Euredian placed it on her side while he was shrouded in darkness. Though, he can momentarily appreciate the glow of yellow on her pink locks and fair skin.
Enough, Bellecourt. Euredian looked back to the tiled window walls. You’re married, for Laurus’ sake.
“Nightmares, I take it?” she began, her voice softer compared to earlier and Euredian shook his head, then realized she couldn’t see him so he had to reply.
“No, not nightmares.” Thankfully. Euredian dreaded to see what he could see in there. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“I see.” She hummed. “The same is said for me.” She then twisted a bit, and he knew the only thing she could see was his shoulder blade, but she continued looking at it anyway. “Is it a price of monarchy? The loss of sleep?”
Euredian chuckled as he looked down at his fingers and played with the tie of his robe. “I believe so. Yeudetta knows when was the last time I slept so peacefully and early, waking up late in the middle of the next day.”
A sigh and a weight on his shoulder. Euredian didn’t even have the time to tense or do anything else, other than his eyes widening at the thought of the princess now resting her head on his shoulder, her back against his.
“I wish I could do that again. I miss it.” Euredian could feel heat crawling to his cheeks when he felt her nudging him, like a cat seeking comfort. “I wish I could turn back time.”
“… Me too.” Euredian whispered back, lips in a frown. “If I could, there would be so many things I would undo.”
Attack Livovny. Marry Elodia.
His eyes went to the side, a pink head resting on the back of his shoulder. Should she raise her head, their eyes would certainly meet and Euredian looked away.
“Has your stay here been alright?” she began again.
“No.” he replied sincerely. It was true. So far, most of the suspicious and hostile glares sent to him and his men abated the longer they stayed and the more people they helped. “Everyone has been tolerant of us, and I couldn’t ask for more.”
“I hope no one is causing too much trouble for you. Should there be anyone, please tell me, Euredian.”
Euredian showed his amusement but doubted that the princess would see it. “I’ve been meaning to ask you this. I hadn’t bothered in the beginning as a show of good will, but may I ask – without causing you any offense – why do you call me by my name?”
He felt her move once again but this time, she was looking over both of their shoulders to meet his eyes and Euredian indulged her by looking back. He could see the confusion and bafflement on her face with his question, before it morphed into horror.
“Is – Am I not allowed? Is it… I hadn’t thought of it.” She slightly shifted away from her and Euredian immediately felt the warmth leaving with her. “I just thought,” a hand was raised to cover her mouth, eyes wide in shock, “No, I hadn’t thought. Clearly, not. I wasn’t at all thinking now, was I? Oh, Laurus.” She stood and before he knew it, bowed deeply before him.
Startled, Euredian stood as well and tried to palliate the situation. “Princess, please, there is no need for such a thing.” He said as he held her shoulders. “I’ve only been curious as to why, I was never offended at all.”
Anxious and hesitant blue eyes looked up at him before looking back down after a second’s breath. “I hadn’t known, to be honest.” A small blush dusted over her pale cheeks. “I have been referring to you as ‘Your Majesty’ in public, and Eu – your name, in private as this is the custom of Livovny. It was inconsiderate of me to think that it would be the same in Bellecourt. Please, forgive me.”
Euredian huffed and pulled her back to the window. With a twist of her shoulders, he twisted her back to her direction and he turned to his, their backs meeting once again.
“Your Majesty?”
“To tell you the truth,” Euredian cleared his throat, “I wasn’t at all bothered by it.”
“Oh.” The tension was still present in her shoulders and he could almost see her fingers twisting with one another. “I had thought – you asked, so…”
“It was pure curiosity, please believe me.” A small sigh escaped him. “It has been a long time since anyone had ever called me by my own name. Truthfully, I don’t even recall the last person who did so, and when it happened.”
The princess twisted her head to look at him and he sensed those brilliant blue orbs on the back of his head.
“But, surely, your wife-“
Euredian shrugged as he crossed his arms. “As you said, you’ve heard about her. I have no doubts you have not heard of our marriage. Everyone in the continent must know by now.”
Another bout of silence between them. This time, Euredian could sense her reluctance in once again opening a conversation. He tried to think of anything to distract, or perhaps another topic.
“Ah, I also noticed.”
