455: [Bonus chapter] End of Volume 2

[Bonus chapter] End of Volume 2

Apparently, because Conan had tons of money to splurge for the budget on Aries and Abel's union, he planned to host a banquet of the century. Thanks to Ismael, who had sent a word about his plan in taking the Land of Rikhill as an official state of the Maganti empire and it must be treated as one immediately, there were more things to celebrate about.1

Although the soldiers Ismael sent to assist the land of Rikhill hadn't arrived yet, those officials who had been in charge of the land had already fled. The news of the revolt in the Maganti Empire and the fall of the evil crown prince had spread faster than anyone could catch up. 

All this time, during Aries's recovery, Ismael had been working nonstop to put things in place. And as such, everyone had also heard about Curtis, a captive from Rikhill, and his involvement in the revolt. Thus, he was rewarded with the title of the Grand Duke of Rikhill. 

Rikhill had fallen, but there were still who were left alive. For years, it had become a subject of abuse and slavery, working in the mines without pay. Only a year ago did things change when a mysterious man bribed every man in power and paid every worker in the land. Because of that, the incoming Grand Duke wouldn't have too much burden on the livelihood of the land and only had to maintain or make it greater than it had been. 

With all these things laid on the table, Rikhill had been in a festive mood to celebrate the freedom of their land. Not just them, but all those smaller kingdoms who had fallen in the wicked oppression of the crown prince. Everyone was free and Ismael addressed every single one of them. 

The third prince wasn't done yet. He still had a long way to go, but surely, everyone was expecting brighter days ahead. 

"Ismael... that man is quite surprising," Aries mumbled while watching the festival in the capital from the ridge with Abel under the beautiful sunset. Everyone left the ridge after Abel and Aries started kissing, so now it was just the two of them. 

"I didn't think he would act this fast," she continued. Although the houses and lights in the capital of Rikhill looked as tiny as ants, she could feel everyone's joyful cheers. Conan surely threw a large banquet, which every single one could enjoy. 

"Humanity's growth had always been fast and amazing, darling." She turned her head to the side where Abel stood, seeing him staring in the same direction she was looking at previously. "The third prince had been through a lot, which he never told anyone. Growth is painful and he can't grow within his comfort zone."

Abel fluttered his thick, long eyelashes ever so tenderly. "The third prince had been dragging himself out of his comfort zone since you stepped foot in that place as the crown princess. And thus, he had grown a lot more than when he had ever in the past."

"That right..." she rocked her head in understanding, watching the beautiful golden rays in the darkening sky. "He'll be a good ruler."

"He always had the qualities."

"Have you always regarded him that high?" 

"Hmm... no. I just know he will eventually succeed with or without your help," Abel crooned. "Or maybe not. But his spirit would always remain. Maybe he will fail, but someone who knew him and carried his will — will succeed."

Aries let out a dry chuckle. "About Curtis..."

"He will be fine." Aries cast Abel another look and watched him cast her a sidelong glance. "You already know he will be fine without me saying it."

"Well..." she drew a deep breath and huffed it sharply. "Curtis had always been amazing. Had he turned to a vampire, though?"

"No."

Aries glanced at him. "Then how did he recover from all that trauma?"

"The people in Rikhill were amusingly unrelenting. Just like you, he held on to his sanity until the end. That crown prince had never won against your dearest friend, nor did he win against you." Abel shrugged without looking at her. "That is why the crown prince resorted to witchcraft to cripple him and turn him into a dog."

"I see... so it's all about witchcraft, huh?"

"Isaiah undid the spell and healed him with my blood," he summarized how Curtis was now back to how he was before. 

"Lord Darkmore?" she gasped, a bit taken aback at this information. 

"Mhm."

"Now that I think about it, there were many things I still don't know..." she mumbled, facing Abel squarely. "Was Lord Darkmore a vampire as well?"

"No," Abel smirked, facing her. "He is a warlock, darling."

"A war... lock?"

"Should I tell you how I met him?" his lips curled up as if he was about to say something very interesting, but Aries shook her head after a moment of contemplation. Aries reached for his other hand and smiled at him. 

"We have a very long way to reach Haimirich," she said, guiding his other hand to her cheek. "I'm not in a hurry to get to know everything in a day. For now, I would like to get to know and enjoy my husband, since that is the most important thing for me right now."

He brushed her cheek with his thumb gently. "No problem." He winked and bent over, claiming her lips under the warm sunset, creating a beautiful shadow of two people standing, kissing passionately as the sun bid the world its temporary goodbye. 

Today was the last day Aries had held onto the burdens of the past. Her past… that had always dragged her back like a force sucking her to the abyss, would no longer have power over her. 

In this place where Princess Aries Aime Heathcliffe died, birthed Missus Aries Grimsbanne. Deep down, Aries was aware things wouldn't be easy with the new realm she was about to step foot in, but that wasn't her concern anymore. Because just as he said, they would be fine and they would figure things out together. 

Together, they would overcome all life's challenges. 

That was the vow they would hold on to forever… and ever.

— END OF VOLUME 2 — 

Note: There will be a few extra chapters before the opening of Volume III :) while the author prepares for volume 3 <3

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