Eveloria stepped into the garden, greeted by the lush greenness of the grass and the cool, refreshing air. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, creating a symphony of nature around her. She clasped her hands in front of her, taking in the serene atmosphere. The scent of the recently watered lawn wafted through, soothing her senses. Inhaling deeply, she closed her eyes briefly, savoring the moment.
Above, the moon shone like a radiant pearl against the velvety black sky. Eveloria's eyes slowly opened as she looked up, her gaze fixed on the celestial beauty. Starlight cascaded down, creating an ethereal glow that illuminated her silhouette. A sense of tranquility washed over her, as if the night had brought a calmness that was hard to put into words.
A flicker of movement caught her attention, and she turned towards it, her heart skipping a beat when she recognized the person standing there.
"Lilyana?" she breathed, surprise evident in her voice.
Stepping out from the shadows, Lilyana emerged with a serene smile. The wind rustled the leaves above, adding a delicate melody to the night. Her presence was like a beacon of familiarity and comfort.
"Hello there, crybaby!" Lilyana greeted playfully, her laughter dancing through the air. "What are you doing out here all by yourself, as usual?"
Lilyana Evergreen possessed a truly captivating appearance. Her long, straight platinum blonde hair cascaded down like strands of moonlight, reflecting a radiance that seemed almost otherworldly. Framing her face of delicate beauty were eyes the color of amethyst, captivating and enigmatic, hinting at depths of emotion beneath their surface. Even in the darkness, Lilyana's hair glowed with a silvery luminescence, a testament to her unique charm.
Lilyana and Eveloria shared a friendship that had its roots firmly planted in their childhood. However, there was a shadow of secrecy that enveloped their bond, one that the Ravenshield household didn't know about.
In the past, Lilyana's mother and Eveloria's mother had been close friends. When Eveloria's mother mysteriously vanished, Lilyana and her mother ceased their visits.
Despite the apparent distance, Lilyana's loyalty to Eveloria remained steadfast. The passage of time did not weaken their friendship; rather, it compelled them to find a way to sustain it in secret. Lilyana, driven by her undying bond with Eveloria, continued to seek her friend's company in clandestine visits.
"It's been two years, how do you always manage to appear like this?" Eveloria questioned, a playful pout on her lips as she muttered, "I'm not a crybaby."
Lilyana cast a cautious glance around before letting out a sigh that seemed to carry a mixture of relief and apprehension. With a determined look, she began to reveal her secret.
"Alright, I'll let you in on it," Lilyana started, her gaze fixed on Eveloria as if sharing something momentous. "You know that potion I've been tirelessly perfecting for all these years?"
Eveloria's curiosity was piqued, and she nodded eagerly.
"After years of relentless effort, I've finally achieved it!" Lilyana's voice was tinged with excitement as she moved about, her energy infectious.
Intrigued, Eveloria leaned closer. "So, what exactly does this potion do?"
Lilyana's smile grew, a hint of mischief glinting in her eyes. "It has the power to alter one's appearance—perfect for slipping past guards unnoticed." With a small gesture towards herself, she hinted at the effectiveness of her creation.
Eveloria's eyes widened with astonishment, her jaw slightly ajar as she looked at her friend. Lilyana simply beamed in response. "What's going on in your head, Eveloria? Why are you staring at me like that?"
"I thought they had magic-detection tools," Eveloria mused.
Lilyana waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, those are a breeze to counter."
Eveloria's curiosity grew. "Be honest, did you create this potion for me?"
A sly smile curved on Lilyana's lips. "Indeed, it's time for you to leave this... unpleasant place," she remarked with a hint of determination.
Eveloria's interest heightened. "Did you bring an extra potion?"
Lilyana hesitated, her hand diving into her pouch. She laughed nervously, her cheeks tinting with embarrassment. "About that..."
Eveloria's expression shifted from curiosity to mild exasperation. "You didn't, did you?"
Lilyana's grin persisted, slightly sheepish. "Nope, not this time."