She flinched and he tried to hide a smile.
“You don’t sign as Princess Regent.”
“I do sign as princess regent. I don’t understand.”
“You sign ‘Yerenika Sofya Livovny – Princess Regent of Livovny.” He pointed out, recalling her letter. He turned back to face her and she did the same, though there was still some embarrassment from earlier marring her features. “There’s nothing wrong with signing as such, but it doesn’t befit a monarch, or a regent in your case. It has also come to my understanding that your full name is ‘Yereninovika.’”
Her face turned into a brilliant shade of red, and the moonlight made it look like her face was a glowing red ball, contrasting the whiteness of the skin below her neck and the pink of her hair.
“Did, Did I sign my letter to you like that?” she covered her face with her hands. “Oh, Laurus, I am so sorry.”
“No need to apologize to my ancestor.” Euredian hesitantly placed a comforting hand on her silk shoulder. “You’re young – relatively speaking. You weren’t taught to be a ruler, and I understand. Well, even if one is taught to be one, no one is ever really prepared for the task.”
“You sound prepared.” A pout and Euredian knew she was back to her former self, and he is unsure if she had realized that she seemed to have dropped all pretenses of being monarchs and rulers in the moment. “It’s as if the author favors you and intended you to be perfect for a grand finale.”
“What?” Euredian tilted his head in confusion. Author? Laurus? What a strange metaphor. And grand finale?
“It’s nothing.” She waved away his question. A breath escaped her lips. “But, yes. I am truly unprepared and untrained for this role. We all had thought that it would be Theresia who would become queen, the Duke her consort and would help in ruling. But what’s done is done.” She looked up at him and smiled sadly. “Don’t be guilty once again. I’m sure you’ve already done plenty of that ever since the war began and even after it had ended.”
Euredian smiled sadly. “I’ll try not to.”
But it was hard. Especially now that he sees how much the Regent was struggling with handling state affairs due to the assumption that she wouldn’t be stepping up to that role, not with an older sister who was married to a capable duke.
He briefly recalled the news ten years ago in the battlefield when the Duke had fallen. Shame overwhelmed him, and guilt coursed through his body, making him unable to eat. The man didn’t deserve to die in the battlefield, far from his pregnant wife, who he was only trying to retrieve.
He never even had the chance to hold and see his child.
The days after that were also difficult to forget. The grief of her husband’s death has caused an premature labor and birth for the princesses of Livovny. It both weakened the red-haired royals, and it had also afflicted Princess Brigitte’s health.
Thump.
Euredian blinked and looked to the side where the sound came from. The Princess seemed to have fallen asleep and her haid rested against the glass of the window. Fearing the glass might break and she would injure herself, Euredian quickly nudged and placed his hand on the side of her head, cushioning it from the cold and fragile surface.
Had he been thinking that long? Should he wake her? Should he leave her be? Euredian was incredibly undecided as to what he should do. It would be inappropriate for him to enter her room, and there would be disastrous consequences should he be found carrying the sleeping princess regent in his arms and towards her room. A war might start once again, though Euredian realized he might be overexaggerating.
But he can’t very well just leave her here, can he?
Euredian ran a hand through his hair.
***
Euredian spent the rest of the next day purifying and blessing the crowd in the temple. Some of them haven’t been struck by the plague, but came when hearing the news of his arrival and his offer to offer some of his ancestor’s gift. Euredian made sure that they were also indulged, an offer of good will and what not. But he also understood their fear of being struck by the plague.
“I hear the situation is so dire in Azekian.” A woman who volunteered whispered to a fellow volunteer as they hung some linen at the Temple gardens.
Euredian had decided that the crowd had become overwhelming for him and asked for some reprieve, to which the archbishop accommodated him with. He did not know how the temples of Laurus in Livovny functioned, but in the temples in Bellecourt, the courtyard and gardens were not really used for labour, especially the Main Temple of Laurus in Varyshad. But then again, it was a time with no room to spare in the temple and he decided to understand the situation as he took a minute away from the desperate crowd.
