Meiron was shocked to hear her ask such a question though to anyone else, he looked only mildly surprised as he merely gave a slight lift of his eyebrows and slightly widened eyes.
"Well, as you remember, unlike the Prince you had already told me of your plans to run away beforehand and it gave me quite some time to cope with it. Though deep inside I...even after so long, I still feel the pain. The pain of that day when you told me that we...cannot see each other anymore and we wouldn't be seeing each other for a long time."
She suddenly remembers that day as he mentions it. She remembers asking for Meiron to meet her in the royal gardens. The place where they both met. She remembers tears streaking down her face as she explains that even though she still loved him, they cannot be together anymore and that it would be better if they wouldn't see each other as lovers again.
Remembered how confused, heartbroken and desperate Meiron was. Asking her if he did anything to upset her and that he would change if it was something that he did. She had sadly shook her head.
"It's not any of your fault, Meiron. I love you still, I truly do. It's just that fate has given us goals and wants that are on the opposite sides of the shore. I want to leave, and you would like to stay. But, know this my love. You will always have a piece of my heart forever more."
To this day, the heartbroken expression on Meirons face still haunts her. She sighed and tried to rid of herself of that sad memory, listening intently as Meiron continued to tell his side of the story.
"I kept myself busy as a way to cope with my heartbreak. And thankfully, time has helped relieve the pain, though to be completely honest with you Ervea, it would take longer for the pain to be completely gone."he said as he stared at her with absolute sincerity, fondness and heartache.
Most people wouldn't normally read his expressions and would just say that Meiron is an emotionless man. She knew better than them though. She knew how to read the slight yet unmistakable crinkling at the corner of his eyes, the momentary twitch or downward turn of his lips.
All the little details that prove that Meiron was an emotional, caring man underneath.
"Yes. I...I also took a long time to cope with things. After I had left the castle, it took sometime for me to adjust with living alone and far from the people that i care about. Though I would also like to apologize to you Meiron, for hurting you."
Meiron sadly smiled at her. A slight upturn of the edge of his lips and his eyes, so painfully kind as he spoke.
"You shouldn't be, Ervea. It was something that had to be said and done. You were right. Fate in all its cruelty, had given us goals that required us to be apart. Besides, I am just thankful that you would even welcome me once more even if it's just as a friend."he clasped Erveas hand gently and she couldn't withhold giving him another embrace.
They talked for what seemed like hours more, catching up with one another. Ervea told him about her wonderfully shy, curious and occasionally stubborn yet bright employee Naera. He also told her of his tales as well of how he encountered a troll when he was outside the walls, separated from his fellow knights.
Before long, they had lost track of time and they both realized that it was late in the afternoon. A few more hours before her dinner with the king. Meiron bid her farewell before she was called to prepare as it was best they wouldn't be seen with each other.
"Thank you so much Meiron for visiting me. It was truly a delight."
Meiron smiled. And this time it was a full, closed lip smile.
"It was a delight for me as well, Ervea."
He was going to head out and close the door behind him when Ervea stopped his hand from closing the door as it was placed on the doorknob and before Meiron could speak another word, she kissed him lightly on the cheek.
She smiled sadly at him without uttering a word. And with that, she closed the door herself, leaving a shocked Meiron at her doorstep. She took a seat at the chair near her bed and put her hand on her forehead.
Trying to steele herself not to cry. She stood up and dusted her dress even though it was immaculately clean, and went to the closet, preparing for her dinner with her uncle.
She was pacing in the room when another knock came on her door. It was a maid, a few maids in fact. They curtsied and told her that they were tasked to help her prepare for her dinner with the king. Though they were surprised to see that she had already worn the gown in the closet and was already trying to fix her hair by herself.
The maids insisted that they do the rest and she relented as she let them fuss over her hair and makeup. After they were done, a knock was heard on her door once more. The maids opened it and revealed a servant tasked to escort her to the royal dining room. She took a deep breath and followed him after she thanked the maids.
Before long, they had finally arrived at the dining room. Two servants opened the doors of the dining room, revealing a large chandelier with a long, marble table underneath. The room was also surrounded by large windows with red velvet curtains parted so the full moon could be seen in all its glory.
The only ones sitting on the long, marble table was her uncle and cousin who both greeted her warmly.
"My, my Ervea! Look how much you've grown! You've become a beautiful lady in such time."her uncle said as he smiled at her.
She smiled back and curtsied.
"Its pleasing to see as well that my charming uncle doesn't seem to age."her uncle laughed heartily at her.
King Erenth had the same sapphire blue eye color as her cousin but his hair and beard was as white as snow from old age. He was in jolly mood and was truly delighted to see his niece after so long.
"Well then, let's sit down and eat!"