Iftia: Krystal Palace, Garden

• Elizabeth •

"Your Highness," Quinn, her knight, walked towards her and bowed.

Gracefully raising the teacup and bringing it close to her lips, she said, "Tell me about it." 

"There's nothing peculiar about the First Prince, it was just as according to everything that was known about him. His palace is an isolated palace in the Royal Grounds and it was heavily warded. Till date, he also refused to associate himself with any ladies of powerful backgrounds in Iftia." Quinn reported accordingly. 

A satisfactory smile appeared on her face as she slowly sipped on her tea.

"However, I heard that he had a female aide," Quinn continued.

One of her brows raised questioningly and she straightened her back, leaning forward to slowly place the teacup back on the garden table. Her eyes were locked on Quinn, demanding an answer.

"She's the only lady residing in Lyx Palace and she works as an appointed doctor in the palace's medical office. Her name is Elianna Everson." 

Resting an arm on the garden table, her fingers tapped impatiently on the surface. She gestured to Quinn, "Tell me more. I need to know about this female aide." 

"Doctor Everson has close relationships with His Highness and his knights," Quinn responded. "Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get any information out. No one knew much about the happenings within Lyx, she was said to be brought into the palace by the First Prince and she had stayed there since." 

"Do you have any information on the Everson family?" Elizabeth asked. 

"No, I'll look into it right away," Quinn said. 

"Very well," she simpered, "I'd love to greet the Royal Doctor of Lyx Palace."

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Iftia: Nvre Palace, Entrance Hallway

• Elianna •

Elianna felt a sudden shudder down her spine. "Isn't it cold today?"

"What are you saying? It's always cold here," Matthias laughed. 

She rubbed her gloved hands together as she walked out of the main entrance of Nvre. Her feet trudging through the bed of thick snow that had piled up from yesterday's snowstorm. As usually, Matthias always saw her out whenever she leaves Nvre for the Royal Medical Department. As usual, Matthias would ask, "Are you heading to the Royal Medical Department today?"

"Yes, I have to complete some experiments there," she replied.

"Can I go with you?" he requested.

"Sure," she smiled.

A few days passed since she arrived in Nvre. Although she hadn't been eating and sleeping well for her owns reasons, Nvre had been a nice place for her to stay whilst avoiding everyone else. It was probably a bad idea if anyone from Lyx were to find out, but till then, she decided to not think about it. Matthias had also made her stay beyond pleasant. Whenever possible, he would keep her company and he also gave her the freedom to roam or go wherever she wants within his palace. 

While exploring Nvre the other day, she noticed that most of the room does not resemble Matthias' style. The colour of the furniture and the flowers displayed were clearly feminine. Then, Matthias explained that before him, it was Rowan's mother that had stayed in Nvre. He kept the place as it was, making minimal changes just to suit him.

When he told her about it, she could feel the intensity of his sadness. But she didn't pry on it, knowing that if they wanted to let her know, she would come to learn it eventually.

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Iftia: Royal Medical Department, Research Station

• Matthias •

"Your Highness, I did not expect your presence," Professor Hamley bowed towards him.

"There's really not a need for these formalities," Matthias quickly requested for Professor Hamley to raise his head. Grinning, he said, "I'm just here to observe Doctor Everson's work since I had the morning off." 

"You're always up for some fun, aren't you?" Professor Hamley huffed a laugh at him before checking with Elianna, "Lady Elianna, how is it going?" 

"I added two and a half dosage of vervain into the concoction. I'm currently waiting for the results," Elianna replied.

"Since you have some time, a guard from Lyx Palace arrived and requested for you. For the past few days, I sent Henry over to take your post. But Henry had an errand to run for today." Professor Hamley said. "Please do make a trip back to Lyx."

"I understand, I will get ready."

Matthias caught the hesitation in Elianna's tone. Even though it had been a few days since she stayed in Nvre, she didn't mention what happened. As he got to know more about her, he also realised that she was a person with a lot in her mind, but it also seemed to be in her to keep everything troubling on her own shoulder and in her own heart. That was just how she was. 

