Chapter 130: Something Special: Meribia's Bigest Secret
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CHAPTER 128
Thinking back now, Era understood why they were not selfish to make that decision.
Etheria's army was magnificent and even if Eleora had managed to take down some soldiers they would be affected as well and what was more, they might still not be able to defend against the might of Etheria's army.
If that was the case, given her size and age, she would have been weak, discovered and sought after. That would not have sat well for her family.
Even if her parents ran away with her, they would have been a fugitive and given Elrad's nature, he would not run and leave his people to suffer, he would have stayed to fight to the death and her mother would have stayed with him.
In the end, they would have failed to protect Meribia's biggest secret and failed to protect their daughter, making her a target for their enemies.
She let out a deep breath and leaned her head against her hand which was supported by the table in front of her.
She had hoped that the maid died due to the war and did not fall into enemy hands. If that was the case and she died, it was good but if she survived, she hoped she was safe and free.
That way, this secret could stay with them forever.
*Flashback*
"Thank you, Diona. The pleasure is all mine and yes I am from Meribia, anything wrong with that?"
"Ah! There is nothing wrong. I was just curious about some things that's all."
"And what things if I may ask?" Era pushed again.
"Just how small it was and how you must feel so lucky to have been favoured by King Vidor here."
Era smiled upon hearing her choice of words. It was obvious she was there to find trouble.
"Indeed my kingdom is small but we share a might like none other. We have what other kingdoms failed to have."
"Really, what is it then?" Diona asked, suddenly speaking what was on everybody's mind.
"If I tell, then it wouldn't make it special anymore, don't you think?"
"I see. To me, her majesty is just being simple and wants us not to know the truth because she is shy."
"Does that makes any sense?" Era countered. "What is there to be shy about?"
"I do not know, you tell me. I believe even his majesty would love to know what is it that your kingdom has that everyone did not have?"
"Oh my, I am sorry. I just got lost in thought about that one thing."
"Then tell us. After all, you are my queen, there should be no secrets between both kingdoms anymore," Vidor chipped in.
"Ah! Since you put it like that, I am afraid I cannot deny a direct sincere question from the king. Fine, I would tell you."
"The one thing we have that every other kingdom seems to lack is, love, courage and respect."
"It really seems you still look at this kingdom as beneath your kingdom, your grace. Look at us, our heritage, our conquest, do you still think we lack all of those? We are the epitome of strength and a beacon of hope."
**Flashback Ends**
She shook her head and smiled bitterly.
"They really are far from all that she said. Perhaps in time, if I can help direct his majesty on the right part to take. If not, I do not think they would be following this way."
She leaned back against her chair, releasing and other sigh as she looked outside the window to see how far the morning sun had risen.
"Arya and the others should be resuming work, right about now. By the way where is Aeverie? She is taking longer than expected. Hmm, did something happen to her?"
Just as she stood up from the chair she heard a kock on the door and paused. "Who is it?"
"It is I, your majesty, Aeverie."
"Okay. A minute."
Hurrying, she quickly went to let her in, then shut the door behind her. "What happened? You took a while."
"I am sorry, your grace. A little hold-up and besides, it became hard to see the head maid once I got to the kitchen. She was too busy. It seems she was preparing a sumptuous meal for the royal breakfast."
'Really? Well, I am not going out today. You can just come up with something. Anything."
"I informed his majesty's guard on my way here that you would not be attending breakfast as you are not so strong."
"Oh thank you. I would really need the rest as well."
Aeverie smiled at her. Of course, she would need the rest when she was trying to escape that handsome husband of hers.
'Wait. Speaking of her husband, should I let her majesty know that the king is ill himself? Would it calm her down a bit or would she ignore it? Hmm, perhaps I can use this to further test her reaction and see what she is up about him.'
Finalizing her thoughts she cleared her throat, pulling Era's attention to herself.
"Is there a problem Aeverie?" she directed her gaze at her and watched as she tied up after dropping the breakfast on her table for them.
"Yes, your majesty. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Okay."
