They won and the Quislings were completely eradicated. Ashriel stood in front of every soldier who fought and behind her were the fallen.
“Behind me were the people who lost their time. In front of me are the people who still have time.” She started.
“Throughout the whole war I learned a lot. One of those is to value every moment you have with the person you love.” She glanced at Valor and Emmette who were smiling proudly. “And to follow your dreams. But following your dreams requires sacrifices.”
“From now on, the whole Two Great Empires will have new rules and systems. People will have a new life. New chances. Everyone who died gave their lives for all of us to live. Therefore let us fulfill that and starting today, let us value life.”
It was a mass burial and the whole Austere was showered with white flowers. Even the graves of the fallen were filled with white roses and lilies, and varieties of white flowers.
After the mass burial, the first Rank Nobles and the Elders lived in Thrascias until the rebuilding of Austere. As Xieaniel said, he was indeed assigned to fix the main city and was required to stay at Aparctias until Austere was successfully rebuilt.
Olive silently braided his long, silky hair as they waited for the helicopter that would fetch Xieaniel.
Silence.
“Y-You can cut this now…” Olive broke the silence. “I’m not there to braid or tie it for you.” She chuckled.
“I won’t. I know how to braid it myself. I just like it more when you do it.”
“Just cut it. I want to see a new version of yourself when we see each other again.” She murmured. After tying Xieaniel’s hair, she put it on his shoulder.
“If that’s what you like then.”
Olive’s eyes widened when Xieaniel caught her hand and pulled her towards him and connected their lips together. For a moment, Olive’s body stifled but when Xieaniel’s lips started to move, she regained her composure and responded.
“Sly fox.” Xieaniel grinned.
“Thief crow. You stole my first kiss.” Olive whispered and felt her cheeks flushed.
“No I didn’t. It belongs to me to begin with.” Xieaniel laughed and lifted her to sit on the table. “Why are you so small?”
Olive smiled and took off his glasses, revealing his beautiful face. She scanned his face for a little while before tracing his lips with her finger.
“Do you really like my hair?” Olive stopped and met his eyes. “Or you like my face?” He grinned and pecked her lips.
“I like you. So if you want to kiss me, then do it properly.” Her breath felt warm towards Xieaniel’s lips but it felt warmer when Olive kissed him. Xieaniel smiled and responded. This time, more gently.
His thumb brushed her cheeks and Olive wrapped her arms around his neck, still holding his glasses. But when they were about to go intense, Xieaniel’s phone rang. Their lips parted and both gasped for air.
“Seriously? These are the moments I don’t want to be interrupted.” He hissed and Olive laughed. “Yes, I’m coming.” He answered the phone and ended it before the caller even said “hello.”
They looked at each other for a moment before Olive laughed again and put his glasses back.
“Take care of yourself.” She said and hugged him. Xieaniel embraced her tightly.
“You too. Let’s see each other again.”
Olive broke the hug and went down the table. “Let’s go now. The pilot’s waiting for you.” She said, grabbing Xieaniel’s hand. “I’ll see you off.”
Xieaniel chuckled and took his things before slipping his hand to hers, intertwining their fingers. Reaching the helicopter, Olive slowly let go of Xieaniel’s hand but he locked it.
“Seriously? Ha… I don’t want to leave now that we’re official.” He mumbled but Olive flicked his forehead. “Ow.”
“I told you, we’ll see each other again so cheer up.” She said and pulled Xieaniel to kiss his cheeks.
“It’s unfair that I’m the one who always adjusts with your short height.” He said jokingly and kissed her forehead. “See you, Ruby.” He ruffled her hair before going inside the helicopter.
“Yeah. Take care, Ethan.”
“I’ll give you a ring!” Xieaniel shouted and Olive smiled, waving her hand goodbye.
“Make sure it’s a ruby one!” She stopped and her eyes widened. Xieaniel also laughed.
“Wait. What does he mean? A ring or a call?”
It’s been how many months after the war yet the remnants of the Last War were clearly visible. It’ll be a long recovery.
Ashriel places five bouquets of white roses on top of five graves. One for Natsuki and one for Nathan. Also for Meredith, Amber, and Chaster. She brushed their names with her fingers before curving a small smile.
“I missed you all.” She whispered in the air and stood up, rubbing her baby bump that’s surprisingly small for being six months. Probably, due to her abs and toned body.
For how many months she usually hallucinates. Sometimes she sees Nathan and Natsuki smiling at her and then in just a flick of seconds, they disappear. She’s getting used to it and soon, she knows her hallucinations will be over.
She sighed and turned back to leave but stopped when she saw Nathan, smiling at her. She smiled back.
