“And… yeah, I killed myself,”
Aqualina whispered, her voice empty, hollow, and stripped of emotion. Her gaze slowly returned to the present.
Her expression flickered with fear as if bracing herself for Aether’s reaction.
She had poured out everything—her past, her emotions, her guilt, her death. Every piece of her soul had been laid bare before him.
Now, the gnawing fear consumed her: what would Aether do with this truth?
Would he judge her for what she had done?
Would he be disgusted by the choices she made in her desperation?
Would he think less of her now that he knew about her past life?
Would he hate her for the unspeakable act of killing her own daughter?
Would he… leave her?
Each question screamed a resounding ‘yes’ in her mind, tormenting her with the belief that any sane man would feel the same.
After all, how could anyone love a woman who had done what she had? What Aqualina did was unforgivable, no matter how much love she had for her daughter. Her actions had been a desperate attempt to ease her unbearable pain, and in doing so, she had crossed a line that could never be uncrossed.
Whatever she had gone through… it was undeniably wrong!
What had the child ever done to deserve such a fate?
Her daughter hadn’t asked to be born into this world. None of it had been her fault. Life had simply been cruel, as it often was.
No one could change that.
No one could rewrite what was already written.
Yet…
“A-Aether?” Aqualina’s voice cracked as she called his name. She froze when she noticed the tear slipping down his cheek. His eyes, wide and unreadable, stared at her. His hand tightened around her, pulling her close as though he feared she might vanish if he let go.
She opened her mouth, the urge to explain or apologize swelling inside her, but no words came out. Instead, she gave him a faint, trembling smile before hugging him tightly. Her voice quivered as she finally managed to ask, “D-Don’t you hate me now?”
Of course, he should hate her. She hated herself!
How could he possibly feel anything else after hearing what she had done?
But Aether didn’t answer immediately. His silence stretched on, filling the room with a tension so thick it was suffocating.
Finally, he spoke,
“Aqualina,” he began, his tone carrying a weight that made her heart clench. “If I were the kind of man who could hate you for what you’ve done… then I would have to hate myself first.”
Her breath hitched.
“You don’t understand,” she murmured, her voice barely audible, “What I did… it wasn’t just a mistake. It was monstrous. I—I tried to kill my own daughter. How can you still look at me like this? How can you hold me like I deserve it?”
Aether’s lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze unwavering as he replied, “I can because I know what it’s like to be consumed by emotions you can’t control. I know what it’s like to do something you can never take back. Something that will haunt you for the rest of your life.”
Her eyes widened in confusion, “W-What are you saying?”
Aether just smiled but he didn’t say anything…
Because he did something but he was able to write again unlike others…
On that fateful day, He killed Raven with his own two hands.
He was blinded by anger, by pain… and He acted without thinking.
He let his emotions control him, and he made the worst mistake of his life.
And then… He died and came back to fix his mistakes, to try to right the wrongs he committed.
Unlike him, Aqualin didn’t have that kind of feature… how laughable… A mistake was still a mistake no matter who did it!
He understood more than anyone what emotions could drive someone to do.
Aqualina was just a noblewoman brought up with dignity and elegance until everything was shattered…. Her core had been broken, her pride humiliated in front of everyone. Of course, anyone who was brought up in that atmosphere… would lose their sense of self and act without thinking. That’s exactly what had happened to Aqualina.
Still, what she did was something unforgivable. But…
“I would never, ever hate you,” Aether said as he hugged her tightly and kissed her cheek.
Aqualina’s eyes trembled. “E-Even though I tried to kill my own daughter?”
Aether’s lips quivered before he replied, “Yes…. I love you more than you think,” as a small tear rolled down his cheek.
Aqualina gripped him tightly as tears streamed from her eyes. “I-I’m not the person you think I am, Aether… I’m not the Aqualina you loved. I-I am… I…” Her voice broke as her eyes shook.
His grip on her tightened, almost painfully, as he interrupted her, “No! You are. You’re my Aqualina.
The woman I fell in love with.
The woman who would do anything to protect her child.
The woman who endured ten years of unimaginable hell to ensure her daughter wouldn’t have to suffer.
The woman who took the pain for her daughter…
The woman who now wanted to protect her mother…
The woman who would do anything for her family. That’s my Aqualina.
My one and only Aqualina,” he said, holding her even tighter, so much so that it felt like he might break her bones.
Yet,
Aqualina strangely felt comforted.
Her tears fell freely now as she clung to him, “I—I don’t deserve you,” she sobbed.
Aether kissed her cheek softly, “You deserve more than you think. I love you, Aqualina. I love you more than words can ever express.”
