SPELLBOUND

Back in Yryzia, Queen Beatrice had monopolized Evie ever since they entered the castle. She was brimming with happiness as she listened to Evie telling her countless little stories about Gav. The queen was such an amazing person – a woman with a warm and welcoming personality. There was no way that she would not like such a person. She was like a pleasant and refreshing sunlight in the morning that Evie found herself to be utterly relaxed when she was around Queen Beatrice. It was so comfortable and natural as if this moment was not the very first time that they are meeting with each other. 

In the course of their conversation, Beatrice had told Evie that King Belial had talked about Evie to her. And she had confessed that she had been the one who kept pestering the king to tell her more about Evie because she just could not get enough. 

"I still can't believe I am meeting you face to face for real right now…" Beatrice said ecstatically as she reached out and lovingly tucked the strands of her silvery hair behind her ear. Her enthusiasm and cheerfulness were so high and infectious that Evie had a fleeting thought on how the queen seemed to be so youthful like a young girl because of it. "I am so thankful I've finally heard this pleasant news about Gavy. I'm…" she sniffled a little and held back her tears before leaning forward eagerly to hug Evie once again, "I miss Gavrael so much… but seeing you now made me really feel so happy, Evie. I am also beyond ecstatic that I finally have a daughter now. Gavy did a great thing in getting you for his wife." A wide grin spread across the queen's beautiful face and her beautiful eyes twinkled merrily as she said that last line. 

Then she glanced over at Gideon who was sitting silently, with a blank face between Azrael and Kione. 

"I've been dying to have a daughter but this eldest son of mine is so elusive that not a single woman managed to tie him down. That is… until now. Thank goodness for that!" Beatrice grumbled and eyed her son, hoping that her statements would affect the man somewhat. However, Gideon did not even blink or was there a crease to his eyebrows, much less react to his queen mother's prodding statements. The man just remained in his relaxed and lazy sitting position as he rested his head on his knuckles. That posture could just drive one to vomit blood if one does not have the capacity to withstand his annoying behaviour. Obviously, Queen Beatrice was no stranger to her son's actions and must have had tonnes of practice all these years. Thus, she could just blink at her unresponsive son and purse her lips before frowning and giving a minute shake of her head. "I can't believe his little brother had already overtaken him. I had thought for sure that he'd be the first one to give me a daughter-in-law but…" a deep sigh escaped from Beatrice's lips then she shook her head. "I guess we really need to help him out regarding this matter, huh? Oh right, maybe… someone from the surface will be the lucky one to tie him down!" 

Excitement gleamed in Beatrice's eyes as she got excited and clapped her hands lightly, clearly pleased with her sudden 'great' idea. "Evie, dearie… do you perhaps have someone in mind that would be a perfect candidate for a man like this?" she pointed at her son as she said that. 

Even after hearing his mother saying that and pointing directly at him, Gideon still managed to remain unfazed while Kione and Azrael kept glancing uneasily at each other, shifting every now and then like kids who could no longer wait to leave. They seemed to be sitting on cushions that were filled with pins and needles. Evie wanted to laugh out loud seeing how those two were behaving – looking for all the world to be two little boys guilty of some misdeeds, being caught by their mother.

"I think…" Evie took a quick glance at Gideon as well before turning her eyes back to Beatrice. "Your Majesty, I think we don't need to be putting in anymore effort in looking out for someone suitable for him anymore." Evie said in a way that was hinting at something.

Beatrice's eyes slightly widened at her statement and Evie continued. "He actually has a human girl hidden away in his room right now." Evie revealed in a stage whisper, never intending to keep it a secret in the first place. 

Finally, she saw that this was what made Gideon's expression change. He straightened from his lazy lounging position and looked at Evie with an unfathomable look in his eyes as Beatrice gasped out in surprise. 

"H-human girl?!" her head snapped to look over at Gideon. "Goodness gracious! Really, son?!" she jumped towards Gideon. Excitement was leaking out of her in waves, causing Gideon to look at her with a tiny tinge of panic on his face.

"Mother, it's a mis –"

"Where is she?! In your room?" Beatrice did not give Gideon any chance to speak further. "Take me to her, now. I wanted to meet her." She issued out her command, her voice indicating that she would not tolerate 'no' for an answer.

"Mother," Gideon breathed deeply, "that girl is not my –"

"Crown Prince Gideon." Beatrice's tone changed this time and Gideon clamped his mouth closed, half biting on his lower lip as he glanced at Evie. His gaze sharpened a little when he caught her eyes, but Evie stared back at him with a smug face, causing Gideon's composure to crack a little. 

With a grim expression, Gideon could only press his lips tightly together before rising from his seat and ended up helplessly leading the two queens inside a room where Vera was still resting.

The queen was so excited as she and Evie approach the room, but the instant Gideon opened the door, Beatrice suddenly halted.