Chapter 16 : The Shape of Her Silence
At eight, Eva had begun to grasp the weight of the world around her. Not just through her studies or her music, but in the quieter, more delicate spaces between words — where her attachment to Seraphina, "Ina" as she always called her, was growing into something unspoken, something sacred.
But even in those fragile, golden moments, reality never stopped pressing in. Her routine was relentless — tutors rotated in and out like clockwork, each one handpicked by her papa. Piano, F•••••, M•••••••, R•••••••, F••••, G••••, L•••••, composition, etiquette, public speaking, critical reasoning — it never stopped. Even when her fingers ached or her mind felt hazy from too many hours spent perfecting Bach or solving abstract equations, her papa expected more. Excellence wasn't a goal, it was the baseline. Anything below it wasn't even discussed — it was ignored, as if failure simply wasn't real in their house.
"Eva," he'd said that morning, with that signature blend of politeness and control that made everything feel like a business transaction, even family. "There's a possibility we'll be flying to A•••••••• soon. There's a formal gathering I want you to attend with me — black - tie, of course. And after that, we'll head out into the wilderness. Just you and me. No distractions. We'll train, properly. Survival, strength, mental clarity. You'll learn what it means to be completely self - reliant."
She'd just nodded. Not because she wasn't listening, but because she was already trained to stay composed. No reaction. No protest. She was already mentally filing it away: party first, then wilderness. No date confirmed, just the usual warning — be ready. Always be ready.
And so, while her heart beat faster every time she saw Ina's name flash across her screen, or when Ina sat too close and their shoulders brushed like it meant everything, there was this other weight inside her too — the expectations, the endless performance of being "Evangeline "Eva" Claire Maxwell — Lioré' known as "Ainsley"," the child prodigy. A darling to the world, a product to her papa, and something entirely different — something vulnerable and achingly real — when it came to Ina.
The house was often quiet. Not silent, but quiet in the way a secret feels before it's whispered aloud. Seraphina had begun to let her in on small things — phrases from F••••• literature, the chords that felt like home on the piano, the way to brew a cup of tea so perfect it tasted like warmth. Each of these moments, though small, added to Eva's understanding of Seraphina's world. But it was when Seraphina began to trust her with her silence, that's when Eva felt like she was learning the most.
It wasn't unusual for Seraphina to simply sit in the large armchair by the window, staring out at the world. There was something tranquil about it, and Eva had learned to sit beside her in a comfortable quiet that only grew stronger over time. There were no words needed — only the occasional brush of Seraphina's fingers through Eva's hair or the soft murmur of her voice asking, "What are you thinking, little moonbeam?"
Eva would always answer, her voice low and honest, "You."
Seraphina would smile at this, an unspoken acknowledgment of the bond they shared. "I'm here," she would remind her gently, "and I'm always listening."
One evening, Eva found herself restless after finishing her latest composition. She had been working feverishly for the past few days, trying to capture the sense of loss she'd been feeling in her chest. It was strange — Eva was still too young to fully understand what that feeling was, but she could express it through her music, through the cadence of the notes, the rise and fall of the melody. Music had always been her language, and Seraphina her translator.
"Come," Seraphina called to her from the other side of the room, her voice soft but inviting.
Add some scene that Eva studying hard philosophy and other stuff..
Eva, eyes still lingering on her notebook, slid off the bench and walked to Seraphina's side. She sat at her feet, gazing up at her with the usual warmth she always felt when she was close. Her eyes softened, recognizing the tenderness of this moment. She couldn't yet fully articulate what she felt, but she knew, deep inside, that this bond was different from any other. Seraphina was her rock, her anchor, and the more time they spent together, the more her world seemed to center around her.
"Is something bothering you, little one?" Seraphina asked, brushing a stray lock of hair behind Eva's ear.
Eva shook her head. "I don't think I know what's bothering me. But I feel it."
Seraphina nodded. "I understand. The heart often knows things before the mind does."
Eva looked up, a mix of confusion and curiosity in her eyes. "How do you know?"
Seraphina smiled gently, her voice like honey. "Because I've felt the same way. And it's okay. You don't always have to know what it is. Sometimes, just letting it be is enough."
Eva's brow furrowed slightly, the questions swirling in her mind. But she stayed quiet, letting Seraphina's presence wash over her. "I'll never leave you, will I?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Seraphina's gaze softened, her eyes becoming pools of understanding. "No, Eva. Not unless you want me to."
