Rivia: Ajayib, Town of Central Rivia, Elianna's Residence

• Elianna •

Even without her sight, she knew that Matthias was sitting right in front of her staring intently at her as he waited for her explanation. But where do I start? She tried to open her mouth and get all the words out but was left tongue-tied when she couldn't put everything in place coherently. She held her hands tight together, tangling her fingers nervously as she dropped her head low. Unable to find the right things to say, the silence in the qa'ah remained but grew tenser with each passing second until she heard him sigh.

"Elianna, you know that you can tell me anything," Matthias softened, breaking the silence.

"I can't go back with you, Matthias."

"Why?"

"This isn't a burden that I should impose on him." She pointed towards her eyes. And of course, the divine deal.

"It definitely isn't a heavyweight that you should carry alone too," he said simply and every word went right through her heart.

"I'm not alone, Matthias," she smiled. "I have everyone with me."

"Elianna, please—"

"Please don't convince me to go back," she interjected and ached because she knew exactly the thing that was holding her back. You will not reveal your true self first or misfortune shall follow. The words from the Goddess floated into her mind. She continued, "There are consequences that I don't wish for Rowan to bear."

He heaved another heavy sigh, "For all I know, you're a reasonable lady. It must've been a difficult decision for you but Elianna, do know that I'm always within reach whenever you need me."

"Matthias," she called out to him. With all the leaden feelings weighing in her heart, she could only say, "Thank you for understanding."

He had walked close to her and hugged her. Unlike the crushing force he had held her when he first saw her, he had been careful this time, just holding her by her shoulders and resting her head against his chest. He mumbled softly, "I'm so glad I found you and that you're safe."

Emotions gathered at the corner of her eyes and her hands grabbed onto Matthias' arm. She rested in the comfort of his hold for a little while before he released her from his arms and said, "Till we meet again, Elianna. Till then, I'll look forward to meeting my dear nephew."

"Till we meet again, Matthias," she nodded and gave him a wide smile.

From the side, Naailah had also stood from her seat and approached her. She held onto her hand and rested her forehead on the back of her hand as she said, "I'll be visiting you soon. Peace be upon you, Elianna."

"Thank you," she responded softly. "And upon you be peace, Naailah."

※

After Naailah and Matthias left the residence and returned to the Royal Grounds, Elianna had stayed in her quarters and contemplated over and over through her thoughts. She knew that if Matthias is here in Rivia, it would also mean that Rowan's here too. Pacing around the balcony, she fell too deep into her thoughts to realise that Jana had entered.

"Elianna, why are you walking aimlessly around the balcony?" she gasped. "Oh goddess, I'm too young to die in Thunder's or Kiran's hand yet."

"The ledge is too wide for me to fall over," Elianna laughed. Then, a sudden idea came to her mind as she rushed towards Jana and grabbed onto her arm. She suggested, "Jana, let's do something fun."

"You're scaring me, Elianna," Jana shrieked. "Every time you say that I get into trouble."

"Don't tell me you didn't enjoy it whenever we sneak out?" Elianna sulked. "Kiran wouldn't let you out alone with me and how was I supposed to bring you out for all the fun?"

"Fine!" Jana surrendered. "What is it this time?"

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Rivia: Meissa Palace, Maidservants' Lodge

• Elianna •

"Elianna, what are we doing here?" Jana breathed nervously.

"We're going to be alright, Jana," Elianna assured. "I have you with me!"

"Should I be thankful that you're so confident in me?" Jana gulped, gripping onto her arm tightly. "If anything happens to you, I really can't explain to Kiran and Thunder."

"I'll bring the both of us back safely, I promise," she chuckled softly. "Come on, let's go."

Then, both of them snuck into the laundry room and went towards a work station. Elianna dragged the clothes against the washboard and Jana stood at the side to wring out the water in the fabric before flipping it open and hanging them on the clothesline. Jana asked, "Are you here to wash clothes?"

"Definitely not." She pulled her head back slightly into a frown. "Just waiting for an opportunity."

"What opport—"

Just at this moment, a steward entered the laundry room and shouted towards them, "Hey, the both of you! Stop talking and prepare the necessary things for the First Prince of Iftia!"

"What—"

"Do you have an issue?" The steward asked rudely.

"No, I apologise for my friend," Elianna responded, keeping her head low. "We would get it ready."

"Send it to his quarters too!" The steward let out a tut at them before leaving the laundry room.

"You're here for His Highness?" Jana gasped in a low voice.

"I'm sorry for dragging you into this," she smiled tensely. "I just need to know that he's okay."

"Elianna," Jana called out to her in a pained voice, before inhaling a sharp breath. "Alright, leave it to me! I shall bring you there safely."

"Thank you, Jana."

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Rivia: Meissa Palace, Rowan's Quarters

• Rowan •

The door into his quarters was pushed opened carefully before two maidservants revealed themselves. One of them bowed towards him and said, "Your Highness, we have prepared everything as you have requested. Would you like to take your bath now?"

"Thank you," Rowan said. "That would be great."

