SPELLBOUND

"Oh Vera," Evie could only hug her friend again, her heart breaking for this poor friend of hers. She wanted to say something and wanted to tell her she did not need to make herself suffer like this. But Evie could not speak. Maybe because she knew what Vera needed the most right now were not advices, but just the solid and silent support and understanding a friend could give her. And Evie was not going to deny her this one little thing. And she could see it that this decision Vera made was not something shallow and decided on in a split second that still could be changed over time or by some talks. Somehow, Evie could see it in her eyes, that she had already allowed herself to intentionally fall into the deep end on this matter. And she was clearer on this than anyone else on how futile it was to stop someone from wanting what her heart wants. She had realised it was already too late when Vera had decided to talk to her about it, and no one and no amount of words can change her decision anymore. Nobody could change her mind now, only she herself. 

"Please don't be sad for me, Evie." Vera told her, as she started caressing Evie's back as if to soothe her. "Don't worry, I can handle this. I knew all along that it was going to be a gamble from the very start. I am not forcing myself to do this either. So please do not worry. I will do my best not to deliberately make myself suffer… I know all pain will subside and dull out eventually. I just need to get used to it and I think that as long as I don't expect anything more than what I can get from him, I will be perfectly fine. Eventually." She even smiled as she said that, causing Evie to pull back and look at her with concern.

"But what if… the pain never actually fades off? What if it only grows and gets worse over time?" Evie asked her softly, aching for her. 

"I think…" Vera shrugged and flashed her another helpless smile, "…I'll just cross that bridge when that day indeed comes, and if I can't handle it anymore. Right now, I am quite confident that I can handle the pain as I know I've developed quite a tolerance over the past years." 

Her answer had silenced Evie for a long while. Then she reached out for Vera's cool and pale hands and held it within hers gently. "Alright, I will respect your decision Vera," Evie could only give in, "but please, promise me that you will put yourself first and… please don't hesitate to come to me if it becomes too hard and too heavy for you to bear it alone, okay? I will be there for you whenever you need someone to lean on or vent out to, I promise you that. There is no need to think twice to ask for help, okay?"

Vera's eyes gleamed at Evie's words of comfort and encouragement and this time she was the one who moved to hug her. "I feel like some god sent me two angels, one angel of darkness and one angel of light. You've become like my personal angel of the light, Evie… thank you so, so much… you have no idea how thankful I am that I've met up with you again here, in this place…" 

Evie rubbed Vera's back gently as she whispered in her mind. 'You're the angel of light Vera. I strongly believe that you are the angel of the light that will bring that damned dark angel down to his knees! I am putting my bet on it… wait…' 

Suddenly, a thought popped in Evie's head. What if… Vera is the key to unlock all of Gideon's secret? What if she was the key to help him open up? What if… what if Vera was the one to be his salvation? 

Her eyes widened and then a small smile curved on her lips. Something fierce and determined then bloomed in her eyes. It seems she had something very important to deal with for now. That was right, she must help Vera win over the closed off heart of that prince of blackmail! If that happens, Evie was certain that everything might change for the better. And she was thinking that it was not only for Vera but also for Gideon and the entire Under Lands as well! 

Once Evie left Vera's room, she immediately sought Kione out. She had already heard quite a great deal about him and his infamous reputation. Evie decided not to speak with Vera about her plan as she thought it was not Vera who needed the push. This push was specially reserved for Gideon. Vera already loved him, but Gideon… she was not certain of how things were on his side yet. She needed to know if that man really only cared about Vera due to him being reminded of Leah every time he looks at Vera. She needed to know first if there was even a certain sign that it is possible for him to fall for Vera as herself and not because of her resemblance to his late lover. 

Evie was trying to be careful as she did not want to cause any additional pain for Vera on top of what she was already dealing with. She wanted to help but she knew there was always that possibility that interference from others might cause an even bigger problem. Evie wanted to avoid that, so she was going to make sure of some things first. 

"You were looking for me, Queen Evielyn?" Kione appeared before Evie and greeted her with a bow. 

"Can you put up a sound a barrier, Kione? I have something important to tell you." 

Curiosity immediately gleamed in Kione's eyes and without further ado, he quickly called forth a soundproof barrier within seconds. Evie actually thought of Azrael first before Kione came to mind, but she then remembered that Leah was Azrael's little sister. Evie quickly realized that the man might end up seeing Vera as his little sister as well. However, if it was Kione… Gideon would probably react just by having him entering Vera's room. 

"I need your cooperation Lord Kione." Evie told him after revealing her plan to him. "I already know your views about this and that you personally think that Gideon falling in love with Vera is going to be the cause of a disaster. But I strongly believe it might be the other way around." 

Kione let out a soft sigh, obviously still unconvinced. 

"May I ask you one thing, Lord Kione?" her gaze on him was serious but there was a warmth in those amber eyes that Kione could only nod. Not that he could say 'no' to this Queen anyway, he thought in his mind. 

"Go ahead, Queen Evielyn."

"Have you ever fallen in love before?" Evie asked him as her eyes observed him closely, not wanting to miss his every reaction.

Kione fell awkwardly silent, then he slowly ran his fingers through his hair. "Well… I'm not sure if our understanding of the words 'falling in love' is the same, but all I know is that I've fallen in love with a lot of things and quite a number of ladies already during my lifetime. I'm not a one-woman man after all.." He shrugged as he answered Evie's question.