When the power of love invades,

Even the strongest bow down,

Leaving it on fate

................................................

The day has set and darkness engulfed the deadly ground.
Swords stood still in warriors hands as they saw the figure standing in the middle of the ground.

They were fighting for their king, for his safety and looking at him standing there in all his glory, made the war to seize.

While they had smiles on their faces, their king looked like he wished to kill everyone.
The reason beyond anyone's understanding.

His eyes were fixed on the girl who was struggling to stand, with one swift movement he had placed his hand on her lower back and made her shaking body to hit his chest.
Her eyes widening as she saw him hugging her like there is no tomorrow.

The guards moved forward to attack, afraid of the girl attacking the king from his back.
But one angry stare from the prince Daniel and they all stood back with heads bowed down.

Her body was shaking, lips trembling as she said his name, as if not believing if this was real, if he was really there.
But it took just one kiss on her forehead and she knew all of it was real.

.....................................................

¶King Daniel pov¶

....................................

She was shivering in my arms, my grip on her waist the only thing keeping her from falling.

My insides were churning in turmoil, seeing what my men did to my Stalker.
I could feel her blood on my hands, her delicate skin whipped in an inhuman act.
Each slash burning me with fury, but my words in complete contrast to not make her worry.

"D..a. n?"

She manages to whisper in her broken voice, making me grip her more tightly.
Afraid of letting her go now or ever.

"Shhh, stalker just breathe...I am here now ..let me hold you now"

She smiled, her eyes dropping but that smile still most beautiful in this world.
My eyes landing on the big gash on her chest, trying to locate all the sources of pain on her body.

"Tell me where it hurts stalker? "

I asked her gently as if my words will break her if I raise my voice.
My thumb running on her face, trying to clean the stains of blood and tears of pain.

My angel just smiles in return, her face leaning towards my thumb, enjoying my touch.
She whispers near my ear, and I swear her words again managed to stir a storm of emotions inside my heart.

"Now...that ..you are here.... nothing does"

Avalanche of warmness hit me and I swear I fell in love with her million times again.
Holding her tightly to my chest, I breathed a sigh of relief.

Charlie stood behind her, afraid to come in front.
His eyes taking in the broken state of his sister and I could tell he will be filled with pain and regret.

Nodding at him, I asked him to come forward.
He gulped afraid.

"Eva someone wants to meet you"

She looked confused, but when I turned around and made her look at him.
Her innocent pools of brown widened.

"Charlie bear?"

And that's all it took for him to rush towards her with tears streaming down his face.
I know how much she loves him and that's what made her walk towards him on her shaking legs before her step could falter, he had held her in his arms.
And sobs and sorry was all we could hear

Her family surrounded her instantly and I knew she was safe now.
My eyes now shifting to the backstabbers behind me.

Fear was all that was evident in their eyes, and this further fueled my anger.

My eyes falling on the elder who gave her the punishment.
He looked shocked to see me standing here tonight, not expecting my arrival.

His words stuttering as he stepped back from me.

"Y...our maj..esty....I....."

I didn't let him continue, throwing a punch at his wrinkled face, I swear I saw blood and teeth flying to the ground.
My anger still not ready to calm with it, beating him to a pulp I was going to end his useless life when the pain he caused my Eva came back in my mind.

Pushing his half-conscious body to the ground, I announced the words making everyone to gasp in surprise.

"You dare to touch her and I swear I will break every freaking bone in your bodies!!"

My words making the fighters to stop and their swords to dropdown.
With heads held low, they accepted their king's orders.

"Those who betrayed the kingdom will be punished tomorrow for their crimes. I order the imprisonment of all the elders that gave today's decision!"

The people looked at each other, not believing.
Something like this has never been ordered before.

"But...your majesty..you can't...."

One angry glare was all it took to make the speaker shut his mouth
My threat clear and unquestionable.

"I bestow upon the power of veto and release Evalinge Williams of all her crimes!
Those who dared to be bribed and betray my kingdom are to be presented in the courtroom for their decision tonight!"

He said making chaos to follow.
But one roar from him and they obliged.

"Silence!!"

Turning his back, he looked at his stalker who was now down on the ground, her smile still present but eyes closing down.
Her hand tightly held in her father's grip.
As he kissed her knuckles and smiled.

