Aqualina and Sandra had a talk when Victor captured them… An honest, unexpected conversation that peeled back their secrets and laid the truth bare between them — and what they discovered left them both shocked, stunned… and deeply, painfully awkward.
To be honest, when Celestia first heard about Aqualina… she was beyond surprised, too stunned to even speak properly… Heck, she was so shocked she nearly lost her breath on the spot!
Because Aqualina… she was actually the real Aqualina!
Sandra’s mother!!
It was nothing short of a miracle — the very idea of rebirth, the sheer possibility of it, hearing that something like this could happen… it was staggering.
Celestia was overjoyed, genuinely happy to know that Sandra’s mother was alive, breathing, existing again… However, the same couldn’t be said for Sandra.
Because both of them — Sandra and Aqualina — knew the truth. One carried guilt for the things she had done, and the other… the other couldn’t even bring herself to speak, paralyzed by emotions, unable to sort out what she truly felt, unable to decide what this reunion really meant.
And the worst part of all…
They both loved the same man.
Which made everything even more fucked up than anyone could ever imagine.
“I see…” Aether muttered under his breath. As he listened to the details of everything that had unfolded, he began to understand just how tangled and heavy the relationships truly were.
On one hand… Sandra’s mother had once tried to kill her. That, no matter how you looked at it, was unforgivable.
A line no parent should ever cross. But Sandra… she wasn’t angry. Not really. In fact, she seemed strangely at peace with it. Because deep down, Sandra had always known her mother loved her — fiercely, irrationally, like no one else ever could.
It was because Sandra being blind caused this!
That’s why Sandra never held on to anger… Why else would she wish for her mother to be reborn in the first place?
But Aqualina — Sandra’s mother — that was a different story entirely. To her, what she had done… it was a sin beyond redemption.
She had taken her daughter’s life… And when her memories finally returned, they hit her like a storm. She broke. She nearly lost herself completely. It was only Aether who managed to calm her, hold her together through it all.
And in her shattered state, she had clung to one decision: to stay by Sandra’s side not as a mother… but as a daughter. Pretending, hiding, burying the truth deep within herself.
But Sandra knew.
Sandra fucking knew everything.
And that shattered Aqualina even more.
Knowing that her daughter had known the truth all along… Aqualina couldn’t bear to speak to her.
Couldn’t meet her eyes.
Couldn’t find the strength to reach out.
The bond that once felt so unbreakable — the bond of a mother and child — felt fractured now, fragile and uncertain.
Even if Sandra forgave her…
Aqualina couldn’t forgive herself.
“Where are they now?” Aether asked, his voice calm but laced with a quiet seriousness. His expression turned thoughtful, almost burdened.
Celestia tilted her head slightly, “They’re in the Royal Archive…”
“Archive, huh… Alright. Take me there,” Aether said, his tone low but firm, a serious look on his face.
…..
…
Aether stood before a vast hall, a grand chamber filled wall to wall with countless books. The air was thick with the musty, comforting scent of ancient parchment and old ink, like history itself lingered in every breath.
“Not bad…” Aether muttered as he stepped into the Archive, the scent of old books curling into his senses.
The moment he entered, his eyes immediately caught sight of Aqualina, sitting quietly at a long wooden table. She was reading a thick book, one hand gently curled around a delicate teacup as she sipped slowly. Her eyes flicked subtly to the side — as if she was secretly looking at someone!
Then, without warning—
“BOO!”
“HIKKK!!” Aqualina gasped, jerking upright as she heard a sudden whisper right against her ear. Her head snapped back instinctively, her body tensing — only to see Aether standing right behind her with a mischievous, cheeky grin on his face.
Aqualina’s eyes instantly lit up, brimming with emotion. “You’re awake?” Her voice trembled slightly, eyes tender and glistening, like she might burst into tears. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly — desperately, like she was afraid that if she didn’t hold him close, he might vanish again.
Aether chuckled warmly, wrapping his arms around her and leaning in to press a gentle kiss to her hair. “I’m fine… There’s no need to worry.”
“R-Really?” she asked, her voice cracking as memories of him lying there, motionless, haunted her. “Did you take the medicine? Are you really okay? Really really okay?”
