Evangeline’s footsteps fell along the stone floor, echoing off the walls and bouncing around the hallway. She tried to be quiet, attempting to respect those who actually slept when the night has hit its peak, but, it was difficult with the weight of her armor, and perhaps heart, holding her down. 

She walked by Anastasia’s room, nodding her head at the two guards that stood by either door. She couldn’t imagine the bore of Anastasia, being trapped in that bedroom with no thoughts of escape as she was physically not allowed out past a certain time. It was a strict curfew for her despite being twenty-three years-old, almost twenty-four.

As Evangeline passed the room, she couldn't help but give a second glance, something stirred within her chest. She stopped suddenly and turned around, retracing her steps and going back towards the Anastasia's room. 

“May I?” Evangeline looked to the two knights guarding the door. She wasn’t aware of eithers name, mainly because there were countless knights and these ones were specified for night guarding, so they were rarely seen in daylight. 

“I am unsure if the princess is resting. I would advise not.” One of the guards spoke. Yet, Evangeline simply had the oddest feeling that the princess was awake, and possibly troubled. She had no particular reason to why she had the feeling besides the idea that she simply knew the princess very well.

“Allow me, please. I won’t take more than a few seconds.”

The two guards looked at each other, and the first one spoke, this time a bit defeated,

“You can peek your head in. If she is asleep, then you will leave. If not, then you have five minutes to discuss what you wish with her. I only do this since I know you are her personal knight.”

“Thank you, Sir,” Evangeline said, bowing her head slightly. She walked up to the door and allowed her hand to hover over the knob, ever so hesitantly. Her hand wrapped around the knob, and she peeked in, and the first thing she noticed was the candle that was lit by Anastasia’s bedside. It reflected against her skin, gently, as Evangeline could make out Anastasia reading a book. Anastasia’s head turned towards the door way, and her eyes perked up at the sight of Evangeline.

“Fancy seeing you at this hour. What are you doing up?”

“I should ask you the same thing. May I come in?”

Anastasia put a marker in her book, setting it to her side before waving at Evangeline to come in, “please do.”

Evangeline peeked her head back out to the guard and nodded her head before stepping inside and closing the door behind her.

She took off the belt with the scabbard and put it on a chair that sit in the corner of the room. While she enjoyed wearing it in the day, it was not needed at the moment.

“What do you want to discuss? Not often I see you up this late.”

“Just a bit of extra sparring.”

“At,” Anastasia looked out to the large window in her room, examining the way the moon sat in the sky, “well, early morning would be the right assumption. With who, Eva?”

“Ah, it is no one. One of the younger guards,” Evangeline lied as she waved her hand, giving a small smile in the process. Anastasia narrowed her eyes at Evangeline and ‘tsk'd' at her.

“You’re quite an awful liar, did you know that?”

“It isn’t important who I sparred with.”

Anastasia crossed her arms and steadied herself even more in bed, patting her hand on the edge to motion for Evangeline to sit down. Evangeline quietly stepped towards the bed and sat herself down. Anastasia recoiled slightly,

“Mother of gods, you smell awful. I am going to need these sheets washed tomorrow.”

“Flattered,” Evangeline chuckled, enjoying the lone moment of peace the two of them shared within the storm of chaos that was brewing.

Evangeline took in shallow breath before looking at Anastasia and narrowing her eyebrows,” I sense something troubles you. Although, I am unsure of what. I can practically sense the despair coming off of you.”

Anastasia let out a nervous laugh; it seemed she expected Evangeline to laugh along, but the void emotion on Evangeline’s face silenced her laughter instantly.

“Okay, perhaps you’re correct. I will be honest, Eva, I am nervous for this ball. I know we have it yearly, but it is one of the most snobby and pretentious events I have ever been to. You have to put on the fakest smile while glittered in tons of makeup and an uncomfortable dress.”

“I thought you liked getting dressed up?”

