Chapter 76 Think it through
“What does the letter mean, Valerio?” Evyths asked firmly, her voice sharp. Sharper than it had ever been.
Exactly what he dreaded: disappointing her.
Valerio's breath was steady as he stared deeply at her. He wanted to speak, but the words… they wouldn't come out.
“You are not dating anything,” her tone quieter now, a crease between her brows.
Valerio's fists loosened slightly. “I could not tell you the truth, Evyths—”
A dry, hurtful smile covered her lips. “Of course, you couldn't.”
“Your king wrote me earlier, demanding that you return on Moon's authority—”
“And so… you lied about hunting?” She sharply cut in, taking a step closer, her friend thick.
Valerio's gaze shifted; he couldn't continue staring.
Guilt wouldn't let him.
He didn't want to lose her either.
She held his gaze until he couldn't look away; the air between them ceased. “All you had to do was say something.”
That did it.
He sharpened his gaze, narrowing it at her as if searching for something that would add to anything he has to say.
“Say something, huh?” He repeated. “You think I'm going to let you go?”
Valerio's voice thundered, a low rumble emerged beneath their feet, and the torches flickered violently following his emotions.
“You think I'll let your king decide when to bring you and take you?” He yelled again. “Like a treaty means nothing?”
“It is the Moon's Authority,” he pressed.
“I don't care. Eva.”
She smirked, “You would.”
This time, he didn't speak; he caught her arm, yanking her against his chest.
His gaze turned red, a frown thicker than boiling lava itself.
Evyths didn't flinch; her face tightened with a scowl, her breath heavy between them.
“I'm not scared of you,” she said firmly, her eyes refusing to break contact. “Valerio. I will leave when I want. You won't detect my fate.” She added.
Valerio's jaws clenched.
He hated to admit the fire in her eyes, the courage. Unyielding.
She said it like it was nothing. Like it was easy to walk away from something that they've built.The connection. Their bond. Their… child.
The corners of his lips curled slightly. Invisibly. Menacingly.
“You are free to leave…” he muttered, and she blinked twice. “But not with my child!”
He released her as she caught a grip on the chair, positioning herself.
Valerio shot her one last look and walked out of the room, slamming the door. Cracked. A reminder of his defiance.
Evyths dropped on the chair, shaking. She held either side of her head, sobbing to herself.
She could feel it, all that he felt.
The pain of departing.
Yes, it was the moon goddess’s demand, but… what about Valerio? How could she leave him just when they had reunited?
With each tear that dropped, her thoughts threatened to spill.
In the end, either way, she would have to decide. Respecting the order or declining it.
….
Hours morphed into a day; Evyths had been all alone in Valerio's chamber. He didn't return, and she didn't bother looking.
She had been sleeping more than usual, her belly responding to every mood that she was in.
When Valerio sent a maid to bring in food, she tossed it away, demanding that he face her himself.
Not once, twice, or thrice, but four times, she declined.
Finally, when the door opened, Elena walked in.
Her eyes scanned the messy room while Evyths curled up in the middle of the room. Her knees dragged to her chest.
Elena called in a maid to clean up the room before speaking with Evyths.
However, Evyths didn't bother to look in the direction of the queen mother either.
“Evyths,” Elena called. Calmly. Poised.
“You haven't eaten for hours or left the room. It is not good for the child—”
“Do not talk about my child!” Evyths stated, she said, barely lifting her gaze to meet Elena's.“Well,” Elena adjusted in her spot, her eyes darting to Evyths' feet. They were swollen. “It is my grandchild now…”
That statement made Evyths look at Elena sharply.
It wasn't excitement, not anger either; it was… neutral. An acceptance that she didn't accept.
“Your kind would not agree,” Evyths quietly said.
“I wouldn't despise a woman who brought hope to my family. To me.” Elena muttered, slowly approaching Evyths.
Evyths stretched her legs, her hands on either side of her, watching the queen sit next to her.
“I can imagine what you are feeling—the conflicting thoughts are… damning.” Elena began softly, placing a hand on Evyth's leg. “And the hardest part is deciding what's right,”
Evyths heaved deeply, her gaze lowered, reflecting on the Queen's words.
She was right. Leaving would mean breaking Valerio's heart, and responding to the moon's call would mean liberating her kind.
And hiding away would not solve the problem either. Her head spun, her heart beating faster with each thought.
Evyths finally stared at the queen. “Valerio lied to me, your majesty; he didn't have to.”
Elena nodded lightly. “I know, he was mistaken. I made sure to tell him. But… he's hurt too. He's vulnerable too. The thought of losing you destroys him, my dear…”
Evyths’ face softened, and her hands instinctively flew over her belly like the comfort she needed.
“I think you should speak with him calmly. He'll listen—”
“Valerio's not the only one hurt, your majesty.” Evyths' voice cracked. “I am. I'm the one who has to decide between the moon’s call, Valerio, or me.” She paused, her lids fluttered, and the rest of her words hung in her throat.
The silence stretched, longer than it should have.
Elena said nothing, giving Evyths more time to process her emotions.Elena gave a gentle squeeze on her arm. “Do what you feel is right.”
The queen mother rose, a gentle smile on her lips, her eyes laced with deep concern.
“I will get you something to eat…”
Evyths shook her head slowly. Before she could speak, Elena continued,
“My grandchild would need it, dear. Don't say no.”
With that, Elena vanished. Evyths to her thoughts.
If at all, Elena had a point. She has to do what seems right even if it seems unfair.
…
Later on, right after Evyths had eaten to her fill, she heard noises approaching.
Closer to her.
She saw Valerio and Octavio discussing something important while they strutted.
Seeing Evyths, they stopped in their tracks, staring.
Valerio, again, felt her rage. Her disappointment glared.
A wave of guilt and resol
uteness remained in his expression.
Valerio signaled the Duke, then the Duke vanished.
“Ev—”
Evyths exhaled. “I think we should talk privately.”