"So... It's the end, isn't it ?" Asked Evelyn Trevelyan,her eyes painfully hopeful, shining bright like her fateful hand.

"I... I do wish there was another way, but I fear that there is nothing that can be done my Lady... I truly am sorry..." Josephine Montilyet was trying to push back all her feelings and pain at the back of her head, she needed to be strong, for both of their hearts were breaking, shattering like glasses. She looked sadly in her former lover's bleak eyes, green like spring leaves, ever joyful, except for this moment, a moment of weakness, or a moment of strength, for she did not hide the pain and deception in her eyes. The Herald nodded.

"Just...Be happy." It was terribly cliché, but it was all that Evelyn could say, she did not have the will to say what was on her mind. Josephine faked a smile, before turning around to greet a messenger, hoping that no one would notice her wet eyes.

So... That's it ? Thought the Inquisitor. No cries, no screams, no fights, nothing. Blank. She stood motionless, she didn't remember how long she stood still, eyes locked on the door, she did not even notice the tears that formed in her eyes. She thought that her mind would be full of grandiose things to say, that maybe she would feel at least something. But no, it was like a cold shower washing over her. Like standing on the battlefield, last one standing, blood on armor, sword in hand, looking at the dawn that added more red to the already bloody scene. She really wanted to put words on her pain, but she could not. She was motionless in a pain that beared no name, stuck in a cage that offered no shame, everything seemed pointless.

Some people after a break up often said "We've been through so much together.".But right now, it was not true, for Josie and her were lovers from different worlds.

" But you and I could have been so beautiful..." Whispered the Herald to herself.

Here it comes...She has had breakups, she had seen herself at the worst moments, and at the best moments. She knew what was coming, but did not know the intensity. She wasn't ready for the sting in her heart when she passed Josie's office. Memories flooded, her vision blurred. Her hand hurt, but soon after, the pain was replaced by a warm sensation. Someone was holding her hand.

"Cole ?"

"You don't have to speak if you don't want to. I know what you want to sleep, you want to feel nothing but at the same time, you want to feel everything. You want to make yourself at home in pain, because you know you'll always feel it. You want to feel all of it, you want to be hurt, because it's all you can think of, because when you are in pain, you speak words of wisdom. When you bleed, you inspire others. You're a martyr. You think it's your only use. You have always been ready to die, always been ready to suffer. Whenever danger was near, you took of your armor, making yourself a living shield for others, because you think that dying is easier than living... Why ? Why don't you want to live ? Why can't I help you ?" Muttered Cole, his eyes looking everywhere, confused.

"Cole... Sometimes, a meaningful death means more than countless meaningful lives. But blood dries fast in history."

" What is your symbol ,what would you die for ?" Asked the hatted boy, trying to help those who could not be helped.

Evelyn stopped and thought.

" I don't know."

" What are you fighting for ?"

" I don't know..."

Dorian stepped in, charming as ever.

"Dear, Vivienne awaits you in your quarters. No, no questions allow. No, you don't have a choice. You can't refuse anything to me, can you ? Smirked the mage, with his cute little puppy eyes.

Evelyn looked at the necromancer, an eyebrow raised. She nodded, before heading toward her quarters.

After blaming the stairs in all the languages she knew ( Tevene included ), the Inquisitor opened the room to a very busy looking Vivienne, who was discussing with her tailor, who seemed to drown in despair.

" Oh, dear, here you are. Please strip." Said the Knight-Enchanter as if she was simply asking for water .

" I...Beg your pardon ?"

" You heard me, my friend. Strip. And do not give me that look." Added the enchantress, before turning her back on the inquisitor to discuss about warm colours with the poor tailor.

The Herald stripped down, leaving only her small clothes on.

Vivienne looked at her body, judging and evaluating.

" See ? I was right. Give her the dress."

" The what now ?" Asked Evelyn, confused as can be.

" Dear, I think you might have earing problems. Hurry up, we have more to do."

" I beg your pardon ?"

"Herald, please wipe off that confused look off your face, it makes you look like a lost puppy who lost the tail it was chasing."

The tailor helped her to put on a complicated dress, it took them approximatively 20 minutes of constant pain and stretches, the dress being quite tight.

"And now, my dear, breathe out." Exactly after doing as she was told too, the dress seemed to become larger, enough for her to fit in without feeling caged.

She looked in the mirror, the dress was... It left her speechless.

A cream coloured dress, going down to her feet, with frills on each sides. The dress was clingy without being tight, and backless. The décolleté was pleasantly showing off her attributes, lightly transparent ; but not vulgar. On each side of the back's opening, tiny roses that seemed to change colours the more you looked at them. The dress was strapless, revealing her graceful shoulders. From her décolleté's sides, next to her armpits, delicates ribbons of silk lacing up to her frail looking neck.

She was amazed by the tailor's work, as he looked down in shame.

"It should have been better, but I only had so lil' time your Grace.." Mumbled the man, whom had quite a thick Orlesian accent.

"It... It is perfect, ser. Perfect." Said Evelyn, looking in disbelief at herself feeling pretty.

Vivienne almost chuckled at the Herald's surprised and confused face, gracefully hiding her bright smile with the back of her hand.

"You look like a princess, dear."

" I- thank you, fairy godmother."

Vivienne smirked.

" Now, follow me. No questions."

The Inquisitor nodded, and after putting on shoes, she and the enchantress went to the courtyard, were a small table was set, with a kettle, and two cups.

" We are... About to have tea ?"

The enchantress smiled, and gestured her to sit down one of the two comfortable chairs. Vivienne sat down and poured them both tea.

It was sweet at first, but after putting the cup down, it felt a bit sour in her mouth, leaving a taste of bitterness, even after sipping again. She noticed that Vivienne hadn't touched her cup after the first taste.

" You aren't drinking ?"

" Dear, when something tastes wrong to you, why do you keep on drinking it ?"

" But.. It felt so good and sweet at first. I hoped it would be as sweet after."

" If anything ever tastes wrong to you, if it ever hurts you, do not ever expect it to be sweet. If it's bitter once, it is meant to be bitter again. The question is: would you prefer to suffer through the constant bitterness, only to wait for something that might never come. And then you will drop your cup, when it will be empty. But will you be able to have some more tea ? Will you be ready for another round of bitterness ?"

Evelyn was not an idiot, and she knew that were not discussing only about tea.

" It's never too late for the tea to get sweeter. And what if someone else takes your tea ?"

" It is your tea, dear. It is not about what your brain, it is about wether you like the tea enough to be willing to speak up, or even to fight, to get your tea back."

The inquisitor looked away, before downing her cup.

" Thank you Vivienne, it was very interesting." She was about to get up, when Vivienne's hand rested on her arm.

" For what it is worth, darling, I am sorry."

She did not answer. She did not need to.

" And... Dear ?"

" Yes?"

"Don't forget that if you don't like tea.. You can still find champagne." Grinned the lady of Iron, before leaving the garden.