Chapter 103
It was all over now. Malachi was…away. The gem was destroyed and after nearly two decades, Romulus was finally free. There was only one thing disturbing Delphine, and that was the throne waiting for her back home. She knew she couldn’t possibly ask Damien to leave his people and follow her back home, but she also couldn’t leave Damien and the people she has grown to love as her own. But still, her mother had put her life at stake for that throne and now that the threat was finally out of the way, she still couldn’t go.
She hasn’t spoken to anyone on this, she couldn’t, it was a decision she had to make on her own.
“Hey, are you okay?” Ruby asked, walking to stand beside Delphine. “Damien was called by his father, he asked me to check on you.” Delphine nodded and looked away. “Is there a problem? Tell me, I’m always here to help.”
“It’s nothing Ruby. You should go back in and drink with them. I just need some fresh air, and some space to think, I’ll be in soon,” she said, but she knew Ruby wouldn’t just take that and leave, and as expected, she stayed behind. She was grateful though, because deep down she needed someone to open up to. “Fine, I’ll talk.” A small smile settled on Ruby’s face. “It’s about Romulus,” she said slowly, watching her cousin.
“What about Romulus? You’re excited to be going back, aren’t you?” She grinned. “Same here, we’re going to be hosting the biggest party the world has ever known to celebrate our freedom. Sometimes I wake up and still find it out to believe that he’s really gone.” Her eyes were glassy now. “I tell you, if your mother was alive, she would be so proud.”
“Proud? Do you think she will still be proud to see that I don’t plan to rule over Romulus?”
“W-what are you saying Delphine?”
“I’m saying what we’ve all had at the back of our mind. The people of Romulus will forever be mine, I’ll always care for them and be around when they need me. But I can’t leave Bloodmoon and I can’t ask Damien to leave his people and move over to Romulus for me. So, now, do you still think my mother will be proud!”
“Ok, ok, calm down.”
“I am really calm, Ruby. Just… I’ll have to tell Paluma that I won’t be staying. He would have to find someone else to rule over Romulus.”
“Someone else? Delphine ‘someone else’ can’t just rule over Romulus. It has to be someone of royal blood, or really close to royal blood, someone with a pure heart, someone willing to sacrifice for the sake of the people.”
“Someone like you.”
Ruby’s eyes widened in shock. “Someone like me? Delphine, you can’t be suggesting that I-”
“Yes, I am.” Delphine turned to face her fully. “Listen to me, I think you will make an amazing Queen. You’re associated with royal blood, you have the purest heart and I do know you would sacrifice a lot for the people. You are the perfect person to take my place on the throne and if in any way you’re lost, you’ll always have Ryan and Paluma by your side to guide you. So, don’t…” The words in Delphine’s tongue faded away when she saw Paluma standing a few feet away. “Uncle Paluma, when d-did you get here?” Ruby turned around at the mention of her father’s name.
She smiled at him nervously, not knowing what to say, her eyes went from him, to Delphine, then to the passage leading out. “Uh…I think Ryan wanted me to help him with something? I’ll be going now.” With her eyes glued to the floor, she hurried out of the room.
“I see you’ve made up your mind about this, is there anything I could say to stop you from making this decision?”
Delphine shook her head. “No, uncle. My mind is made up. I choose Ruby to take my place on the throne. I’ll stay here in Bloodmoon with Damien.”
“Fine, I can’t stop you.” He smiled. “It was kind of obvious you would leave with us though.” Delphine didn’t look surprised by what he said, she had the idea that he already suspected it. “Did Damien know about this?”
“No, I didn’t need to tell him.” She sighed, walking to him slowly. “I’m really grateful for everything you have done for me, Uncle Paluma.”
“Oh, it’s nothing. You’re like a daughter to me, Delphine. I heard your conversation with Ruby. Listen, this, the throne of Romulus is your destiny. I know you need to stay here with Damien, and you can, but you should also be the queen. Ruby is my daughter, I want the best for her, but I also know you should be on that throne. We can watch Romulus over Romulus for you when you’re away, but please come and give the people the queen they have been waiting for.”
Delphine was quiet for a while, then clearing her throat she spoke up. “Do you really think they would accept me?”
“Of course, they love you. Just think how happy they would be with Malachi gone and you as their Queen.” Paluma gave a bright smile. “What do you say?”
“Okay. Ok, I’ll take the throne of Romulus.”
“Yay! Finally!” Ruby shouted with joy running out, she had never left like they had thought and had been listening to the conversation.
~~~
“How’s Malachi doing there?” Damien asked as he came to a stop beside her. The party was over now, and most had retired for the night. Delphine was sitting at the balcony, her head raised up to the skies, a small smile rested on her face. She turned her head to look at him when she heard his voice. “I hope he’s suffering.”
“You bet.” She chuckled. “It’s fun.”
“How long do you plan on keeping him in there?”
“For as long as I can. I remember very well what I went through while he had me locked in his world.” She let out a ‘tsk’ sound. “Now, he’ll get a taste of his own medicine.
“How’re you feeling?”
“Good. Very good.” She smiled and stood up, so she could face him directly. “How’re you feeling?” She threw his question back in a very soft voice, going closer to him.
“Happy. For weeks, I’ve watched that dark cloud not just over your head, but everyone I love and care about. Now, the sky is clear and my heart is light.” He pulled her in for a hug, resting his head in her locks and breathing her in. “You smell so good.”
“It’s the shampoo,” She said with a chuckle, then pulled back a little, raising her head up. “Thanks a lot Damien, for everything. I know I’ve been difficult in the past, but that was then, that version of me is long gone… though if you mess up, you might see her again.” They both laughed at that. “I love you.”
“I love you Delphine,” and with that, he leaned in again for a kiss.