Ever After

☾Chapter Sixteen☽

Ever changed quickly into the dress before heading to the dining hall.

"Is everything okay?" Wyll greeted her as she neared the table.

"Yes." Ever smiled noticing the King sitting down at the head of the table.

"Good morning, Ever. It's nice to see you again."

"The same goes to you, your majesty." Ever bowed. Wyll pulled back Ever's chair, but before she could sit down there was a high-pitched squeal.

"Ever!" Suddenly, Ever was hugged by a happy Mary.

"Mary." Ever smiled, "I assume you're feeling better?"

"Mary-Marie." The King chastised, "We do not squeal at guests."

"Sorry your majesty." Mary apologized, brushing herself off, before turning to bow to the king. "We'll talk later." She then whispered to Ever.

Ever sat down at the table, and Wyll took the seat next to her.

The rest of the lunch passed by with small talk and Ever successfully dodging questions from the king.

"That could have gone worse." Wyll laughed as Ever and him made an escape from the dining hall.

Ever sighed and rolled her eyes. "You know, you could have spared me a little longer by showing up at my hut the day before we had to leave."

"I don't think you would have agreed to go then." Wyll retorted.

"Hmm... How long have you known about this 'gathering'?" Ever questioned.

"A while, but my father arbitrarily thought it would be a good decision to have me go instead. Then, after you left last night, he suggested that I bring you along."

"You couldn't have told him that I don't like events like this?"

Wyll laughed, "It won't be that bad Ev."

Ever glanced up at Wyll. She then scoffed and faced back towards the direction they were walking.

"I'll show you to your room." Wyll added.

"Thanks."

Ever knocked on Wyll's door. It was early morning, and they were expected to leave in a few hours in order to arrive in Thouria on time.

"Come in." Wyll called from the other side. Ever pushed open the door into a large room similar to the Queen's chambers in Aquata.

"Wyll?" Ever asked.

"I'm in here." His voice sounded from the room at the end of the foyer.

Ever poked her head through the doorway.

"Are you about ready?" She questioned.

"Almost."

Ever scoffed. "Don't you have maids to pack for you? They packed my things. Well, Mary did at least."

"I like to know what I'm packing." Wyll sighed, sliding a luggage case off the end of the bed and onto the floor. "Now I'm done."

Ever rolled her eyes and walked towards Wyll. She grabbed his hands and pulled him closer to her. She then wrapped her hands around the back of his neck.

"So, does this mean that I get to meet all the royalty of Ethelia?" Ever smiled.

"Yes, but I also need you to keep an eye out for an artifact. I also have the sneaking suspicion that all the royals are going to like you more than me, and I'm the future king." Wyll grinned.