Chapter 33: Value (Evelyn's POV)

The next three days went by slowly. The whole time, Archer was feeling a little down. 

And my heart broke for him each time. I hated seeing him so upset but I also knew that the only thing that could really make him feel any better was actually seeing his grandmother. I tried helping as much as I could with words. And kisses. 

We were currently up in his room, I was helping him re-organize his bookcase when there was a knock on the door. 

"Come in!" he called out.

Mr. Bruce came in. "Your majesty." He bowed his head. "Your parents have arrived." 

He froze, looking at me in shock. 

"Go, what are you waiting for?" I chuckled, taking the book from his hand. 

"Come with me." He grabbed my hand. 

I followed him out, both of us rushing to get downstairs. 

When we got to the doors, his parents were making sure all their stuff was being brought in and his grandmother was back to herself, glaring at her daughter-in-law and barking orders. 

"Grandma." 

She looked over, walking over. She was grinning and started to say something but he didn't give her a second. 

He hugged her quickly and tightly. 

She sighed, patting his back. "I'm not dead yet," she scoffed. 

"Grandma," he said scoldingly, pulling back to look at her. 

"Don't be a baby," she clicked her tongue while wiping his cheek. "I am perfectly okay, as good as new," she patted his arm while turning to me. 

"Lady Beatr-" 

"Call me grandma, please," she smiled, pulling me into a hug. 

I was stunned, to say the least. I knew she liked me but I didn't think she would react like this upon seeing me. I didn't think I had that much value in her eyes. I smiled, pulling back. 

She went back to making sure all her stuff had been brought in before turning to us while the other girls came in. They all greeted them all. I realized nobody else knew about her heart attack. 

"Lady Beatrice, how was your trip?" Chloe grinned, trying to play nice. 

Archer and I exchanged a look. 

"Could have been better," she scoffed. "Archer, Evelyn." 

We both straightened up. 

"I need to speak to you two, come with me."

"Perhaps I could-" Chloe started off. 

"I said Archer and Evelyn," his grandmother snapped. 

Chloe sighed in agitation and kept quiet while we followed Lady Beatrice into her bedroom. As soon as she closed the doors, she sighed in complete exhaustion. She swayed a little on her feet and we grabbed her immediately, taking a hold of her arms. 

"Are you all right? Should I call someone?" Archer asked quickly, both of us helping her to the bed. 

"Oh no, no. I'm just exhausted from the journey," she sighed, lying down, propping her head up against the headboard. She closed her eyes momentarily while we stood beside her. 

He put his hands behind his back and his fingers were digging into his fisted palms when I looked. I grabbed his hand, bringing it forward and he relaxed. 

"Right," she cleared her throat. "Evelyn." 

"Yes?" I stood upright. 

"Sit here, darling," she said, patting the spot beside her legs. 

I sat down hesitantly, pulling my hand out of Archer's. 

"Archer, sit right here." 

He knelt beside the bed as per her instructions. The mood suddenly got very solemn and almost depressingly dreadful. 

"Archer," she sighed, exhaustion written all over her. She really needed to sleep. "You are to be married at the end of the year," she began. 

"Grandma, maybe you should rest and we can-" 

"Don't interrupt. Listen to me," she said sternly. "Now," her voice wavered while she grabbed my hand. 

My heart rate picked up. 

"I am fine, but with what happened, I've realized that..." She inhaled deeply. "I may not be here for your wedding." 

"Grandma-" 

"Oh dear god, listen!" she exclaimed. "I'm getting old, all right? I plan to stick around, at least until you have your children, but with my health... Perhaps I won't make it to your wedding." 

"Why are you saying that? The doctors said you were perfectly okay." 

"I am, you fool!" She smacked his arm. "But having a heart attack has opened my eyes. May I talk?" she huffed. 

He calmed down and we listened. 

"If for any reason I die before your wedding, I want you two to know that you have my blessing. And Evelyn." She pulled her hand out of mine and took off her necklace. 

Oh no. Oh no. Oh no, no, no. 

