CHAPTER -2( a never ending waiting)

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Evelina's chember

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Evelina wore a beautiful plain white dress.She has decided ,from now on she'll wear normal dresses as long she's staying in the palace. Sometimes changing the regular lifestyle is exiting indeed. Besides,she is looking beautiful in this female clothes.

"It suits me perfectly. I wish Samuel could see me like this."she turned around to looked in the mirror and sparkled with a glow.

"Oh this tattoo!!" Evelina suddenly noticed and touched her neck with the palm of her hand.

"I should hide it with this necklace."she blushed and swiftly took a necklace placing Infront of the mirror.

it's a dark biting mark on her bright-smooth neck. At first it was clearly visible because of the contrast between the skin. But later on she has made a tattoo over it . So it's hard to identify the injury unless someone notices it with scrutiny.

Evelina gave a flawless smile while wearing the necklace.

"THAT JERK...."

She remembers, it was done by Samuel. Before she leave the Barak for the battle field, she went to meet Samuel to say goodbye. Samuel was so angry and devastating because it could risked her life. Evelina was downhearted too because they were about to get married. but she had to go leaving everything in the middle.

Evelina let out a sigh while thinking.

Both of their hands were tied with a sense of duty. High rank always comes with heavy responsibilities. Samuel didn't want to let her go. But it was impossible to make her stop..... But the most hardest part was to suppress the emotions inside his heart and hiding the ability to express it. He had no right to tell her not to go. On the other hand Evelina was expecting that Samuel would stop her. If he could stop her only once, she wouldn't join the war. Even she was thinking about resigning from her post and spend the rest of her life as his wife. This was what she wanted.

But from Samuel's side, there was no response. He was thinking about the great interest of the nation keeping aside their personal desires. And Evelina was heart broken thinking why Samuel didn't stop her.

Both of them didn't talk with each other for days.

Before the day of Evelina's departure, finally both of them has a conversation.They had serious arguments and fightings because of this..The ship was in a chaos. Everyone was in a great tension because of their fighting.After a long debate Evelina decided not to stretch things any farther and start preparing for the expedition...

When she was about to go back to the battleship, Samuel held her back and started kissing her lips in front of everyone.

Everyone turned back after witnessing Samuel's madness..... THAT was gravely embarrassing for Evelina.

But he didn't care about the others presented on the barrack and kept caressing Evelina intensely....

"Do you think I'll forgive you....just like this!!" Evelina pushed him away but Samuel again trapped her between his arms.

Evelina looked at his eyes that was reddish and filled with tears. But not a single drop of tears fell down from those eyes as if they're not permitted to flow down freely. Her cold heart melted away seeing Samuel's pale face. She couldn't hold back her tears anymore.

Samuel swiped her tears and kissed on her cheeks numerously. He took his mouth closer to Evelina's ears.

" I'll fight my war and you'll fight yours. We've our separate missions. Let's just focus our duties. If we manage to return alive, then we'll marry. You know I love you more than me... But the nation more than you.... And I know that you also feel the same" whispering those words he started kissing her ears passionately as if he will capture her soul inside his body.

Samuel slided his lips from Evelina's ears to throat. He sucked across her throat and neck. But subconsciously placed a deep bite on her neck. Evelina felt a little pain when he added extra force to his teeth. But it was nothing comparing to the pain they were going through.

Samuel kept holding Evelina's waist with his one arm and with the help of other arm, he buried his mouth more dense into her neck. All his suffocation got a way to run ruthlessly.

When the pain started turning unbearable for Evelina, she used her full strength to release herself from Samuel. She held Samuel's face with her hands and raised it. Both of them looked at each other. Evelina saw Samuel's sobbing for the first time. He finally cried. They couldn't remove their gaze from each other. They didn't know if that was the last meeting for them or not.

"Who knows if you die.... but don't worry if you couldn't manage to survive in the war, I won't marry anyone else." Evelina said in a mocking style while crying.

Samuel gave an artificial smile.

"Why do you think I'll die.... I think you'll die first. But don't worry, I'll wait for you all over my life." Samuel whipped away the blood from his mouth.