“Here we go again.” She started to walk away but,
“Ash.”
Ashriel stopped. It was the very first time her hallucination called her. She looked back and saw Nathan walking towards her. He’s also thinner and his hair was a little longer than usual.
“C-Carsi-” Suddenly, her vision turned black.
“Ashriel…” The very familiar voice called her. “Ashriel.”
“Granny?”
“I’m here.”
Ashriel turned back and saw an illuminating light. It was so bright she couldn’t open her eyes.
“Open your eyes, my dear one.”
Ashriel slowly opened her eyes and aghast, Meredith was standing in front of her. Ashriel’s eyes widened.
“G-Granny?”
Meredith smiled and embraced her. Ashriel’s tears started to form in the corner of her eyes as she once again felt her grandmother’s tight, warm hug.
“Ashriel, I want you to know how proud I am to you.” Meredith said. Her voice was echoing. “But I want you to do one last thing, dear one.”
Ashriel sniffed. “W-What is it, Granny?”
Meredith pointed to her chest. “Let go of your anger. It’s no use now. Natsuki, Amber, Chaster, and I are in a happy place now. Edom is suffering the consequences of his actions. If you still won’t let go of the past, the ones who will be hurt are you and the generation following you.”
Ashriel bit her lower lip. “B-But how? Granny… I… I killed countless people an-”
“As long as you ask forgiveness, you’ll be forgiven.” Meredith embraced her again. “Live a long, happy life, my dear one. And fulfill your purpose. Always remember the teaching I taught you and write them on the tablet of your heart. That will lead you in the right path. You and the people following you.”
Ashriel nodded and hugged Meredith tightly as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Remember, dear one, that vengence doesn't belong to you."
She woke up and the usual white ceiling greeted her. She reached for her cheeks and her hunch was right, she was crying.
Ashriel laughed at herself before slowly getting up, trying to remember why she was in the hospital. She knew she saw Nathan. She rubbed her eyes but stopped when she saw someone sleeping peacefully beside her.
Golden brown hair. She felt her heartbeat doubled and reached for his hair when he moved, slowly opening his ocean blue eyes.
Ashriel’s eyes widened and she covered her mouth in shock.
“C-Carsillion?” She asked and reached for her cheeks. Nathan smiled and embraced Ashriel, causing her to tear up once more.
“I-I’m not imagining things?” She whispered, burying her face to his chest. Nathan nodded.
“I’m back.” He said, tightening his hug but remembering something, Ashriel pulled away. “Huh? What’s wrong?” He flinched when Ashriel took his hand and placed it on her tummy.
“You don’t want our babies to be squeezed, right?”
Nathan’s eyes popped open and his mouth gaped. A thin film of tears covered his eyes as well.
“I-I’m… I’m going to be a father?” He asked, more like whispering. Ashriel wiped her tears and nodded her head. Nathan’s tears betrayed him again.
“I’m going to be a father!” He shouted, suddenly perking up. “I didn’t notice it since your body looked the same. Is it because of your abs?” Ashriel smiled and flinched when Nathan captured her lips to him, kissing her gently yet passionately.
“Thank you…” He whispered, kissing her forehead. Ashriel shook her head.
“No. Thank you. Thank you for coming back.” She kissed him again but stopped when her door opened, revealing Venice, Spencer, and Tory.
Spencer and Tory, being as shocked as Ashriel, run towards Nathan and squeeze him tightly.
“Son!”
“Baby brother!”
Nathan patted their back, wanting to be released. “Oi. Can’t breathe!” Only then did they release him. “Seriously? Do you two want me dead?” They chuckled but then,
“Doctor, remove this.” Said Ashriel, pointing the dextrose in her hand.
“Ash.”
“Zi.”
“Young Master.”
“Your Highness.”
The four said in unison.
“Zi, you don’t want my dear nephews to be in danger, right? Of cour-”
“I know they are safe, Sis. So remove these apparatuses that I don’t even know the name of or I'll take them myself. You don’t want any rukus in the hospital, no?”
“Zi-”
“One.”
“Okay, okay. Geez. You’re such a headache, Zillian.” Venice murmured, scratching her head in distress. “You really followed Grandma and Natsuki. Hays.” She added. Saying those names were still stings but not as painful as it was before.
“Ash, don’t put your sister in stress mode.” Nathan said in frustration. “You still hate hospitals, huh.” He laughed.
***
“Boss tell us… Please tell us… what more are you still hiding from us?” Olive whined.
“I’m really sorry, Olive.” Ashriel said, scratching her cheeks. “But as I've explained, she’s the woman Granny and I saved at Sephtis. Actually, she’s the only heir of Sephtis before Donovan conquered it.”
