Chapter 16 - Yours forever and always
1066 Words
King Edward took another deep breath as he continued to read the letter. He sat rigidly on his bed, there’s trepidation on his face.
I love you and that would never change. Do you remember? You’re the only one in my heart. I hope you can forgive me. I didn’t mean to leave. It wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted to remain with you, raise our son, and fulfill the promises I made to you.
I pray that you are well, despite my absence. I pray you still love me, despite my disappearance. I pray you are not angry at me, though I can understand if you are. I couldn’t even say goodbye. I couldn’t see you every single moment I wanted to return into your arms. Know that I desired to come back to you the moment I came here, in the fae dimension.
I do not know how long I have been gone. I fear you have forgotten about me. I fear you have replaced me in your heart. I fear you might have chosen another queen. I do not blame you if you did. But I hope you did not. This breaks my heart and I know I’ve caused yours so much pain as well. Know that it wasn’t intentional on my part.
I did not mean to deceive you. I do not know these things when I came to the fae dimension. They told me I was born a fae and they used me as a changeling to the princess of the south. That is how I came to your world and met you. All those years, I did believe I was completely human, no different from you. I suspected nothing. I did not hide anything from you.
And then, they took me back. My father is a king of a fae kingdom. They treat me as a princess. When I first came to this dimension, I thought I’ve gone crazy. I have wings, too. They might have thought me crazy as I kept demanding they return me. They tried. And failed. A good amount of time passed before we learned that I was bound by a promise. I could not return unless the dark fae’s reign is over. I struggled to accept it. They have failed to defeat the dark prince in all the years they waged war. I almost lost hope. The only thing that kept me going is my desire to see you again.
Sometimes I forget. There are days I no longer think of the human world. I thought this is my fate, to be trapped here. To be apart from you. Sometimes I question fate. Are we truly meant for each other?
I always think of you. My father’s throne alone reminds me of you.
A human girl appeared today and she called me Queen Elise. It has been a long time since someone called me that. I could not believe it. She disappeared abruptly before I can ask her anything. I hoped to ask about you. About our son. I hoped she will come again and I am writing letters for you and our son.
Would you still want me? Would you still want me to return? Are you still waiting for me? Would you still welcome me in your arms? Do you still love me?
My heart aches terribly and I couldn’t do anything about it.
I long for you, my love.
I do not know how long before the human returns. I do not know how long before you read this. I do not know how long before I receive your reply. All I know is that I will wait patiently.
Yours forever and always,
Elise
Edward still couldn’t believe the letter in his hands. She wrote it? For him? After ten long years, he was finally able to hear from her again.
He read the letter again. Does she doubt his love for her? He would never replace her in his heart. She would remain his queen. That will never change. Of course, he’s waiting for her and he will continue to wait if he has to.
He moved to his study to pen his response. If he’s unable to go to her, he will settle for the next best thing, exchanging letters with her. They have done this, too, when they were younger.
Her explanation was concise and brief, he would have to ask Vincent for other details. Who is that dark prince she mentioned and why can’t she return because of him?
Dearest Elise,
What could he tell her? He consulted her letter again, wanting to answer her every question.
You are the only one in my heart. No one can ever replace you. I love you, my dear.
From the moment you went missing, I have never lost hope that I will see you again. I have never blamed you. I will never blame you. What happened wasn’t your fault. My greatest concern is that you could be hurt and you needed me. I am sorry that I failed to protect you. I kept thinking that I should’ve gone with you that day. How could’ve I let you ride alone? I blamed myself.
I have been happy to know you still think of me, that you still want to return to me. I shall welcome you. Always.
Thank you for sharing with me the things that happened to you, and for explaining what happened. You did not, however, say if you are well. I hope you are. Do not let your heart ache, as my heart aches as well, having missed you all these years. I have no doubt we shall see each other again. I will find a way.
The years that passed did not diminish my feelings for you. You will always remain the only one for me. My only love. My only wife. My only queen.
Do not fear. Do not doubt my love, my sincerity and my loyalty to you. There is no doubt in my mind that you are meant for me. You will be the only one to occupy my heart.
I am glad Nate found you. Vince was distraught when she disappeared. It reminded me of what happened to you. It never occurred to us that there is another dimension where magical creatures exist. I look forward to the day we meet again, my love.
Yours now and always,
Edward
- Writer