Both of them laugh.

After reconciled with each other, they bade farewell and went to their respective journeys with an uncertain aspiration of meeting again.

Though the war ended within six months which was Samuel's mission.So he returned to the capital sea and joined as the General in charge of the main sea. But Evelina couldn't return as her mission lasted for 3 years. After fighting the battles for almost 3 years, Evelina has returned now as an successful Commander of northern ocean. But Samuel has been assigned with another mission.

Though it doesn't affect them anymore. This is how their life goes. They got used to it long ago. Sometimes they faught together and sometimes they faught separately. They saw many lives and deaths together. They've accepted their fate with the time. But the pain was same deep everytime they got separated.

Evelina blushed by that painful but sweet memories.

She clearly remembered whenever they were leaving each other ,Samuel's eyes were like a sharp tip of sword, his never flowing tears that directly goes into her heart and stabs thousand times making invisible wounds.

"My pardon Commander" a maid came inside and served some food interrupting her thought.

Evelina adjusted her necklace uncomfortably while giving her permission .....

She decided to take a nap after eating.... she's really tired after this long journey...now she'll sleep until the evening..

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Ist Empress's Pavilion

"My Grace, you've called me?"the 5th Minister came to the ist ranked Empress's chamber.

"Yes,come in."the Ist Empress ordered.

"What happen, your highness? you're looking worried."he sat on the couch.

"You know the Emperor killed my dearest son,the 2nd Prince. Now I've left with only one son ....my last hope, the Ist Prince. But i am a bit paranoid, what if my Lord punished the First Prince too."Empress speak up with a fear.

"Recently our prince has made a lot of mistakes. But we've covered it successfully."the regent smiled .

"yeah, but things are different now. That sly female General has returned now. She's from the 2nd Empress's clan. The 2nd Empress has gained more power because of her. I'm afraid they're planning something together. I can't take any risk when it's about my son." The ist Empress surrounded by a dense fear.

"Then I've a plan. With your permission I can execute the plan." The Minister used his intelligence.

"Tell me what's that?" She ask with restlessness in her eyes.

"My Grace, if we kill the 3rd Prince then our whole Empire will have only one heir for the throne to take over.Since the Ist Prince will be the only option ,the Emperor won't be able to kill him no matter how serious mistakes or crimes he does..So all their silly traps will be harmless for my Prince . The 2nd Empress won't be able to convince the emperor to punish him....."he explained everything.

"To save my son's life I don't have any other choice but to shake hands with evil deals. Though it's not righteous but I think you should make arrangements to kill the third prince within today. Because Evelina has returned already. Things will be harder for us with the passing time."she said with a deep frustration".

"Yes, we have to do this today.Everyone will be busy during the evening ceremony. It's a good chance"he said.

"Okey, you may leave now, and i expect from you to come back with a good news. And listen...Make sure to kill that boy giving less pain. He's still young and innocent. I used to consider him as my own my son.....But now I really don't have any other way...I don't want to loose my last son...."the Empress took a sip of tea to hide her depressive face.

The 5th Minister left the chembar. Then he gathered a few men who are expert in martial arts.They discussed about the secret passage of the 3rd Prince's Chamber with the confidential Royal map.

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The Main Central Hall

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Evelina entered the hall. It's almost evening.Every arrangement is at a grand level.The whole capital is celebrating the fest. There's smile in everyone's face and fireworks in the sky.

Everyone is talking about the war. There are a lot of dancers and singers entertaining them. The General of southern oceanic area has already entered the palace with their army and joined the celebration.

"Good evening, my Empress."Evelina greeted the 2nd Empress.

"You're looking beautiful. Let's make a toast on your Victory and your beauty."Empress held her a cup of wine.

"Where's the 3rd Prince . Didn't he come out from his residence " Evelina asked.

"Yeah...I couldn't convince him to come here. He's becoming too much stubborn day by day and slipping out of my control...I don't know what to do... he's growing up to fast... But this horrific environment isn't suitable for raising him... I'm afraid he'll turn into a crazy one very soon." The Empress took another sip of wine.