“No, no. I can't accept this.” She pointed her finger to Siel. “ I thought I was the second person closest to you next to the First General but it turns out… I was the third?! No! No, Boss! I can’t accept this!”
Everyone burst to laughter then a loud knock was heard from the door. Hearing Elias, Ashriel let him in.
“Sorry, Boss. I woke up late.” He said and yawned. He groaned when Oriana elbowed him.
“Seriously, second brother?” She complained.
“What? I just slept for two hours since I finished all the paperworks regarding the rising of House Ather-”He stopped when his eyes met Siel’s eyes. Suddenly, goosebumps filled Siel’s body.
“You!” He shouted, pointing his finger at Siel. Everyone was shocked.
Siel took a step back and hid behind Ashriel.
“Oriana, do you allow Big Brother to get married?” Elias asked with a huge grin, totally losing his sleepiness.
Oriana frowned. “What? You told me you only have one woman in mind? Are you cheating now?”
“I don’t, silly. She’s the woman I’ve been talking about. The only woman I want to marry.” Elias' eyes suddenly turned into a heart shape, making Oriana cringe.
“Brother, I never knew you have this side of you.” Oriana murmured with a sour face.
“Even I was shocked. Probably because the woman I love is standing in front of me.” He said bluntly and started to walk towards Siel who stepped back again.
“Y-Young Master… I almost forgot.” Said Siel, fixing her mask. “I didn’t finished the task you gave me yesterday, so if you don’t mind-”
“What task?” Ashriel asked discombobulated. She glanced at Siel who gave her a pleading look as if saying, ‘just play around.’ Ashriel laughed.
“Oh, yeah. Haha. That task. Okay then, you may.”
“Pardon me, everyone, but I need to leave.” Siel hurriedly jumped out the window like a spider.
“Wait!” Elias shouted.
“Brother! There’s a staircase and lift!” Oriana shouted but Elias didn’t listen and jumped out the window as well, chasing after Siel who ran as fast as she could, leaving everyone dumbfounded.
“C-Can someone explain to me… what just happened?” Raith asked, still looking at the broken window.
“It is as what we’ve seen.”
With that, the Cadre burst to laughter, giving them another couple to look forward to.
The main city was slowly being rebuilt, the whole system was changed, and the peace reigned. The Seiron was changed into the Zephyr Kingdom, and Sephtis was changed into the Arden Kingdom.
Ashriel gave birth to fraternal twins. A boy and a girl. Kate finally married Raith as well and the House Atherton stood once again.
Mix came back to Tethoris Kingdom after her father died and with the help of Ashriel, she was able to rule the Kingdom righteously.
“Your Majesty, a package came for you.” Said one of her servants and placed two golden metal boxes on her table. Seeing the seal of House Cerveil, Mix quickly got up and opened the box addressed to her, revealing countless letters. The box addressed to Gil contains the same countless letters as well.
She took the first one and upon opening it, Natsuki’s scent filled her whole room. Reading his letter and clean handwriting, Mix’s knees turned jelly and she sat on her bed.
“To my only queen, how are you? I hope you’re always well. Now that you received these letters, it only meant I went ahead of you earlier than we anticipated. I know you missed me.” Tears started to fall from her eyes again
“My love, I’m sorry. If only I knew that I’ll go first and leave the two of you crying, I never should have forced you to dance with me the first time we’ve met. But at the same time, I don’t regret because you and Gil were the best things that happened to me. Knowing how you’ll be hurt after I left is more painstaking than any other brutal moments I’ve experienced.”
“Since the day I went back to Aparctias after our mission in your Kingdom, I’ve started writing letters for you and the day I learned about Gil, I started writing letters for him as well. I know it’s a lot, but I hope you’ll not get bored reading it.”
Mix chuckled and wiped her tears as she imagined Natsuki’s voice and laughter.
“I know you hated the word “goodbye,” so I’ll just say “farewell” instead. Though that word weighs more, I’m sorry I couldn’t prevent using it.”
“My queen, leave only good memories and forget about our parting. I love you. I love you and I know you know that. But… we will not see each other again. So think of me as a snowflake. We had a short, but beautiful time together and I hope you’ll cherish it. Knowing you, I believe you would. Soon, Gil will grow and will meet the love of his life. By then, I have every hope it’ll be as beautiful as ours, but much, much longer since you are there to guide them.”
Mix nodded her head.
“My queen, I love you. Love, your dear Natsuki. The most handsome man in your life.”
Mix chuckled with his last sentence and glanced at the golden metal box. She knew she’ll have morning talks with her husband everyday.