In the meantime, I'll go bid farewell to my father. She thought as she opened the door and walked to the west wing of the house.
There was no sound. It seems her troublesome sister and her vicious mother were not home. She gently pushed the door to her father's study and it creaked open.
The ever busy duke raised his head from a pile of books to look at the person sitting across the table.
"How do you do?" Her voice was low and emotionless.
The Duke's cold and hard expression turned soft. "You're different from before. You used to always have a smile on your face. Something must be the problem."
Why does he care about me all of a sudden? Evelyn thought, but she immediately shook it off.
Since she was born, her father only visited her twice. Now, he was showering care after nineteen good years. What change does his care want to bring now?
"Everything is fine. I am still the adventurous daughter you always knew. I have come here to bid you farewell," she stated firmly.
"Where are you going?" Duke King's voice was laced with concern.
"South."
"Evelyn…there's something I have to tell you," the duke said and looked at her as if waiting for her expression to change from cold and emotionless to curious and inquisitive.
"I am all ears," she answered.
"Now that you're leaving, I doubt you'll ever come back. I just want you to know that I am sorry. I am sorry for…." He paused. His eyes were teary and unfocused. "Everything."
"It's alright," Evelyn replied and was about to leave the room.
"Your mother," she stopped in her tracks.
"What about her?" She asked and turned to look at the duke who was holding a box made of ebony.
"She was the best thing that ever happened to me. I loved her, and wanted the best for her. Alas, she was interested not in being the duchess. All dukes and duchesses of Emerald city ridiculed me.
I was urged to get a heir, but your mother was in no rush. Amidst all that, we had you. But, she died immediately after giving birth to you. The physician said she's been pregnant of you for two years. The priestesses said you were a curse.
I was furious, and didn't think the situation through. Your mother was only trying to protect you. She left you this." Duke King placed the box on the table.
Evelyn walked back to the table and looked at her father with mixed feelings in her heart. She didnt quite understand what her father meant, but she knew her mother was a great person.
She picked up the box and opened it. Inside was a sipver hairpin. There were little pieces of azurite glistening on the head of the hairpin. Little flowers carved out of emerald stood like guardians over a large glowing stone beside the pieces of azurite.
The stone was glowing with extraordinary beauty. She gently traced the large stone with her fingers.
"Why are you just giving me this?" She asked as she closed the box.
"At least you should know what your mother's last wish is, right?" He asked and walked to the window of the study. "She said and I quote, * think not yourself inferior, my child. Grow up and live to be who you are, and not a product of what you're to become*. I still don't understand what she meant, though."
"Grow up and live to be who you are, and not a product of what you're to become," Evelyn repeated. Suddenly realization dawned.
She knew of the apocalypse!
"Who is she?" Evelyn asked.
"Your mother…" he paused and tried to remember. "Now that I think of it… I don't know."
If she's still alive. I need to find her. Evelyn thought.
"The hairpin is the only thing she left behind. I bid you farewell, Evelyn King," Duke said as Evelyn made her way out if the room.
"This is ridiculous," she muttered as she walked back to her room.
Knock!
Knock!
"Come in," Evelyn said. She knew the person knocking wasn't a maid or guard.
In walked the apocalypse king. He looked stunning after all rhe dirt had been washed off. He had a slim build and was quite short like a little boy. He had glistening emerald green eyes, straight nose, thin pink lips and a little chubby cheeks.
His had long honey-coloured hair that descended down his shoulders in curly waves. Long eyelashes that fanned his face and a faint smile was plastered on his face.
It's the apocalypse king. Evelyn thought as she eyed him. Quite handsome.
"Thank you for saving me," he sounded like a four-year-old little girl.
Ahh… I see. Evelyn thought and gestures for him to sit.
"My name is Evelyn King, a pleasure meeting you," she said calmly and poured him tea.
"I don't have a name," he replied sadly. "But, 'tis a pleasure to be in your presence."
"Where is your home?" She asked. Although she had no intention of keeping the apocalypse king by her side, she still wanted to test him. Being a dream weaver, she could tell if he was lying or not.
The first answer was a lie, though.
"I don't have a home," this time he replied truthfully. "You saved my life, so my life now belongs to you, Lady Evelyn."
More like you were planting zombies in the city, she thought.
"Oh… just call me Evelyn. No need for ceremony. I would accept you by my side, but I need you to answer some questions. Don't try to fool me, young man," she said the last part firmly.
"Yes," he replied and sipped on the cup of tea.
"Who are you?" She asked. "And why were you lying down on the floor covered in grime and dirt?"
"Why did you save me, and why were you booking supplies?" The boy asked back.
"Don't ask questions you already have answers to," she replied with the same calmness in her tone.
"Well… don't ask questions you don't have answers to either!" He raised his voice an octave higher. Clearly, he was frustrated by her questions.
"Your name should be… Evyn Whitemane," she replied calmly.
Suprise flickered in his eyes. "How did you know?"
"My guess was right after all. You're the apocalypse king, aren't you? Why you're destroying the world… I don't know . But, you belong to me now, so you do what I say."
Evyn sighed in defeat. "My name is just Evyn. The surname… I gave myself. You're a dream weaver, right? I once saw you in a dream. That's why I followed you here."
"You don't see dream weavers in your dreams," she corrected.
"I know…but I did," he stood up and walked up and down the room. "I don't know why I saw you, but you're an important person. You must have lived this life before, haven't you?" He stopped to look at her.
"I have frozen my heart, Evyn. I have died before, and am no longer scared of death. This I know, is not the path you're supposed to take," she said.
"I know my own destiny, Evelyn," he replied.
She dropped the teacup on the plate with a loud clink. "I won't make the same mistake I made last time. If your dream portrayed me as someone who'd help you destroy the world then look at how reality portrays me."
She stood up and walked to him. "I don't know why you're doing this, but I know this is not the right way."
Why do I feel like crying into her shoulder, and telling her everything? Evyn asked himself as he looked into Evelyn's eyes.
"I am not a little boy," he said and turned away.
Evelyn found his actions amusing, but there were other matters to attend to. "We're heading south. We leave tonight. Go get some rest," she said as she climbed into the bed.