Mirathrend’s Mirror rippled, its surface echoing the gentle undulations of the small pool in Adeline and Eric’s secret cave. The vision ceased as the couple stepped out of the hidden cavern, leaving the celestial onlookers to ponder the future and when the enchanted pond would divulge its secrets again. As tranquility returned and the waters regained their crystalline clarity, the assembled deities whispered among themselves, casting inquisitive glances and speculating on the significance of the omen.
Straton’s vigilant gaze swept over the crowd, his focus unyielding as he anticipated revelations from his peers. Maris, having witnessed enough, was the first to take her leave. She offered a parting nod to the nearby goddesses, her gaze briefly landing upon Eloquen before she turned to follow her chosen path to her sanctuary.
Eloquen noted Maris’s exit but displayed no interest. Convinced that further alliance with her would be in vain, he discreetly withdrew from the pond, wary of Straton’s scrutinizing stare, and proceeded to the sanctuary of his marble palace. There, he would continue his watch over Eric in peace.
Concealed at the rear, Aeonara slipped away toward Feronia’s dwelling, intent on reporting what she had witnessed. The dreams she had woven into Adeline’s subconscious were now laid bare by the pond, and with the Celestial Tribunal’s potential judgment looming, Aeonara sought counsel with Feronia. The pond’s revelations, along with the day’s events in Golden Rivers, threatened to unravel their plans and steer Adeline away from her family’s path once again.
Aelius, perched among the clouds, absorbed the theories of his divine peers. With Mirathrend’s Mirror signaling the end of its display, he decided to depart. He descended gracefully from his vantage point to the crowd’s fringes. Straton noted Aelius’s hasty exit but chose to linger, eager to uncover insights within this gathering.
Returning to his mystical dwelling, Aelius strolled through the forest to his abode – a structure crafted from the intertwining branches of oak and rainbow eucalyptus trees, forming a natural, treehouse-like temple. As Aelius approached, the branches shifted, creating steps that ascended to his elevated entrance. Within, the air was fragrant with healing herbs, mixed with the mustiness of ancient scrolls chronicling the histories and studies of other realms. Aelius passed through the hall, which echoed with the soft whispers of flowing water, representing the endless stream of wisdom he could bestow upon those he deemed worthy. Beyond lay his main chamber, where he spent most of his time overseeing other realms.
At the room’s heart stood the revered Mirror of Fates, framed by vines and blossoms with restorative properties. This cherished artifact granted Aelius the ability to guide and safeguard the De Kure family in Golden Rivers. The mirror revealed not only the mortals’ lives but also the destiny threads and ripples of the family’s actions. Since the De Kure lineage shared Aelius’s dedication to medicine and academia for societal betterment, the mirror enabled him to discern which family members would most benefit mortals in each generation.
The purpose of Aelius’s journey from his home today to Mirathrend’s Mirror was to witness the prophecy and visions from within its mystical waters. With the knowledge he acquired from the pond, he could now determine who to bestow his blessings onto next. Having witnessed Adeline’s quandary, nightmares, and inner turmoil, Aelius recognized her need for assistance. Born of the De Kure line through her mother, and with her maternal grandfather as the current De Kure Patriarch, Adeline was positioned to receive guidance from Aelius through her familial ties.
To Aelius, the De Kure blood coursed strong in Adeline, and when a member of their lineage sought aid, he was more than willing to provide it. The rare glimpses he caught of her in his Mirror of Fates showed her influence stretching well beyond Golden Rivers; her potential to impact lives was far-reaching. As Adeline was an O’Cean too, he was unwilling to constrain such promise but refrained from meddling with Maris’s own charge. Instead, after confirming the realm’s omen, he resolved to offer his support indirectly – through Adeline’s grandfather, the De Kure Patriarch.
Invoking his Mirror of Fates, the vines and medicinal flowers twisted, presenting Aelius with a vision of the mortal realm. Dr. De Kure, the hospital president, sat in his expansive, minimalist office awaiting Adeline’s arrival. It pleased Aelius that his subtle whispered wisdom and presence had prompted this mortal to act. It was clear this man was not only surprised by Adeline’s prompt response to his invitation but also anticipated their meeting with eagerness. Having missed Adeline’s childhood, Dr. De Kure was intent on reacquainting himself with his granddaughter now.
