~Neev Heart~
Queen Neev went to see her father for the first time in donkey years. Xerxes was leading the way, behind her was Orion and Marcellus. The guards opened the door and Xerxes gestured her in, shooting her a cool charming smile. Niamh smiled back and walked in. For some reasons, her heart was thumping hard as she sighted the back view of Orleans Sullivan, her beloved father. His silver hair falling neatly on his shoulders and he was dressed like the nobles in the kingdom. She felt a sudden wave of euphoria seeing him just standing there.
"Father" she called, taking gentle strides towards him. He turned, hearing that soft voice he'd longed for. Just to see his beloved daughter smiling at him. Most of all, she's a queen.
"Neev Heart" his deep voice echoed in the room. They stood there, just staring at each other as of one of them will disappear when they look away. Neev breathed out and jumped into his embrace.
"Father, I missed you. I missed you so much father!" She shut her eyes as streams of years rolled down her cheeks.
"I missed you too, Neev Heart" he reciprocated, inhaling the fresh scent of her silver hair and they disentangled.
"Your beauty increases in thousand folds when I was away" he cupped her cheeks, not forgetting to compliment her. "You've grown so big" he added.
"It's been 4 years father. Awn-yah was just 13 then" Niamh stated.
"Right, I was going to get you a gift for your 18th nameday but I suddenly can't remember what happened. When you shot me with an arrow on the battlefield, I saw you and like a flood, my memories flowed in my brain. So, I recognized you before I passed out. And now, I found myself in the Moon Realm. The most surrealistic thing that ever happened is that my daughter is a queen" Orleans narrated.
"I've always blamed myself for your disappearance. If it wasn't my birthday, you wouldn't have left, you wouldn't have disappeared. After four years of not being able to find you, just to discover that it was Damien who took you. He captured men and possesses them with demons so, they can't remember anything even after they are purified"
"But it's now over since Develdion is no more" she added and he nodded curtly.
"I'm proud of you Neev Heart...sorry, my queen" Lord Sullivan bowed briefly.
"Nay father! Call me Neev Heart!" Neev protested and hugged her father. Lord Sullivan chuckled and hugged her back.
Queen Niamh went to see the captured Develdions who retreated. Since Damien is dead, the Demons they are possessed with disappeared willingly. Niamh stood tall in front of the two hundred men. She urged them to swear their loyalty to her in exchange of shelter and reunion with their families, if they had any. Of course, it was a good treat since none of them can remember what has happened. They all swore their loyalty to her, bowing while Neev kept her promise.
After that, she went to see Vladimir. How he disappeared in his own case was... Four years ago...it was morning but Vladimir was still sleeping soundly. Damien appeared from nowhere and shape shifted into Vladimir making Vladimir fall into a deep slumber. And so, it was Damien that was acting like Vladimir untill he got bursted by prince Lansel.
(Go back to chapter thirteen if you don't remember).
Vladimir is now extremely happy to see Niamh.
"You..you are now a Queen?" He stuttered rhetorically even after seeing it for himself. Niamh nodded with a smile.
"Does that mean you are m..m.. married?" He asked again. Somehow, he felt something when he said 'married'. He'd always liked Neev but she only sees him as her 'childhood friend' and now, she's married to a powerful King, there's no way he could have her. It took a while before Niamh replied with a 'yes'. She knows Vladimir liked her a lot and she felt a little bad for him now that she's married.
"A lot of things actually happened, I can't even explain" Niamh tried calming him down. Vladimir took a step forward and leaned down. His hazel eyes were pinned on Niamh's silver ones.
"Why did you save me then?" Niamh was taken aback by his question.
"You shouldn't have saved me. You never had idea of how I'll feel. Sleeping for eternity is better than getting hurt by you Neev!" Pain was evident in his eyes and voice as he heaved up and down. Niamh gasped and moved backwards when her back hit a strong chest. She turned to see Lansel glaring at her. No, not her but Vladimir. He took a step forward, his cold sea green eyes never leaving Vladimir.
"If you prefer sleeping for eternity, go back to sleep. She is my woman and there's nothing you can do about it" Lansel's voice sounded like call of death as Vlad shuddered, contrary to his hard expression. Lansel grabbed Niamh's waist and pulled her closer to himself.
"If you dare disrespect my queen or act stupid...the Moon of the Dead will gladly welcome you"