Maria did not respond immediately. She just watched Evelyn. Watched the anger settle on her face, sharp and unfiltered. Watched the way her chest rose and fell, like she was holding back more words that could cut even deeper.
Then Maria spoke, her voice low. "This is the reason why I didn't tell you."
She paused. "You are being judgmental now.".The words didn't come out loud. They didn't need to. They carried weight anyway.
Evelyn stilled..For a moment, something flickered across her face. Not anger this time. Something closer to realization. Maybe even regret.
Her shoulders dropped slightly. "No, my dear," she said, softer now. "I am only concerned… that you have gone too far."
Maria nodded slowly. There was no denial in her expression. "Yeah," she admitted quietly. "I guess I have gone too far, I do not think that I cannot go back now."
The words lingered between them. Heavy, and raw.
Evelyn stepped forward and pulled her into an embrace.
Maria didn't resist. For a second, she allowed herself to lean into it. To feel something steady. Something that didn't burn or confuse or tear her apart.
"No," Evelyn murmured against her hair. "This is exactly the time to retract your steps."
She pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on Maria's shoulders. "To end that abominable affair. It should never have been in the first place."
The word sat awkwardly in the air. Abominable. Maria didn't flinch. Maybe she should have. But she didn't.
Evelyn searched her face, trying to read what lay beneath the calm surface. "Thank the gods you are now far from each other," she added, her voice quieter. More hopeful.
Distance.
It sounded like a solution. Like something that could fix things. Maria nodded. "Yes."
Evelyn exhaled, relieved. "I do not think he loves you as much as you love him," she continued carefully. "I do not think he is losing appetite because of you."
That landed. It landed deeper than Maria expected. Her mind moved on its own. She pictured him.
Drexo.
Seated at a long table, surrounded by food, laughing easily. Sleeping without disturbance. Living as though nothing had changed.
As though she had never existed..Her chest tightened. Then slowly, she nodded. "I will forget about him."
The words came out steady. Almost convincing.
That night, Evelyn didn't give her a choice. She stayed, and watched. Ensured every bite was taken.
Maria ate slowly, and mechanically..But she ate. And when she finally lay down, exhaustion took her faster than usual.
Sleep came. Heavy, and filled with dreams she couldn't fully remember.
Only fragments..A voice. A touch. Eyes that refused to leave her even in the dark.
Morning came with a strange kind of clarity. Not perfect. Not complete. But something had shifted.
Maria rose earlier than usual. Dressed without hesitation. Stepped into the training grounds with purpose.
The air felt different. Or maybe it was just her. She moved. Faster, and sharper.
Blades clashed, and this time, she didn't miss..Her strikes landed with precision. Her footwork was clean.
Controlled, and ruthless. The warriors around her struggled to keep up. "She is getting her old self back," Evelyn commented quietly from the sidelines.
There was relief in her tone. But hope.
Maria heard it..But she didn't respond. She just kept moving. Keep fighting. As though if she stopped, something would catch up to her.
The day passed smoothly..Almost peacefully, until evening came. And with it a raven flew into Snowland, the capital of the northern province of Astarous.
Dark wings cut across the sky before settling at the gates. The guards moved quickly. A message was taken, and examined fully. Maria's name appeared on the body.
Then, the guard carried it through the halls. Straight to Maria's chambers. A soft knock followed.
Maria paused.
Her hand hovered over the table before she straightened. "Who is there?"
"Karkon, my lady." The voice sounded from outside.
Silence stretched.
Just for a moment. Then "What do you want?"
"A raven just arrived from Dragon City," he said. "It is directed to you."
Everything inside her stilled. Dragon City. Her heart began to pound.
Loud, and unsteady. She hadn't even seen the letter yet. She hadn't touched it. But she knew who had sent it.
Drexo.
The name formed in her mind before she could stop it. Her body moved before her thoughts could catch up..She crossed the room quickly and pulled the door open.
Karkon stood there, holding out the letter..She took it. "Thank you," she said. The words came out quickly. Too quickly. Before he could respond, the door shut in his face.
Maria stood there for a second. Just holding it. Her fingers tightened around the parchment.
Then slowly, she opened it. Her eyes scanned the words.
HELLO MARIA.
I KNOW I AM WRONG TO HAVE WRITTEN YOU.
Her breath hitched.
BUT SINCE YOU LEFT THE CAPITAL, I HAVE BECOME A SHADOW OF MY OLD SELF.
Her grip tightened.
MY LOVE FOR YOU IS EATING ME UP.
Her chest rose sharply.
SHOULD YOU CONSIDER SEEING ME AGAIN…
Her vision blurred slightly.
I AM AT DRAGON CITY.
A BIT CLOSER TO YOU.
FROM YOUR WRONG LOVER: DREXO.
Silence filled the room. Maria lowered the letter slowly. Then pressed it against her chest. Her heart was racing.
Too fast, and too loud.
"He loves me," she whispered. The realization came like a wave. "He loves me as much as I love him." Her fingers tightened over the letter. "He thinks of me as much as I think of him."
A tear slipped down her cheek. "He wants to see me as much as I want to see him.".Her knees felt weak..She sank slightly onto the edge of the bed. "I need to go see him."
The words left her without hesitation. Without doubt. Then, something else surfaced.
Quiet, but persistent.
This is wrong. The thought echoed. This is a cursed love. Both of you are engaged to different people.
Maria shook her head. Once. Then again. As if she could physically push the thought away. "No," she whispered, her voice firmer now. "Not seeing him will kill me faster than the gods will."
That settled it. She stood up. Moved toward the door, and opened it.
A guard stood nearby. "Send for the assistant commander."
Moments later, Helen arrived..Alert. Focused.."Prepare the warriors," Maria said immediately. "We are going to Hills Ford."
Helen's brows pulled together. "Hills Ford?" she repeated. "That is a southern territory."
Maria's expression didn't change..Not even slightly. "When we get there," she said calmly, "you will find out."
Helen studied her for a second. Searching for something. An explanation. A reason. She found none. So she bowed. And turned to carry out the order.
Maria remained standing at the doorway. The letter still clutched in her hand. Her decision had been made. There was no turning back now.