The Crown's Reflection

Chapter Eight: A Normal Family

"You know my name, not my story. You've heard what I've done, not what I've been through. If you were in my shoes, you'd fall the first step."

___

Elsea stared at the coin pouch in her hand, then at Everett. He'd given it back. He could've made a run for it with the money. Disappeared into the rain and never looked back. She knew that for whatever reason, money was important to Everett. Perhaps she'd been hasty to judge him.

Elsea turned her attention to the young thief, clearing her thoughts. Her blonde hair that held hints of pink and orange was escaping her ponytail, and her nose had freckles that looked like smatters of coffee. Her frame was small and light, and she seemed tense, like the world was not kind to her. The girl couldn't have been older than fourteen, and she stared defiantly at Everett. 

"What's your name?" Everett was straddling the girl, the dagger still pressed firmly against her neck. 

"Vessa." The girl's voice was barely above a whisper, yet it was confident and clear. 

"Get off of her." Elsea instructed, and Everett obliged, seeing that she was no threat. 

"I just needed money to feed my family." Vessa said as she got up, her voice cracking. She turned and started to run away, but Elsea called out,

"Wait!" Vessa stopped, but didn't turn to face her. Elsea caught up with her, and she could see her tense up, ready to run or fight. "Please take this." Elsea handed her a pair of large ruby earrings, and Vessa took them, her eyes doubting. 

"Thank you." Vessa voice was uncertain, like she hadn't experienced generosity for a while. 

All the girl wanted was to feed her family.

"Is thievery common?" Elsea asked Everett after Vessa had left, knowing the answer. 

"Very. Often times people don't have a reliable source of money to keep themselves and their family alive, so they resort to stealing." There was something in Everett's voice that was...raw and open. 

Elsea's coin pouch suddenly grew heavier in her coat.

"Anyway, as payment for me getting your money back, I think I deserve to ask some questions about you." Everett changed topics with a smile, but there something about it that was forced. "All I know about you is that you're a runaway princess from Asteria, and you came here. Of all places." Then, Everett asked the dreaded question that Elsea knew was coming. "Why? Why leave your luxurious life in the palace to come here?" 

Elsea swallowed. "Tough question." She said with a nervous chuckle. Everett arced a brow. Somehow, the whole story started spilling out of her like he was her therapist. "As you know, Saphira and I are twins. She's seven minutes older than I am, and its law that the oldest sibling is to be crowned queen when she turns sixteen. Being younger than her, I never will become queen. But selfishly, I've always wanted to rule, and on her coronation I just couldn't take it anymore. I ran away because I wanted to be queen, Everett. That's it. That's the petty reason why I left my family and life behind. Because I'm jealous." She paused, looking up at the sky and the slowing rain. "I have a life where I can get anything I want, and people like Vessa have to steal just to eat." 

Everett was silent, processing it all. It felt relieving to just tell the whole truth for once, after her whole life of bottling up all her feelings. 

"I must say, that was not what I expected at all." He said at last, quietly. And that was all. No judgement, no snarky comments. Everett seemed lost in thought. 

___

Over the course of a few days, Elsea started to get accustomed to the busy bustle of Raveene, and the constant noise that surrounded her. Although the out-of-place feeling still grasped her, she was learning to blend in, thanks to Everett's help. Elsea walked with ease now, the flat and busy terrain more familiar. Her hair now brushed the tops of her shoulders, and she resisted the urge to shake her head sometimes, surprised to find her head light and free. Even the way she dressed was different, all soft material and modest colours. Usually it was cold enough to make her cheeks turn pink, and she wore lots of layers, often opting for a scarf or hat. Elsea's life was peaceful and independent...even content. 

"My father's in town," Everett said suddenly, on their way back from breakfast. His eyes were bright with excitement, and Elsea wished she knew someone that made her that happy.  Dumbly, it occurred to her that she'd always assumed that Everett didn't have a family, or never considered his life before he'd met her. "I'll probably visit my family right now, if that's okay with you." he continued, "Father's a merchant, so he traveled around a lot. I usually don't see him much."

"Are you sure they'll let me stay over?" 

"Of course, Mum will be delighted to have a guest." Everett replied confidently. They walked a little in silence, and Elsea found herself being nervous. What would they tell his family?

He stopped in front of what she assumed was his home, knocking on the door made of creamy wood. It was small yet cosy, with small windows and an assortment of wildflowers that grew wildly along the sides. Along with the untamed garden, and the dark wood of the house, it looked like a cottage out of a faerie book. 

An older woman carrying a half-embroidered napkin opened the door, her face lighting up when she saw Everett. 

"Everett, come in! Who's the girl you brought?" 

"This is Ellie, she'd my uh..." 

"You brought your girlfriend?" A younger version of Everett bounded towards them, and he threw his arms around Everett's waist. Everett scuffled his dark hair, a special smile appearing just for him. 

"Ellie, this is my brother, Hayden." He rolled his eyes, but affectionately. 

They went inside, and Elsea sniffed, smelling herbs and warm bread. 

"Sit next to me, Eve!" Hayden whined, tugging him towards a chair at the dining table. He was about eleven, and resembled Everett,  defined cheekbones and tousled dark hair. Their father appeared, and Everett went and hugged him, his face alight in joy. They each ate a slice of rosemary bread, with a small bowl of tomato soup. Elsea couldn't help noticing the small portion sizes with a pang. Everett and his family were so comfortable with each other, and Everett kept pinching or mussing his brother's hair, laughing and joking with him. Elsea sat at the table, sounds of enjoyment rising around her. This is what a family was supposed to be like. Warm and relaxed and open. Saphira and Elsea were strangers compared to Hayden and Everett.                            

Of course Everett had a life before he'd met her. Elsea would be alone once again when their contract ended, yet she'd naively pictured her future to be with Everett. He wouldn't be around forever. 

Just long enough to get his pay.