166: Picking the one

Picking the one

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When Dante had spoken to the angel serving as a bridge for the souls passing from the living to the heavenly realm, he had given it much thought before deciding on whom to choose. 

Maxwell. Not a day went by that Dante didn't think about his first brother, someone he had protected when they were young before the chasm of differences had formed between them and drove them apart. He clung to a few fond memories from before their innocence had been stolen and replaced by madness. After Marianne's death, Maxwell made foolish choices, taking his own life and enduring time in Hell. 

His mother. The woman who had taught Dante about love and kindness and had raised him into the man he was today. She had always protected him, but when it came to her, he hadn't been able to do the same, as Noor had slowly poisoned her over the years and ultimately killed her. 

Then there was Marianne, his beloved woman's sister—the one who had always protected Anastasia, shielding her from harm while bearing the brunt of the daggers herself. The Floreses would be overjoyed if their daughter was brought back to life, and so would Anastasia. Also killed by Noor. 

Lastly, Stella. The woman who was once liked by Maxwell and eyed by his father, the sister of Gabriel Brampton, who was likely in Heaven like the other two women. She was a forgotten figure, once a courtesan and eventually meeting a tragic end by beheading. 

Dante's family had inflicted pain on numerous families, tearing them apart. The most compassionate choice was to bring Gabriel's sister back to life, a gesture that would showcase his generous heart. But then again, he was a demon, not an angel. 

Upon hearing the knock on the door, Gabriel opened it and began to ask, "Anna, what ar—" However, he stopped mid-sentence, realising that this woman only bore a resemblance to Anastasia and possessed fair skin. He observed disappointment in the woman's green eyes, and she offered an apology. 

"Forgive me." The woman bowed and explained, "I thought this was my house." All the houses in the village had a similar appearance, which led her to knock on the wrong door. 

Gabriel stood there, utterly stunned, not knowing whether this was the person he believed her to be or if he was in the midst of a dream from which he had yet to wake up. As he saw the girl turn away, he called out, 

"Marianne?" 

The young woman turned back to him with a questioning look in her eyes, and she eventually nodded. She inquired, "Do I know you? I am sorry; it has been so long since I… last remembered."

Not knowing how this was possible, Gabriel continued to stare at her. He said, "Yes… It was many years ago. Let me take you to your home."

Marianne shook her head and responded, "You don't have to."

"You might scare everyone if you go knocking on random doors and they recognise who you are," Gabriel stated, pulling the door closed behind him and stretching his hand forward as if telling her to start walking. On their way to the Flores residence, he couldn't stop looking at her, and it wasn't solely because she was a beauty. The only way a deceased person could return this way was by becoming a ghost…

Upon reaching the house, Gabriel knocked on the door with a hint of scepticism and moved to the side, such that Marianne was the one standing before the door. When Mrs. Flores opened it, her eyes widened in disbelief as she beheld her daughter standing right there in front of their door.

"Hugh, come out here!! It is Mary!!" Mrs. Flores exclaimed, dropping the napkin she had been holding. She closed the distance between them, rushing towards her daughter and embracing her tightly. 

Anastasia, who was inside the dining room, heard her mother's exuberant voice. They all stood up and made their way to the front of the house. A soft gasp escaped her lips as she laid eyes on her elder sister. 

"Mary!" Anastasia saw her mother cry, and her sister hugged their mother back, both of them shedding tears. "My daughter is back," she sobbed. 

"Mama." Tears spilt from Marianne's eyes, and she squeezed her mother tightly. "I missed you!"

"We missed you too. Look at you, all grown up now! My daughters are back!" Mrs. Flores couldn't stop crying, and they finally pulled away. She wiped her daughter's tears and asked, "How is this possible? I thought you were gone. That is what they said."

"I have no idea." Marianne shook her head and replied, "I know I died, but then it felt as though I had just awakened from a long sleep."

Once Mr. Flores hugged his eldest daughter and exchanged words with her, it was finally Anastasia's turn. She and Marianne each took two steps forward before embracing one another. 

"I am sorry I had to leave you so abruptly that day, Anna. I wish I could have helped you," Marianne apologised to her sister. 

Anastasia shook her head, saying, "I should have waited for you and left the palace with you. I should have proposed that we leave the palace together. I am so happy you are back, Mary. I have missed you so much."

"I can imagine," Marianne laughed, tears still glistening in her eyes. "You must have gotten into a bunch of trouble without me."

"I did." Anastasia hugged her and said, "I have so much to talk to you about. We are finally home, Mary. Can you believe it?" She then pulled away. 

