REBORN

REBORN
Siofra's POV

Things slowly slipped back into place after Grandma was laid to rest.

Lumeria had granted me the chance to say a final goodbye, but even after the burial, a heavy emptiness lingered in my heart—one that nothing seemed able to fill. And then there was my mother. She couldn't even bring herself to look at me.

I didn't want to forgive her either. She didn't deserve it. Even after everything that had happened, I watched her walk down to the shore just to leave a single flower in the sea for Alma. She stood there for nearly an hour before leaving, making me wonder if she secretly wished I had been the one who went astray—the one willing to burn the whole of Álfheimr to the ground.

After that day, she avoided me more than ever. Dad mentioned she barely ate or spoke to anyone.

Meanwhile, I threw myself into mastering everything my mother had spent years teaching Alma. With the help of Lumeria, Nymeria, and Valeria—who took turns training me—I pushed through, though I would be lying if I said I didn't want to give up a million times. It became so overwhelming that I quit at the end of every single day, only to wake up the next morning and force myself to try again.

My coronation was fast approaching, the day my mother was scheduled to step down and hand over the throne. Yet, I didn't feel ready. I just knew I wasn't.

So, I made up my mind to ask her to stay on the throne longer. After discussing it with Lumeria, who agreed it was for the best, I steeled myself to confront my mother.

Standing outside her chambers—the very room where she used to scream at me, insult me, and remind me how useless I was—my hand hovered over the door. Taking a deep breath to steady my nerves, I finally pushed it open and stepped inside.

She was sitting at her desk, writing in a leather-bound book. Seeing me, she stopped and looked up.

"What brings you to my chambers?" she asked flatly, her face entirely devoid of emotion. "I still have until your coronation to vacate this space."

I let out a bitter scoff. "Don't worry, Mother, I am nothing like you. I came to let you know that we are postponing the coronation until I've mastered every duty required to take your place. So until then, you can keep your crown. This 'good-for-nothing' daughter of yours still has a lot to learn before she can ever make you proud."

"Look, Siofra," she said, her tone cold and distant. "It is obvious I have already ruined things between us, and I accept that. There is no point in trying to fix a relationship that was doomed the moment I misread the gem's prophecy."

Her words sent a wave of white-hot anger through me.

"You should have tried!" I snapped, my voice shaking. "You should have tried to fix the damage you caused and heal the people you hurt! I don't care what the prophecy said—you are the reason Alma turned out the way she did! You drove her to that point, and I hope you live with that knowledge!"

Vibrating with rage, I turned on my heel and stormed out of her chambers, refusing to let her see my tears.

As I marched down the corridor toward my room, I spotted Eldarion waiting by my door. I wasn't in the mood to be around anyone. Our relationship had admittedly gotten better since we saved Álfheimr. While our parents still pushed for our union, Eldarion and I had agreed to start off as friends first to see if we could even tolerate each other.

He offered a soft smile and waved, but his expression quickly shifted when he caught sight of my face.

"Siofra, what's wrong?" he asked.

I ignored him, pushing past into my room. I immediately stripped off my formal practice attire and collapsed face-down onto the bed.

"Are you going to talk to me, or do you want me to invade your personal space?" Eldarion asked, walking over to sit on the edge of the mattress.

I wanted to scream at him to leave me alone, but deep down, I just needed to unburden my heart.

"How can she say that?" I asked, sitting up to face him, the words tumbling out. "Even if she assumed I wouldn't forgive her, she should have at least tried. Why does she get to make that choice so selfishly?"

Eldarion maintained a completely straight face. "You know, you look really ugly when you're angry. And I heard constant anger causes premature wrinkles. You don't want to look like an old woman at our wedding... though I suppose I wouldn't mind."

I stared at him in utter shock. "Eldarion!" I yelled. How could he say something like that right now?

The next second, he burst out laughing—a bright, genuine sound. I found myself staring at him, completely caught off guard. We were both casualties of the same scheme, scarred by parents who treated us like chess pieces. I had never seen him laugh so freely before.

"Okay, okay, spare me—don't eat me alive!" he said, catching his breath. "I couldn't help it. Look, we both have terrible parents who use their children for selfish reasons. All I'm trying to say is that your mother isn't worth getting this worked up over. Besides, we're getting married soon, so I can't have my soon-to-be wife stressing over nothing."

I had never heard him speak so much at once. For the very first time, the thought of marrying him didn't feel like a sentence. We understood each other's wounds, and marrying him meant getting our families off our backs for good.

"You sound like you're actually considering the marriage now," I said, watching his reaction closely.

"I am," he replied, holding my gaze. "Is there something wrong with that? I've already told my parents we can proceed—with your consent, of course."

I was stunned. "Wow. Okay, I'm shocked. You do remember that we can barely stand each other, right?"

"We've figured each other out, Princess," he said smoothly. "I would much rather marry you than have my parents force another spoiled brat on me."

"I knew it!" A laugh tore from my lips, completely shattering the anger I had been holding onto. "You only want to get married so they don't parade you off like some prized princess!"

He continued to look at me, his expression softening into something unreadable.

"What? Don't look at me like that, you started it," I muttered.

Before I could say another word, he leaned in and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a firm embrace.

"Eldarion... what are you doing?" I asked, freezing up in surprise.

