11

I slowly stood and looked to the queen and king. I smiled towards them as I took a step back, "Thank you for your hospitality over the years, but it seems this is finally goodbye."

"Eva!" Asher yelled as he grabbed my hand again.

"Let go of my, Prince Asher."

"I can't let you leave! You are injured!"

I quickly pulled away from his grip, "Do you not understand what just happened?" I yelled, "Kana nearly killed you!"

"But you saved me!"

"He tried to kill you because he can tell that I feel much more for you than a friend should!" I hollered as I looked away, "If I don't leave he will stop at nothing to kill you and your family!" I sighed as I looked to the ceiling and took a moment, "I have asked Kana to make a deal with me. He has promised me that he will ensure the royal city's safety from Wielders."

"He couldn't have easily agreed to do that, Eva," The king argued, "What did you promise in return?"

I paused with fear, "It was a small request, sir, so it is not worth mentioning."

The king's eyes narrowed, "If it was something small in return, he would have not agreed to it."

I sighed, "He is actually the one who suggested the deal. Kana knew how much I cared for the humans of this area, so he just traded this city's safety in return for something he knew I would agree to. If it had been something large as a trade I would not have agreed."

The queen watched me, "He asked you to marry him, didn't he?"

I froze with shock, "How…?"

She shrugged, "I'm not sure why, but I just had a feeling it was that. I know you do not hold your own future in high regard and I know that Kana is deeply in love with you, so it made sense."

I looked to the ground, "My future is something I am willing to give up if it means all of you will be protected."

The queen took the king's hand in hers, "I have a selfish request."

"Yes?" She watched me, "I want you to allow Eva to stay with us for the two days of freedom she has left," Everyone turned to her in amazement. "Eva has proven time and time again that her loyalty is towards this family and city. She has never once tried to harm us."

"But she kept the fact that she is a monster a secret!" Gonen hissed with rage in his eyes.

"Gonen," The queen said with sternness in her voice, "Eva tried to hide that in order to protect all of our feelings and your feeling in particular," The queen stood tall. "Even when she was injured, upset, and confused, she still put our safety first. She protected Asher, even though she knew we could never fully accept her again. Regardless of the fact that she knew we were to now be sworn enemies, she put her own life at risk to protect us and for that she has my gratitude." The queen's gaze came to me again, "I believe that Eva is the bravest and most loyal person out of anyone I have ever met."

The king watched me, "I agree." He whispered, "Eva is still loyal to us even though she knows she shouldn't be. For that, I believe it would be wrong to force her away when she only has two days of freedom left. Eva will stay here for the next two days."

"I don't deserve such kindness, my king and queen!" I yelled as I looked to them with regret, "I am a monster!"

Everyone watched in shock as the queen came over and hugged me tightly against her, "It's alright, Eva. Regardless of your blood, we will accept you."

I shook as I grabbed onto the queen's dress, "Thank you," I whispered as I started crying again and leaned on the queen. "Thank you." I repeated but felt warmth when the queen rested her head on top of mine and stroked my hair.

"Rest assured, Eva, you are welcome in our home anytime regardless of what others think." The queen whispered to me before looking up to the others, "Noah, go get the doctor."

Noah ran out of the room as I clung to the queen. "My queen," I whispered and she looked to my teary face, "I also have a selfish request."

"What is it, my dear?"

I looked to my chest, "Could you go to Kairi's side? She needs someone to comfort her, but I cannot do it. She must be terrified of me after what I have done. Kairi needs motherly love and I cannot give that to her."

The queen sighed, "But you are her mother, Eva."

I nodded, "I am the mother who has put her through a hard life. I do not deserve Kairi as a child," I smiled slightly as my tears stopped. "She is the perfect child."

"I'm sure once she has had some time to sort things out you two will make up."

I shook my head, "If I was in her place I would not forgive me, so I do not expect forgiveness."

The doctor came in as the queen let go of me slightly, "The wound on your shoulder is opened?" He asked before slowly helping me to the medical room.

Early the next morning, I sat on the window sill of the piano room and watched the towns people going through their daily lives that lived near that side of the royal home. I looked up when there was a light knock against the open door of the room. When I saw Noah, he was slowly walking towards me with a saddened expression.

"Should you already be out of bed?"

I diverted my gaze back to the towns'people, "My body has become restless, and so I decided just sitting here was enough to settle myself while not harming my injuries."

I heard Noah sit on the window sill near where my legs hung off, "The queen has been in your room talking with Kairi all morning."

"I thought they would be."

Noah's warm hand was placed over mine and I looked to him with surprise to see him watching me, "Why didn't you tell me you had a daughter? We dated for two years when I lived near you and yet I didn't know anything."

I looked to our hands, "I never planned to let you know."

His hand held onto mine, "Eva, I still love you," He whispered and I looked up to his dark green eyes. "I don't care if you are partial Wielder or that you have a child…I…" He looked away for a moment before locking eyes with me again, "I can't just stand by and let you leave with that man."

I looked to my legs, "I still have feelings for you too, Noah, but I have to go. This is the best thing for everyone else."

"Then I'll go with you!"

I held Noah's hand in mine so that he would listen intently, "You think you can survive? A mere human can't withstand the horror of the world of Wielders. It's…its completely different from this world, even though it inhabits the same area."

"Then why are you willing to go?" I looked to our joined hands, "I have to do this. I have to go there for Kairi's sake. She needs to be part of that world and I can't let her go alone. As her mother and as someone who cares deeply for her, I can't let that sweet girl go into such a harsh world all alone." I sighed, "Tomorrow night, Kairi will become the Princess of that world and I will do everything in my power to stay at her side as long as I can. She may hate me for what I did, but I can't just let her face that horror all by herself."

Noah suddenly embraced me, "You truly love Kairi, don't you?"

I gripped his shirt in my hands, "I didn't want to admit it, but I have loved that girl since the moment we met. I loved her before I knew she was my daughter and I still love her now."

Noah kissed my cheek, "Promise to come back to me," He whispered. "When this is all over and you have defeated Kana, come back to my side. I will wait for you."

"Thank you, Noah." I whispered back before kissing him one last time. I knew I was never going to come back from the world of Wielders, but I couldn't tell him that.

"Noah! Breakfast is ready!" Shari sang as she skipped into the room, but froze with surprise when she saw us hugging each other, "Oh, Eva, I was just about to come get you from the medical room."

I stood slowly as Noah followed, "Shari…" I whispered and she finally met my eyes, "Take good care of the royal family while I'm gone, alright?"

She frowned slightly, "You didn't need to ask me. I was already planning to do so."

"Of course." I replied before walking past her and going to the dining room. I quietly took a seat beside the king as I kept my gaze from Gonen and Asher, who sat across from me. Noah came and sat at my side as Shari sat beside Asher with happiness.

"Eva," The king started and I looked to him, "Is your opened wound healing?"

I nodded, "Yes, sir, it is much better. By tomorrow night it will be as good as new."