Rely On Me

Ebari's mouth twisted in a frown when he saw Varya's words were affecting her on more than just a mental level. Her whole body tensed up when she finally came clean about what had been bothering her. 

"Varya…" Ebari uttered quietly. "I'm sure he'll understand in the long run if you choose not to. He loves you more than I've ever seen anyone love another person." 

Despite Ebari's words full of truth, the prince who quietly listened from above, tensed up as he braced himself for her response. Would she finally confess to someone that she had doubts about him as a father?

To both of the listening parties' surprise, a gasp escaped the empress's lips and tears started to fall. 

Even though neither of them could see the tears on her face in the darkness, they both knew her well enough to hear it in her voice and the way she had gasped for air.