What he did not expect was to hear some women in regards to the news in Azekian. Euredian hadn’t really corresponded much with Ivan on that part. Most of the letters he received from Bellecourt were only his opinions on some legislations and reports on the court life (still stiff as usual), what the people were thinking over his decision to come to Livovny (a mix of horror and understanding), and – of course – updated on Elodia (quiet and reserved, though very much insistent on the return of her son).
He hadn’t heard anything from Azekian other than what every other person in the east knew. Euredian decided to hide from the volunteers by the tree and listen in. His mother had mentioned once or twice back in his childhood on how women were faster than spies.
“Why? What’s going on there?”
“You know how my cousin is a merchant, right? The man is terribly hesitant in selling there but the demand is so high. He sells by the border to be safe and he says that the person he spoke to was an assistant to the governor on the province by the border.”
Euredian could already feel another headache with the amount of connections he had to keep up with in the woman’s tale. But he kept quiet and decided to listen in some more.
“The royal coffers are at a low, with how the Glückmahn Road was closed and Bellecourt buying minimally. With so much dead and others scared to go outside, food is a scarcity. The Tower of Azekian is trying to study the plague but they are in desperate need of priests.”
“Oh, do you think King Bellecourt would go east?”
Euredian released a breath and walked away silently.
***
“The Princess Regent is really nice…”
Euredian blinked, a full spoon halting in mid-air as he stared at his son, who refused to look at him in favor of his meal.
“Yes?”
“I meant Princess Yerenika.” He continued, voice still low, as though he was shy but Euredian was still processing if it was true or not. Dekalb? Shy? “She’s very kind.”
“Well, yes.” Euredian cleared his throat, placing his utensils down and wiping his mouth with a napkin. Though his eyes hadn’t moved from his son. “I heard that you have been spending time with the princesses.”
“And Alexio.” Dekalb added, a frown in the face that was the younger version of Euredian’s own, and it felt like Euredian had offended his son for not including the Princess Regent’s godson. “Alexio is also with us.”
Euredian smiled. It was nice to see Dekalb making friends. “Forgive me, I had forgotten. Alexio is training to become a Holy Knight?”
“No, Father.” His son frowned further and Euredian did his best to hide his amusement. “He’s training to become a Royal Guard. Alexio says he’s going to serve Princess Yerenika and Brigitte.”
Euredian had already noticed from the first time his son said it. The Princess had always been open to many merely calling her by her shortened name, and he and his son had been included in that. However, he did know his son. Soleia and his tutors had drilled Bellecourt etiquette into the boy, and he had no doubt that Dekalb would call the Regent with her full title, but knowing the Princess and how there was more freedom in Livovny, he knew that she had insisted for the boy to call him as such.
Well, Euredian acquiesced, to be fair, her name is truly long.
“I see you’ve become close with the Princess Regent and Sir Alexio.” Euredian was proud of his son.
Contrary to popular belief in Bellecourt, he hadn’t grown alone and isolated despite of how he acted. He grew up and trained beside Ferric, and known the Ivan when he was in his childhood and the man was already in his teenage years attending the Academy. Thierry Schumart had also been in his youth when he was training in controlling his divinity. Euredian never grew up alone. He had the people he trusted beside him.
The thirty-eight-year-old monarch briefly wondered if Soleia Elodia’s childhood had been the main blueprint for Dekalb’s lonesome childrearing.
It’s fine. He told himself. It’s different now. He’ll grow far away from her.
Euredian knew so, and never had been happier when he saw the small and embarrassed smile on his son’s face.
“Yes. I think so. I like them.”
Then, overlapping that small smile and flush was the face of a princess seven years his junior.
“I’m not alone, I’m with you.”
“Yes.” Euredian said, his tone soft yet he did not know if it was at the thought of the princess, or if it was for his son’s happiness. Perhaps both. Yes, both. “I quite like them, too.”
***
“I never really got the chance to say thank you, as well as to apologize for my poor behavior.”
Euredian stared at the princess, who was once again reluctant to meet his gaze.
They were in the Temple for worship, and as reigning monarchs (even if the other is a regent), they sat beside each other, their heirs on the other side as everyone’s gaze was either at the archbishop at the altar, or at the four royals. Yerenika had spoken to him with her eyes still trained on the golden altar, but he could not remove his gaze from the beguiling princess regent.
