Chapter 101: Her City
Evelyn stood with Stella on the edge of the private runway, the morning sun brushing their faces in soft gold.
The sleek black car waiting nearby hummed quietly, its chauffeur already standing by the open door.
It was time for her younger sister to return to the Walters’ estate.
However,
Neither of them spoke at first.
Evelyn’s heart pinched at the silence.
After four years of living apart, fate had thrown them back together for only a few fleeting days. And now, they had to part again.
"Promise me something, Sis," Stella finally said, her voice low, eyes glistening. "Don’t block my number. I know... I know Dad might still be furious with you, but I want us to keep talking. We can meet later. Even if it’s in secret."
Evelyn smiled faintly and squeezed her sister’s hand. "I won’t. Did you remember our plan?"
Stella nodded quickly, "Hmm, I remember. I’m just afraid you might change your mind."
"Silly girl... I won’t..." Evelyn embraces her.
When they pulled apart, Stella turned her bright gaze to Oliver, who was bouncing on his feet a few steps away.
"Bye, Bye... Oliver... Be good, alright? And don’t forget to eat your vegetables."
Oliver laughed and waved enthusiastically.
"Bye, Aunt Stella. Don’t forget to visit us. Daddy says our house is big, so you can come to sleep over..."
Stella’s lips curled in a tender smile before she looked up at Axel, who was standing by with his usual composed presence.
"Brother-in-law," she said playfully, though there was a touch of sincerity in her tone, "please take care of my sister... and my little Oliver."
Axel inclined his head with a rare softness in his eyes. "Don’t worry. It’s my duty to protect them."
With that, Stella slid into the car. The door shut gently, and the vehicle pulled away, shrinking into the horizon until it disappeared.
Evelyn stood there, her chest heavy and light all at once, until Axel’s hand on her back reminded her where she was supposed to go.
Finally, she climbed into Axel’s car.
She hadn’t expected him to drive, but there he was behind the wheel, relaxed, one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting lazily on the armrest.
Oliver was already buckled into his car seat, chattering away about airplanes.
As the car pulled out, Evelyn pressed her palms to her lap, nerves buzzing as the scenery of Elaris unfolded.
The capital city. Her city.
She hadn’t seen it in four years, and yet it welcomed her with the same chaos and brilliance as before.
The streets teemed with honking cars and hurrying pedestrians.
The skyline glittered with skyscrapers that seemed taller than ever, their sharp silver edges scraping the clouds.
Neon signs flashed advertisements she didn’t recognize, restaurants she’d never tried, and shops she had once adored.
Her chest tightened, not just with nostalgia but with an odd warmth. Home. No matter how long she had been away, Elaris was still her home.
Oliver, meanwhile, had his hand pressed to the window, eyes wide open.
"Mommy... Look, look at that... So many cars. And... and look, that building is taller... Woah... Taller than the building I see in the Grayenfall..." His amusing voice echoes.
Evelyn couldn’t help but laugh. "Yes, there are so many taller buildings here."
Oliver continues to make comments about the city, which makes Evelyn and Axel laugh together.
Their laughter filled the car, and Evelyn felt her heart loosen. The sound was warm, familial, something she had only dreamed of before.
As the drive continued, the chaos of the city began to thin.
Buildings shrank. Streets widened. Trees replaced billboards, their branches tipped in shades of green and orange as spring unfolded across the land.
Evelyn’s brows furrowed as recognition struck her.
She leaned slightly toward Axel.
"We’re heading to The Valley?"
Axel’s lips twitched into a small smile.
"Hmm. Our house is there."
Evelyn sat back, stunned.
The Valley. She knew this area. It wasn’t just wealth; it was a legacy. Only a handful of families in the entire country owned property in the area.
The kind of families that had shaped Elaris for centuries, with estates spanning tens of hectares, their mansions hidden among forests and lakes.
She opened her mouth, ready to say or at least ask a dozen questions, but then shut it again. Axel drove on calmly, unbothered by her silence.
An hour passed before the car finally slowed.
From a distance, Evelyn spotted the massive black gate looming tall, flanked by stone pillars carved with intricate designs.
As they approached, the gate opened soundlessly, as if recognizing Axel’s car.
Oliver gasped again. "Mommy, it’s like magic!"
Evelyn smiled faintly. "It’s just sensors, sweetheart."
But even she couldn’t deny the awe prickling along her skin as they passed through.
The road stretched wide, lined with towering trees that arched overhead like guardians. The leaves shimmered in orange and green, dappling the sunlight onto the smooth asphalt road.
The car rolled smoothly uphill, the forest falling away to reveal glimpses of distant mountains.
She carefully pressed down the window to enjoy the fresh air, which smelled cleaner, cooler, and more refreshing than in the city.
"Wow..." Oliver whispered, his little hands plastered to the glass. "It’s like... like we’re in a fairy tale."
Evelyn swallowed hard, her nerves returning full force. She had known Axel was wealthy. Everybody knew that.
But this... this was more than wealth. This was power, heritage, and prestige woven together. And now, she and Oliver were stepping into it.
The car turned a final corner, and Evelyn’s heart tightened.
There, perched on the hill, was the house. No, house wasn’t the right word. It was a mansion.
"Whoa..." Oliver squealed. "Daddy, is that our house?!"
"Yes. That’s our home, buddy."
Oliver nearly bounced out of his seat. "Whoa... It’s huge. Mommy, we can play hide-and-seek forever in our house."
Evelyn didn’t answer. Her gaze had shifted to the line of people standing neatly in front of the main entrance.
Dozens of staff, dressed in crisp uniforms, are waiting. Some bowed their heads slightly, others kept their hands folded politely in front of them.
Her stomach twisted, and her heart jumped a beat as a thought crossed her mind.
’My goodness... Am I going to live like a queen now?’