"I don't," Eva replied with a certainty that surprised even herself. She couldn't bear the thought of being without Seraphina, not when their connection was so undeniable, so deeply rooted.
In that moment, Seraphina leaned down and kissed the top of Eva's head. "You will never have to worry about that. Not while I am here."
Eva rested her head against Seraphina's knee, her thoughts drifting into the quiet of the room. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, nor was it awkward. It was the kind of silence that existed when two souls understood each other, even when no words were spoken.
As the days passed, Eva's bond with Seraphina continued to deepen. She found herself writing poems in secret, each one for Seraphina, capturing the feelings she couldn't voice aloud. There was something so pure in her admiration, something so raw that it became impossible to keep hidden.
One afternoon, after an hour of careful writing and contemplation, Eva decided to share one of her poems with Seraphina. She found her sitting on the balcony, gazing out at the sprawling landscape. The soft afternoon sun bathed her in golden light, making her seem almost ethereal.
Eva approached quietly, holding the small notebook in her hands. She stood beside Seraphina for a moment, hesitant but determined. She finally spoke, her voice tentative but filled with emotion. "I wrote this for you, Ina."
Fides Infinita
In amplexu tuo, in silentio,
Ut lumen, et lux, et vires sunt.
Quamquam tempus fugit, et aeternum est,
Fides nostra manet, super omnia.
(In your embrace, in silence,
Like light, and radiance, and strength.
Though time runs, and eternity is,
Our faith remains, above all things.)
Seraphina looked up, her expression gentle, encouraging. "For me?" she asked, her eyes gleaming with warmth.
Eva nodded, her hands trembling slightly as she handed the notebook to her. "It's how I feel," she explained simply.
Seraphina opened the book, reading the poem silently at first. As she reached the final lines, a soft smile curved on her lips, and she looked up at Eva with eyes filled with affection.
"Eva," she whispered, her voice a soft caress. "This is beautiful. You have such a gift."
Eva smiled shyly, her cheeks turning pink. "It's just… I wanted you to know."
Seraphina placed a gentle hand on her cheek, her thumb brushing across her skin. "I already know. And I treasure you, little one."
Eva's heart fluttered in her chest at the words. There was nothing more precious than hearing Seraphina's voice say those words, nothing more reassuring than feeling her love wrapped around her like a protective shield.
But the next day, something happened that made Eva realize how much she had truly grown.
A letter arrived in the morning, brought by a man in a dark suit. Vivienne took it, her eyes scanning it quickly before turning to Eva. "It's from your school," she said, her voice serious.
Eva looked up, confusion crossing her face. "What does it say?"
Vivienne handed her the letter, her fingers trembling slightly. "It seems you've been accepted into a new program — an advanced study opportunity. It's for children much older than you."
Eva blinked, her mind racing. She had always excelled in her studies, but this? It was something new. "But… I'm only eight."
Vivienne smiled. "I know, little dove. But they want you. They want your mind."
Eva's gaze drifted to Seraphina, who was watching quietly, her expression unreadable. It wasn't surprise Eva saw there; it was pride, deep and unwavering.
Seraphina spoke softly, her voice steady. "You're ready, Eva. You've always been ready for more."
Eva stared at the letter, her heart swelling with emotion. This was the next step. It was one more step toward understanding who she was becoming. But it was also a reminder of the journey she had already taken, of how far she had come in Seraphina's embrace.
Her heart was not just full of admiration for Seraphina. It was full of love. A love so deep it was woven into every part of her being, every note she composed, every word she spoke, every glance they shared.
And in that moment, Eva knew with certainty: nothing would ever separate her from Seraphina, her Yue, her Ina, her moon — not time, not distance, not even fate. They were bound by something far stronger than mere affection; they were bound by a connection that transcended words.
With a sense of quiet determination, Eva turned to Seraphina. "I'm ready, Ina," she said softly, her voice filled with a maturity that seemed to belong to someone much older.
Seraphina smiled, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "I know, Eva. And I'll be right here. Always."
And in that moment, Eva understood something far more important than her studies, her music, or her accomplishments. It wasn't about what the world could offer her, but about the love that surrounded her. The love that had always been there, quietly and unconditionally, waiting for her to find it.
As Eva took her first steps toward this new journey, she knew one thing for certain: Seraphina was with her, every step of the way.