Turning her head in another direction, Era watched over her sister from where she stood until she heard the same sound as before.
This time around, Aeverie had moved to her clothes area and was busy checking the clean clothes she got for Eleora. It was no telling that there was something definitely wrong with her.
"Aeverie. Stop and speak. I know you want to say something. Just come out plain."
She hesitated a bit but with Era's blue eyes shining at her in a narrowed manner, she knew she could not hide it. Her queen's curiosity had been peaked.
"Well, I do not know if I am the right person to say this but I believe his majesty is hurt."
A frown remained plastered on her beautiful face but that did not matter to Era now. All she could think of was the fact that he got hurt.
When? How? Where? By whom?
Those were the questions plaguing her mind at the moment but only one word came out of her mouth.
"Hurt?"
"Yes, your majesty. I saw the royal physician leave his room, I may not know the details but even when I sneaked to the herbal section, I overheard him asking them to prepare the herbs and take it to the king."
"He is hurt but how come?"
No longer was her face in a frown. Rather she was sad, worried and as much as she tried to mask these feelings away, she couldn't hide them.
Aeverie could see it right through.
After a minute she raised her head a bit up and when she lowered it down, all of those emotions had disappeared, it was all too far gone.
"Okay, thank goodness he had Louis with him. He is in safe hands."
"Your majesty?"
"Yes ?"
"Umm, wouldn't you pay a visit to his royal majesty? It would help put you in his favour."
She arched a brow at Aeverie. "And why did you think I would want to be put in his favour?"
"Because, Lady Diona if she noticed the anger between you two, she might take that as an advantage to steal his majesty's favour from you. I am not speaking of intimacy but in terms of matters of court and you still need to solidify your place as his queen."
"Oh. Well, he has other ministers. He would be fine. I am guessing he doesn't want t blown out of proportion, that is why. So if he knows that we know, that would be trouble. Besides, it would be that you were lurking around the king's chambers."
"I wasn't lurking around," Aeverie immediately let out, defending herself.
"So what was it that you were doing?"
GAGHAN!
She knew Era was trying to find out not just as a question but for herself. Better than anyone, she knew telling Era would be a mistake.
"Umm, I just was not lurking. I happen to pass by."
She pouted her lips together before peeling her gaze from her. "Tell that to the king."
"I know I cannot but i..."
'Let it be. This is what I am trying to avoid. A situation where we would lok like fools. Hmm. So just let it be."
"But what if his majesty makes it known?"
"I doubt that would be the case but if by peradventure it is, then I would show my own sincere concern. Until then."
"Okay, your grace. I understand."
"Now where are those three young ladies? They usually do not delay this way. Is everything okay today?"
"I would check on them then. Please excuse me, perhaps it is just a little um, delay." Saying that she bowed her head to Era and was about to leave when another knock came on the door.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
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CHAPTER 128
Thinking back now, Era understood why they were not selfish to make that decision.
Etheria's army was magnificent and even if Eleora had managed to take down some soldiers they would be affected as well and what was more, they might still not be able to defend against the might of Etheria's army.
If that was the case, given her size and age, she would have been weak, discovered and sought after. That would not have sat well for her family.
Even if her parents ran away with her, they would have been a fugitive and given Elrad's nature, he would not run and leave his people to suffer, he would have stayed to fight to the death and her mother would have stayed with him.
In the end, they would have failed to protect Meribia's biggest secret and failed to protect their daughter, making her a target for their enemies.
She let out a deep breath and leaned her head against her hand which was supported by the table in front of her.
She had hoped that the maid died due to the war and did not fall into enemy hands. If that was the case and she died, it was good but if she survived, she hoped she was safe and free.
That way, this secret could stay with them forever.
*Flashback*
"Thank you, Diona. The pleasure is all mine and yes I am from Meribia, anything wrong with that?"
"Ah! There is nothing wrong. I was just curious about some things that's all."
"And what things if I may ask?" Era pushed again.
"Just how small it was and how you must feel so lucky to have been favoured by King Vidor here."