"I would go ahead to prepare the waters, Elisha would be here to help you out with the garments." The maidservant gestured towards the other standing beside her before she turned to walk towards the bath. His eyes went towards the maidservant that was left behind. She had her head held low and he noticed how that small body of hers flinched slightly when her partner mentioned about leaving. Unknowingly, he found himself interested in her.

"Elisha, is it?" he asked politely. Then, she flinched again at the sound of his voice. Rowan let out a small, quiet chuckle at her timidness. The girl in front of him nodded and he felt a strong urge to continue teasing her.

"Why are you so jumpy?" he laughed. As expected, she was caught by surprise and quickly shook her head, still keeping her head low.

"Aren't you going to help me out with the garments?" he teased. A sudden feeling of happiness and warmth pooled in his heart, in a way that filled all the void that he had been emptied of. He was unknowingly magnetised towards this small, easily frightened maiden. She shook her head once again and he frowned slightly.

"You won't help me?" he pushed, stepping forward and inched close to her. He stood close enough to feel the gentle warmth radiating off her. She was startled by his proximity and immediately took a step back. Stubbornly, he took another step towards her.

"Why are you getting so close?" she panicked.

"So, you can talk," he laughed.

"Are you always such as a tease?" Her brows knitted together in an adorable manner as she questioned him angrily.

"Only towards you, Eli." The words blurted out on its own and he was taken aback by what he just said. Yet, the look on her face was even more perplexing for him.

"What did you just say?" she gasped.

"Please don't mind what I said," he muttered. "I didn't know where those words came from."

"As you wish, Your Highness." Elisha bowed towards him, though it may be in his imagination that her tone sounded slightly pinched. This time, she took a step forward and her hands reached for the top button of his suit. Surprised, he took her hand and halted her movement immediately.

"I'm sorry, I thought you wanted me to help you out." She retracted her hands hastily, becoming flustered.

"I should be apologising," he said. "I usually do it myself. I was simply teasing you."

"I understand, Your Highness." she bowed towards him once again and he can't tell why it irks him to see her constantly keeping her head low in front of him.

"Elisha, raise your head."

"I'm afraid that'll be very inappropriate of me, Your Highness," she shook her head slightly.

"You can do that in front of me," he mentioned. "And I've been wanting to ask you something."

"Please do ask, Your Highness."

"What happened to your eyes?" he approached carefully. "Why are you keeping them closed?"

"There wasn't a point in opening them if I can't see," she replied and he found no trace of emotions as she spoke. This girl definitely had them concealed well enough that he was unable to decipher anything.

"Was it from birth?" he continued to ask.

"No, it wasn't," she responded quietly. "I'm afraid I won't be able to answer you more than this."

"I don't mean to intrude," he said as he unbuttoned his suit and pulled it off his shoulders.

"Your Highness, may I ask what are you doing?" she frowned weirdly, seemingly bothered by the sounds of fabric shuffling as he removed his clothes in front of her. Thinking about it, he never liked having anyone serving him for bath and wouldn't let any maidservants touch him. Yet, he's comfortable with her around him and when her fingers unintentionally touched his skin a moment ago, it had ignited something within him. It felt profound and he wasn't able to explain even with all the words that he had known.

"I'm removing my clothes," he stated simply.

"You—" she gasped. "You're doing it in front of me?"

"You can't steal a peek at me anyway," he laughed heartily. "I thought it was alright."

"No—" Her cheeks were all flushed and red at the moment and he laughed even harder. Frantically, she mentioned, "Even if I can't see, you can't just—"

"I'm done with the change." He folded his old garments nicely and placed it on the tray. Dressing in a robe, he fastened the knot and his hands held firmly onto the silver handles as he passed the clothes to her. "Thank you, Elisha."

"You—"

"I'm heading to the bath. Do you happen to also want to join me there?" He was back to teasing her again.

"Goodness gracious, you're a prince!" she exclaimed. "Stop being frivolous!"

"Alright, I'll stop," he chuckled. "Let me guide you to the door so that you can meet with your partner there."

He reached out to hold onto her hand and it comforted him when she didn't jump upon his touch. He carefully walked her to the door and found that the other maidservant was already there, waiting for her.

"Your Highness," she bowed respectfully and he nodded in response.

"Good night, Elisha," he whispered to her, brushing his thumb lightly across her knuckles. She bowed respectfully towards him as she stepped out of his quarters and he took a last glance at her as the door closed slowly.

※

• Elianna •

Once they walked far away from Rowan's quarters, Elianna felt the sudden weakness in her body as she slumped her trembling body against the thick wall by the passageway.

"Elianna?" Jana panicked from beside and she hurriedly held onto her.

She slowly lowered herself to the ground as she clutched onto the fabric of her blouse and cried sadly. She had arrived here, wanting to know that he had been well since all that had happened back in Thethia. On the way here, she had also reminded herself again and again that tonight was only a way for her to bid farewell to him before she had to force herself to stay away from him.

She wrapped her arms around herself and wished that it wouldn't hurt so badly, but it did. The pain was worst than having her heart ripped from her chest and the way he held her hand gently and all the soft emotions from his voice had shattered her.

"Elianna," Jana cried from the side as she hugged her. 

※