Queen Era: The Monster I Love - Chapter 124

*************

CHAPTER 122

Throwing her hands in the air, Era voiced out her displeasure, “I am not starting anything. I am only asking a question. Gee.”

“I know. Anyways. I saw how you turned cold to his majesty. My guess, your outing did not end well.”

“Not really.”

“Ah. I see. I am sorry about that.”

“Nah, it is fine. I am over it now.”

“Are you sure? It was your first date with the king and yet he made you angry and caused you to cry.”

“I am fine. Something happened and I recalled my family and kingdom.”

“Oh, I am sorry. Okay, let’s not talk about it then. Since you said you are fine, I would take your word for it. Now, let us prepare you for bed. Tomorrow would be a new day for you.”

Era smiled, seeing how she was trying her best to make her feel okay. “Thanks, Aeverie,” Era voiced out, causing Aeverie to look at her, stopping briefly on what she was going to do.

“Anytime, your majesty.”

“Oh, baby the way have you seen Lord Damian anywhere around? Perhaps he has returned from…”

She took a pause, realizing that it was just herself and Damian that had the discussion and Aeverie knew nothing of it.

“Returned from where your grace?”

“Umm, nothing. If you see him, just let me know. There is something I want to discuss with him.” She put on her best smile to reassure Aeverie.

“Hmm, if you say so. I would keep an eye out for him. Now if there is nothing, I would prefer you go to bed early.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

“Anytime. Now, in you go.” She unfolded the blankets and used them to cover Era as she snuggled up close to her pillow to fall asleep.

However, just before Aeverie finished tucking her in, they heard a knock on the door, pulling both f their attention towards it and then back ta them.

“I should send the person away?”

“No, answer it and let us see. Who knows, it might be important and we do not want to delay it if it really is.”

“As you wish, your grace.” Adhering to her words, Aeverie made her way to the door and opened it. To her surprise, it was a guard that stood before her.

He did not look familiar like the normal palace guard but different.

At first, she narrowed her eyes at him, accessing and checking him out from head to toe. “Can I help you?”

“Uh, sorry. Good evening, my lady. Please I have an urgent message for her majesty.”

Hearing this, Era sat up and strained her ears to hear more.”

“Umm, tell me and I would deliver it to her.” She was not about to just be trusting and let anyone into the queen’s room.

But on second thought, when she caught sight of his crest on the arm of his uniform, her eyes widened a bit.

“I am sorry, my lady, but my Lord gave strict orders not to tell anyone this but her majesty.”

“When you say your Lord, you mean, Lord Damian?”

“Yes, my Lady.”

“Fine.”

Before she could speak further, she heard Era’s voice ring out. “Let him in.”

“Definitely.” Smiling a bit, Aeverie stepped to the side and allowed the guard inside the room before closing the door behind them and locking it.

“Good evening, your majesty.”

“Evening.”

Luckily for her, her nightwear robe was close by, so she quickly wore it before he entered and covered herself up. “Yes, what is your news?”

He gulped first, then cast a side glance at Aeverie, which Era clearly saw and understood his hesitation.

“You can speak freely. I trust her with my life.”

Hearing those words from Era herself, he nodded and half knelt. “My Lord asked me to tell you this.” He took in another deep breath and the next words that fell out of his mouth were indeed what Damian had said.

Era knew because she knew how Damian would speak.

“Your majesty, that which you asked that I checked, has been confirmed. Come to the same place where we met previously. The eye of the palace and you will see. Come alone or come with her only.”

“Really?”

“Yes, your majesty. Those were his words.”

“Thank you. I would be there. You may leave.”

Not understanding what was going on, Aeverie looked at the duo, puzzled by what was going on.

The guard nodded his head, stood up and exited the chambers quickly.

As soon as he left, Aeverie bolted the door again and rushed up to where Era sat down on her bed and looked at her.

“Your grace, what is going on?”

“I knew your eager and curious ears would not let you relax.”

“Please tell me.”

She placed a finger on her lips and hushed Aeverie. “Shhh.” Nodding her head, Aeverie did not say anything and waited patiently.

“I guess, you would have to see for yourself then. Quick, get me a gown and my cloak. I need to hurry.”

“Yes, your grace.”

***

Within a few minutes, they had already left her room and headed for where Damian had asked her to meet him. She tried as much as possible to be discrete, moving in the shadows to prevent prying eyes from following her.

And by the time they got there, she took in a deep breath when she saw the silhouette of a person where they met.

“Your grace, this place looks…”

“I know,” she raised her right hand, cutting her short. “But it is the safest place to see something such as this. Let’s go and let go of your fear. It is still a haunted place. I speak from experience.”

Nodding her head in understanding, Aeverie followed closely behind her, turning her head to the back and sides every now and then.

As soon as they entered the place, Era let out another breath, brought both hands together in front of her and spoke.

“I am here.”

“Glad you are because my lips are itching.” Saying that he stepped away from the dark and came out to the open, under the bright moonlight so she could see his face.

“Lord Damian.”

“Your majesty, I am glad you did not fall into the same trap as before.”

“Haha. I did not. Anyways, I am here and so is Aeverie.”

“My Lord,” Aeverie greeted, stepping to the side of Era so he could see her.

“My Lady.” Not saying much, he peeled his gaze away from Aeverie and back to Era.

“Your majesty that which you asked that I checked, had been confirmed. It is her. I saw it with my eyes and just as the letter said, the uncanny resemblance. There is no doubt.”

For a moment there, Era closed her eyes. She had waited for this day to come. The day she could see her and be with her again.

“She is here.” Turning his body a bit, he looked behind him and called out more loudly than he had earlier spoken. “You may come out now. She is here.”

After saying that, a minute passed and then they saw a small shadow move towards them in the dark.

BADUM! BADUM!

Instantly, Era’s heartbeat increased as she fumbled with her gown while silently waiting, praying, hoping, wishing.

She did not want to allow her emotions to get the best of her, so she tried not to speak but the second the small shadow stepped into the open and the moonlight displayed on her face, Era’s jaw dropped a bit.

Seeing her, Damian stepped to the side, allowing her to take his place and stood by his side for a better view.

In the same vein, Aeverie who had not been understanding what was going on was shocked to see the young girl standing before them.

If she was not there herself, she might not have believed but one look at those blue eyes like the sky, her nose, lips, mouth and facial structure, all reminding one of peculiar beauty.

‘Her majesty in a small form.’ Aeverie thought as she averted her gaze to her side to look at Era.

To her surprise, the queen had a look of shock, gladness, sadness all on her face and one thing ached her heart on all this.

The second Era’s eyes began to tear up and the tears escaped freely but she still did not say or do anything and stood rooted in place.

“Your majesty, I present to you, her royal highness, Princess Eleora Elrad.”

Even before Damian could finish his words, Era took the first step and closed the gap between Eleora and herself, pulling her in for a big hug.

“Ah!” What had started as relief laughter, soon turned into a cry as Eleora too joined Era in her cries.

“It is you. It is you. Eleora, my love and my blood. Oh my God. I am so sorry,” Era consoled amidst tears.

“Era.. I was scared.”