Era smiled upon hearing her choice of words. It was obvious she was there to find trouble.
"Indeed my kingdom is small but we share a might like none other. We have what other kingdoms failed to have."
"Really, what is it then?" Diona asked, suddenly speaking what was on everybody's mind.
"If I tell, then it wouldn't make it special anymore, don't you think?"
"I see. To me, her majesty is just being simple and wants us not to know the truth because she is shy."
"Does that makes any sense?" Era countered. "What is there to be shy about?"
"I do not know, you tell me. I believe even his majesty would love to know what is it that your kingdom has that everyone did not have?"
"Oh my, I am sorry. I just got lost in thought about that one thing."
"Then tell us. After all, you are my queen, there should be no secrets between both kingdoms anymore," Vidor chipped in.
"Ah! Since you put it like that, I am afraid I cannot deny a direct sincere question from the king. Fine, I would tell you."
"The one thing we have that every other kingdom seems to lack is, love, courage and respect."
"It really seems you still look at this kingdom as beneath your kingdom, your grace. Look at us, our heritage, our conquest, do you still think we lack all of those? We are the epitome of strength and a beacon of hope."
**Flashback Ends**
She shook her head and smiled bitterly.
"They really are far from all that she said. Perhaps in time, if I can help direct his majesty on the right part to take. If not, I do not think they would be following this way."
She leaned back against her chair, releasing and other sigh as she looked outside the window to see how far the morning sun had risen.
"Arya and the others should be resuming work, right about now. By the way where is Aeverie? She is taking longer than expected. Hmm, did something happen to her?"
Just as she stood up from the chair she heard a kock on the door and paused. "Who is it?"
"It is I, your majesty, Aeverie."
"Okay. A minute."
Hurrying, she quickly went to let her in, then shut the door behind her. "What happened? You took a while."
"I am sorry, your grace. A little hold-up and besides, it became hard to see the head maid once I got to the kitchen. She was too busy. It seems she was preparing a sumptuous meal for the royal breakfast."
'Really? Well, I am not going out today. You can just come up with something. Anything."
"I informed his majesty's guard on my way here that you would not be attending breakfast as you are not so strong."
"Oh thank you. I would really need the rest as well."
Aeverie smiled at her. Of course, she would need the rest when she was trying to escape that handsome husband of hers.
'Wait. Speaking of her husband, should I let her majesty know that the king is ill himself? Would it calm her down a bit or would she ignore it? Hmm, perhaps I can use this to further test her reaction and see what she is up about him.'
Finalizing her thoughts she cleared her throat, pulling Era's attention to herself.
"Is there a problem Aeverie?" she directed her gaze at her and watched as she tied up after dropping the breakfast on her table for them.
"Yes, your majesty. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Okay."
Turning her head in another direction, Era watched over her sister from where she stood until she heard the same sound as before.
This time around, Aeverie had moved to her clothes area and was busy checking the clean clothes she got for Eleora. It was no telling that there was something definitely wrong with her.
"Aeverie. Stop and speak. I know you want to say something. Just come out plain."
She hesitated a bit but with Era's blue eyes shining at her in a narrowed manner, she knew she could not hide it. Her queen's curiosity had been peaked.
"Well, I do not know if I am the right person to say this but I believe his majesty is hurt."
A frown remained plastered on her beautiful face but that did not matter to Era now. All she could think of was the fact that he got hurt.
When? How? Where? By whom?
Those were the questions plaguing her mind at the moment but only one word came out of her mouth.
"Hurt?"
"Yes, your majesty. I saw the royal physician leave his room, I may not know the details but even when I sneaked to the herbal section, I overheard him asking them to prepare the herbs and take it to the king."
"He is hurt but how come?"
No longer was her face in a frown. Rather she was sad, worried and as much as she tried to mask these feelings away, she couldn't hide them.
Aeverie could see it right through.
After a minute she raised her head a bit up and when she lowered it down, all of those emotions had disappeared, it was all too far gone.
"Okay, thank goodness he had Louis with him. He is in safe hands."
"Your majesty?"
