Tiny growls drowned my ears, hauling back to reality.
When I opened my eyes, silver blue orbs stared right back at .
"Snow?"
He looked feral, as if sothing had spooked him.
"It’s alright, I was only sleeping," I said, hoping to ease him, and it worked.
Snow whined and tipped his head, big ears twitching. I stroked him gently and forced myself to sit.
I passed a slow observation around the room and pinned the open balcony doors with a puzzled look.
Was that a dream?
Snow whined before he ran down the king-sized bed and ca back with sothing.
"What’s this?" I took it from his teeth and opened a letter.
It was Drevon’s handwriting. A smile curled on my lips as I read through it.
Forgive , my love, I’d have stayed until you woke up, but your sleep these days is always long, and I’m starting to miss you even though you’re beside every night. I went early to court, so we won’t be seeing each other anyti soon, but I made you sothing. Go to your gardens.
~•~
"Slow down, Your Majesty! You shouldn’t be running!" Osha said, scurrying behind .
"She’s full of energy today!" Talia yelled. "Slow down!"
Snow raced through the wrought iron leading to my garden, and I slowed down my steps.
It’s been a while since I ca here. I have spent most of my ti in the inner court. It was refreshing to be here, and even though the sll of tulips was heavy to my nose, I was determined to find out what Drevon left for .
After a few walks, I found it under a shade of trees, with tulips around it. I gasped, covering my mouth as my eyes trembled.
It was a headstone, and the na Lysandra Winter was engraved on it.
I crouched already in tears as I took the small letter attached to it.
I can still feel your sadness every day, my love. Though you try to hide it. It’s painful that I cannot give you the closure you need. You had nothing of your mother’s, but maybe this can be sothing of hers.
The letter got wet as my tears dribbled down on the paper. I sobbed, using the back of my hand to dry wet cheeks.
I caressed the cold stone, lining her na with a heavy heart. Just having her na before my eyes was enough to know she existed. She was a ghost to , but this helped greatly.
A little shower of rain prickled on my body, but I was covered by an umbrella. When I looked up, I saw both Osha and Talia looking down at with a smile on their lips.
I sobbed, bringing my gaze back to the headstone and murmured. "Thank you."
~•~
"I think this is the last of them."
At Diana’s words, I exhaled a breath of relief.
"Donate so of this to the orphanage."
"Huh? Are you sure?"
"Yes."
The war may have ended a long ti ago, but I knew even a great empire like Valkanor still had the effect of it.
Diana spoke to the servants, and they nodded accordingly.
Today turned out to be a far better day than I expected, having my mother’s grave, finishing with the gifts, and the thought of seeing Drevon tonight. I couldn’t stop smiling like an idiot.
Snow stirred on my lap before releasing a growl.
"What is it, Snow?"
He had his attention towards sothing, and I followed it to a window where a silhouetted figure lurked. I inhaled sharply.
It was just like my dream.
"Diana, do you—"
I froze when I discovered I was alone. The hall, once filled with gifts and servants, was gone, and Snow was no longer on my lap.
In fright, I pushed to my feet, looking around, but the inner court was suddenly a space with no presence. The only presence I felt and saw was that silhouetted figure by the window.
"Who are you?" I demanded. "Show yourself!"
The silhouette moved, passing through the windows like a mirage. My heart thundered in my chest, and my palms got sweaty.
When it got closer, I heard growls, causing to turn. When I did, I saw Snow on the table with a murderous look.
I gasped, flashing my eyes open. Snow was lying next to , but he pinned with his silver-blue gaze.
Was that another dream? It felt so real.
The last thing I rember from yesterday was finishing up with the gifts, and after that, it’s all fuzzy. How did I get back to my chambers?
"Did you wake ?" I asked.
Snow drooped his head, and his tail covered his face. He went back to sleep.
I heard a soft click and found Drevon pouring water into a goblet. When he saw awake, a smile captured his lips, and he ca to .
"You woke up early this ti, my love."
I pressed my hands at my side and forced myself to sit. "What happened?"
"Don’t you rember?"
"I can’t."
"You must have been very exhausted. You fall asleep amid tending to the gifts." His jaw tightened. "Mother doesn’t listen. There was a reason why I said the news of your pregnancy must be kept a secret, and yet she told the inner court. Nothing is stopping it from spreading throughout the empire now."
I smiled. "I believe there is sothing I should tell you."
"What?"
"Thank you, dearest, for the headstone."
There was a light in Drevon’s eyes as he replied. "You liked it."
"Of course I did, seeing her na written there made realize she was real, it was hard thinking about it when there was nothing left of her, at least now she has a grave, all thanks to you."
"I know you still seek closure." His eyes turned sad. "I wish there was more I could do."
I cupped his cheek. "This is more than enough."
Reviews
All reviews (0)