The Crying Lady

SEFRO

"After the ladies have eaten their breakfast, summon them to Valethea," King Adamos ordered Sefro before leaving towards the dining hall.

The other members of the Royal Council were already there to have their morning meal. 

"Affirmative, Your Majesty," Sefro made a quick bow before he pivoted to look for the two ladies. 

With luck on his side, Lady Evie was already approaching them. But her head was bowed down, with her chin-length hair covering her face that only her clenched jaw and pursed lips could be seen. Her fists were balled up beside her as she stomped her way to him. 

Sefro was stunned at his reaction. Did someone make a negative remark about her? 

He recalled how she had a pleasant debate with the Emperor, giving him mixed emotions. Admiration enveloped him at that moment. But he became careful of her. 

No Edinian talked freely with the Emperor except for the King, who is His son. 

"Lady Evie," he called her, making her aware that she had passed him by. 

Fortunately, she was level headed enough to turn and face him again. She bowed down courteously to him, her aura turned to neutral in just a matter of seconds.

"I am Sefro, the Duke of Arthesus. In case you do not have knowledge of me yet," he gave him a tepid smile.

"Your grace," she bowed down again. "You saved Lady Joyce. Thank you."

Sefro's eyebrows shot up, his lips slightly curved. He was not expecting it. 

"By the way, where is Lady Joyce? The King is expecting both of you at Valethea.It seemed like he is going to look for a way so you can return to your homeland," Sefro informed her, making Lady Evie's countenance brighten up.

"Lady Joyce is at the tearoom nearest to the throne room, your grace. She is with the Duke of Thurelis. If I may take my leave," she quickly bowed down and walked briskly, almost run, to Eliko.

Sefro scratched his head. What is Echid doing with Lady Joyce?

He immediately went to the location that Lady Evie had told her. But to his surprise, he didn't even reach the tearoom, he had already seen Lady Joyce.

She was standing in front of one of the windows, her long wavy ruby hair shone, reflecting the rays of the morning sun.

His eyes crinkled in amusement as he recalled the first time he saw her. She looked like a little girl who had just lost her mother. "Lady Joyce," he called on her, making her turn towards him. 

To Sefro's astonishment, she appeared just the same. Her eyes were swollen. Tears were streaming down her face.

"Oh, Sefro," she ran to him and put her slender arms around him. "I've done a terrible thing."

Sefro's heart seemed to stop beating at that moment. She just called him by his first name, in public. And she was cuddling him like she was his wife!

Not wanting to act rudely, he pulled out from her embrace and inquired about what happened. 

Lady Joyce narrated to him every detail of what happened, making him nod his head as he tried to understand the situation.

It was very obvious why Lady Evie would get furious. He would not let his personal information be divulged to strangers, too. 

But he could also understand where Lady Joyce was coming from. She seemed like an innocent person who was just trying to be gracious with everybody. 

"I am certain that Lady Evie has already calmed down by now. She seemed like a strong individual," Sefro answered as he saw how Lady Evie handled herself a while ago, even thanking him for saving the lady who had just invaded her privacy. 

"Yeah, I know," Lady Joyce replied through a downward mouth and wiped her tear-stricken cheeks. 

Trying to comfort her, Sefro added, "I believe you did not intend to do that, my lady."

It seemed to be helpful as Lady Joyce's eyes turned into two crescent moons again. 

"Thank you for understanding me. You have been very helpful ever since. And it seems like it is part of your personality. Your family and Athesus must be so proud of you," she complimented him, taking away Sefro's alertness for a quick moment. 

Her compliment was heartwarming. However, he did not want his emotions to get swayed. 

So he decided to go on with the plan. "If you are finished, maybe we can now depart to Valethea. Lady Evie is also going there."

"Oh, that's great!" she bounced to her feet and strutted with him through the hallway. 

As they walked, Sefro seemed to sense that someone was following them. He turned around and saw no one. So they continued walking.

He then tries to ask her for information, just in case their mission will fail and the two ladies will dwell in Edin for a longer time. "So you and Lady Evie came from the same land," he initiated. 

"Yes, though we're not really friends, you know. We're just more of colleagues because we work in the same company," Lady Joyce replied. 

"How about your families? They must be worried about you," Sefro questioned again, both in concern and curiosity if they had the means to invade their land.

With that, Lady Joyce slowed down, and the corner of her lips went down-turned again. 

"Yeah. We only get to see each other once or twice a year because of my line of work," she grunted. 

"How about Lady Evie?"

"Hmm, I don't really know. She hasn't really opened up to anyone. That is why I tried to be close to her even then. I just think she lives a lonely life," she babbled on. "But maybe destiny brought her here so she can find happiness in this land."

With that, she grinned and skipped as they walked towards the exit of the Palace.

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Understanding is different from knowledge. Some people will know you. But very few will understand you.