I have never seen her without this. It's a small, simple gold necklace with a pearl elegantly placed in the middle. 

"Take it." 

"No, please. I cannot-" 

She grabbed my hand, forcing it into my palm. "It's a family heirloom. Every mother-in-law has given it to her daughter-in-law. But I could never find it in my heart to pass it onto Arabella. She has no value. Don't tell her this," she scoffed. "As you two would," she shook her head dismissively. "I want you to have it. You are not required to wear it if you don't like it, just keep it. Have it." 

"It's beautiful," I said, looking at it. "But I'm not..." 

"His wife yet. But you will be, won't you?" 

"Lady-" I corrected myself. "Grandma," I cleared my throat. "I really cannot accept this, it's too much, too important, too valued, I-" 

"So are you, darling. You have the most value any woman in this family has ever had in my eyes." 

I sighed in defeat, glancing at Archer who gently nodded at me, telling me to accept it. 

"Now, here," she sighed. "Whether I am or I am not present for your wedding, I just want you two to take my blessings. To know that you have them. And God, I don't know what your mother has against normal women, but she is blind to this gem," she scoffed, squeezing my hand. "So take it. As a gift from me to you, Evelyn. Archer, put it on for her. I want to see it on you," she grinned at me. 

He took it from me and stood behind me silently. 

I pulled my hair up and held my breath, looking down. I was about to cry. I never got the opportunity to get close to her, but she treated me like her own granddaughter. It really hurts seeing her sick and knowing that her health isn't the best. What hurts, even more, is I know what would happen to Archer. 

He put it on and then kneeled back down. 

"Chin up, darling," she chuckled. 

I looked up, blinking quickly. 

Her own eyes glossed over and she blinked slowly while nodding. "Stand together." 

I stood up as did he and I took my spot next to him, his hand finding mine. 

She sighed in content, pressing her hand to her chest. "You two fit so well together," she smiled. "Take care of each other always," she chuckled. She sat upright, pulling my hand. 

I leaned down and she pressed a kiss to my forehead. 

"Can I get just a second with him, dear?" 

"Of course," I nodded. I turned around and left. I closed the door, leaning against the wall with a heavy sigh. The one woman who likes me here. The one who didn't treat me any differently for not being a princess. I wiped my cheek when a tear slipped and left. 

I was heading upstairs when Chloe stopped me on the staircase. "Where is Lady Beatrice?" 

"She's resting. She isn't well," I answered. 

"She must be tired. She is very old," she shrugged. 

I sighed, my patience wearing thin with this girl. "Why don't you just keep quiet, Chloe? Nothing good ever comes out of your mother regardless," I replied. 

"Excuse me?" 

I rolled my eyes, waiting for her to move out of my way. 

"Is that her necklace?" 

Great. 

"Did you steal it?" she asked accusingly. 

"Why would I steal it? Are you insane?" 

"That's what happens when a girl like you is exposed to riches and royalty," she scoffed. 

"You think what you will, Chloe. Move out of my way, please." 

"Give it to me." 

"Excuse you?" I laughed humorlessly. 

"Give me the necklace. I will return it to her." 

I stepped around her, stopping at one step higher than hers. "She gave it to me, understand?" 

She gaped at me in shock. 

"Why don't you go chat someone else's ears off? Spare me, please, thank you very much." I continued walking up, going into Archer's room. I sat on the edge of the bed, taking deep breaths and calming myself down. 

I started organizing his bookcase to distract myself and only stopped when I heard the door open while I was nearly done. I turned around, seeing Archer coming in. "Is she all right?" I asked as he walked over to me. 

"She's sleeping, she was very exhausted," he sighed tiredly himself, sitting on the foot of the bed. "She... she'll be okay, right? Y- you promised," he whispered, looking up at me. 

I nodded, kneeling in front of him. "She'll be okay. She will." 

I know she will. She has to. We really can't do this without her. I know I can't.

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Chapter 33

there's a little melodrama and sad drama

next chapter: farewell