" Oh... Don't worry. He'll be alright...After all he's your only hope and maybe our future Emperor..." Evelina smiled.

A General came across them ...the Empress looked at him.

"My grace...." He bowed to the Empress.

" OH General ,come here..... You should greet Evelina, let me introduce you both.General Andreas this is Evelina. I believe you know her full introductory. She's quite famous you know." Empress shifted her eyes towards Evelina.

"Evelina he's General Andreas . He's very loyal to me. He is in charge of the whole capital's security alone with the Royal Palace. He has joined here after finishing his major education and training from the army ."Empress said while Andreas came forward to Evelina.

"My Empress, no need to introduced. We know each other very well." Andreas said politely and smiled towards Evelina.

"We were childhood friends. In fact we got our education and field training together from the same academy. Even we were in the same barrack for a longtime." Evelina rhythmed with Andreas's words.

"That's great .Then you two young people accompany each other and enjoy the evening. I would rather meet with the lst Empress." 2nd Empress head back.

"Long time no see. I've missed you so much." Andreas extended his hands to hug Evelina.

"Or should I give you a kiss instead." Andreas teased her.

"Stop flirting with me..." Evelina accepted his hug.

"I missed you too, buddy. But I didn't expect you to be here.... Most of us has chosen the border areas and you have chosen the central area or even the royal palace!! WHAT'S THE REASON BEHIND IT?" Evelina asked out of curiosity.

" it's because, while taking our training, you've eaten up my brain concerning about the 3rd Prince every single day. So I've chosen this palace as you couldn't choose it." Andreas gave her another glass of wine .

" I wanted to ....but you know whenever I've chosen in my life was the 2nd Empress's order. She wanted me to achieve more power so that I can be a strong backup for the Prince." Evelina took a sip while talking.

" I can understand.... So I took over your duties for the Prince here. And believe me, I tried my best to take care of him until now...." Andreas placed his fist on his chest.

" I know. Undoubtedly you're capable of that.....Now tell me why Samuel didn't join the celebration today?"she asked while looking around to confirm Samuel's absence.

"Oh not again...You always ask about him. SOMETIMES AT LEAST THINK ABOUT ME. . ...The Emperor send him invitation anyways. But he couldn't make it, because he's so busy nowadays..... Soon he'll head to south. you know we've attain the southern ocean recently. But the local robbers started taking the advantages of the war and disturbing the commoners. One-third soldiers returned to the palace to celebrate. They are exhausted by the long battles. So, Samuel is going with his troops to handle the situation there with the royal decree. And let me tell you a secret. There's a rumours that soon there will be a huge transformation in the power distribution of South." Andreas's eyes narrowed expressing mystery.

"What do you mean!!"

" Look at the southern Generals and their commander. They're enjoying the fest with a cheerful mind. They're too proud of themselves. They think winning the war is enough for them to satisfy the Emperor....hahaha...soon they'll be loosing their authority over south. Samuel is assigned with this hidden task. After conquering over the robbers, he will replace all the rank holders one by one." Andreas gave a sly smile.

"But why..." Evelina asked with a surprise.

" Because we're suspecting them for revolting against the nation. So it's better to remove them all without taking any risk."

Evelina stunned with Andreas's reply. Just based on suspicion, the Emperor is taking this big step....

"Isn't it too sudden....!!"

" Don't worry, we'll take time and do everything slowly without leaving a trace of mistake." Andreas let out a sigh understanding Evelina's mindset.

"By the way, Samuel will come after finishing his arrangements. Maybe by the end of the fest.It's an important and sensitive task. He is not permitted to do any mistake. If anything goes out of the plan, his soldiers' life will be at risk. " Andreas said with a jealous face.

"I know he's always considerate about his soldiers than himself."she gave a smile to eradicate the uncomfortable environment.

"Okay, then let me take you to the 3rd Prince. Empress tell me to take you their. we'll return before the ceremony begins. There's still some times left."Andreas grabbed her hand and left the hall.

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To be continued....