“You made it.”
She recognized this familiar voice, Prince Varis. She smiled and executed the Garlean bow.
“Your Majesty. My condolences.”
“I appreciate your concern; Thank you Petra, it’s good to see you.”
“Are you holding up ?”
“Hard time, little bird. I wish I could do something for Zenos. He is very affected, he barely eats. Few days ago someone intented to poison him.”
“I had no idea, I’m so sorry. What I can do to help you ?”
“Go see him. He needs you.”
She didn’t expect that much candor from Prince Varis. What could she possibly do anyway ? She knew the Galvus always had a soft post for her but they obviously overestimated her importance for Zenos. She also made that mistake and she swore to herself to never make it again.
“I haven’t spoke to him in two years.”
“He still loves you Petra. He isn’t the one who ended the relationship, it’s you.”
“He never told you why ? Pfff… I won’t do it, I’m not seeing him.”
“Then, why are you here ? Why are you wearing this outrageous dress if it wasn’t to get his attention ?”
“How dare you ?!” she almost screamed at the Prince very embarassed. Oh how she couldn't wait to remove that cursed dress, Petra wasn't comfortable drawing the attention.
“Please, you’re not even convincing. You will find him in his chambers, keep me in touch.”
Varis walked away with a confident gait leaving Petra speechless. She felt trapped. Now Prince Varis had almost forced her to visit Zenos. Seeing Zenos face to face made her anxious but she did not want to upset Varis by refusing his request. Reluctantly, Petra headed to Zenos’ chambers.
She changed her clothes for a more casual outfit. Zenos and her didn’t have a proper conversation since the end of their relationship. He never tried to hold her back. She never changed her phone number in case he would try to contact her but not even once she got a phone call or a message. Nervous, she climbed the stairs, no more hiding behind a mask, she will have to face him this time. Ornella opened the door to Lady Petra when she knocked.
“Lady Petra ! It has been so long !”
“Hi Ornella, I’m here to see Zenos.”
“Oh my Lady, he’s asleep and I have orders, I can’t let someone in Prince Zenos’ chambers if he is asleep.”
“Please Ornella. I really need to see him. I made all this way for this.” she admitted blatantly honest this time. She won’t lie to herself this time, she came to Garlemald to see Zenos.
Ornella hesitated. Zenos’ orders were clear nobody in his chambers when he didn’t know about it. Especially after the assassination attempt, she was risking a lot disobeying. Yet how could she ignore Petra’s distress ? Ornella liked Petra, she saw she made Zenos happy and was hoping they could get back together.
“Alight, it’s really because it’s you my Lady” she nodded tenderly.
Zenos’ chambers. Petra lived there several months. She left the Sokovar’s manor to move in Garlemald castle. Not much had changed since her departure. The large photo of Zenos and his father remained the first thing she could see. On the wall in parallel, the family portrait named Four generations of Galvus men. Zenos’ Legatus armor on display with his collection of swords. Some pictures caught her attention. She recognized herself with longer hair, smiling. ”Oh he kept them” she expressed herself in a voice filled with melancholy. This glimpse of their past happiness moved her to tears. She sat on the bed, next to him. He was peacefully asleep, almost looking like a child. Petra took a deep breath and interlaced her fingers with his.
“Hello, Zenos, it’s Petra. I really hoped we could talk but another time I guess. I cut my hair, not too short but it's at shoulder length now. I needed some change after well, you know. I heard about your great-grandfather, I am so sorry for your lose. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for you. I know you had a special bond with him. Yet Zenos, you have to be strong. We all need you to be strong, the country is in crisis, you have a role to play. Be strong, be the strong man I fell in love with. I came back to Sniflheim as soon as I heard because I wanted to be by your side, to support you. I will stay here as long as you want me to stay. Zenos I’ll always be here for you, not because it’s my duty but because I...because I...love you…”
Lady Petra wept, Ornella interrupted her cleaning to comfort her.
“It’s okay sweet child. You can cry. It’s hard to see him so broken, yeah. You still love him right ?”
“I do Ornella. I want to do something for him.”
“Alright, alright.”
“ I need to go. I need a moment alone.”
Overwhelmed by all those mixed emotions, she ran away. She didn’t notice she forgot her scarf. When Ornella saw it, Petra was gone already. She carefully fold the scarf while smiling, she placed the scarf prominently on Zenos' desk. “He will have to give it back to her now.”
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