Eveloria groaned and rolled her eyes
Lilyana's demeanor shifted to a more earnest tone. "Don't worry, the potion isn't perfect yet. My plan is to refine it until it can last for an entire year. After that year ends, all you need to do is apply it again, and the cycle continues." With a comforting pat on Eveloria's shoulder, Lilyana concluded her explanation.
"Visit me at my café in Glenhorn city," Lilyana suggested.
Eveloria pondered, realizing it was situated within Duke Thornblade's state, Thornridge. While not far from her home city, the situation was complicated since she wouldn't be allowed to leave the house until her marriage to Gavriel.
' What do I do? ' she mused.
"By the way, isn't that your half-sister?" Lilyana added, drawing Eveloria's attention to a girl who bore a striking resemblance to Briana. The girl was approaching a taller figure by the fountain, who turned out to be Gavriel.
Briana embraced Gavriel, wrapping her arms around his torso while he responded by gently encircling her waist. The scene played out before Lilyana and Eveloria's watchful eyes.
"Isn't Lord Gavriel supposed to marry you?" Lilyana stammered, her voice carrying a hint of nervousness that didn't escape Eveloria's notice.
Eveloria's brows furrowed, her expression betraying little surprise. 'This was somewhat expected,' she thought, her face an embodiment of calm indifference.
Lilyana's remark struck a chord. "First, Lord Ivan, now Lord Gavriel. You definitely need an escape from this situation," Lilyy commented, her gaze meeting Eveloria's. Both of them shared an understanding nod, their focus shifting to the conversation unfolding between Briana and Gavriel.
" You and my dearest half sister will be getting married soon. You're not going to abandon me , right? "
Briana's words held a softness as she pulled away from the embrace, looking up at Gavriel.
Gavriel's brows raised, his gaze locking onto Briana with an intense scrutiny that held a faint undercurrent of irritation. Briana, however, remained oblivious to the subtle change in his demeanor.
"Of course not," Gavriel's words were accompanied by a subtle smile as he reciprocated Briana's embrace.
As they shared a moment, a darker sentiment brewed within Briana. 'I will make sure Eveloria suffers in this marriage,' she silently resolved. Pulling away, she beamed at Gavriel, a gesture that seemed to convey more than words ever could.
In the midst of the scene, an idea struck Eveloria. "Lilyana, you should be on your way now."
"Indeed," Lilyana replied with a nod, her gaze fixed on Eveloria. "Take good care of yourself and come see me soon."
With her words spoken, Lilyana vanished into thin air, leaving Eveloria in contemplation.
"She can simply disappear whenever she wishes," Eveloria muttered to herself, a tinge of envy evident in her tone. 'Oh, how I wish I possessed such an ability,' she thought. Collecting her thoughts, she turned back towards the palace.
As she walked through the corridor, a realization dawned upon her. 'So, he doesn't intend to remain faithful,' Eveloria acknowledged. She couldn't help but feel a peculiar sense of gratitude towards Gavriel for presenting her with a final reason to escape this impending marriage.
A faint chuckle escaped her lips, which swiftly evolved into a full-blown, almost maniacal laughter. As her laughter echoed through the corridor, tears streamed down her face. She clutched her stomach, overcome with a mixture of both despair and amusement.
'This is absurd, utterly absurd! I'm surrounded by a pack of unfaithful individuals!' Her thoughts raced as the weight of her situation settled in. 'It's stifling, suffocating!' Her laughter grew even louder, her emotions finding an outlet in the uncontrollable mirth that enveloped her.
Her laughter erupted through the corridor, its echoes resonating through the palace halls. It wasn't long before the sound caught the attention of an unexpected listener - Ivan, who had remained absent from the ballroom.
Listening intently, he detected a shift in her laughter, a transition from amusement to something more disconcerting. Slowly, her laughter subsided into muffled screams and heavy sobs.
'Is that Eveloria?' Ivan wondered, his concern growing. Following the sound, he arrived at the source - Eveloria hunched figure on the floor.
Startled by the sight, Ivan didn't hesitate. He closed the distance and knelt beside her, gently placing a hand on her trembling shoulder. In a gesture of empathy, he pulled her into a tender embrace, letting her find solace in his presence.