She is again doing it, I can see it.
Trying to hide her pains with that gorgeous smile of hers.
Even if she is going to die, she still won't tell you to worry you.

Such is my selfless stalker.

"Call the doctors and get the room ready"

I ordered one of the men and proceeded towards her.
Her eyes smiling on seeing me, other handheld forward for me to hold her.

"Th...ank you"

She managed to whisper and I smiled.
Making all of them to step back and make space for me to pick her.

Placing one hand below her knees and other behind her upper back, I picked her up bridal style, trying not to touch her wound.
Her eyes telling me it hurt as tears leaked out of them, but that smile still remains plastered on her lips.

She snuggled her face closer to my chest and content filled me to my core.
This was the best feeling in the world.

The wound on my hand hurt like hell, but in front of her pain and suffering, it was nothing.
Before going inside I nodded at Charlie and he knew what I was referring to.

Going back towards the entry, he went to bring the culprit of all to my court of justice.
I was not going to leave anyone, let alone family or foe.

...................................................

Her back was plastered with bandages and her wounds treated and left to heal.

I sat next to her, holding her hand, making her knuckles to run on my cheek.

Her chest was falling and rising, as she slept peacefully.
My other hand automatically twirling her locks, to serene my chaotic insides.

Dad entered and I refused to look at him.
Knowing how he was also responsible to some extent for Eva's present state.

"Son, I am really sorry...I was scared for you...I trusted her blindly...I am -"

Knowing I was not going to reply, he sighed and sat next to us.
His eyes staring at my hands in her.

"She loves you..son..I am sorry I couldn't see it earlier."

I don't know what to do.
He hurt her, only she could decide the accept his forgiveness or not.

"She is the one you didn't approve of in my college days, she is the same girl"

Dad's eyes widened at my words, he still remembers my state for those 6 months when a girl left me after college.
He didn't know she was her.

"The one who topped your college and beated you?"

I couldn't help hide that smile on my lips, I still remember her face when she came first in class in the last year.
Not knowing that I had deliberately lost to her that time, after all, I saw how important her career was for her and I didn't want to distract her from it because of our relationship.

"Yes dad, she is the only one who could beat me."

I said smiling and pressing a kiss on her fingers.
Making dad to smile at us.

"At least someone was able to beat your snobbish ass. I can see it now how different she is from others."

I nodded at him and soon Zeena entered, her eyes desperate to get her answers now that Eva was safe.

She bowed in acknowledgement and her eyes fell on our intervened hands.
But I refused to let her hand go, looking back at Zeena calmly.

"Your majesty...can we talk?"

I nodded and dad got the signal along with Zeena, I was not going to leave her side.
If they wanted to talk, they can talk here, but I was not going to leave.

Dad stood up awkwardly and left, making Zeena look back at me.
Her eyes falling on Eva's peaceful sleeping form to come back at me.

"How is she now?"

Concern evident in her voice, Zeena was always a kind-hearted person unlike some cold ones out there.

"Better. Her back was badly injured but nothing that can't be healed with time"

She nodded and the silence stretched between us.
I know what she wanted to talk about, and I knew I was wrong in that.

"See Zeena I apologize if I hurt you in any sense ever, you are very dear to me but Eva...I just can't live without her"

I thought she will scream at me, curse me, hate me.
But her reply was as soothing as her eyes.

"I thought you were gay..when I saw you getting close to Lin"

I chuckled at this and she also smiled, lightening the tense environment.

"She did this to protect you..and...you already told me from the beginning what our engagement meant to you."

I nodded, relieved of telling her my intentions when we got engaged.

"You never deceived me, Dan, you already told me this was just to stop your family from pestering you.
But seeing how good of a man you are...not me but any girl out there can fall in love with you"

My heart started beating faster, she couldn't love me.
How can she when I told her I won't reciprocate anything except friendship and care?

She smiled seeing my worried face.
Her hand on my shoulder as she bravely said.

"Yes, I started falling for you, Dan. My mistake I know but I couldn't help it.
Your caring nature, you down to earth perspective, your honesty, your face... everything is do damn perfect"

I lowered my eyes, staring at Eva's hand intertwined with mine.
My grip on it tightening.

