Half a Man

Eularia exhaled softly, as he lifted her chin, forced her to stand proud. Her breath trembled, and she murmured, I think... we may be underestimating him. I've seen things, and even the Crows would not do these things— Her voice trailed off, just a touch of fear that he would recognize. To anyone overhearing her, though, she sounded confident. The slight tremble to her voice was just that, slight enough that only those who had known her the longest would catch them.

And Francesco was one of two people that knew her best, maybe three people maximum. Just as he caught the way she steeled herself against his pain, he'd catch the anxiety that made her on edge. Dark eyes constantly searched the background of their location. They were a bit too near to the palace for her comfort, but perhaps this location was the safest, too... Far enough from the land Elgar'nan had claimed.

Eularia's lips pulled into a momentary smile, albeit weak-lived, the chuckle that left her was brief as well. Frankie, you don't need a knife to hurt me. He smiled softly, as he let himself get lost in a familiar caress, and she brushed her fingers across his mouth, tracing the smile.

Our little girl adores you, and just like her namesake, she believes you can do no wrong. She murmured the words, sighing quietly as he talked about Addy and how restless she was. I know. There was always a chance at least one of them would have it. She paused, studying the man in front of her.

There was so much on his mind; more than he was saying. You'll teach our girl how to handle the highs and lows, Frankie. She's trying to sound reassuring.

And as she tells him that he has a place in her heart, his response broke her heart. Her face fell, crumpling under the realization that her husband is pulling her hand away from his face. Rejecting her touch.

After a long moment of silence, waging with the guilt of the truth and the impossibility of a lie, Eularia spoke, her voice slightly hoarse: I... thought you were enough. For a really long time, I was too busy to want more. She cleared her throat.

Magnus only has a place in my heart, too, Frankie. It wasn't a case of loving one man more than the other, but rather, she felt as if she could not live without either of them since reconnecting with her old love. Since getting to experience life as a 'nobody', a simpler life that she had always yearned for.

You've not been replaced, you're still my husband. And she was still his wife. Dark eyes trail over his features, as she blinked back tears. Magnus advises Enzo because I asked him to keep him safe, while I'm not able to be there. You're home now, so there's no need for him to stay in the palace anymore. There's a frantic need for validation, for her husband to understand and acknowledge that he understands.

There were only two Crows fit to get on this man's good side, Frankie. It was me, or it was Aethra—she's more use to them, than I am. I've got the better lie. She heard what she was saying; but would he?