"Yes ?"
"Umm, wouldn't you pay a visit to his royal majesty? It would help put you in his favour."
She arched a brow at Aeverie. "And why did you think I would want to be put in his favour?"
"Because, Lady Diona if she noticed the anger between you two, she might take that as an advantage to steal his majesty's favour from you. I am not speaking of intimacy but in terms of matters of court and you still need to solidify your place as his queen."
"Oh. Well, he has other ministers. He would be fine. I am guessing he doesn't want t blown out of proportion, that is why. So if he knows that we know, that would be trouble. Besides, it would be that you were lurking around the king's chambers."
"I wasn't lurking around," Aeverie immediately let out, defending herself.
"So what was it that you were doing?"
GAGHAN!
She knew Era was trying to find out not just as a question but for herself. Better than anyone, she knew telling Era would be a mistake.
"Umm, I just was not lurking. I happen to pass by."
She pouted her lips together before peeling her gaze from her. "Tell that to the king."
"I know I cannot but i..."
'Let it be. This is what I am trying to avoid. A situation where we would lok like fools. Hmm. So just let it be."
"But what if his majesty makes it known?"
"I doubt that would be the case but if by peradventure it is, then I would show my own sincere concern. Until then."
"Okay, your grace. I understand."
"Now where are those three young ladies? They usually do not delay this way. Is everything okay today?"
"I would check on them then. Please excuse me, perhaps it is just a little um, delay." Saying that she bowed her head to Era and was about to leave when another knock came on the door.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
************CHAPTER 128Thinking back now, Era understood why they were not selfish to make that decision. Etheria's army was magnificent and even if Eleora had managed to take down some soldiers they would be affected as well and what was more, they might still not be able to defend against the might of Etheria's army. If that was the case, given her size and age, she would have been weak, discovered and sought after. That would not have sat well for her family.Even if her parents ran away with her, they would have been a fugitive and given Elrad's nature, he would not run and leave his people to suffer, he would have stayed to fight to the death and her mother would have stayed with him.In the end, they would have failed to protect Meribia's biggest secret and failed to protect their daughter, making her a target for their enemies.She let out a deep breath and leaned her head against her hand which was supported by the table in front of her.She had hoped that the maid died due to the war and did not fall into enemy hands. If that was the case and she died, it was good but if she survived, she hoped she was safe and free.That way, this secret could stay with them forever.*Flashback*"Thank you, Diona. The pleasure is all mine and yes I am from Meribia, anything wrong with that?""Ah! There is nothing wrong. I was just curious about some things that's all.""And what things if I may ask?" Era pushed again."Just how small it was and how you must feel so lucky to have been favoured by King Vidor here."Era smiled upon hearing her choice of words. It was obvious she was there to find trouble."Indeed my kingdom is small but we share a might like none other. We have what other kingdoms failed to have.""Really, what is it then?" Diona asked, suddenly speaking what was on everybody's mind."If I tell, then it wouldn't make it special anymore, don't you think?""I see. To me, her majesty is just being simple and wants us not to know the truth because she is shy.""Does that makes any sense?" Era countered. "What is there to be shy about?""I do not know, you tell me. I believe even his majesty would love to know what is it that your kingdom has that everyone did not have?""Oh my, I am sorry. I just got lost in thought about that one thing.""Then tell us. After all, you are my queen, there should be no secrets between both kingdoms anymore," Vidor chipped in."Ah! Since you put it like that, I am afraid I cannot deny a direct sincere question from the king. Fine, I would tell you.""The one thing we have that every other kingdom seems to lack is, love, courage and respect.""It really seems you still look at this kingdom as beneath your kingdom, your grace. Look at us, our heritage, our conquest, do you still think we lack all of those? We are the epitome of strength and a beacon of hope."