Aelius smiled, reassured by Dr. De Kure’s interest in rekindling his relationship not only with Adeline but also with his estranged daughter Aria. Troubled by the fragmentation of the De Kure bloodline after Aria had chosen to abandon her family for her husband, Aelius focused his mirror to observe Adeline and Dr. De Kure’s reunion. Just as he settled in, a knock on Dr. De Kure’s office door drew his attention. The De Kure Patriarch appeared nervous, straightening in his seat as Adeline entered.
As Adeline entered Dr. De Kure’s office, she felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The sterile office was minimalist yet imposing, with large windows casting soft light on the sleek, wooden desk where her grandfather sat.
“Dr. De Kure, thank you for taking the time to see me,” Adeline began, seating herself in the chair opposite his desk. The leather creaked softly, amplifying the silence.
Dr. De Kure’s smile was warm, contrasting his usual stoic demeanor. “Please, Adeline, call me grandfather when we’re alone,” he said gently. Noticing her hesitation, he added, “I know it must be strange calling me grandfather when I haven’t been there for you or your mother.” He paused, the weight of unspoken years hanging in the air. “I realize I’m expecting a lot.”
Adeline’s gaze shifted to the white tile floor, emotions flickering across her face –confusion, anger, resentment, and finally, reluctant acceptance. She took a deep breath. “Grandfather,” she said, testing the word. “Why did you want to see me?”
Dr. De Kure cleared his throat, a rehearsed speech ready on his lips. “A couple of years ago, your great-grandfather retired and named me his successor at the hospital,” he began. “He also stepped down as the De Kure family head. Since then, I’ve taken over both roles and spent a lot of time thinking about your mother.” His voice thickened with regret. “My biggest regret is not standing up for her when my father pushed her away.”
Adeline listened, her expression blank absorbing her grandfather’s words. She had always wondered why her mother distanced their family from the De Kure household. Hearing the regret in her grandfather’s voice, she felt a pang of empathy, tangled with her lingering resentment.
“Your mother was the youngest of my five children,” Dr. De Kure continued. “She has three brothers and a sister – your uncles and aunt. Aria was born twelve years later after her closest sibling, so she was quite spoiled.” He chuckled softly at the memory. “We all loved her dearly, and she probably got away with more than she should have. With my eldest son studying to be a surgeon, we didn’t emphasize Aria’s education or career. That was my fault. I took our family’s place for granted, and Aria paid the price.”
As he spoke, Dr. De Kure’s mind churned with guilt and regret. He had spent countless nights replaying the past, wondering how different things might have been if he had stood up to his father. He wouldn’t have lost his wife, and his youngest daughter, wouldn’t have had to face a divorce and been left alone with his guilt for almost two decades. The weight of his decisions – or lack thereof – pressed heavily on him, and he feared it was too late to mend the rift he had allowed to grow.
Adeline felt a swirl of emotions. She had grown up hearing only fragments of her mother’s past, often shrouded in bitterness and silence. Now, sitting across from her grandfather, she felt a strange mix of curiosity and appreciation. Part of her wanted to understand the family she had been kept from, while another part feared the pain that might come with uncovering old wounds.
Shifting uncomfortably in her chair, Adeline watched as Dr. De Kure paused, realizing he hadn’t offered her anything to drink. He quickly buzzed his assistant and requested water. When it arrived, Adeline nodded her thanks and took a large gulp, feeling the cool liquid ease her tension.
Continuing his story, Dr. De Kure’s voice grew more confident, but his heart remained heavy. He knew this conversation was just the beginning of a long journey to rebuild trust and connection with his granddaughter and hopefully his daughter. The fear of rejection lingered, but he was determined to make amends no matter how long it took.
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“Unlike the rest of our family, Aria had no interest in medicine or her studies,” Dr. De Kure said, his voice warm with understanding. “She was a romantic at heart. Although she did well in school, she never aspired to a job or career. She dreamed of meeting her prince, falling in love, getting married, and having a big family to care for. This angered my father, who was the family head at the time. Aria refused to go to university because she had fallen in love with your father, who was eight years her senior.”