"I am sorr-"

"Shh let me complete. Yes, I fell in love with you your majesty but you know what?
I can't afford to take you away from your love.
The way you look at her when she is not watching, the way she takes hidden glances at you.
The way she loves you...I doubt any girl let alone I can love you like her"

I immediately looked up, not believing her words.
But that smile was enough to tell me it is nothing but true.

"She tried saving my life that day...she came back risking her own life for my sake. If I was in her place..I wouldn't have done it.
She did it for your sake Dan...she risked her own life to save me because she thought you loved me ."

That was true, my Stalker's selflessness has made her an idol for many.
And I could see how she won everyone's heart with her golden heart.

"Thank you Zeena...you don't know what your approval means to us"

"She is a treasure, your majesty, take good care of her"

And that's how she left, giving her approval for our relationship and future.
I knew my Stalker was a looter of my hearts but little did I knew how she won over everyone's heart with her kindness and love.

Kissing her button nose, I smiled and made myself cosy on her small bed.
Engulfing her in my arms and getting lost in the aroma of her soothing fragrance.
Waiting for her to open her eyes, and look back at me with those innocent orbs of brown.

...............................................

The trial has started and the tables have turned.
Now the seat of elders laid empty, as the old ones stood inside the box with chains bounding them in place.

On the seat of the king sat he, with the crown placed on his head and aura deadly enough to make the culprits sudden in fear.
His posture showing his dominance and the crown of his position.

"Do you elders accept the accusation of defrauding the kingdom and our King?"

Few nodded while the eldest stood arrogantly, not agreeing to back down.
His eyes challenging the king, disregarding his age and position.

"I do not! He is framing us! He wants to change the law by removing us, elders! He is planning to become the king for a lifetime with nobody to question him! He will play with your lives fools!! He wants to be a monarch with absolute power!...he will ruin you...you useless civilians!!"

His words were uttered in a fit of anger, an arrogant smirk lingering on his face.
If he was going down, he will make sure he brings him down along.

The speaker wanted to interrupt for his rudeness, but one show of hand from Daniel and he stopped.
Allowing the elder the continue his bull***

"He saved the enemies daughter! He saved the girl who killed hundreds of our men! Do you wish to have a murderer of your people to be the next queen!
Can't you see he is biased towards the people of Province of Avanguard?
He will destroy you! He doesn't give a damn about you!!"

He could see the doubt in people's eyes.
They were trusting him and this made him smirk wider and continue.

"Remove him from the throne! He doesn't deserve to be your king! He is just a useless lover who can only warm his bitc-"

King Daniel slammed his fist on the table making the elder to shudder in fear.
His words dying as he saw the anger in Daniel's eyes.

"Enough!!"

His loud voice enough to make the room go dead silent.
His subdued anger coming to surface on listening to this bast*** say sh** about his Eva.

How dare he!!

"Bring her in !"

His words making the speaker to nod and that's when a body was brought, being dragged by the guards.
Chains hanging from her neck and hands bound to them.

Claire was dragged in and made to stand in the witness box, her eyes refusing to look back at her family's accusing eyes from the crowd.

The speaker stood beside Daniel and that's when he whispered something in his ears and the speaker nodded.
Going towards the witness box, the speaker started the interrogated.

"Miss Claire Miller. Grave accusations have been placed on you.
First, of you, kidnapping miss Eva and giving fake evidences to our previous king, related to her association with the kidnapping of King Daniel.
When it was you who kidnapped your majesty and kept him captive so that he can't save her.
Second, not only that but we have evidence that you bribed the elders to vote against miss Eva and give her death penalty, just because of your personal hatred towards her.
Do you agree to them?"

She looked up at the speaker.
Trying to justify her actions

"Yes, I hate that girl and I will do anything to get rid of her. She is just a nuisance and I can see she has managed to trap your king with her skills. He is getting biased towards her!! Why can't you see!! I just kidnap and you are interrogating me ! she kills hundreds and she is sleeping like some fuc*** queen?
I am sorry to say your majesty but you justice serving skills are trash!!

People started whispering, as she stared at Daniel with a challenging grin.
Making Daniel fist his hand and look at the crowd.

"She has killed hundreds! I demand her presence! She has to be hanged not me!!"

The speaker interrupted, not liking her audacity to speak about the future queen while standing in the king's court.

