As the Evergreens made their solemn procession through the heart of the Capital, the fading light of the setting sun cast a warm, golden hue across the city. Yet, despite the tranquil glow that bathed the streets, the atmosphere was charged with tension and anticipation.
A throng of onlookers had gathered to bear witness to the downfall of the once mighty house, their faces drawn with a mixture of curiosity, contempt, and vindication. The air buzzed with whispered conversations and muttered curses, each word a testament to the collective ire of the crowd.
From their perch high above the castle, the Imperial Family and the esteemed Houses of Azure, Verdant, and Solaris watched with steely resolve as the Evergreens marched toward their inevitable fate. Their eyes were unforgiving, their expressions hardened with righteous indignation. Marcella's gaze was the coldest of all, her eyes hardened with resolve and devoid of mercy. Unlike the others around her, her expression remained stoic and unforgiving, a reflection of the depth of her fury and determination.
As the Evergreens passed through the throng of onlookers, their path was littered with projectiles of scorn and disdain. Vegetables and fruits flew through the air, hurled by hands gripped with righteous fury. The wrath of the people was relentless, fueled by the collective outrage of those who had been wronged by the once powerful family.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a haunting shadow over the execution grounds, the grim procession continued. One by one, the members of the Evergreen family were led to the executioner's block, their fates sealed by the weight of their crimes.
Not one was spared, regardless of age or innocence. Each plea for mercy fell upon deaf ears, the relentless march of justice unforgiving in its pursuit of retribution. Even the head of the house, once powerful and influential, found no reprieve for his children.
As the executioner's blade fell with a sickening thud, the cries of anguish echoed through the night air. A son for a son, an eye for an eye—the cycle of violence perpetuated by generations of betrayal and deceit.
And then, it was Alexa’s turn. Dragged unceremoniously to the block, she stood as a shadow of her former self, her once regal bearing reduced to that of a condemned criminal. The weight of her sins hung heavy upon her, etched into the lines of her face and the depths of her soul.
Aurelius, Magnus, Maximilian, and Theodore recoiled in horror as they beheld the sight of Alexa's battered and bloodied body. Her features were so distorted by the brutality of the assault that she was barely recognizable, a mere shadow of the person she once was.
Amidst the chaos and carnage, there remained one unmistakable identifier—the pendant around her neck, gleaming dimly in the faint light. It was the only semblance of familiarity amidst the grim tableau before them, a poignant reminder of the woman who had once stood before them, now lost to the merciless tide of violence and retribution.
Aurelius's gaze locked onto Marcella's, and in that instant, a silent understanding passed between them. He knew, without a doubt, the truth of what had transpired. The devastation wrought upon Alexa's body bore the unmistakable mark of Marcella's fury and vengeance.
Without a word spoken, Aurelius reached out and gently clasped Marcella's hand, his touch a silent reassurance that he stood beside her, even in the face of such harrowing circumstances. Though the revelation weighed heavy upon them both, there was no judgment in his eyes, only a quiet acceptance of the choices she had made.
The chants of the crowd reverberated through the air, a cacophony of anger and resentment echoing. "Kill her!" they cried, their voices rising in a fervent demand for justice.
Amidst the fervor, another voice rose above the din, venom dripping from every word. "Curse the family of the Evergreens!" it screamed, the weight of generations of resentment fueling its rage.
"Alexa the whore must die!" came yet another cry, each syllable laden with contempt and disdain.
And still, the voices of condemnation continued to swell, each one a testament to the depth of the crowd's fury. "She's a murderer who deserves everything that has happened to her!" they shouted, their words a damning indictment of Alexa's crimes.
As the crowd's curses rained down upon her, Alexa stood in silent resignation, her eyes shuttered against the onslaught of hatred and condemnation. The weight of Marcella's wrath bore down upon her, leaving her tongue practically severed and rendering her voiceless in the face of her impending fate.
In the deafening clamor of the crowd, she found no solace, no mercy—only the relentless drumbeat of their collective outrage. With each word spoken, each curse hurled in her direction, she felt the weight of her sins pressing down upon her.
And so, with her eyes tightly shut against the world, she awaited the inevitable—the cold embrace of the executioner's blade.
With a swift and decisive motion, the executioner raised his blade high, the glint of steel catching the fading light of the setting sun. In one fluid movement, he brought the blade down with unerring precision, severing Alexa's head cleanly from her neck.
A fountain of blood erupted from the wound, spattering the ground in a gruesome display of violence and finality. The crowd fell silent, their collective breath caught in their throats as they bore witness to the grisly spectacle unfolding before them.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still, the only sound the dull thud of the severed head hitting the ground. And then, as if released from a trance, the crowd erupted into cheers and applause, their cries of triumph echoing.
