The Villain Who Fell In Love

"Dear father, how are you doing? I'm doing fine, if you ask. I'm sorry if I'm not able to write to you immediately as you know I've been busy in the palace handling affairs of the people and the church. Four months have passed since our first meeting, but then I still remember how you look. I hope you're doing fine despite your busy schedule. Please take a break as much as possible. I don't want you to overwork yourself. Please write to me as soon as possible. I have some important matters to ask you. Love, Emelia."

Emelia places her pen on the table and reads the letter one more time before folding it into three parts. She opens a drawer under her table and gets a white envelope out. After placing the letter into the envelope, she melts a piece of red wax, and once the wax melted, she pours it on the paper and uses her stamp to seal the envelope. 

"Zed, please send this to my father's mansion," said Emelia as she gives the letter to Zed, who bows his head and heads out of her office. She lies back in her seat and looks out of the window as the snow fell from the skies. 

Four months had passed since then, and the two empires merged, which is now known as the Stella Empire. During those four months, many things happened. The reformation of the barracks, recruiting new soldiers, and appointing the new general. 

That is not where it ends. Just like what they feared, there are nobles who had their own idea of the two empires merging. However, even if they try to protest, Elliot wouldn't change his mind once it's finalized. But because of that, the nobles had split up into two factions led by two known noblemen. 

When Vanessa enters her office Emelia sat back up, and when she looked at Vanessa, frowning, she asked, "What's the matter?" She doesn't look energized like how she usually is, which was a bit concerning to her.

"Princess, you haven't heard from His Imperial Majesty that Dame Ayfara is retiring as a knight?" asked Vanessa while Emelia shook her head, still not believing Vanessa. 

"Ayfara retiring? Why is she?" Emelia asked and pondered about it, but then at the same time, if this was Ayfara's choice, then she doesn't have the choice but to accept it. "Where did you hear this from?" asked Emelia. 

"Ai- Sir Air told me about it," answered Vanessa. "And she currently is in a  conversation with His Imperial Majesty, and Sir Air told me to escort you to His Imperial Majesty's office."

"What are we waiting for? Let's go," said Emelia, clearly in a rush to see Ayfara and hear her reasons. 

It's a good thing Elliot placed his office near hers so that she didn't need to run to them. His office was placed right in front of hers which used to be a guest room that is transformed into an office room.

Emelia knocks on the door before entering the office and when she saw Ayfara, sitting right across Elliot with a serious expression. Emelia then knew that Ayfara wasn't saying a lie. She sat beside Elliot whose eyes didn't break, looking at Ayfara who didn't seem to fear this situation. 

Rather than fearing Ayfara could hear her own heartbeat, beating out loud to the point she hoped no one hears it. 

"I've fulfilled my mission, and it's time for me to take another step in life," spoke Ayfara, breaking the silence. 

"I want to respect your own decisions, but then it'll be a great waste to lose you. You're skills are top-notch, earning yourself a high title amongst the other man soldiers. You've proven to them that even women can fight and be stronger than men," said Elliot as he tries to sound conniving but didn't work. 

"Thank you for the compliments, but then I don't have to stain my hands with blood any further," Ayfara places her two daggers on the table. The two daggers were a present from Elliot when Ayfara earned her title as the Daggers of the Emperor. It is a special daggers handmade by a known blacksmith in town.

"What cannot be undone, cannot be undone," said Emelia even if she promised herself not to speak, she couldn't help it.

Elliot wasn't willing to let Ayfara free, but he knew she has the rights to leave anytime. After all they were in a contract. Once Ayfara has gotten her revenge against her father and sister, she will retire. Who knew the time finally came for her to leave. It's quite depressing. 

"I want to build my own school and teach. That is what I've always dreamed of. Rather than mines, I'm just sharing my mother's dream. Since she wanted to be a teacher. The sense of being responsible for the future generation," said Alfaro. "Not only that, I've inherited the title as the new leader of the Honani tribe. Just like the His Imperial Majesty, I have people under my care now."

"Is that revenge really done? Your sister is still alive," said Elliot, putting Ayfara on a test. He wanted to know whether the hatred towards her sister was still there. Or has she forgiven her? And he hoped that hatred no longer existed in her.

"To be honest, deep down in me is telling to kill my sister. But then now that she's pregnant about to bear a child into this world I…I can't when she looked truly happy," chuckled Ayfara. "To tell you the truth. Even if she's the spoiled and loved child, she has troubles going around her. I'm not pitying her. It's just…I want to give her a second chance to renew herself for the better."

The way she spoke was unlike her. The usual energetic woman looked more of a mature woman now. During those months, what has made her to think and grow like that? Sometimes Emelia gets jealous of others whose plans are already set.

"Revenge is not everything. Even after my father died, I didn't feel satisfied at all. It felt empty than fulfilling, and I don't want to ever feel like that again."

Emelia understood how Ayfara felt. After the war ended and killing Henry by her own hands, it didn't feel good at all. It felt empty. 

"Now that I've found a new dream. It's time for me to fulfill it," smiled Ayfara as she pushed the two daggers towards their side. 

"Keep it," said Elliot as he pushed the two daggers by her side. "It's yours. It has been yours for a long time now. You deserve to keep it." Ayfara bowed her head, clenching her two hands on her pants. 

"Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty. Until now, you've done so much for me, yet I've done nothing but make troubles for you and the team."

"Nonsense," said Elliot. "Even if you are retiring as a knight. You are still welcome to come into the palace anytime. If you need any help, we're here to help you," Elliot looks at Emelia, who nods her head at Ayfara who smiled.

"Thank you very much."

When Ayfara left the office, Elliot closes his eyes, not feeling tired because of their conversation but frustrated not being able to keep Ayfara in. But he can't force her to do something she wanted to pursue. 

"The Dagger of the Emperor is now retiring. What do you plan to do now?" Emelia asked Elliot who thought about her question in silence.

"Of course keep up what I'm doing," answered Elliot. 

"And that still doesn't answer my question," said Emelia. 

"I don't know. What ever comes. Comes. I'll just have to solve it, then it'll be over," said Elliot. "Ayfara deserves to do whatever she wants. Now that Chief Malazan is dead she's free. If he's not then Ayfara wouldn't retire."

Sometimes Emelia wonders why she doesn't anything about Elliot. There are times his immature side comes and sometimes his mature, lonely side comes. It's not something to be bothered about, but Emelia wants to know more of him when he knew so much about her. 

"Then tell me are you honest with your own thoughts now?" Emelia asked Elliot who opens his eyes back. 

"Not really. I do know what to do, but at the same time, I don't. It's confusing."

"That's part of life. Sometimes we just need to go with the flow, right?" Emelia smiles at Elliot who smiles back at her. 

"You know what's one thing I've been waiting for?" Elliot asked Emelia who slightly tilted her head. "For you to open your heart to me. Honestly, that's the only thing I need," answered Elliot, pulling Emelia into his arms and Emelia didn't resist and wraps her arms around his shoulder. 

"We'll take it slow. I don't like things being rushed after all," said Emelia, making Elliot chuckle.

A new challenge will soon begin. New enemies and drama will come in action. A new romantic relationship will be formed.