Aether smiled softly, his voice teasing and warm, “Really. I’m more than fine. Actually, I feel like I’ve got more energy than ever… thanks to your medicine. And…” He leaned close, whispering near her ear, “We could always pick up where we left off, you know~”
Aqualina’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson, her face burning hot as she shoved him back lightly. “I-I can’t believe you…!” she muttered, voice flustered, gaze darting away shyly. But then she paused — remembering she was supposed to be mad at him, wasn’t she?
She huffed, folding her arms with exaggerated annoyance and said, “Hmph. Whatever.” With a dramatic toss of her hair, she returned to her chair and plopped down, eyes back on the book like she didn’t care whether he was there or not.
Aether shook his head weakly, then slowly turned his gaze to the side… toward the direction where Aqualina had briefly glanced earlier. A shadow moved deep within the rows of shelves— someone was there.
Aether smiled faintly.
“Wait here,” he said softly to Aqualina, “I’m going to get her.”In the blink of an eye, he vanished — reappearing deeper within the maze of books.
There, in the quiet stillness, a purple-haired woman stood between the rows, searching intently.
Sandra furrowed her brow, lightly nudging her temple in frustration.
“Hmm… this isn’t it… This isn’t even close… No matter how many damn shelves I check, there’s nothing about the forbidden lang—”
“BOO!”
“…”
Sandra turned her head slowly and looked over her shoulder — where Aether stood, trying to surprise her with a mischievous smirk.
“What are you… doing?” she asked flatly.
Aether’s smile twitched, mildly offended by her complete lack of reaction.
“Well, I wa—”
“Are you alright now?” she interrupted softly, placing the thick book back on the shelf. Then she turned fully to him and raised a hand to his forehead.
“Are you feeling dizzy? Nauseous? Any fatigue or… weirdness?” she asked gently, tilting her head, her fingers lightly brushing across his skin as she examined his face and neck with quiet concern.
Aether smiled warmly,
“I’m fine… truly. I even drank your medicine.”
“Oh?” Sandra raised an eyebrow, visibly surprised. She had assumed Aether would only take Aqualina’s dose. But apparently… he’d taken hers too. That made her lips curl into a small, genuine smile.
“No hugging?” Aether asked, faking a hurt expression.
Sandra’s lips twitched. She knew him too well,
“I suppose that means you’re more than fine then,” she muttered dryly.
Aether cleared his throat dramatically.
“So, what are you searching for?”
Sandra averted her eyes quickly, her body language screaming disinterest — or maybe hesitation.
Aether frowned.
“Come on now… no need to act all mysterious. Just say it already! I could help, you know,” he said, stepping closer, his face inches from hers.
Sandra’s cheeks flushed instantly. She shoved him back, scolding under her breath.
“Aqua is here, idiot!”
“Oh? So if she wasn’t—”
Before he could tease further, Sandra blurted out the truth — she knew he wouldn’t stop otherwise.
“I was looking for a solution.”
“Hmm?” Aether tilted his head, intrigued.
“Sigh…” Sandra let out a long, heavy breath. She pushed past him and turned away, her shoulders tense.
“A ‘small brat’… who somehow pulls off miracles and.. believes in me more than I ever did… It made me feel ashamed,” she whispered, clenching the hem of her clothes.
“He believes in me… He shows me choices I never even considered… He’s searching for a path I thought didn’t exist. He…”
She took another shaky breath.
“He made me realize… I shouldn’t just accept things.
He saved my Aqualina… and now he’s trying to save me?
And what do I do? I break down, cry, and dump all my pain on him… acting like some helpless damsel waiting to be rescued… or worse, trying to disappear entirely…”
Her body trembled, the frustration in her voice thick and raw.
She inhaled deeply.
“That’s why… I’ve been searching. Searching for a way to save myself. Because my life… it’s mine. My hands, my choice. I’m not giving up — not this time. Not until the very end,” she said firmly, clenching her fists tight.
Aether stood behind her in silence, watching the fire in her voice, the strength radiating from her stance. In that moment, he didn’t see Marisandra…
He saw the Empress.
And he liked this version of her even more.
“…I love you,” he whispered softly.
Sandra flinched. Her whole body tensed. The grip on her clenched fists loosened just slightly, her cheeks blooming red.
“A-Anyway! Why are you even here? Shouldn’t you take rest?” she asked suddenly, trying to recover.
Aether’s expression turned serious.
“There’s something I need to tell you all… something important,” he said quietly.
“Something about me.”