"You should only answer what we ask! There is no need to raise your voice and disrupt the decorum of the room!"

Claire glared at the speaker, while he turned to look towards the crowd.
People starting to stand and raise their voice against the king.
Somehow believing Claire's fake tears and manipulate skills.

"Yes! She should be here!"

"She killed our people!"

"We want justice!"

"The decision is biased!

The king's eyes narrowed at the berserk crowd, their accusations not settling well with him.
How badly he wanted to leave this and go hold his Stalker in his arms.
But first, he had to serve her justice.

He had to do this.

Show of his hand made the crowd go silent, sitting on their seats they obliged to listen to the king.

"Claire Miller you are not only trying to defend your unforgiving crimes but also have the audacity to accuse my future queen. Do you still want to continue?"

Gasps filled the halls.
So it was true now, he has officially announced his relationship with his Stalker to this world.

"Let me throw some light on the facts you all are not aware of.
Claire Miller here is a woman who dipper her stepdaughter's head in burning water when she was 3. Hating the girl is what this lady has always done. If sending her away from her father at the mere age of 8 wasn't enough, she kidnapped the child and left her as an orphan.
The girl escaped when she became an adult and since then Claire was searching for her. Finally, she found her but where if you ask, in my arms as the future queen of this kingdom.
She kidnapped her again and told this world of her defrauding and when I came to know of this, she sent men to hit my car and kidnap me.
Yes, you are getting it right ..the girl is Eva...the one you are accusing"

"I love Eva and I won't be leaving her. No matter the cost. Being a king it was my responsibility to save injustice from being done. I saved her not just because I love her but because she was innocent.
She disguised as Lin, but she never defrauded me.
I knew of her identity all along."

People were filled with more disbelief if possible.
Can it be considered as a fraud when their king knew of her identity?
Can they trust this woman who has done such inhuman acts?

"She did it for my safety. For protecting me she had her disguise and in our today's society where girls are not allowed to hold top position in the military, disguising as a male was her only option"

People nodded now, finally understanding him.
The women present in the courtroom cheering for him.

"Just look around, how many females do you see here? 10% or maybe 15%, but have you thought why?
Not because they don't want to be here, instead because we all judge.
We, males, judge a women's ability to make good decisions, her ability to fight, her rationality, her personality."

The crowd has gone silent now.

"Why they have to stay at home and do all the household? Why they have to give away their dreams for the wellbeing of their future family. What about them?
Have you ever asked her what she wishes to achieve?
For moping, cleaning and cooking can not be her only dream?"

The males looked at their wives, connecting with the king's words.
Understanding his perspective.

"I was also like you, I never thought this way but them my Eva's perspectives hit me.
I met her in college, she was my stalker, but surprisingly she was different from others.
She didn't want to get me to marry and settle down.
She had her goals clear, serving her country in the military always being her first priority.
She was like a fierce lioness who wanted to leave a mark in this world and I see she did"

Daniel couldn't help smile at this as he talked about her.

"You may blame her..even I did for such is our mentality that we can't imagine a female figure standing by our side, fighting our fights.
But then we forget, that while we are physically stronger they are emotional.
While we fight with valour, they fight with calmness."

"They are like that missing part which complete us as a whole, making us a better person in the long run"

People had looks of adoration, lights of enlightenment seen to illuminate their thinking and perspectives.

"I king Daniel Knight take upon the honour of announcing that from now on under my rules, women are allowed to reach the top positions of military, and not just that, they are allowed in all spheres of professions."

Claps echoed the silent halls.

"They are allowed to set up their own businesses and will be sanctioned interest-free loans for the same.

Whispers and claps followed and Daniel's father gave him an encouraging nod.
Happy with his son's decision.

"As for Claire's and elders punishment. I leave their fate in your hands. You are rational beings and I think you know better now who has deceived our country. Not only that but also tried to play with your minds and tried to manipulate you.
Innocents wouldn't have died if elders hadn't announced the execution of an innocent.
Nothing would have happened if you would have waited for my decision."

Getting up from his seat, Daniel looked at the afraid faces of the culprits.
Their smirks long gone and now replaced with scowls.

"Stoning in public is what I announce, leaving justice in your hands."

For a few seconds, deadly silence fell in the courtroom.
Making Daniel a bit scared of their decision.