As they sat together, the weight of her sobs reverberated through her slight frame, and Ivan held her with unwavering support.
'What could be the reason behind her distress?' Ivan contemplated, his thoughts drifting back to his conversation with Briana. A haunting suspicion began to form. 'Is it possible that I'm the cause?'
Concern etched across his features, he finally spoke, his voice calm and soothing. "Eveloria, are you all right?" He held her securely, his presence offering a shelter from whatever turmoil had brought her to this point.
"Ivan?" Amidst her tears, she whispered his name, a mixture of surprise and vulnerability in her voice. Her tear-stained cheeks and bloodshot eyes gazed up at him.
His heart clenched at the sight, and he tightened his hold on her. In that moment, he realized how much he wished he could wipe away her tears and ease her pain.
The corridor hung heavy with a poignant pause, interrupted only by the sound of their breaths. After several moments, Eveloria managed to steady her emotions. She gently withdrew herself from Ivan's embrace, creating a polite but noticeable distance between them.
"Why are you here?" Her voice, once tremulous with grief, now held an edge of formality. Ivan found himself taken aback by her abrupt shift in demeanor. Averting his gaze, he scratched the back of his head, struggling to meet her eyes.
"I just wanted to check if you were all right," Ivan responded, a trace of uncertainty in his tone. He wasn't accustomed to seeing her so composed after her earlier outpouring of emotion.
"I'm fine," came her flat reply. "Thank you for your concern. You may leave now." Her words were curt, leaving little room for further conversation.
For a moment, Ivan's mouth opened as if to protest, but he found himself silenced by a heavy sigh. Regret laced his expression as he muttered, "I'm so sorry."
Eveloria, now standing, turned to face him squarely. "For what?" Her tone was ice-cold, challenging him to meet her gaze.
Ivan looked at her, his eyes brimming with remorse. "For hurting you. I'm sorry for not noticing, for not being there when you needed someone." He bowed his head slightly, his apology sincere. "Please forgive me."
Eveloria's eyebrow arched, her skepticism palpable. "Do you believe that my tears are solely because of you?" Her voice held a touch of incredulity.
Ivan's gaze dropped to the floor, a hesitant nod his only response.
With a small, understanding smile, Eveloria shook her head. "No, Ivan. None of this is your fault. I don't resent you." Her voice softened, revealing a depth of empathy. "It's okay. We can't control matters of the heart."
A fleeting sense of relief swept over Ivan, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
Ivan's eyes locked onto hers, his lips parted, forming the beginning of his sentence, but before he could utter a word, Eveloria interjected.
"Just to be clear," she began, her voice firm but not unkind. "I want you to understand that I'm not interested in pursuing a romantic relationship with you anymore. Let's just keep our relationship platonic" Her gaze held his.
Ivan blinked, momentarily stunned by her declaration. "What?" he exclaimed, his surprise evident in his tone.
Eveloria quirked an eyebrow, repeating her words with a tinge of confusion. "What?"
Ivan's initial shock gave way to a sense of acceptance, and he offered a somewhat hesitant nod. "You...I guess that's alright. As long as I still get to be friends with you," he stammered, his voice tinged with a touch of disappointment that he couldn't fully conceal.
Eveloria turned on her heel, starting to walk away without waiting for his response. Ivan remained rooted in place, his gaze following her retreating figure as a mix of emotions swirled within him.
After a few minutes, Eveloria halted, her grip on composure momentarily faltering. She bit her lip, her voice a soft whisper as she looked back over her shoulder. "Goodbye, Ivan," she murmured, the words carrying a weight of finality.
Watching her walk away, Ivan grappled with the sense of loss and finality that hung in the air. He took a deep breath, a determined expression replacing the initial shock.
'It's the right choice,' Eveloria reasoned with herself as she continued walking, her steps carrying her toward her room.
With each step, she reminded herself, 'I need to let go of these feelings and move forward. After all, I have nothing else to lose anyways.'