Wanna Be Yours- Chapter 4

Milan took a moment to think. Her eyes trail back to her mothers, then back to Evona.

“So…this is from you? She points at her eyes.

Evona smiled, she held her granddaughter's hand. “Your magic is from me as well.”

Milan let out a breathy laugh, “What?”

Her eyes grew teary. Her grandmother squeezed her hand softly.

“Come.” She pulled her up. They head to the third floor. A garden. Bits of plants surrounding the room. An array of colors lighting up the room.

“This was my daughter's favorite room.”

Milan’s fingers brush against a particular flower. The red rose. It was single. Standing tall on its own.

“And that was a flower gifted by your father.”

Milan smiled.

“Did she like roses?”

“She liked all flowers, but she was fond of its meaning.”

“Love.” Milan whispered.

“Your father was a magic swordsman. With my daughter stuck between two realms, he was the one who never made her feel ashamed for it.”

“Ashamed of what?”

“Being a hybrid. Her mother was an Elf and her father was a human.”

“Grandfather?”

“Yes. Your grandfather passed away a long time ago.”

Milan nodded. Thinking perhaps the human’s aging has caught up to him.

“Your father courted her for months. Till she allowed herself to reciprocate his love.”

“And they went on a journey, saved the kingdom and the elves from a dark force?”

“Now you know.” Evona smiled.

Milan looked out a window. People cheered joyfully as the night went on.

“Do you think that I’ll also be able to have love?”

Evona stood behind her, her hands squeezing her shoulders as she whispered, “I think you already have it.”

Oliver looked at her from below. A hand behind his back as he held out his hand for a wave. Milan clears her throat. Looking away.

“What makes you say that?”

“Oh sweetheart, I am not blind. I know true love when I see it. Now, let’s get you some rest.”

***

By morning the village had mellowed down. People working, children frolicking around. Milan had wandered, ending up at her parents' statue once again.

What was last night a thought of confusion has now turned into admiration.

“I want to follow in your footsteps.” She smiled.

“I believe that you will.” A woman smiled.

Milan shrieked as she whirled around.

A woman barely taller than her with bright blonde hair, striking blue eyes, and warm beige skin. She held a crown on her head, and a dress much fancier than her.

It took her a few moments to register, with all her years of eavesdropping, this woman had to be…

“Your majesty.” Milan bowed. Lifting her gown a bit clumsy.

The Queen smiled.

“My lady.” The queen nodded to her.

But as Milan hesitantly lifted her gaze the woman leaned up close.

“Your eyes are as gorgeous as a field of summer white magnolias.”

“Huh?”

The queen giggled.

“Let me introduce myself. I am Queen Hernesta of Leovera.”

Milan gently held her hands together. “I am Milan.”

Hernesta stifled a laugh at her introduction. She caught Milan’s nervous gaze and took her hands.

“My apologies! It’s just that…you’re as cute as Oliver says.”

“W-what?”

“I can tell you have a kind heart!”

“How-”

“I would love you to be a part of our family!”

“I-”

“Sister.” Oliver says.

He comes with another man. He stood tall, and wore a similar color combination as the queen. He gave Milan a nod, to which she returned. Oliver quickly stood by Milan’s side.

“She did not interrogate you, did she?”

Milan glanced at the queen who gave her a big smile, one that Milan could not help but return.

“Not at all.”

The four of them ended up having breakfast with the elders. Sitting around a rectangular table. Feasting on a plate of greens.

“I assume you’ll take her with you.” An elder named Estar says. She nodded in approval. As well as the others.

Milan bit the inside of her cheek.

“Where?” She asked.

Hernesta smiled from across.

“It’s a surpise.”

Milan turned to Oliver who stiffened beside her.

“Oh enough of that. She needs to know how to wield her magic!” Another Elder shours.

“Silence Euteon, you fool! There is no war and judging her energy she is doing just fine on her own!”

He rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair, arms crossed as he sulked.

Elder Evona sighed, as she clasped her hands together. “Let’s prepare for takeoff.”

There wasn’t much. But Milan ended up back at the treehouse. Where her mother spent her childhood in.

“Do not fret, Dear. You are always welcome back.”