"I choose you, Siofra," he whispered against my hair. "Not because I'm afraid of my parents, but because I feel strangely comfortable around you. I love that comfort. And why are you holding back? If you want to cry, you can do it right here with me. Who loses someone they love and doesn't feel the pain? I want you to feel safe with me, the same way I've come to feel with you."

His words completely shattered the emotional walls I had built since Grandma's death.

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I tried to fight them. I was terrified of leaning on anyone, terrified of another betrayal.

"What are you talking about?" my voice cracked, betraying me as the first tear spilled over. "I'm completely fine, Eldarion..."

"It's okay," he murmured softly.

"I miss her," I finally sobbed, burying my face in his chest as the floodgates opened. "I miss Grandma so much that it hurts. Sometimes I feel like I just want to join her wherever she is... Maybe then my mother would finally be happy."

I wept freely, letting out all the grief and heavy heartache I had locked away. For the first time in a very long time, I had a shoulder to lean on—someone who held me steady until the storm passed.

"Good," Eldarion said gently as we finally pulled back. "You needed to let that pain out."

The crushing weight on my chest felt noticeably lighter.

"Thank you, Eldarion," I said, wiping my cheeks and letting out a small laugh. "Though I still can't forget the first time we nearly tore each other apart in the garden after our parents tried pairing us up."

Eldarion went back to staring at me, a warm smile gracing his features. He reached out, his hand gently cupping my cheek.

"Let's call our parents and set the date," he said softly. "I want to bicker with you for the rest of my life."

"You're really confusing me," I teased, leaning into his touch with a suspicious look. "Is there a real reason you're suddenly so eager to get married?"

He smirked. "Because I'm your princess, and my parents are offering me to you. So, Your Highness, please take me under your wing. I promise to be obedient."

We both burst out laughing.

"Okay, maybe you should joke more often," I laughed. "I think I prefer playful Eldarion over grumpy Eldarion."

We ended up bickering all over again, but I loved every second of it. For the first time, I felt like I had found someone who truly understood my pain—someone who felt like home.

Alda's POV

Slowly but surely, life returned to the peaceful rhythm I had always longed for.

With the help of my parents and Xander, I successfully reclaimed my company from the wreckage Seth had left behind. I gathered everything that had ever belonged to him and Anna, piled it all together, and set it ablaze. I also made sure to attend both of their funerals, using the time to reflect on the closure of that dark chapter.

​At Anna’s service, I saw her mother, who looked like a ghost of her former self. Already caring for a sick daughter, losing her second child had broken her completely. I felt deeply for her loss, but that didn't mean I forgave Anna for what she did. I don't think I ever will.

Now, I stood by the large window in our living room with a glass of wine in hand, thinking about how my life had played out like a chaotic film—turning completely upside down before landing me right here.

"What are you doing standing here all by yourself?" Xander’s smooth voice drifted from behind me as his arms slid around my waist, pulling me back against his chest.

"Just thinking," I replied, leaning into his warmth with a soft smile.

"Mike wants you to take Elba dress shopping with you for the wedding," Xander said with a chuckle. "Otherwise, he's convinced she'll show up to the hall wearing an oversized hoodie."

I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Elba had been absolute quality entertainment ever since she decided to stay in the human realm. Adapting to modern life was a struggle for her, but she was trying hard, and watching her adjust was truly heartwarming.

I loved seeing her and Mike together. Half the time, she acted like a curious child discovering the world, and Mike was the patient guide teaching her how everything worked.

"I really love them together," I murmured.

"Me too. She brings out the absolute best in him," Xander agreed, pressing a lingering kiss to the side of my neck. "Even his parents and siblings are already dropping hints about a wedding announcement." He paused, his voice dropping an octave as he turned me in his arms. "So... when are we planning ours? I can't wait to tell the world you're my wife. Not a fake fiancée—my actual wife."

He took my left hand and pressed a gentle kiss to the ring resting on my finger.

"We're having dinner with Charles’s parents tonight, right?" I asked, setting my wine glass down on the side table before wrapping my arms around his neck.

"Yes," Xander replied, leaning down to press his lips against mine. "Elara finally gets to have her parents together."

"Good," I smiled against his lips. "Because... Elba and I have to attend Siofra's wedding soon."

Xander pulled back slightly, surprised by the news. "The Queen is getting married?"

I nodded happily. Elba and I had made it a routine to visit Siofra in Álfheimr whenever we could. I was so relieved to see her thriving, looking truly happy with Eldarion by her side—even with the distance between her and her mother. Knowing they were tying the knot brought a deep sense of peace to my heart.

"Yes, and Elba and I definitely have to be there for her."

"I know," Xander smiled, wrapping his arms securely around my waist once more. "I guess that means another month of us telling everyone you two are off on a 'girls' trip'."

"And as soon as we get back," I whispered, looking up into his eyes, "we'll go dress fitting, pick out our wedding clothes, and bring our parents together so we can give them the official date."

Before I could even finish the sentence, Xander scooped me up into his arms and spun me around the room. I laughed freely, burying my face in his shoulder as he held me tight.

"I should probably call the whole world right now and announce that I'm marrying you," he whispered, setting me back down gently.

He could tell the world if he wanted to, but I didn't care about the rest of the world. I only cared about my world—and it was finally filled with pure, unshakeable joy.

I was finally reborn into a world worth living for.