Even though they had arrived through different means, what mattered was that they were here together. Anastasia considered the promise of their return to have been fulfilled. 

"You finally managed to make a successful escape using camels and a ship, leaving the palace far behind." Marianne sounded impressed and saw Anastasia stare at her before she turned to look behind her. When her eyes followed, they widened upon spotting the man standing at the door, not understanding what was going on. She quickly offered a courteous bow and greeted, "Prince Dante, greetings to you!" She couldn't help but wonder why he was dressed in commoner attire. Had he come here to take her sister back, and now her?

"There's no need for formalities, Marianne," Dante responded, returning the bow to the young woman, whose soul had been bargained for in exchange for the many he had collected in Nightworth. He added, "You can simply call me Dante."

Anastasia decided to introduce the man officially, and she said, "Mary, Dante is my soulmate, and we are getting married in a few weeks time."

Marianne was shocked at the news, her hands instinctively rising to cover her mouth in astonishment. After all, Dante was someone who had never taken any woman from the palace, and there had even been a time when he had drawn his dagger at her neck. But he and Anna were soulmates… And as seconds passed, a smile spread across her face, and she hugged her sister, saying, 

"I am so happy for you, Anna! You deserve happiness more than anyone else. So he brought you to Hawkshead." 

"Actually, it was someone else." Anastasia saw her sister frown, and she said with a smile, "I will tell you all about it later." She then noticed Gabriel, who had been standing at the side, discreetly departing without a word. 

Marianne said, "I got a bit lost with the house, and he guided me here."

Before their neighbours would question who Marianne was and why they were all crying, Mrs. Flores suggested, "Why don't we bring you inside, Mary? We were just sitting down for breakfast, and you can join us. Come on in." Her voice sounded as excited as when Anastasia first appeared at their doorstep a week ago. 

Mr. and Mrs. Flores ushered Marianne inside, with little Tomas trailing behind them. Anastasia watched her sister with teary eyes, which she wiped away with her sleeve. 

"The breakfast will get cold. Come." Dante offered his hand to her. 

Anastasia placed her hand in his, but when he was about to tug her inside, she gripped it firmly, causing him to remain in place. Her brown eyes, with filaments of green in them, locked into his gaze. 

"You have done so much for me, Dante. Always," Anastasia expressed to him. She went on, saying, "And you brought Mary back… when you easily could have chosen to be selfish and brought back your mother instead. I doubt I can—"

Dante gently laid his finger on her soft lips, brushing it to the side, and said, "What I did is something I believe was very significant to you, and what is important to you is important to me."

"Vice versa," Anastasia responded, acknowledging the sacrifice Dante had made. "Thank you, Dante, for bringing her back."

Dante caressed her cheek, and he said, "I may be selfish, because all I want is to see you happy. You are mine; I should take good care of you." Long ago, in his past life as an earthling, he had failed—failing to recognise her as the person behind the letters he had received—which was why, this time, he was determined not to fail and intended to make up for the lost time. 

Anastasia wished she could assist in reviving Lady Lucretia as well, and she inquired, "How did you do it? I thought that bringing people back to life was a difficult task."

"It doesn't happen often, but it was thanks to Magnus for taking so many lives." Dante's lips twisted into a smile, and he added, "A collection of pure souls, combined with a bit of blackmail, works great sometimes."

A neighbour inquired, "Who was that young woman, Anna? She looks quite beautiful."

Anastasia smiled at the neighbour and replied, "She is, isn't she? That's my sister." 

The neighbour looked confused and asked, "Huh? I thought she had already departed this world."

Anastasia smiled before entering the house, with Dante following closely behind. Inside, she saw Marianne being showered with affection by her parents, much like the reception she had received when she had first arrived here, causing her smile to widen. She remarked, "It feels like nothing has changed with her, and her memories are still intact…" It appeared that Marianne was not overly affected by her previous death, and her sister's thoughts were now occupied by her family, as she had only just returned to the living realm. 

Anastasia wondered whether Marianne would inquire about Maxwell's well-being, who was dead and in Hell. For now, she wished to maintain a harmonious atmosphere until such questions arose, she thought. 

"So it seems," Dante remarked as he observed his new family. Upon hearing Anastasia's mother call them to resume their breakfast, they joined the others at the table. 

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Thank you everyone for voting Anastasia and pushing her to the semi-finals of 'Most Popular Character'. The next round starts in 2 days, so please save your fandom points and do not vote now, but when the round begins so that it is counted in the popularity score. 

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