As her grandfather spoke, Adeline sat fixated on his every word, grappling with her own turmoil. He seemed to understand her mother so well, but why had he allowed this wall to form between their families for so long? It wasn’t just yesterday that he became the De Kure Patriarch. Why was he waiting until now to approach her, to approach them?
Dr. De Kure noticed the emotions flashing through his granddaughter’s emerald eyes, the same shade as his own. “Aria met your father when he was visiting the hospital,” he recalled, a twinkle in his eyes. “Did your mom ever tell you how persistently she pursued him?”
Surprised, Adeline shook her head. She didn’t know that about her parents’ relationship. They had never told her how they met. The empty feeling she had felt throughout her life – the void where her extended family should have been – resurfaced during this conversation. Questions and unspoken resentment bubbled up, but she decided to stifle them for now to hear his story.
Noticing the change in Adeline’s expression, Dr. De Kure cleared his throat and poured himself some water. “Anyway, we can continue this story another day,” he said, hope lacing his words. “I wanted to see you to discuss your plans after graduation.”
Adeline was rendered speechless by the candidness of their conversation. She had always longed for extended family members to talk to, but now, faced with the possibility of filling that void, she felt both hopeful and wary. Could she trust this man who had been a stranger for so long? Could she forgive the past and embrace the future with her grandfather? Despite his great reputation in Golden Rivers, Dr. De Kure hadn’t exactly been a shining example of a family man.
Sensing her hesitation, Dr. De Kure spoke gently. “I’m not trying to influence your wishes or change your future. I want to make up for not being there for you and for Aria. I know you’ve been named the next O’Cean successor, and I understand the pressure and responsibilities that come with it,” he paused, watching her reaction. “I may have let your mother down, but I don’t want to repeat that mistake – not for you or anyone else who shares my blood. You have the backing of the De Kure Family to pursue whatever your heart desires,” he stated firmly, surprising Adeline once again.
Finding her voice, Adeline spoke, her words hesitant but direct. “I have been accepted to Harvard as well as Golden Rivers University and a few other prominent universities in the country. Initially, Father wanted me to remain here so I could continue learning from him about the family business, but…” she paused, uncertain of whether she should be divulging so much information to a man she didn’t know.
Seemingly in tune with her, Adeline’s grandfather finished her sentence. “But you don’t want to stay in the city. You have accepted an offer from Harvard. I’m assuming you are waiting for the right moment to tell your parents.”
Adeline nodded, her words escaping her as this unknown connection with her grandfather continued. “How did you know?”
Dr. De Kure laughed wholeheartedly. “I may have been absent from your lives, but I wasn’t ignorant. I know you are dating the young Landin boy, Eric, and that you have declined your acceptance into the university here,” he said. “I’ve been keeping track of your lives – yours, your sister’s, and your mother’s. My heart nearly stopped when she was admitted to the hospital a couple of months back.”
Adeline’s smile mirrored her grandfather's. “My father doesn’t like Eric,” she revealed, hoping to gain her grandfather's insight. The more time she spent with him, the more comfortable she felt. Her palms were no longer sweaty, and her heart had calmed. “Mom likes him, but father’s stubbornness is making things quite tense between us all.”
“Most fathers have the hardest time letting go of their daughters,” Dr. De Kure advised. “And you are so young, it’s probably hard for him to see you look up to and connect with another man. Honestly, just like how I reacted with your mother, I didn’t think her relationship was going to go anywhere. She was still so young when she began dating your father. I’m sure your father just wants you to focus on your future instead of dating right now.”
“Yes, but what if I need this time to discover myself?” Adeline protested, grateful to have another person to talk to. “What if I’m not sure who I am and what I want in my life?”
“Is that what consumes your thoughts?" Dr. De Kure asked, curiosity and concern in his voice. “You are just starting your life; you don’t need to answer all these questions now. Part of life is the journey.”
“Father says that Eric is a bad influence, that because the Landins are ambitious, they do not respect the history and legacy of their family. Eric has his own dreams, and he wants to go out into the world to build them. Do you think that’s wrong?” Adeline asked, her gaze searching his for answers.
“Your father took on your family’s legacy too young; he didn’t have a chance to explore what he wanted. But that’s not the case with you. You have time, and you have our support. The Landin family has always been the way they are. Their roots began here in this city, but they have long left the confines of Golden Rivers and expanded their influence across the world,” Dr. De Kure explained. “The Landin Patriarch doesn’t even remain here all the time; they have homes all over the world. I envy their freedom, and as the head of our family, I understand their appeal. I’m hoping to change things to reflect more freedom like the Landins.”
