The Saintess and the Villainess

Chapter 51

Eva found Anne alone in her room. She was in bed, fully dressed, reading a book and eating pastries. When she saw Eva walk in, her eyes went wide, and she scrambled out of bed, throwing her arms around Eva's shoulders.

"Eva!" shouted Anne. "I was so worried about you! I was scared that something bad had happened to you or that you were so mad at me after our fight that you just left forever. I'm really sorry for yelling at you."

"Please don't feel sorry," said Eva, returning Anne's hug. The embrace felt warm and reassuring. This was the way things were supposed to be. "I'm sorry to have frightened you. I didn't leave because I was mad at you I just had some... things I needed to think through."

"But where did you go?" asked Anne, pulling away from the hug and shooting Eva a quizzical look. "Agis had people looking all over the city for you and we couldn't find any trace of you."

"It doesn't matter," said Eva, shaking her head. "What have you been up to in the time since I've been gone? Did I miss anything important?"

"Not really." Anne rubbed the back of her head sheepishly. "You said not to leave the cathedral and I felt bad after our fight and we couldn't find you so... I've just been hanging around."

Eva smiled, a wider and more genuine smile than her usual. Anne really was lost without her, even now. Just because Anne was becoming a bit more independent didn't mean Eva wasn't needed anymore. And if her brief absence had helped Anne remember how important her presence was, then it was all for the best.

"Oh, I've had a lot of visitors, though," said Anne. "And it hasn't been a completely wasted week. We've started setting some plans in motion. Agis helped us send a letter to Prince Elyon and Lady Corvina said—"

"Anne!" snapped Eva. She didn't want to hear about Lady Corvina.

"Oh, yes?" asked Anne, forgetting her train of thought.

"I have a present for you," said Eva, smiling. "To say I'm sorry for our fight."

"You didn't have to do that..." said Anne.

"I wanted to," said Eva. Eva pulled out the small jeweled pin and placed it through Anne's lapel so that the jeweled part was showing.

"Ooh, it's so pretty," said Anne.

"I made it myself. Anne." Eva took Anne's hands in her own. "I want you to know that I heard you. You lived a really sheltered life back in Longren, and so when we came to the capital I just really wanted to protect you from the danger and corruption that fills the streets here. But I see now that I've been acting in a way that comes across as overbearing and controlling. I never meant to make you feel suffocated, and I certainly never meant for you to be frightened of me. You've made new friends here, and you have new goals, so of course it makes sense that you'd want to be more independent. And I don't want to be in the way of your growth."

Eva placed a hand on Anne's cheek. "I'm happy to take a step back if that's what you want," she continued. "We can both have a little room to... explore how our lives might evolve from here. Not totally separate from each other, just... spread a little further apart. I just hope you'll keep this token with you. Wear it by your heart every day. That way, even when we're away from each other, a small part of me can be with you always. That way I think I can feel a little less anxious being away from your side."

"Oh, Eva..." said Anne, her eyes swimming with emotion.

"Saintess!" Acolyte Betty came running into the room, but stopped in her tracks when she saw Eva. "Oh, Sister! I didn't realize you were back..."

Eva clicked her tongue in annoyance, but quickly caught herself and fixed her expression to her usual gentle emptiness.

"What is it, Betty?" asked Anne.