With a weary sigh, Marcella's voice carried the weight of both relief and fatigue. Her words hung heavy in the air, laden with the gravity of the moment. As exhaustion threatened to pull her into its embrace, Aurelius stepped forward, a pillar of strength amidst the chaos, catching her before she could stumble. “Finally, it's done," she murmured, her voice a mere whisper against the backdrop of the crowd's fading clamor. She leaned into Aurelius's steadying embrace, grateful for his unwavering support in her moment of weakness. "I should return to Crystalia. You can follow tomorrow with Eternia.”
Aurelius's grip tightened around Marcella, his presence a steadfast anchor in the tumultuous sea of emotions. His voice, steady and reassuring, cut through the weariness that threatened to overwhelm her. “Nonsense," he declared, his tone firm and resolute. "We'll go together... And let's leave tomorrow, alright? No need to strain yourself by opening a portal. You'll be exhausted.”
Marcella's words were tinged with a sense of urgency, a note of concern threading through her voice like a thread of anxiety. Her mind raced with the implications of their actions, the potential consequences looming large on the horizon. “News of this would've erupted back at home by now," she exclaimed, her voice betraying a hint of panic. "Raphael and his house might escape or retaliate, and my children would be in danger.”
“You can't open a portal," Aurelius reasoned, his voice calm but firm. "You're still weak.”
“Marcella's eyes widened with desperation, her gaze locking onto Aurelius's with an intensity born of fear and urgency. "Then what would you have me do?" she implored, her voice tinged with desperation. "Aurelius, I have to return to Olivine, Cassie, and Emilie.”
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Aurelius nodded, his embrace tightening around Marcella as if to anchor her to his side. He understood the fierce determination burning within her, the unyielding resolve to protect her children at any cost. “I'll stand by your side," he affirmed, his voice a steadfast anchor amidst the storm. "Eternia and Adrian will accompany us, along with Magnus, Theodore, and that odious Sapphirepeak. Maximilian will assume the role of regent in our absence.”
“Are you sure?" Marcella inquired, her grip tightening around him as if seeking reassurance in his embrace.
Aurelius pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, a gesture of comfort and unwavering support. "Max has faced these responsibilities before," he reminded her gently. “We’ll do what we need to do.”
With a nod of understanding, Marcella found solace in Aurelius's words, trusting in their shared resolve to navigate the challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, in the Princess’s Palace, Adrian was busy packing with Eternia. So far, they had packed their entire life, well, Adrian has. It would be a lie if he said he didn’t miss Crystalia. He did.
“I don’t want to leave my father, Adrian,” Eternia sniffled. “I want to stay here with him.”
“You'll be back once you're all healed," Adrian reassured her, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he affectionately poked her forehead. "You'll be with your other family. Don't you want to get to know your sisters?” His words carried a glimmer of optimism, a reminder of the silver lining that awaited them on the horizon. Despite the pain of parting, Adrian sought to kindle a spark of hope within Eternia's heart.
Eternia's memories stirred within her, a mixture of nostalgia and apprehension clouding her thoughts. The distant image of her younger sister, Olivine, emerged from the recesses of her mind, a reminder of the strained relationship they once shared. "Olivine and I aren't exactly close, Adrian," she confessed, her brow furrowing with uncertainty. "As for Cassie, she's three years younger than me. Little Emilie was born after I left Crystalia... I don't know how to feel about it." Her words echoed with a sense of unease, a reflection of the complex emotions swirling within her as she grappled with the prospect of reconnecting with siblings she barely knew.
Adrian's smile brightened as he gently pinched Eternia's cheek, his playful expression brimming with affection. "I'll cook them if they harm you," he vowed, his words laced with a protective fervor that made her laugh.
Eternia wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace, their laughter mingling as they toppled to the ground together. Her giggles filled the air, a joyful melody that echoed the warmth of their friendship. "You're the best, Adrian," she declared, her voice tinged with gratitude as she held him close. "You're my best friend.”
Adrian's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue, his heart swelling with warmth at her words. Returning her hug with a gentle squeeze, he teased, "I'm your only friend," his playful tone underscoring the bond they shared with a hint of affectionate banter.
As they left the Princess's Palace, the mood shifted, the playful banter of Eternia and Adrian giving way to a more somber atmosphere as they made their way to the Throneroom. The transition was marked by a sense of gravity, a silent acknowledgment of the weighty matters that awaited them. As they entered the Throneroom, Eternia's eyes scanned the gathered figures—Marcella, Theodore, Magnus, Aurelius, Maximilian, Duke Sapphirepeak, and the others. The air crackled with anticipation, each member of the group bracing themselves for the challenges ahead. Maximilian's announcement of his role as regent underscored the seriousness of the situation, casting a solemn tone over the room. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in their journey, one filled with uncertainty and trials.