But then the doors opened and they all turned to look at the beauty in bandages.
Her head held high, ready to stand by him.

He looked at her in shock like everyone else.
She was still not well, what was she doing here.

But with that big smile on her face, she started moving towards him with hands holding the railing for support.
He immediately rushed to her for support, his scared eyes looking at her determined ones.

"What are you doing here Eva. You have still not recovered"

He whispered to her in concern, as she held his hand for support.

"I...I wish to speak to them"

She said, pleading with her eyes and he knew he couldn't say no to her.
Taking her to the stage, he handed her over the mike and held her waist for support.

"Good.. evening... everyone"

Her sweet voice making everyone to go silent.
Eager to listen to her.

"I am Eva"

"Just Eva. No Miller, no Williams, no Knight.
Just a being who wants to talk to other god's beings with no titles attached."

"I have committed a crime...I have harmed innocents, I won't deny that.
And I willingly accept your punishment for it.
But sadly I didn't have a choice, hurting people or let alone any being was never a choice but a compulsion.
If someone throws knives at you, you will defend.
Won't you? Because survival is always every being's first instinct"

"Trust me when I say this, but when I allowed my emotions to crowd my senses I dropped my sword. Leaving me all wounded and on the gate of death if your king wouldn't have been there.
In this world, I don't know what is good or bad"

"I won't blame anyone for hurting me because everyone has their reasons.
I am sure my stepmother must have her reasons for doing what she did.
But I know of one thing and that is love conquers all"

She said pressing Daniel's hand tightly and continuing.

"Love is above all...good or bad. It makes everything else just so small.
I still love my stepmother...."

Her words made Claire's eyes to widen and the ballroom to go silent.
Not believing their ears.

"Yes, even if what she did was bad. I still love her.
You can hand me a sword and I will not let it touch her, even if she kills me before that"

Claire's eyes lowered as she for the first time felt regret flood over her.
Tears escaped her eyes as she hated herself for hurting a pure soul like hers.

"In the battlefield, I hurt yes, for my safety, I hurt your countrymen..I hurt our countryman but my only intention was to stop them..not kill them.
I didn't kill anyone..I just couldn't...I just wounded them."

The realisation came hard for everyone, they didn't expect this.
But they knew what she wàs saying was true.

"But still if you think I am to be punished...I stand before you accepting it"

She bowed, making Daniel to step back and look at his stalker with admiration

Silence

Was all she could hear, and heaviness engulfed her insides.
But when she looked up, the smiles on some faces told her of her fate.

"I, a mere stalker has dared to love your future king with her everything since last 7 years. And now I seek your permission to love him and stay by his side for eternity"

Daniel held her hand tightly, ready to accept her fate as his own.
His heart beating in his chest as he looked at her and then at the crowd

"Long live the queen!!"

Angela stood up cheering out for her, her voice echoing in the silent halls.

Eva couldn't help smile at her younger sister.
But knowing it was only her, her fears were turning to reality.

Then after a prolonged silence came a loud echo, making everyone to follow.
They were some women who admired the girl's honesty.
And soon everyone followed.

"Long live queen Eva!!"

Warmness spread through their hearts as the courtroom echoed with cheers.
Tears of happiness escaping Eva's eyes.

Daniel couldn't hold it any longer, pulling her to his chest.
He stared at her with happiness redefined.

"Do you Queen Evalinge accept your childhood crush and present lover as you, King?"

She smiled hitting his chest slightly and looking down in shyness.
Her hands resting on his chest and his grip firm on her waist.

The crowd started clapping and encouraging her.
Shouting

Yes

Yes

Yes

In unison and in musical sync.

She finally looked up staring at those orbs of blue that have always managed to make her stomach churn in feeling so powerful and new

And then she spoke, loud and clear, with confidence in her voice and love in her heart.
Words that will combine not only empires but also hearts that stood apart.

"I do"

And that was all it took for Daniel to hold her face in his palms and place a long lingering kiss on her lips, sealing their unbreakable bond.

Everyone cheered in happiness, seeing peace and happiness restored in both the Kingdoms at last.

With a queen now standing with their King, to make them then the strongest of all.

....................................................

I will stand by you, in times of happiness and pains.

Promising to hold you tighter,

If winds of change come knocking on our doors again.
......................................................