Page 188 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
“But …why?” He didn’t understand why his father hadn’t just left everything to him from the get-go; why he’d needed to leave it with someone from another kingdom altogether.
“It was a terrible battle, but he was fighting for you and your future …” Their smile slipped. “A future he didn’t know if he was going to get to see. So he wantedsomeoneto remind his family that he loved them—that he lovedyou. That he wanted to be there for you, all throughout your life … even if he never came home.”
The words brought Julian to tears more than the gifts. Gerda put a hand on his arm, reassuring. It steadied him.
Rowen eyed the pair of them. “There is one more thing.”
Julian shot the fox a look; he didn’t think he could handle any more surprises today. “Oh?”
Another tray appeared in Rowen’s hand.
“Forgive me, I know Ishouldn’thave. But—” They pulled off the cover and revealed a smaller matching circlet to Julian’s, but with nettle frame leaves to mount the snowflakes and moonstones. “I’ve had a matching coronet prepared specially foryou, Miss Gerda.”
CHAPTER 103
Keeper of Fate
Gerda
A Week Later
The weather was turning, and the trees of the Dark Enchanted Forest were starting to change into their autumn colors. The first few leaves had fallen that morning, floating in the moat below my door.
My kitchen window looked out over the moat of the Black Fortress. I’d moved it here when I invited my Dark Lady, Queen Henrietta of Nilheim, over for lunch.
Henrietta gasped. “Is that … ?”
“Mm-hmm.” I brought over two cups of warm unigoat milk mixed with the powdered markleberry mix. “Hot chocolate.”
She eyed the drink with fervor, her excitement palpable. “You mentioned it in your cookbook.”
“If you can figure out a way to make markleberry powder without pixie magic, I expect you to share,” I informed the woman.
Henrietta laughed and solemnly swore to do so.
“Now!” I said, pushing a cup toward the queen. “Before I add the toppings, you should taste it as it is.”
She took a sip and made an appreciative hum. “It’s so rich! And so different from the tea. I love it.”
As much as markleberry had a chocolaty flavor, the berry was commonly processed into jams and jellies and added to hot water. It made a weaker, watery chocolate jelly tea that was nothing like the creamy delicacy I was currently holding in my hand.
I lifted my own cup and breathed deeply, smelling the familiar scent. The nostalgia alone almost made me cry.
“Wait until you try it with whipped cream and sprinkles.”
I pulled out a bowl of each, homemade.
The next morning was still dark on the horizon when my eyes shot open; I was wide awake, with a restless energy that wouldn’t settle.
I checked my character sheet.
My domain was safe, and my [Sense Danger] was silent.
I was justawake.
There was no chance of falling back asleep, so I decided to treat myself to a long, luxurious bubble bath. Julian mumbled unhappy noises when I lifted the blankets to escape, but he went back to sleep.
The half elf had practically moved in, and I would pick him up from the palace every day after work. True to his word, Julian was taking over for his mother. It was all-consuming work, learning the ins and outs of ruling North Sumbria, but he was managing well.
