MAYA, my love.

CHAPTER 30

Ein hurried outside, the crisp air biting at his skin, the urgency of the moment propelling him forward. He spotted Elizabeth sitting alone on a bench by the side of the road, her figure small against the sprawling landscape. She stared into the distance, her shoulders trembling, tears glistening in the corners of her eyes.

As he approached, Ein felt a swell of concern mingled with uncertainty. He offered her a handkerchief, the soft fabric a token of his intentions. Elizabeth looked up at him, annoyance flickering across her face before she accepted it with a hasty motion, wiping her tears with a mixture of frustration and gratitude. The silence between them grew heavy, laden with unspoken words.

"Are you well, Your Highness?" Ein inquired gently, hoping to bridge the chasm of discomfort.

Elizabeth's voice trembled with sadness. "Doctor Mey truly despises me, does she not? Why can I not penetrate the walls she has built? I merely sought to offer her comfort. I was unaware of the depths of her distress."

Ein inhaled deeply, his heart aching for her. "Doctor Mey is a complex individual. She typically shuns the company of others and harbors deep mistrust. She has been under considerable stress of late, particularly concerning Arthur. We are all worried for him as well. Please, excuse her words; they were likely uttered in a moment of anger."

"No," Elizabeth replied, her voice firm. "I discerned the resolve in her eyes. She spoke the truth when she expressed her discomfort in my presence. Deep within, I have always known this but have chosen to ignore it, clinging to the hope that we might overcome it one day. Yet, she..." Elizabeth's voice faltered, and fresh tears streamed down her cheeks.

"Your Highness, if you are aware that she does not appreciate your efforts, why do you persist in subjecting yourself to this pain?" Ein asked gently, the question hanging in the air like an unspoken challenge.

Elizabeth's frustration ignited. She rose abruptly, facing him with an intensity that caught him off guard. "Though Doctor Mey may not share the same sentiment, she is family to me. I have always cared for her. I shall continue to do so. If she prefers that I adopt a more measured approach, then I shall, but I will never surrender my efforts."

"Pray tell, why?" Ein pressed, eager to understand her unwavering resolve.

"Because!" Elizabeth exclaimed, her voice rising with passion as she pointed at him. "When one truly cares for another, one does not abandon them. One remains steadfast, striving to protect and nurture, even if it must be done from a distance. Abandonment is not an option. That is the essence of family, young man."

Ein felt the weight of her words settle into his chest, a deep admiration blossoming within him. Her fierce determination, coupled with a profound vulnerability, pierced through the chaos of the moment. She radiated beauty in her resolve, the fiery spirit within her shining like a beacon.

"As you say, Your Majesty," he replied, a smile gracing his lips. He stepped closer, feeling an impulse he could not suppress. He took her hand and pressed a gentle kiss against her skin. Elizabeth froze, her eyes widening in surprise at the unexpected gesture. He noticed the momentary shock in her expression, but she quickly masked it with composure, though a faint blush colored her cheeks.

The sweetness of the moment made him chuckle softly, breaking the tension. "I shall attend to Doctor Mey on your behalf, Your Highness. I give you my solemn promise." He lifted his hand to his heart, sealing his vow with sincerity, before turning to depart.

Elizabeth remained rooted to the spot, her heart racing, watching him walk away. The warmth of his kiss lingered on her hand, mingling with the cool air. As Ein disappeared down the road, she whispered incredulously.

"Young people these days..... Really." She took a long breathe to collect herself and gathered her dress around her and hurried back to the palace. What a weird day this had been.