“Not for this,” Anastasia groaned, her eyes rolling at the comment made. She glanced at Evangeline before pulling a stand of her hair out of her eyes, “you feel judged constantly. You have all eyes on you, and most of them are with hatred. They want your position and your money, and it is truly awful. The amount of men that have proposed to me at that event, even as young as fourteen, is beyond horrific.”

“It does not sound fun,” Evangeline added in, that feeling within stirred even more. She pondered what it could have been.

“But thankfully,” Evangeline eagerly put a hand around Evangeline’s dragging her a bit closer. She smiled ever so slightly, “I have you to cure my boredom.”

Evangeline let out a cheeky smile, but, on the inside, she could feel her stomach knot with nerves. She couldn’t quite understand why; however, it didn’t take look before her brain recognized that Anastasia held her hand. There were small sparks coming the touch, and it was soothing.

“Oh, sorry,” Anastasia said, retracting her hand away. Evangeline wanted to say that it wasn’t making her uncomfortable, but the words seemed to die at the tip of her tongue. She didn’t mind the touch, not at all.

“Is there anything else bothering you, Princess?”

“How do you know this? Magic powers or something along those lines?” The two let out a laugh, but Evangeline couldn’t wipe away the staining of those last few words. Why? She hadn’t the faintest idea.

“Well, it is the way that your eyes sparkle at times. When you’re happy, they are bluest of diamonds, yet, when they are saddened or withdrawn, they are stormy and desolate.”

“Quite a way with words. You should become a writer.”

“No thank you; I am better at sparring.”

Evangeline could feel herself let out a little yawn as a speckle of drowsiness started to radiate around her head. When had she become this tired?

“I just don’t know if I am ready to become queen. I need to find a husband and take on all these responsibilities that I don’t even know if I can handle. To lead a kingdom, an entire nation with thousands of lives, I don’t know if I can handle that, Eva.”

Evangeline wanted to say that she understood, yet, in reality, she did not. She had no relation to the troubled Anastasia; for she did not know what it was like to lead a kingdom with thousands of souls to keep alive.

“Not to mention, the struggles that we are continuing with our neighboring kingdom, Ambrose. If father hadn’t put up such tariffs with trading, then we could have prevented so many deaths and horrid relations.”

“I know is isn’t the best situation,” Evangeline turned her head away from Anastasia to look out the window, the moon light reflected inside and bounced off the walls slightly. She then brought her attention back to the matter at hand, “but perhaps you can find a way to salvage some sort of relationship. Perhaps all we need is a new set of eyes.”

“Well, at least I will have you by my side.”

“I am here whenever you need me, Princess Anastasia.”

“Gods,” Anastasia grumbled, narrowing her eyes at Evangeline and letting out a frown. She huffed, “for the last time, it is Anastasia. We are close in relations, Evangeline. I see you as my friend, so let’s get rid of the formalities and try to keep things casual.”

Evangeline laughed slightly before both of their attentions are turned towards a knock on the door. It creeped open, and Evangeline could see the knight she had spoken to before look inside,

“It is time, Evangeline. The Princess must rest.”

Evangeline sat up from Anastasia’s bed which seemed to radiate frustration. She hesitantly looked towards Anastasia who pouted at being told that Evangeline must leave.

“Can she not stay longer?”

“I am afraid not, Princess. Both of you must get rest as dawn is approaching rather quickly.”

Anastasia’s eyes were seen tracing the outline of Evangeline as the knight put her belt and scabbard back on, getting ready to exit the room. 

“I will see you tomorrow, Princess Anastasia.” Evangeline bowed slightly and when she looked up, she let out a wink, knowing calling her 'Princess' would anger her. 

Anastasia let out a huff before turning her back and letting out a irritated, “fine.”

Evangeline existed the room and turned towards the guards, thanking them for allowing her to see Anastasia. As she made her way back to her abode, she couldn’t help but ponder, how would Anastasia handle being the ruler othe Collosicus kingdom?