**Flashback Ends**She shook her head and smiled bitterly."They really are far from all that she said. Perhaps in time, if I can help direct his majesty on the right part to take. If not, I do not think they would be following this way."She leaned back against her chair, releasing and other sigh as she looked outside the window to see how far the morning sun had risen."Arya and the others should be resuming work, right about now. By the way where is Aeverie? She is taking longer than expected. Hmm, did something happen to her?"Just as she stood up from the chair she heard a kock on the door and paused. "Who is it?""It is I, your majesty, Aeverie.""Okay. A minute."Hurrying, she quickly went to let her in, then shut the door behind her. "What happened? You took a while.""I am sorry, your grace. A little hold-up and besides, it became hard to see the head maid once I got to the kitchen. She was too busy. It seems she was preparing a sumptuous meal for the royal breakfast."'Really? Well, I am not going out today. You can just come up with something. Anything.""I informed his majesty's guard on my way here that you would not be attending breakfast as you are not so strong.""Oh thank you. I would really need the rest as well."Aeverie smiled at her. Of course, she would need the rest when she was trying to escape that handsome husband of hers.'Wait. Speaking of her husband, should I let her majesty know that the king is ill himself? Would it calm her down a bit or would she ignore it? Hmm, perhaps I can use this to further test her reaction and see what she is up about him.'Finalizing her thoughts she cleared her throat, pulling Era's attention to herself."Is there a problem Aeverie?" she directed her gaze at her and watched as she tied up after dropping the breakfast on her table for them."Yes, your majesty. Why wouldn't I be?""Okay."Turning her head in another direction, Era watched over her sister from where she stood until she heard the same sound as before.This time around, Aeverie had moved to her clothes area and was busy checking the clean clothes she got for Eleora. It was no telling that there was something definitely wrong with her."Aeverie. Stop and speak. I know you want to say something. Just come out plain."She hesitated a bit but with Era's blue eyes shining at her in a narrowed manner, she knew she could not hide it. Her queen's curiosity had been peaked."Well, I do not know if I am the right person to say this but I believe his majesty is hurt."A frown remained plastered on her beautiful face but that did not matter to Era now. All she could think of was the fact that he got hurt. When? How? Where? By whom?Those were the questions plaguing her mind at the moment but only one word came out of her mouth."Hurt?""Yes, your majesty. I saw the royal physician leave his room, I may not know the details but even when I sneaked to the herbal section, I overheard him asking them to prepare the herbs and take it to the king.""He is hurt but how come?"No longer was her face in a frown. Rather she was sad, worried and as much as she tried to mask these feelings away, she couldn't hide them.Aeverie could see it right through.After a minute she raised her head a bit up and when she lowered it down, all of those emotions had disappeared, it was all too far gone."Okay, thank goodness he had Louis with him. He is in safe hands.""Your majesty?""Yes ?""Umm, wouldn't you pay a visit to his royal majesty? It would help put you in his favour."She arched a brow at Aeverie. "And why did you think I would want to be put in his favour?" "Because, Lady Diona if she noticed the anger between you two, she might take that as an advantage to steal his majesty's favour from you. I am not speaking of intimacy but in terms of matters of court and you still need to solidify your place as his queen.""Oh. Well, he has other ministers. He would be fine. I am guessing he doesn't want t blown out of proportion, that is why. So if he knows that we know, that would be trouble. Besides, it would be that you were lurking around the king's chambers.""I wasn't lurking around," Aeverie immediately let out, defending herself."So what was it that you were doing?"GAGHAN!She knew Era was trying to find out not just as a question but for herself. Better than anyone, she knew telling Era would be a mistake."Umm, I just was not lurking. I happen to pass by."She pouted her lips together before peeling her gaze from her. "Tell that to the king.""I know I cannot but i..."'Let it be. This is what I am trying to avoid. A situation where we would lok like fools. Hmm. So just let it be.""But what if his majesty makes it known?""I doubt that would be the case but if by peradventure it is, then I would show my own sincere concern. Until then.""Okay, your grace. I understand.""Now where are those three young ladies? They usually do not delay this way. Is everything okay today?""I would check on them then. Please excuse me, perhaps it is just a little um, delay." Saying that she bowed her head to Era and was about to leave when another knock came on the door.KNOCK! KNOCK!