Professor Hamley left the research station, leaving them alone. Matthias looked as she tidied up her desk and recorded a few experimental observations. A sigh left him as he said, "As much as I would like to follow you to Lyx, it would be wiser for me to return to Nvre." 

"I'm sorry," she smiled sadly, sounding very apologetic. "You came all the way here with me and I had to leave you to return alone." 

"There's nothing you need to apologise for, Elianna," he reassured. "Will you return to Nvre in the evening?"

"May have to disappoint you here," she laughed. "They would expect me to stay in Lyx after I am done with my shift."

There was indeed a feeling of disappointment that washed over him. She had been a real pleasure to be with and he wished that she could stay with him a little longer. With her around, Nvre didn't feel so cold and lonely like it has always been since he was forced to move in under the Queen's order nine years ago.

Standing up, Matthias helped her to pack by the medicine cabinet. She would occasionally click her tongue and frown disapprovingly when he got her the wrong medication and he would laugh in return, knowing that his carelessness would not result in bad consequences since those mistakes were corrected immediately by her.

When they were done packing, she strapped the medicine bag over her shoulder and walked towards the door.

"I'll miss having you around," he murmured, holding on her arm. "The doors of my palace is always open to you. I hope you'll come and visit me soon." 

"Thank you, Matthias. I'll see you soon."

"Alright. Have a safe trip back." 

He waved at her and she left for Lyx.

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Iftia: Lyx Palace, Medical Office

• Elianna •

The moment she arrived back in her office, work started to pile on her. She attended to those injured soldiers and filed reports about their injuries. The entire afternoon passed with her working without a break and just when she was going through the last report, there was a knock on her office door. The door slowly creaked open and Kaylon appeared with Thunder.

It had been days since she saw Thunder. She ran forward and hugged him, nuzzling her head on the crook of his neck. Thunder reciprocated the excitement by licking her face and baring his teeth, seemingly beaming at her while happiness twinkled in his emerald green eyes.

"We missed you, Elianna," Kaylon smiled.

His words stunned her for a moment and she realised that she had left Lyx for many days without letting them know about her wellbeing. Feeling remorseful for shutting everyone out for the past few days, she apologised, "I missed everyone too. I'm sorry for leaving for so long." 

"Don't have to apologise," Kaylon laughed softly. "You have your duties as a Royal Doctor, we understand." 

"Will Rowan be there?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, he will not join us," Kaylon's smile faded.

"Great, let's not keep everyone waiting!" she petted Thunder and stood up, dusting her skirt.

"Elianna?" Kaylon sounded confused. But before he could ask anything, she hurriedly left the office.

※

After dinner, she took a stroll around the Palace's garden with Thunder. They walked through the labyrinth of thick bushes and reached a small pond. The pond was covered by a layer of ice and she bent forward to investigate the iced surface with her gloved hands. Beside her, Thunder purred curiously. She asked mischievously, "Shall we try walking on this?" 

It hissed. Obviously not thrilled by her suggestion.

"I'll ask Alec for a skate next time," she laughed.

She looked across the pond, seeing what's on the other side. Spotting a beautiful crystal gazebo, she noticed that under it stood two people. 

I shouldn't be seeing this. 

She wanted to laugh at her timing. The two people were none other than Rowan and Elizabeth. He had his back facing her but judging from Elizabeth's smile, she could already assume that they were having a pleasant time.

Her heart dropped, deep into the hollowing pit within her. It also ached, as though someone had been forcefully pushing a blunt needle through it. She clutched tightly onto the material of the garb in front of her chest, forcing herself to swallow the lump in her throat.

"Let's go, Thunder," she squeezed the words out in a voice that was barely audible.

She carefully turned around and disappeared back into the garden bushes. They made their way back to Lyx before she returned to her bedchamber and closed the door behind her.

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