Chapter 94: Six Months Later

Chapter 94: Six Months Later
Six months later...
The wind was sharper in the highlands where the Knight Faction trained. The cold no longer bit into my bones the way it used to. Or maybe I had simply changed enough to stop feeling it.
The scent of pine and steel replaced the blood and smoke of the Azai Clan's downfall. The memories still lingered. Some days heavier than others, but the screams had faded. My hands no longer trembled when I looked at them.
Today, they bore calluses from sword drills, not blood.
A horn blew in the distance, signaling the end of the graduation ceremony. 
I stood a little straighter as my name echoed across the stone courtyard one last time. "Knight Kasumi Azai." Applause followed, polite but distant. The others were clapping for tradition. For honor. For rank.
But the three men standing near the outer edge of the circle—Thaddeus, Theodore, and Cretheus—clapped for me. Their actions were enough to make my wolf squirm at how they were supportive of my achievement today.
I waved my hand at them as soon as we were allowed to approach our loved ones. Wearing their own uniform, where Thaddeus was wearing formal attire showing himself as the head of the House of de Rosa, Theodore, wearing his military uniform, and Cretheus, wearing his knight grand order uniform. 
My beloved three warriors of the House of de Rosa, and somehow, three hearts that had chosen to walk beside mine.
My beloved mates... They were the ones who didn't stop supporting me and believed that I could be able to stand up on my own. I had finally become the knight I had dreamed of.
Certainly! Here's a rephrased version using more "show, don't tell" and natural flow:
"Thaddeus! Theodore! Cretheus!" I called out as the crowd began to scatter, lifting the plaque with my name etched into it and waving it above my head. My other hand shot into the air in a half-wave, half-victory cheer as I made my way toward them through the dispersing graduates.
"Oh, there's our huntress over here!" Cretheus exclaimed, opening his arms. "Come over here, huntress." Giggling, I let myself be enveloped by Cretheus' strong arms. "You are a gallant knight now, huntress. As part of the knight faction with you, I couldn't be prouder of you."
"Thank you, my valiant. Your praise is making my heart in turmoil," I said, purring for his embrace, looking at him tenderly before turning to Theodore's frowning expression. Chuckling, I gently pulled away from Cretheus, hearing his soft purring protest. I gently patted him. "It's Theodore's turn, my valiant." I winked, smiling at the endearment I called to my Cretheus.
A few months back, Cretheus sulked that he was the only one whom I hadn't called in an endearment, while Thaddeus' endearment was my lord, and Theodore was commander. I had to think carefully about what would be a suitable endearment for my beloved Cretheus.
Then, I remembered his knight position as being one of the grand orders, the highest-ranking in the knight faction. 
"Fine," Cretheus uttered dramatically, acting as if feeling hurt, and I just shook my head, smiling.
"Commander." Still smiling, my eyes lingered on Theodore.
Theodore's expression softened, his sapphire-blue eyes sparkling in happiness as he cupped my face, looking at me lovingly. "Congratulations, moonshine." He later winked at me. "It's a shame that you're not in the military faction. I felt envious that Uncle is there with you." He slightly frowned.
"Better if you switch faction, Theodore."
Theodore's expression twisted with resolve. "I love serving in the military, Uncle. Appreciate it, but I'll pass." Then his gaze softened as it met mine. "You get where I'm coming from, right, moonshine?" he asked, a quiet plea behind his words.
I nodded, raising my hand to caress his cheek. "Of course, commander. I will not ruin what makes you happy." A smile crept on my lips as he took my hand and planted a soft kiss on the back of it as a response.
After that, I turned to Thaddeus, who was waiting patiently. "My lord..." I approached him, and he still had the same smile I gave to my other two mates.
Thaddeus didn't smile, but his expression softened, quiet pride flickering behind his stern gaze. "Sunshine..." He opened his arms, and I welcomed myself with them. He planted a soft kiss on my forehead. "You are our proud knight of the Blazing Winter Pack, sunshine. Congratulations!"
"Thank you, my lord." A warm spread on my cheeks, feeling teary-eyed as all of them were very supportive of me. The wind brushed against me as I faced Thaddeus, my fingers tightening around the plaque. "You've taken care of everything in the Azai while I was taking care of my studies here as an apprentice," I said, my voice low but steady. "You didn't have to... but you did."
I turned to Theodore and Cretheus next, my chest tightening with emotion. "And you two..." I couldn't say more just yet. Instead, I held up the plaque, letting the weight of it—and what it meant—speak for me. The sunlight caught the engraving of my name, but I knew I hadn't earned this alone.
Without thinking, I bowed deeply. Deeper than tradition called for. This wasn't a ceremony. It was the truth.
"Kasumi...!" Cretheus's voice rang with concern. I heard Theodore shuffle forward.
Still, I didn't rise. "You carried me through more than you know," I said, my voice muffled but firm. "If not for the three of you, I wouldn't be standing here. I swear, on my celestial name, I will be filial to you all for as long as I live."
"Kasumi, you don't need to do this." Thaddeus's voice was gentle. I felt his hand on my chin, coaxing me to look up. His eyes met mine, softening.
But I had to do it. I needed them to know.
Melting in his touch, I leaned on it and looked into his eyes. "It is important for me to pay respect to people who have helped me from time to time." I took his hand and intertwined it with his.
With our intimate actions, we couldn't escape the fact that others were looking in our direction. I could hear the whispers and looks of judgment. But the four of us only just minded each other's presence.
Six months ago, after dealing with what happened in the kidnapping of me, to do a barbaric ritual hosted by the elders of the Azai Clan, only Great Grandma Hinata was imprisoned. Amongst the elders, she was the only one who was still alive and imprisoned in a special dungeon where no one could contact her except authorized people.
It was to avoid spreading the information about the prophecy of the birth of the Moon Goddess' daughters. My older sister, Rachelle, said that this wasn't the right time yet to reveal who we were... until we were complete.
For now, she was still finding our other sisters. And I was able to meet the other sisters Rachelle had found, and they were amazing to deal with.
As for the remaining clans, Alpha King Azarius seized the surviving elders along with their closest kin. No trials were held. Only swift judgment. One by one, the bloodlines that had once ruled with pride and greed were cut down, bringing an end to the political dynasties that had long divided the realm.
Back then, their worry clung to me like a shadow, no matter how hard they tried to mask it. Every glance they gave me was too tender, too protective, and it didn't take long before whispers began to stir. Hiding what we were to each other became pointless, especially after my bond with Severin had already been severed.
And Thaddeus... I still remember the way he set down those divorce papers, the weight in his eyes heavier than the ink on the page. Madeline's betrayal had been public, her swelling belly a cruel reminder that the child she carried was his son's, not his.
In the end, there was no use pretending anymore.
I was glad that we didn't have to hide our relationship, and we could be more open about it, despite the judgment we were receiving.
"Let's go home now?" I asked them as we were on our way outside of the academy building, smiling at them.
"Let's," they replied in unison, smiling back at me.