Queen Era: The Monster I Love - Chapter 115
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CHAPTER 115
“Come in.”
There was no response save for the creaking and opening of the big doors as two persons stepped in.
Quickly he sat up, his heart racing in his chest, just waiting to uncover that which had been waited on for a while now.
He was dying silently to see for himself. He so much needed and wanted to confirm this thing himself.
“My Lord, it is I the wager.”
“Yes, take further steps in,” he commanded and in the darkroom, all he could see was their forms.
It was not until he moved over to the side and lit some of the candlesticks in the room did he get a clear view of what was happening.
As he had expected, it was the wager and a small girl. Although one could not tell so much about the difference in gender since her head was covered with a black cloth to prevent people from seeing her.
Domino did not say anything but a simple nod of his head told Damian that his parcel was ready.
Smiling triumphantly, he moved towards them and when he got close enough, he stopped in his tracks and nodded at Domino.
Taking the initiative, Domino dipped in his head a bit and then helped her out of her confines, by removing the hood of her head.
At first, she did not open her eyes and kept her head lowered, too scared as to where she might have been taken to.
Noticing the fiddling of her fingers, Damian smiled a bit and took another step closer to her. “Young one, do not be scared and look up.”
Although his voice was deep the calmness of it made her feel rest assured like her father was the one who spoke to her.
After a minute of hesitation, she finally lifted her head and looked up at him.
The second his eyes laid on her full face, his jaw dropped as his eyes went wide with shock.
At that same time, the words in the letter resounded in his mind again but even that did not tell exactly what he saw.
Staring right before him was the exact carbon copy of the queen.
It took him some time to get himself together, especially with the complicated and confused look with which she looked at him.
“Umm, thank you. You may excuse us for now, please.”
“Yes my Lord.”
Adhering to his words, he turned around and headed the way he came in, leaving the young girl to Damian. Once Damian was sure they were alone, he averted his gaze back to her and smiled.
“Now young lady, do you mind telling me your name?”
“I do not think that is safe.”
0_0
“Safe?”
“Yes.”
“Why would you say that?”
“You know her right? From the shock on your face when you saw me, you know her and you know who I am.”
“And if you believe so, then you must know that it is safe to tell me your name.”
“I do not know. I…”
“Look. Trust me. Okay, I know with what you must have been through, it would be hard to trust anyone but can you trust me?”
“Perhaps.”
“Thanks. My name is Damian.”
“He called you my Lord. Meaning you must be one of Vidor’s men.”
“You are quite knowledgeable, young one. How old are you?”
“Nine.”
“Wow. Okay, you are right. I am one of his men but I was not one of those who marched on your kingdom and brought it to ruins.”
“And how do I know that?”
“You won’t know but you would have to trust my word. If I was wicked, my men would have long killed you or you would be marching to the palace to meet the king now.”
Not saying anything further, Eleora looked down. The thought of what had happened to her people resurfaced in her head.
“I know it must have hurt so much and it was so hard for a little girl to survive and run all the way here on her own. You must have been scared.”
“No. I was thought not to be afraid.”
“And that is brave. Anyways, I know your sister, Era, Queen of Etheria.”
“Is…” her voice broke but she managed to look up at him, to be sure he wasn’t going to lie to her. “Is, she alive?”
“Very and that was because I saved her from trying to end her life.”
“What?” Her lips quivered in fear. Her parents had hoped that with Era there was hope. Who would have thought that even when Vidor did not take her life, Era wanted to end it?
“Yes. The fear and the thought that she has lost you all was too much for your sister to bear and so she thought to end it but luckily, she survived. I know she would be glad to see you. She sent me here.”
“She did?”
“Yes. The queen would feel more alive now.”
“I want to see big sister Era please.”
‘Yes, yes, I would take you to see her but we would have to be discrete. Now, would you please tell me your name?”
“It is Ora. Eleora.”
“Alright, Eleora. For now, we would have to… No, I cannot send you back to be with the other refugees. I know I have spies among my men and I cannot afford for them to see you and report. You leave with me today.”
“To where?”
“To see Era, Your highness. From today, anyone who asks you, your name is Ora. We would need to hide you and not allow your enemies to see you okay?”
“Okay.”
Looking ahead of her Damian allowed his gaze to trail off into the distance. He could only imagine, think of the possibility and the happiness that would fill up Era upon seeing her baby sister again.
***
Meanwhile, Era tried her best to avoid her supposed husband to the best of her abilities but fo only she knew it wouldn’t be long again until he came for her.
On the other hand, Caspian and Diona kept things on a low key. The insult the latter had received because of his daughter was on another level and he was not willing to make it a habit.
“Father,” Diona called out, standing to her feet as well.
“Yes dear, what is the matter?” Caspian asked while fixing his gaze on the work on his table.
“Everything is the matter. Don’t you see, you are losing to her. Some of our ministers and Lords have changed sides. They no longer come to see you as before and neither rare they coming to report things to you.”
“Oh my, Diona. Let those scoundrels go if they wish to. The last thing I need is ungrateful bastards ruining my day.”
“But father, you should make them pay, you know you need them as well. You need to make them fear you for all they are worth.”
“I know but now is not the time.”
“Then when is the time, huh? All I see is his majesty getting close to Era and that alone is sickening. How can he want her now? Is he blind to see that her people are treacherous?” She took a closer walk to his table and crossed her arms before him.
“For now, Vidor s starting to see things for himself and not through my eyes. We need a case to build back our trust that is hanging by the thread.”
“If you ask me, he has gotten soft.” She slammed her hand down against the table to not only get his attention but to show him her clear displeasure.
Looking up to see his annoyed daughter, Caspian rubbed at the space between her eyebrows.
“You should be thankful that he’s getting soft came at the point where you defiled his order. If not the Vidor I know would have had your head for disobeying him and given it to me in a gift box.”
Just listening to his explanation, Diona felt a bit scared. She had to admit when he marched on stage, she could feel the eerie feeling of danger exuding from his aura.
“So rather than run your mouth before me, think about lying low if you still cherish your life. We lost, we must know when to strike back.”
“But that would be when? First, he married her, we thought taking care of her people would make him kill her but no. We now have a guilty king who is trying to fix things.”
“Exactly why we must lie low. If really he is feeling guilty and he has not yet taken it out on us, then he must not hate us entirely and there is still hope or he is planning something.”
“Then use your wisdom father. Figure out and find out what is going on through Vidor’s mind before we fall further because I would not stand for going down.”
“I have heard you. And you, work on your plan. This time, it has to be flawless without any obstacle or failure. No hiccups. Understood?”
“Understood.. You just get us back up and I would ensure she dies.”