The next day, Eve find themselves back in the diamond castle. She sat on her white bed with furry white rug. There was a small bird cage hanging near the balcony. Her room had small, round diamond tables and chairs which is connected to the floor and glittery chandeliers on top of them.
Eve was about to go to the dining hall for breakfast when she gasped at the sight of the Khalid staring daggers at her at her door. He looks furious.
"Khalid! What are you doing in my room?" She ask frantically while cupping her chest to calm her speeding heart beat.
"I should be the one asking the question! Where did you go?"
Eve looks flustered and answered him, "Just, walking around the garden outside and around the castle. Nowhere important."
"I am not a fool, Eve. I am your personal knight. It is my duty to know your whereabouts and take care of you. You can't keep doing this. Making me scared if something bad were to happen to you."
Eve scowled ta him, feeling annoyed, "I am alright, Khalid. You don't have to be worried about me! Please, I need you to leave my room now because I'm going to dining room to eat. You are making me frustrated now!" She raised her voice lightly.
Khalid approach her and knelt down. Eve jumped back but not before he look down at her shoes she ad wore last night.
Dammit!
"Black dirt, not from Zhatiera and smell of Elnysia flower. You went to the forest didn't you?"
Eve eyes widen, confirming Khalid's doubt, "Why would you do that? You could get yourself hurt! I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you, princess! Why did you do something so stupid?" He shouted angrily. She flinched at his angry tone but she understands where that anger came from.
"Please, Khalid. It's not what you think. I didn't go too deep. I was just resting there, nothing much. You can't tell anyone. Not papa, not mama. Not to anyone. I beg of you."
He clenches his hand and shook his head.
"No, I can't do that, Eve. This is very important and I would never lie to the king and queen. What you did is reckless and will possibly endanger you or Zhatirea. You and everyone here are not allow to step outside for a reason. It is to protect you!"
"But I will be queen one day too. Wouldn't it be right for me to observe th eland around us, learn about its origin or stories? I beg of you, Khalid. You're my friend aren't you? You can't tell them. Or else I won't be able to visit the forest again."
"Again?" His voice escalates once more. Eve rolled her eyes as she regretted for ever mentioning about that.
"You are out of your mind. I have to tell them, Eve. It's the only way I can stop you from going."
Khalid was about to leave but Eve, with tears wetting her cheeks pull his hand and hug him from behind.
"Please, Khalid. Please, please, please! I beg of you. You can't tell them. Oh, please don't do this!" She cried out to him. Khalid turn around to face her. His heart broke to see her cry but it was important to let her know that she had made a mistake that should not be repeated anytime soon,
Khalid turn around and shook her shoulder making her cry harder, "Why? Why are you so stubborn? What is it about the forest that makes you acting like a fool? Why Eve, why?"
"Because I have found my soulmate!" She cried out. Khalid eyes widen at her words. He looked shocked and in disbelief. Even Eve was shock for blurting her secret out. Khalid wasn't supposed to know. None of her people should know because no one has mated with an outsider before. It was a grave danger for their kinds if people were to know about their existence..
"You are lying right? Tis' only a joke you are saying to me? Tell me, Eve. Tell me!" HE shook her shoulder harder making her winced. She pushes him away and shook her head from side to side.
"I'm not lying. I found him. The meadow deep in Kyarakhi forest, I always go to see him. He told me that I was his mate. This is what the Goddess have planned for us, Khalid. I_"
"Mate? Why would you say mate? The only creature that would use that term are…No! It can't be, Eve! A wolf? Are you out of your mind? You are making a grave mistake! Our kind must not be involved with those beast."
"No, Khalid. I love him and he loves me! Please. You can't tell anyone about this."
Khalid moves backward. He can feel his body becoming weak all of a sudden as he leans on the thick icy wall. Suddenly, a voice form outside Eve's room can be heard calling to her. Eve's eyes rested on the door and Khalid repeatedly. She went to the door before saying. "Please, Khalid. You can't tell my parents. I'm not ready yet. Please. I will let them know once I settle everything. Please, just give me more time." She pleaded to him then left the room.
Khalid just stare ahead for a while before falling to his knees as he sat on the floor. He had a grim expression, but tears start to fall. He didn't cry out nor he scream but he was silent and looking ahead with tears wetting his cheek.
It shatters him to know that Eve has found her soulmate. It can be either a Zhatierians or wolf, it doesn't matter because he had wish. No, prayed he would be her soulmate. He had wanted to ask the king and queen for her hand in marriage but now, none of this matters anymore. Once a Khione fall in love, that feeling won't change no matter who it is. Her decision has become a nail to his coffin.