She wore another dress of Livovnyan green and gold, befitting her status and name. Her hair was tied in simple and loose braid, but it was done so for the reason as to not steal the attention from her crown of emerald and gold. In this manner, and how she acted, Euredian would have thought that she was already the Queen of Livovny.
Euredian hummed in response before pulling his eyes away and back to the sermon of the archbishop, his eyes momentarily going to Thierry who was also by the altar before going back to the old man.
He knew it would not be long before the Princess Regent would be declared Queen.
***
“Where have you been? Dekalb told me lessons were cut short.” Euredian raised a brow at his friend, frowning when he realized he came from the West Wing. “What were you doing there?”
Thierrys hands fidgeted at his middle while his yellow eyes looked warily at their surroundings. Euredian’s frown only deepened at his reaction.
“Your Majesty, may I have a word with you in private?”
Euredian could feel the priest’s unsettlement and agreed. Ferric kept an eye on the door while he and Thierry sat in the sitting area of his bedroom. He had seen Thierry been like this before. The first of which was when his father was on his deathbed. Startled, Euredian leaned forward, his voice so quiet he doubted Ferric would have been able to hear it if the man hadn’t had keen senses.
“The King of Livovny?”
Theirry nodded, worried and rattled. “Prime Minister Levan came to me and requested to have a look at the King. He hadn’t been faring well since the Queen and Princess’ death, and it had worsened as the plague had struck him. He never fully recovered and his health has been on a steady decline since.” The priest gulped.
Euredian understood his nervousness and his hesitance in speaking such. He was a priest of Laurus, and the Archbishop of Varyshad. This matter should be confidential, even to him, Euredian de Bellecourt, the head of the Temple of Laurus.
Still, Euredian thought as his hands clenched nervously, there must be a reason he is telling me this.
“Your Majesty,” the priest said grimly, “the King of Livovny will soon pass away.”
***
Euredian pondered on what the princess will be like when she becomes the queen at last. Will the smiles she often graced him and her family with become rare and few, just as it happened to him? The years had not been kind to both of them in their prime ages. But he knew she faced far worse things that he ever did in his lifetime. Perhaps the cruelty in her life is what will prepare her for the role of a monarch, a mother to the thousands of people in her homeland.
His mind then went to the current monarch of Livovny.
Euredian had yet to see the man ever since he stepped into Livovnyan soil. The Ministers were reluctant to expose the King to him, despite him being the man with the most divine energy in the land. But he tried to understand. Despite the fragile peace between them, he was a man who took away a man’s pregnant daughter and was at war with for pass a decade.
In the meantime, the one who catered to him and took care of all matters of the state was his remaining child.
Euredian once again looked to the Princess Regent and, this time, she turned to him, a small smile and barely-even-there twinkle in her eyes. He could see the exhaustion in her face, the face that longed for nothing more than to lay down and sleep. There was a tenseness in her shoulders that begged for rest and the heaviness in her eyes that wished to close.
He smiled at her. “I don’t recall such a behavior.”
A huff from her nose and a slight lift of her lips. Euredian could sense his son looking at them but he didn’t mind.
“Should we forget about what happened then, Euredian?” she whispered, voice so low, quiet, and soft that he wouldn’t have been able to hear it had the Archbishop of Livne not turned to the altar to prepare the communion.
Euredian’s breathing became short as he continued to look at her and she at him, her half-closed eyes so tempting yet innocent and her smile so sweet yet alluring.
Vanilla and roses.
He could smell her now, they were so close and the space between them felt warm. Later on, he would blame this for the summer sun that penetrated the open windows of the temple and reflected so beautifully on the woman before him.
His lips felt so dry and he noticed how Yerenika’s lips went downward for a brief moment before returning them to his eyes, to which he did not know what she was seeing. Euredian’s mind churned for a response before he finally opened his mouth to her.
“No.” his voice was just as quiet as hers. “No, we should not forget.”
That right then, was when she was far more brilliant than any sun he could be under and he felt like he was burning. Strangely and yet not at the same time, Euredian didn’t mind.
***
They roamed the Temple grounds, bowing their heads or waving their hands in greeting those who cheered and shouted for them. Ahead of them were the playing Princess Brigitte, her childhood friend Alexio Cardi, and their new member, Dekalb. Euredian almost snorted at how his son played a game of tag so seriously, as though he was hunting with his grim face despite running like a child.