“Allow me to open the portal, Your Grace," Adrian offered, stepping forward.
Aurelius looked at him with curiosity, grateful for the assistance that would spare Marcella the strain of magic use. "You can do that?" he inquired.”
Adrian nodded confidently. "I'm an ancient warlock, remember?" he quipped, rolling his eyes.
“Thank you, Adrian," Marcella said, offering a grateful smile.
Just as Adrian was about to open the portal, Alexander burst into the room, his arrival interrupting their plans.
“Alexander's voice rang out as he entered the room, his breath ragged from his hurried arrival.
Eternia's heart skipped a beat as she rushed to his side, her concern evident in her eyes. "Alexander!" she exclaimed, offering him support. "Apologies, Young Master Alexander," she added, her voice tinged with worry. I should apologize to him for the way I acted, right?
Blushing slightly, Alexander took her hand delicately, pressing a tender kiss to it. Eternia stepped back, her cheeks flushing at the unexpected gesture. "Everything happened so fast," he began, his gaze earnestly meeting hers. "And I know that you and I aren’t exactly friends, nor are we in the best terms... but I’d like you to know this from the bottom of my heart." With a deep breath, he gathered his courage to speak his truth. "I like you, Princess…”
What?
The room fell silent, all eyes fixated on Alexander and Eternia, save for Marcella and Aurelius, who watched with understanding.
Eternia's heart fluttered as she listened intently, her emotions swirling within her.
“I really do," Alexander continued, his voice filled with sincerity. "But just to clarify, not in a romantic kind of way. I like you as a person in general. You’re interesting, funny at times, stubborn, beautiful, unpredictable, and you drive me incredibly mad! I know we’ve only seen each other on a few occasions, and each one seemed to be more intense than the last, but... I meant it when I said that you’re a person worth knowing." He paused, taking her other hand and holding them both tightly. "I’m sorry for offending you plenty of times, and I hope that you’d find it in your heart to forgive me one day." Gently, he tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. "I was wrong… As you know, I’m not the best at expressing or conveying how I feel. The truth is that I always thought you were worth knowing, but I was afraid to let you in because I thought that you were foreign.”
Tears welled up in Eternia's eyes as she listened to his heartfelt words, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “Alexander," she whispered, overwhelmed by the depth of his emotions.
He smiled, producing a silver bracelet adorned with delicate amber gemstones, each one reminiscent of his own eyes. "I made it myself, Princess," he admitted shyly. "I’m not as skilled as Master Adrian yet, but I learned plenty of magic. It’s a bracelet to protect you." With a swift motion, he leaned in and planted a soft kiss on her cheek. "This is goodbye, then," he murmured, pulling away.
Touched beyond words, Eternia threw her arms around him, her heart overflowing with gratitude. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice filled with warmth. "I forgive you, by the way. I too need to apologize for the way I handled things." With a gentle smile, she removed the black ribbon from her hair, allowing it to cascade freely around her face. Taking his hand, she tied the ribbon around his wrist in a graceful bow. "This is until we meet again, Young Master Alexander." With a nod of farewell, she returned to her parents' side, her heart lighter than before.
“I leave the realm in your capable hands, Duke Solaris," Aurelius declared with a nod of confidence towards Maximilian.
Maximilian returned the nod, offering a reassuring smile. "You'll accomplish what you need to do," he assured him, his voice steady and supportive.
With a solemn air, Adrian raised his hand, his fingers tracing intricate patterns in the air as he chanted ancient words of power. A deep cloud of black smoke billowed forth from the ether, swirling and coalescing into a swirling vortex of darkness and stars. It formed a portal, a gateway back to Crystalia. As the portal shimmered before them, one by one, they stepped through, leaving Sapphiria behind. Eternia cast a lingering glance at Alexander, her eyes filled with unspoken emotions, before she followed the others into the portal. Adrian brought up the rear, his movements practiced and precise as he sealed the portal shut with a single fluid motion, leaving no trace of their departure.
Eternia's heart weighed heavy with the whirlwind of emotions and events that had transpired. It was as if time had slipped through her fingers, leaving her dazed and bewildered. Closing her eyes for a fleeting moment, she sought solace in the darkness behind her lids. When she opened them once more, a breathtaking sight unfolded before her. She stood amidst an army of twinkling lights, their ethereal glow casting a soft radiance upon her surroundings. Lush gardens stretched out as far as the eye could see, vibrant with colors that seemed almost surreal. “Crystalia..." she murmured in awe, her voice barely a whisper amidst the enchanting beauty that surrounded her. A sense of familiarity washed over her, mingling with a newfound sense of wonder.
Am I home?