( Anna's POV )
Ever since Max's return Anna felt like her senses had gone into overdrive and like she was always on the edge.
Max was handsome, however, he wasn't the most handsome guy she had ever seen.
Some of the elves she knew undoubtedly had better faces and a more aesthetic physique, however, something about Max's demeanour screamed ' Intensity ' that made Anna go crazy over him.
Ever since his return, there was this glow in his eyes and an aura of danger around him that wasn't there before.
Just like they had gone through their own ordeals in his absence, he seemed to have gone through a few of his own and had returned a slightly changed man.
While Asiva loved Max for his reliable and protective aura, Anna found Max's adventurous and danger-filled life to be the key that attracted her towards him.
The thought of confronting him and letting him know about the declaration she had made back in vanaheim made Anna extremely nervous, yet extremely excited as well.
Anna wondered whether Max's reaction to this news would be violent?
Would it be one of dismay?
Or
Would he welcome it?
Anna was confident in her looks, she had never tried to actively seduce a man, however, she knew that she could do so if she really wanted to.
Before, she wasn't sure if she wanted to take that final step and become one of Max's lovers, however, now she was sure that Max was all she wanted.
The only thing stopping her now was her friendship with Asiva, but she had decided that today was going to be the day where she talked to her friend regarding her true feelings.
Although she had decided to pursue Max's love regardless of Asiva's final opinion on the matter, she wanted to tell her first and gauge her feelings as a sign of respect for their friendship.
Since Max had completely taken over her workload after returning, giving her the royal rest that she deserved, Anna was able to quickly get some alone time with her as the two chatted over tea in Asiva's room.
Asiva : Furball licks the baby everyday. I don't know why she does it, but oh- does it feel good! It's like the most nourishing licking ever and I'm sure my baby will be born stronger because of it.
Anna : You're a really lucky girl! Also lately you're glowing with that pregnant glow, you have no idea how jealous I'm. Your skin looks amazing.
Asiva : Oh come on, you have nothing to be envious about, you have literally the most white spotless skin I've ever seen.
Anna sighed, she wanted to enjoy the compliment but it only made her feel more worthless as although she had this beautiful spotless elven skin that men would die for, the only guy she was interested in found Asiva's wheatish tone to be more beautiful.
" Hmm, so, wanna tell me why you are really here? Or will we make small talk all afternoon? " Asiva asked, cutting straight to the chase as Anna put down her cup and bit her bottom lip.
" I like Max…. " Anna confessed mustering all the courage she had in her bones to tell this with a straight face to Max's only lover.
For a moment Asiva's temper flared and killing intent leaked from her body, however, it was soon brought under control as although Asiva breathed raggedly she did not seem like she would lunge out for Anna's throat, which was actually one of the worst scenarios Anna had prepared for.
" I've known this for a long time, you did not really do a good job of hiding it you know.
Declaring your love publicly in the elven castle, what did you think would happen?
You know we have an intelligence network that reports to me- " Asiva said in a measured tone of anger as Anna's eyes widened in disbelief.
She had forgotten about the fact that Asiva was a well informed woman and already knew about the developments from vanaheim for a long time.
" You knew? " Anna asked sheepishly as Asiva curled her hands into a fist and said " I knew…. Not recently, but from back in the university ".
Anna's eyes widened in shock, she wasn't even sure of her feelings for Max back in the university, so Asiva's claim seemed far-fetched to her.
" Come on Anna don't give me that look, maybe you did not see it yourself and of course the boys did not see because the boys are blind, but I always noticed.
If the four of us were seated on a table, you would always be leaning slightly in the direction of where Max was seated and participating enthusiastically in discussions that he was taking part in, while only lightly commenting on everything else.
The elven princess who could have made friends with anyone, hung out with us bunch of nobody's all the time, it was apparent to everyone as to why ….
Maybe you realised it recently, but I long knew that it wasn't friendship that keeps you around in Dombivli.
It isn't friendship that makes you risk your life for Max like it makes Sebastian.
You like Max….
That's the only reason you stay here.
You want him, just like I do " Asiva said as she pointed out years worth of her pent up frustration and observations.
Everything she said was logical and Anna realised that every word coming out of Asiva's mouth was an irrefutable fact.
Only now did the Bloodfall clan become a place suitable enough for the elven princess to hang out in, but initially she had no reason to be struggling and hustling alongside the other three.
It wasn't friendship that made her behave so irrationally and although she did not realise it herself, Asiva pointing it out to her made her realise this fact as being true.
Anna couldn't even imagine how Asiva would have been feeling towards her for all these years knowing that she was in love with her man, but whatever her true opinion was, she was about to find it out today.