“Your relationship with Dekalb is so wonderful.” She said to him, her hand on the curve of his elbow as he escorted her in their walk.
Euredian felt a lump in his throat as he continued to look at the silver-haired boy who laughed – laughed – as he finally managed to place his hand on Alexio’s back. It felt so good to see him in this state and he could almost forget the stone-faced eleven-year-old child whose eyes would always narrow at the sight of him. He could almost forget that his son was a prince, and was just a boy who rediscovered the smile he had in his toddler years.
“I hope it would last.” He confessed, though not giving much to the Princess. “I almost hope that he would never grow.”
“I know the feeling.” She grinned brightly when her niece ran back to her excitedly. “I also wish the same for Brigitte.”
The little red-haired princess presented a bunch of daffodils and dandelions, flowers commonly found yet beautiful all the same. The Princess Regent let go of his arm as she bent down to receive her niece, kissing her cheeks and carrying her in her arms as she stood up straight once more.
“You’re getting heavier for me, my love.” The Regent whispered to her ear, but Euredian heard it still with his proximity to the duo. “Soon, I will not be able to carry you.”
“It’s alright.” The heir to Livovny declared. “I’ll just be the one to carry you instead!”
Yerenika chuckled at her niece and Euredian smiled at them. He watched as his niece handed her the messy boquet. Her aunt graciously accepted it with one hand while the other carried the little princess.
“Thank you, my dear.” She said fondly, kissing the plump and rosy cheeks before her letting her down and letting her run back to her friends. She kept the small bouquet in her hand while her right returned to its place in Euredian’s arm.
“She’s a good child.” He told Yerenika. “I’m happy that the war and what happened to her parents had not diminished her smile, nor spoiled much of her childhood.” He confessed to the woman beside him. Euredian had much to atone for, and the happiness of the little princess born in his palace walls was one of the things he must ensure.
“I’ve always thought that I would be insufficient for her.” She confessed to him all the same, shoulder nearing to rest on his shoulder like the night they spent two days ago. “But seeing her like this somehow reassures me.”
She then stopped in her steps which forced Euredian to do the same. Some steps away, both their guards and the ministers who decided to follow them – while chatting amongst themselves – followed their halting. Euredian looked down in confusion at the sudden standstill but waited for her to compose whatever it is she wished to say.
“Euredian.” She called and Euredian faced her, but kept sure that her hand would still be on him in case they began to walk once again.
“Your Royal Highness?” she looked up at him and he blinked before realizing what she wanted. Clearing his throat and suppressing his embarrassment, he minimized the volume of his voice. “Yerenika?”
Her hand lowered from his elbow to his wrist and he blinked in surprise at her bold movement. His burgundy eyes peeked to the side where some crowds were and where their official companions were. Fortunately, they kept to themselves to ensure some privacy between them and the eyes of the Temple goers were blocked by them.
“I know Dekalb had not had the happiest years.” Euredian flinched at her words and her grip on him tightened. “I don’t blame you for that, believe me.”
Euredian did not respond and instead held his head low in shame. Yerenika stepped closer to him and angled her head for him, as though begging him to look at her and he did. He saw the sadness in her eyes, and yet the small glimpse of hope.
“You and I, we both have these children looking up to us. Both of us aren’t perfect, and both of us have often neglected them. Yet despite this, may I ask something so selfishly and impudent?”
For a moment, Euredian thought that she would ask for a formal betrothal between Dekalb and Princess Brigitte, and he did not know what to say if she did indeed push forward, if this was what she was asking him of. As a king, he would have taken this opportunity to cement ties between their two nations. But selfishly, he did not want to ruin this delicate relationship he just had built with Dekalb. What would his son say to him? How would he look at him? Would he think that he just dragged him to a foreign country to be sold in marriage?
But no, he was mistaken. Of course, he was.
“Promise me,” her hand lowered and Euredian blinked at the childish gesture of their smallest fingers twisting with one another. “Promise me that you will always love him, cherish him, and keep him by your side. Yet should something happen, never close your eyes and never surrender.”