“That would be nice,” Adeline said, her voice full of hope. “I don’t want my life to be dictated for me. I want to live it.”
Dr. De Kure leaned forward, his eyes softening with understanding. “Adeline, I want you to know that you have my full support in whatever path you choose. If you wish to discover yourself and pursue your education outside of your father’s direction, I will stand by you.”
Adeline looked at him, her eyes wide with surprise. “You mean that?” She didn’t expect such support from someone she’s only recently started speaking to.
“Absolutely,” Dr. De Kure affirmed. “The De Kure family has a long-standing influence in education and medicine, and as the current Patriarch, I have the authority to support you in your pursuits. Whether you decide to follow a different field of study or choose a path entirely your own, you have my unconditional support.”
Adeline felt a wave of relief wash over her. “But what about the expectations of the family? The legacy?” she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Dr. De Kure smiled gently. “I’ve been thinking a lot about that. It’s about time to change the way the De Kure family views its legacy. I want our bloodline to pursue their dreams without being bound by the expectations of the past. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for your father, but if you don’t want to be the O’Cean heir, you don’t have to be. You could even consider being the De Kure heir in the future, or you could carve out your own path entirely,” he jested, trying to lighten the mood from such a heavy topic.
Adeline’s eyes filled with hope, renewing both their confidence. “You really mean that?”
“Yes, I do,” Dr. De Kure said firmly. “And there’s another thing that you haven’t considered. Your mother’s pregnancy gives us another option for who the successor for either of our families could be. Although, I’m sure your father wouldn’t take kindly if you or his newborn were to join the De Kure family tree, I don’t see why you have to carry that burden alone. You have choices, Adeline, and I want you to know that whatever you decide, I will support you.”
Adeline felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes. She had always wanted to hear these words from her father, but instead, it was coming from her mother’s father, and that fact was both warming and ironic to her. She felt a mixture of gratitude and sadness, realizing how much she had missed out on. “Thank you, Grandfather. This means more to me than you can imagine.”
Dr. De Kure reached across the desk to take her hand. “You are not alone in this. We are family, and we will face the future together. Your happiness and fulfillment are what matter most to me.”
Adeline squeezed his hand, feeling a newfound sense of freedom and possibility. “I think I’m ready to explore my options and see where my heart leads me.”
Her grandfather nodded, his heart swelling with pride and love. “That’s all I could ever ask for. Follow your heart, Adeline, and know that you have the full support of the De Kure family behind you. I hope we can continue to meet regularly, maybe even with your mother,” he said, the remorse returning to his voice. “I know she’s emotionally vulnerable, especially with her pregnancy, so I won’t ask you to rush her into seeing me. But maybe we can meet sometime after school so we can talk like today? I would love to introduce you to your uncles and aunt sometime.”
Wiping a stray tear from her eye with her free hand, Adeline nodded with a small smile. “I’d like that. Thank you, Grandfather. I’ll call you again soon to schedule something.”
Dr. De Kure reached into his drawer, pulling out a business card and scrawling his personal number on the back. “Please call me directly. We’re family. I want you to feel you can reach me anytime, and please keep me updated on your mother’s health. I do worry so much about her.”
“Of course,” Adeline smiled, placing her grandfather’s business card in her wallet. “I’ll call you soon,” she promised, getting up to leave.
As Adeline stood up to leave, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders. The conversation with her grandfather had opened her eyes to new possibilities and given her the courage to explore her own path.
Dr. De Kure smiled warmly, their connection strengthening after their long conversation. “I look forward to hearing from you. Remember, you can always call me. We’re family, and I want you to know I’m here for you, and we’ll face whatever may come together.”
Exiting her grandfather’s office, Adeline felt a sense of clarity she hadn’t experienced before. The future was still uncertain, but for the first time, she felt ready to embrace it on her own terms. She glanced back one last time before the door closed and saw her grandfather watching her with a supportive smile. It was a moment of connection that she would carry with her as she stepped into the next chapter of her life. With his support and the promise of a brighter future, she knew she could face whatever challenges lay ahead.