Song of The Beholder

2

"Mother-- How will we..."

The sound of my parents' sniffling shut me up. My heart quivered at the sight of them clinging to each other, afraid of what the future could bring them. Naturally, I would throw my arms around them and join in their little pity party... But no, not today. Taking a deep breath, I straightened my back and held up a few of the silver pieces I have earned earlier in the day.

"We are fine for a while... Sure, it was not the best idea to sell everything today, but I think-- I'd be able to find a job..." I said, showing a weak smile.

 They turned away, my father starting to rub my mother's shoulder. Of course, they wouldn't believe that I would do such a thing. I'm not the type of person to do much, and of course, it's frowned upon. But this time, I really mean it! The fate of our family rests upon me getting a job-- I think. Upset, I slammed the coins onto the table and shouted in a tone I didn't even know I could produce.

"Don't believe me, mother and father? I WILL find a job and I WON'T come back until I have one to support this family," Afraid I was being too harsh, I calmed my tone hoping they would listen. "In the meantime... Get some rest... You two really deserve it."

Slamming the door behind me, I confidently walked out of my small home and headed back to the Eacozarian market. My first instinct was to go to Adeline, knowing such a close friend would happily offer me a job. Before reaching her stand, I stumbled upon a large crowd of squealing maidens.

"Uh-- Excuse me... Pardon me?" I asked a light-haired girl.

"Shhhh!!!! He's here," She cooed. "The prince is here!!!"

Prince Louvel... The son of our king and a good friend of mine. I remember that as children we would play outside in the palace garden. With excitement, I pushed my way through the crowd. As I reached the front of the crowd, two of them grabbed me by the wrist and held me back. Before I could even shout or struggle, my eyes dark eyes met his. Rather than seeing the handsome man he has grown to be now, I could only see him as a child, the way I had last seen him. 

When he was younger, I remembered how large and round they were, full of curiosity and purity. With age, his eyes seemed to have grown much softer. His golden hair would be tied back and kept at shoulder-length, but now it seems that he is allowed to let it down.

"Evette?"

I would remember his small, chubby face, which has now grown to be so sharp and chiseled.

"Evette!"

Snapping out of my trance, I looked at the worried face of the prince with wide eyes.

"Oh thank heavens you're alright..."

With his large hands, he held mine and gently pulled me out of the crowd. I could only shiver and stare.

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" The prince said, guiding me near his carriage. 

"It s-sure has.... Y-Your maje--"

"There's no need for an old friend to be so formal." He said, cutting me off mid-curtsey.

Letting out a giggle, I hugged him, only now realizing how much he's grown. I looked up at him with a soft smile, seeing how the top of my head barely reaches his shoulder. His large hand rested on the top of my head, ruffling my hair.

"How come you've stopped coming to the castle?"

I cocked a brow in confusion.

"My mother said we were no longer welcome inside and that you've....You've found better friends....And--"

Louvel hushed, petting me softly to stop the tears that were about to come out.

"I could never replace you, Evette... Here, let's go to the castle. I've already given up the search of finding my mother a gift."

"A gift, you say?"

We stepped into the carriage and began our way to the castle. During the ride, I removed the necklace Adeline had given me and offers it to the prince.

"This... Might be something the queen would like."

"But, Evette, it is yours..."

Placing it in his hands, I smiled.

"Trust me, your highness, she would absolutely adore it."