3. Blooddebt | ✓

13. Gifted Light

The only thing that Elizabeth didn't add was the fact that she knew about Elianna's condition — from the Goddess herself.

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Guided to the receiving room, Elizabeth saw a lady walking out of the room and by her dressing, she asked, "You must be Elianna's lady-in-waiting?"

The suddenness of her visit must've caught the lady by surprise because she shrieked a little and stammered, "Y-Yes, my name is Jana. Greetings to Her Majesty of Thethia."

Jana looked frightened by her and the self-consciousness grew in Elizabeth. Relaxing her shoulders a little, Elizabeth tried to put forth a less menacing front but it seemed that it didn't work that well because Jana still looked uptight.

"Could I trouble you to announce my arrival?" she requested in a light tone, not wanting to scare the poor lady-in-waiting any further.

"R-Right away." With that, Jana scrambled into the room again and a brief second after, she walked out and gestured for her to enter. Elizabeth nodded appreciatively and entered the receiving room.

Her eyes quickly fixed on her sister, who stood by the long couch. Even after five years, they still looked like mirror images of each other and when she kept her eyes closed as such, it might be really difficult for others to differentiate them apart. Elizabeth turned to look at Jana, who looked rather apprehensive still. Understanding her fear, she mentioned politely, "You're most welcome to stay if my presence would cause any worry."

"Jana, it's okay. Please leave us to be," Elianna assured, her tone familiar and the way she spoke to her lady-in-waiting only showed her warmth towards them. Jana turned to leave and soon, they were both left alone as the door clicked shut.

Elizabeth moved towards her sister and mentioned," Why are you standing up, Elianna? You do know that you don't have to care about these troublesome customary greetings with me, don't you?"

"I simply stood because I'm excited," her sister laughed, she could feel the relief in her tone. "Elizabeth, we meet again."

Frowning a little, Elizabeth scolded lightly, "I do hope you realise that you're a rather heartless sister, Elianna. If Rowan hadn't mentioned your name over the banquet tonight, I would still be kept in the dark about your whereabouts."

"If only circumstances were better for me," Elianna responded with a sigh.

"That aside, I'm very glad to know that you're safe and sound," Elizabeth expressed earnestly. She reached her hand out, wanting to help her to sit but hesitated to hold onto her sister's hand. Eventually, she retracted her hand, thinking that if she had acted to familiarly suddenly, her sister may not find it comfortable. She said, "Please have a seat, Elianna. I have a few matters to talk to you about and they're quite serious."

"Please do tell," Elianna tensed a little as she settled down.

"I really have to apologise to you for making a pretty rash decision tonight without going through you first." 

Honestly, Elizabeth hadn't felt so nervous and uncertain in her life up till now. Unknowingly, she even started to ramble, "I had put forth a marriage proposal between Rowan and you. However, you don't have to worry about it because if that's not what you wanted, I can always have it refused. After all, I'm the Queen of Thethia and it should be alright to—"

"You did that?" Elianna inhaled a shallow breath, sounding surprised.

"Exactly, I wasn't thinking. I'm terribly sorry, my sister. I should've visited you first but my temper got the best of me and I—"