Chapter 65: Brave Choice

Chapter 65: Brave Choice
Yuan gave me time to decide. I needed to sort out my thoughts but I knew I had to act fast before the situation got worse. I needed to return to a place long forgotten to face my own demons. This was the only way to fix everything.

But what did I really know about my family? I was too young to remember much about my father. I only had a few memories of him. The way he laughed, deep and warm. How he carried me on his shoulders. How he danced with my mom in the middle of the living room while humming a song they both loved. He never talked about his family. I was too young to notice what was wrong.

That afternoon, after all the work in the mansion was done, I went to Aunt Neela in the kitchen. I found her making tea. She offered me a cup. I sat down and held the cup tightly.

“Aunt Neela,” I began. “Do you know anything about my family? About the Zedlers?”

She stopped what she was doing. There was no surprise on her face. She expected this question.

“As I told you before, I only know a few things about your father,” she said calmly.

She sat across from me.

“Margaux introduced him to us one day. From the moment I met him, I knew where he belonged. In my years of serving the Crimson family, their name became familiar to me. Zedler.”

“The Zedlers and the Crimsons have long been enemies. I heard from Margaux that even Theron’s family opposed him. Like the Crimsons, the Zedlers are a powerful family.”

“By now, you know what kind of family you come from, Cosette. They are one of the largest hunter families. They are trained to kill hybrids. The people in their territory are the same. You still have the bullet, don’t you?”

I nodded.

“Lethia said before she passed away that the day would come when people would look for you. That was what your parents were trying to avoid. They didn’t want you to live trapped by a family’s belief. The Zedlers have not seen you for a long time, but their blood still runs in you.”

“Aunt Neela, can you promise me something?”

“About what, child?”

“Help me fix this problem. I need to go back to them to end this. I need to explain everything.”

Fear showed clearly on her face. “What do you mean?”

“I need to leave. I need to persuade my grandfather and explain everything in person. Maybe he will understand. Something has to change. This rivalry will end here, in this generation, with Aslan and me.”

“But Cosette—”

“I don’t want everything to repeat again. I don’t want to run or hide or see others sacrifice for me. I don’t want to live in fear that one day we could be taken away from each other.”

I looked at Aunt Neela. Tears filled her eyes.

“Aunt Neela, I will come back. I won’t leave Aslan. I can’t leave him. I just want a normal life. I want a normal life with Aslan and a normal future together.”

I held both of her hands.

“Two days, Aunt Neela. I only need two days.”

She looked at me for a long moment before answering.

“If there is one thing you got from your father, it is his courage. I don’t want to say this, but I cannot deny it. You are a Zedler.”

Aunt Neela gently held my hands.

“Face your family, then come back to us here in Elwood. We will wait.”

—

The day I left was the same day Aslan went to Arendell. It was an order from the Council. Aslan had to attend a hearing about Elwood and his rule.

I didn’t know how long he would stay there. It depended on how the meeting went. I needed to return before he came home. If I couldn’t, Aunt Neela would cover for me. That was our agreement.

I went to Aslan’s room that night. He was leaving the next day. I found him packing some of his things. The soft light from the chandelier above filled the room.

Aslan didn’t say it, but I knew his trip to Arendell had a deeper reason. He told me the meeting was an annual event for leaders of hybrid towns but I knew the discussion about changing rulers, the one Soleil mentioned before, would be part of it.

I walked closer and sat on his bed, watching him. He looked at me. At that moment, I wanted to touch his face. Could time stop? I didn’t want tomorrow to come.

“Will you be okay here?” he asked.

I tried to smile.

“I’ll be leaving early tomorrow.”

Me as well, Aslan, I added silently. We will face our problems separately. When we return, everything will be better.

Aslan walked closer and held my face. “Be careful,” I whispered.

I closed my eyes when I felt the warmth of his hand on my skin. Tears suddenly fell for no clear reason.

“Why are you crying?” he asked.

I shook my head. “It’s nothing.”

I want all of this to end, Aslan. I want to be with you without fear or trouble.

He wiped my tears and smiled at me. Even though we didn’t know what would happen next, we were still hoping everything would turn out fine.

He kissed my forehead, then my lips. I let his lips meet mine in a slow and warm kiss. He held my face and pressed his forehead against mine. His voice was almost a whisper.

“When all of this is over,” he said softly, “I will ask you to marry me.”

I looked at him. The smile on his face as he said those words stayed in my memory forever. Because at that moment, I knew my answer.

Yes, Aslan. I do. I will love you. Always. Forever.