Milan smiled at her. Weak but it was there. Evona looked around. Nodding. “This place is packed with so many memories.”

She glanced at her granddaughter.

“And I’d like for there to be new ones.”

Evona gave her a brown magic spell book. Its edges are woven with white lace, the gold letters bright as a star in a dark night. Milan flipped it open. There were spells, techniques, and little notes that were journaled with the name, “Maribella”.

Milan smiled. She turned towards the elder, throwing her arms around her. “Thank you, grandmother.” Evona shakily hugged her granddaughter back. Tears welling up in her eyes.

By noon they had completed the preparations for take off. The queen left Milan in a different carriage. The knights of the house of Leon riding horses behind them. Oliver held his hand out.

Milan set her hand in his as she stepped into the carriage. It was comfortable. Gold color leathered seating, blending with black interior. It matched him. Her eyes trail over his black hair as he takes a seat in front of her. His warm bronze like skin, and when his eyes meet hers. Inwardly she melts. His gold eyes held a gentle gaze. The longer she stared, the longer Oliver couldn’t help but chuckle. His deep laughter breaks her out of her trance. Her cheeks heat up as she looks out the window. His hand covers his mouth. His finger tapped his cheek repeatedly.

“Yes?” She asked, batting her lashes.

Oliver leaned back, crossing his arms as he looked out the opposite window.

“Nothing.”

That’s what he claims, yet once they reached his dukedom, his sister had wished him farewell. Leaving him alone to host her. Once the knights had announced his arrival the carriage door opened. Maids and butlers lined up from the door to welcome him home. Except this time he brought a special guest. Milan ascending from the carriage. Her eyes meet the people first, then the fortress.

Some appeared to be shocked, others held a knowing kind smile.

“Welcome home, Duke Oliver.” The servants simultaneously chant. He walks in with her by his side. The doors fling open. Revealing a grand spiraling staircase. He walks up, dismissing any servants and bringing her to her room himself. He pushed open a room at the end of a hall. It was vast. The bedroom was much bigger than what she was use too. Had a balcony that she never had. Milan looked around with graceful smile.

“I presume this is where I will stay?”

“You presumed correct.”

Milan stood at the balcony. Admiring the view of the water ahead.

“It’s beautiful.” She says.

“I know.” He said.

His gaze glued onto her.

As Milan glanced at him he quickly looked away.

“Please get settled in.”

He quickly dismissed himself, allowing the servants to cater to her.

As the sun had gone down and the moon had risen, Milan couldn’t shut her eyes. She went around her room, grabbing her bag. She pulled out the magic spellbook her grandmother had given her.

“Mother…” She whispered.

She took the time, sitting on a single sofa, reading over every page. Three hundred pages and that was all it took to figure out her mother. Playful notes of how she couldn’t get a spell right. Mocking notes of how ridiculous a spell details well. Or even how she wouldn’t give up on being able to do a spell.

Three hundred pages, three hundred spells, and at the very end her Maribella left a note.

“I did it.”

Milan smiled.

“Maybe I can do it too.”

She set the spellbook down and opening her room door. Hall was quiet. She took three steps across and gently knocked.

“Oliver?” She whispered.

Not a second goes by where he didn’t open the door. His eyes barely open, hair fluffy and messy.

“Please, come in.”

As he shuts the door, Milan whirled around, her chest brushing against his. She cleared her throat stepping back.

“I-I just wanted to say thank you.”

“For?”

“For everything. For having chats with me for the last few months and for showing me…the part of me that I was missing.”

Oliver smiled softly. He took a seat on the bed. Gesturing for her to sit beside him. When she did he brushed her white curls behind her ear. His hand came to find hers, lifting it to his lips.

He didn’t have to say anything. He’s been open from the very beginning.

“You were courting me this entire time, correct?”

Oliver stiffened but he nodded, “Yes.”

An act that was meant to be declared was expressed in silence. That silence grew to speak on its own. Oliver’s eyes widened as Milan leaned in and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

“Goodnight Oliver.” She whispered in his ear.

By the time she left her room, he was left in a daze. Mumbilling to himself, “Goodnight, my love.”