"Evie!" she called out as she began to run towards her, but she immediately paused in her tracks when she realized that Evie was not alone. 

Quickly, she bowed her head. "Your Majesty," she greeted, ashamed that she had called Evie using her nickname in an impulse.

"Vera," Evie approached her immediately. 

Evie then grabbed Vera's hand before she looked behind her again. To her queen mother who was still standing there, still as a statue as her gaze was fixed only on Vera. 

Queen Beatrice had not answered them when she and Gav asked her what was wrong. The Queen just looked at Vera with that one same expression. The one that look like she had just seen a ghost. 

"Come Vera, I will introduce you to them." Evie smiled before she gently pulled Vera alongside her and then brought her before Queen Beatrice. 

Evie was very suspicious now. It was obvious to her that there was something about Vera that made Queen Beatrice react like this. Did she already know Vera, or could it be that like Gideon, she was seeing Leah in Vera as well? But was it that simple? 

For some reason, Evie thought that the queen's reaction right now was an obvious statement that it was not that simple. The Queen's expression right now was telling her there was something more to this. Something much more complicated. And she was dying to know what it was. 

"Mother," Evie spoke. "This is Vera. She's the human girl I was telling you about. And Vera, this is Queen Beatrice, she's Prince Gideon's mother."

Vera's eyes widened and she quickly bowed deeply before the queen. "Greetings to you, Your Majesty." She said, a tinge of nervousness was evident in her voice. 

Beatrice just blinked at Vera. It actually took her more than a few moments to snap out of her inner reverie and finally made a move. 

"V-vera…" she echoed the name and then with deliberate slowness she took a step closer and held Vera's hand. And the queen's eyes seemed to become emotional again, before all of a sudden, she hugged her. That move surprised everyone, especially Vera. 

Even Evie and Gavriel glanced at each other for a moment. Vera looked very shocked and confused as though she could not quite believe what was happening. Why was the queen suddenly hugging her tightly like this? While Beatrice looked like she was hugging someone very important to her, embracing so tight like she could not believe Vera was real. 

Evie's observation only deepened her suspicion. Her curiosity was skyrocketing now!

"I am very pleased to meet you, young lady," Beatrice finally let go of the confused Vera. A wide smile was now gracing her gorgeous face as she lovingly looked at the young lady before her. "Where is Gideon? I believe he's with you right?" she asked, smiling wider at the sight of Gideon's robe over her. 

Upon realizing that everyone noticed the robe that was on her, Vera blushed hard, unable to speak immediately. She was not sure how to respond to this question.

"I… He's… he's still asleep." Vera's voice was so weak as she gave the most neutral and truthful answer. Beatrice only chuckled fondly at that statement and held her hands again. 

"I see. It's very rare for Gideon to still be sleeping in until this time. That son of mine really hates sleeping… oh right, come with us for now, Vera dearest. You will be joining us while waiting for Gideon to wake up." Beatrice was suddenly energetic and all smiles again. 

Vera glanced at Evie and then she shyly spoke. "I… forgive me, Your Majesty. But I… I need to go freshen myself up first." She clenched onto her robe tightly, and Beatrice finally noticed that she was not dressed properly. 

"Oh, don't worry about that dearest," Beatrice immediately signalled for her attendants and two ladies approached. "I'm leaving this young lady in your care. Bring her back to us once she's ready." She commanded gently and the ladies nodded, quickly ushering Vera towards a room. 

Vera's eyes were wide as she looked at Evie again, but when Evie smiled reassuringly at her she took the ladies' hands and she disappeared from the corridor. 

Once Vera was gone, a heavy silence reigned between them. When Beatrice looked at Evie and Gavriel, she could already read the questions in their eyes, and she sighed shakily. "You are right, I do know her," Beatrice confessed but there was so much sadness in her eyes as she said that. "… but it's complicated. Don't worry, daughter dear," Beatrice smiled knowingly at Evie, "I will talk to you about this later on. For now, let's deal with this current matter. And… we still need to introduce Gavy to his older brother." 

Gavriel's expression became a little serious at the mention of Gideon. 

"Gideon…" Gavriel said and Beatrice nodded at her younger son. 

"Yes, he's the older brother you used to adore so much. Now come, you two… let's wait for Vera and Gideon inside." Beatrice said merrily as she dragged her son and daughter-in-law along with her. 

…

Meanwhile, inside Gideon's room. 

The man who was still sleeping soundly on the bed suddenly rose as if something had jolted him awake. He sat there, heaving for a while before his blue eyes fell on the empty side of his bed. 

He froze at the sight that it was already empty. He reached out his hands to touch the sheets and found them to be slightly cool with only a mild hint of body heat left. Then he withdrew his hand and pressed his palm hard on his forehead as if having a sudden headache. There was an intense storm in his eyes again, and then he shut them before a name came tumbling out of his lips, his voice shaky and raw. "Vera…" he uttered, fist clenching in his hair before he lifted his head and hastily rose from the bed. 

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