Her trembling form melted into his embrace as her emotions finally poured out.
Days of guilt, fear, and sorrow spilled over as she cried in his arms, her sobs wracking her body.
He held her through it all, his arms never loosening their grip as if anchoring her to him. Slowly, her cries quieted, and exhaustion took over. She drifted into sleep, her tear-streaked face resting against his chest.
Aether kissed her forehead gently as he gazed at her peaceful expression but… he didn’t sleep his mind lost in thoughts.
…
….
The next day in the garden,
“Did you notice anything?” Marisandra asked, her voice steady yet laced with curiosity. She glanced at Celestia, who stood by her side with her head bowed.
“No, Your Majesty,” Celestia replied softly. “They still haven’t come out.” Stay connected through My Virtual Library Empire
“Tsk,” Marisandra clicked her tongue in irritation. She picked up her teacup and sipped thoughtfully, her gaze lifting to the bright, cloudless sky. ‘What in the hell is he still doing in there?’ she wondered, lost in her thoughts when—
“Hello~” Aether’s voice broke through the air as he suddenly appeared before them.
Marisandra raised an eyebrow, her expression cooling. “Took you your sweet tim—” Her words trailed off the moment her eyes fell on Aqualina, who stood hesitantly behind Aether.
Aqualina’s gaze darted nervously to Marisandra before she lowered her head, her hands trembling slightly as she avoided eye contact.
Marisandra rose gracefully to her feet, her tone softening with concern. “Dear? Are you alright now?”
Aqualina glanced at Aether who gave her a gentle nod, silently encouraging her.
Stepping aside, Aether let Aqualina move forward on her own.
Aqualina took a hesitant step closer, her hands fidgeting. “I-I am… sorry, Mom… I… I didn’t mea—”
Before she could finish, Marisandra closed the distance and pulled her daughter into a tight embrace.
“Why, Aqua?” Marisandra’s voice cracked with emotion. “Did you hate your mother? Why didn’t you speak to me? Do you know how hard it was for me to keep going when you avoided me? If your mother did something wrong, tell me, dear. Please… I’ll fix it. I’ll make it right.”
Marisandra held Aqualina’s face snugly against her chest, tears glistening in her eyes as she cradled her daughter.
Aqualina’s shoulders trembled under the weight of her emotions, “I’m sorry, Mom… sob… I won’t make you worry anymore…” she choked out as tears streamed freely, her voice muffled against her mother’s embrace.
Nearby, Aether and Celestia watched the Mother and daughter…. To Aether’s eyes, the situation was something out of the most twisted… How should he call… two mothers… two daughters?
‘It’s so fucking messed up, man!’ he thought, his expression shifting to one of disbelief. His mind whirled as he considered the absurdity of the family dynamic unravelling before him. ‘How the hell do I even begin to map out my family tree?’
‘It’s worse than any literature I’ve ever read,’ he concluded, stealing a glance at Celestia. She was staring at the scene with her usual indifferent expression, though a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
Unable to resist, Aether slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her closer to his side. Celestia stiffened, a blush creeping across her cheeks as she glared at him. Her eyes flicked toward the mother and daughter pair, silently motioning for Aether to focus.
Aether shrugged, his expression mischievous. ‘It’s fine…’ he mouthed. Then he leaned closer to her ear and whispered, “Is your big sister… blind?”
Celestia raised an eyebrow, surprised by the question. After a pause, she nodded. “How did you figure that out?”
Aether shrugged casually. “Just a hunch…”
Celestia narrowed her eyes at him. ‘Hunch? That’s total bullshit!’ she screamed inwardly, glaring at him in frustration. She clearly wanted answers, but Aether didn’t offer any.
Instead, he asked another question, “How can she see now?”
“Beats me,” Celestia replied with a shrug, her voice tinged with genuine confusion.
Aether’s gaze shifted back to Aqualina, who was still crying in her mother’s—or whatever one might call their relationship—embrace.
He could tell that Aqualina had no intention of revealing the truth to Marisandra.
And who could blame her?
Who in their right mind would want to explain this convoluted mess? The mother who once tried to kill her daughter, now reborn as her daughter’s daughter?
Hell NO!
Even Aether, who had seen his share of madness, couldn’t bring himself to push for the truth here. Unlike Thalia’s situation, this was far more volatile.
Who knew how Marisandra would react? There was a real possibility she might lash out in anger or worse—try to harm Aqualina.
There were too many uncertainties, and Aether wasn’t about to gamble with Aqualina’s safety.
He rather wanted to have calm life even if it meant hiding something!
Some truths, he thought, were better left buried.
Sometimes… some things were meant to be taken to the grave!!