Queen Era: The Monster I Love - Chapter 103

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CHAPTER 103 – Meeting The Kids Again.

Just as Era had said, when it was already getting dark, she and Aeverie set out to ride for the house where the children stayed.

On getting there, they highlighted quickly, removing the things they carried with them for the children along with them.

Rather than rushing in like Aeverie has begun to do, Era stood still, taking in the lovely sight before her.

It has been more than three months since she last set foot in that courtyard and now she could only imagine how grown those kids must have become.

Just thinking about it was more than enough to bring tears into her eyes.

Things had really changed and more things were added to the playground for them. Without being told she knew whose doing it was.

“Lord Damian did keep his word,” Era mentally noted as she stared ahead. It was a good change. “I am happy they had someone there for them. That reminds me, I should be expecting news from him any day from now.”

She let out a soft sigh. Her heart had begun to thud loudly in her chest and she knew why it did.

If what Lord Damian had said was indeed true, then all hope was not lost. Her sister remained and that spelt hope fr her people.

She could raise her secretly here and one day, she would have someone to continue ruling her people.

Just looking around, she knew her sister would love it.

“It may not be like the palace but it is a nice change and Emerald would be glad that she has little ones. Haha, ones that mum didn’t give to her again.”

Speaking of her mother, her smile dropped and sadness returned to not just her face but her heart. Luckily for her, that was the time Aeverie called out to her.

“Your majesty,” Aeverie whispered, getting her attention back. “You cannot be out in the cold for long. Please come in.”

“I know.” She blinked, trying her best to smile and blink every forthcoming tear away. “Do not mind me. I am just enjoying the scenery. It has been long, you know,” Era whispered back as she strode towards Aeverie.

“I know. But please it isn’t nice. Besides, you have lots of catching up to do with the children. Let us hurry,” Aeverie chided her a little bit and when she got up the small stairs to where she was, shook her head at her.

“I think it would be better and preferable if you go in first, Aeverie. I would come in later. I want to prepare their hearts for my coming first. Let’s not overly surprise and overwhelm them.”

“Okay. As you wish your majesty.”

“Oh and by the way, it is Ava,” she reminded her.

“Yes,” she smiled cutely at her. “Ava it is.”

Going in first, just as they had arranged, Aeverie made her way into the house and to her amazement, she met the children doing one or two things around the house.

Some were helping in arranging the house, sweeping as the case may be or even washing the dishes while the younger ones played around in the house.

Some decided to help out in the arrangement but on a closer look, it felt as though they were doing more to scatter it than to help out.

She chuckled where she stood. It really was a funny sight and Arya was obviously handling them well.

She looked past them to the dining area and saw that their plates were already set and all that remained was the food Arya was making for them.

All through she tried not to make a noise so as not to distract them from what they were doing, it did not help as her chuckle had caused their curious ears to be at alert.

The second they caught sight of her, they all stopped what they were doing and just like choristers waiting for the choir master’s signal and control, they called out her name.

“Aunt Aeverie!!”

Arya who was not expecting Aeverie to show up suddenly was startled by the shout the children made and got up from the stool she sat on to make their dinner.

Placing a hand on her chest as her poor heart began to thud with so much intensity, Arya blinked, opening her lips to let out the only sound she could think of. “Oh.”

Immediately the whole house was filled with their chatter as they all rushed from their various places towards her by the door to hug her.

“Aunt Aeverie. Welcome.”

“Aunt Aeverie, we missed you.”

“Aunt Aeverie, what took you long.”

“Aunty!”

“Aunty!”

The sounds and chat echoed everywhere, leaving Aeverie in a confused state as she did not know whom to answer or what to start with.

She was lucky enough that they had not fallen her from their earlier rush as she leaned down and pecked each one in turn.

“Aunty Aeverie, guess what, I aced my classwork today,” one of the children reported.

“So did I. I got full marks on my homework. Aunty Azzura put me through and now I know the math topic very well,” another reported.

“Interesting. I like that. Keep it up,” she praised them. “So, how have you all been?”

“We have been fine. You? It has been long, Aunty Avy and it isn’t fair. Do you not miss us?” Gabriel questioned.

She pried her lips open about to respond to the young lad when her gaze fell on Anna at a corner.

Unlike the chirpy children who were happy to see her, she did not get up and just sat down carefully folding the clothes they had watched on the chair as though nothing was happening behind her.

Aeverie looked up at Arya and saw the latter staring sadly at the young girl.

‘What has this young girl been suffering because of her majesty?’ Aeverie questioned within her.

Almost at the same time, Arya turned in her direction and their gaze met. She looked like she wanted to say something but refrained from doing so and tilted her head a bit to the side.

Aeverie sighed and pecked the children before her. “I’m coming.”

They all paved the way for her as they saw who she was looking at.

Everyone knew Anna had been like that most times when she was missing Era so seeing her act that way today was no new thing and they all watched to see if Aeverie could pull her out from that state.

On getting to where she sat, Aeverie took the next seat and sat close by, holding her hand while causing her to look away from the clothes in her hand and at Aeverie.

“Aunt…”Her cracked voice called out softly.

“Hey, little Anna. Why are you sitting here lonely and all by yourself?”

“I am not by myself. We were just folding the clothes, Selena and I.” As she spoke, she turned around to indicate who her partner was when she noticed there was no one there with them.

“I…I.” She stuttered a bit and when she noticed she was alone, Anna let out a deep sigh. “Well I, just wasn’t in for some fun and did not realize when the others had left.”

“I see. Well, they did. You need to stop with all these,” Aeverie advised.

“How? You had told me that in three months. After three months she would be back now but what do I get? Please do not tell me you have come here to deliver a message for a letter? I would not take it.”

Just watching her be stern was both encouraging yet tiring.

Aeverie sighed just watching her act tough whereas she was downright emotional about the whole issue.

“Anna.”

“No. I have waited just as she had said I should but what do I get? It is way over three months already and trust me it isn’t fair.”

“But Anna…”

“No buts, Aunty Aeverie. I have waited. We all have. All we ask is to see her and be sure by ourselves that she is okay. She made a promise you know.”

At the last sentence, her voice broke and when she looked at Aeverie the tears she had been fighting in suddenly let loose and she began to cry

“Oh, Anna.”

“No. I miss her. Why is she being selfish? Doesn’t she know that we care about her? I want to see her already. I want to see Ava. She promised she would not leave me.”

Aeverie was even fighting so hard to hold her own tears inside. If only little Anna knew that Era was outside, perhaps she would not cry or hurt like this so much.

She was tempted to tell the little one that Era was outside but she could disobey her queen and do such a thing so all she could do at the moment was brace up.

“I want her.. She made me a promise. I need to see her!”