Epilogue - Part II

I had not seen him for days as he silently mourned and prepared himself for the truth that was to be delivered to him. With each passing second, I saw him slowly dying inside. After nine excruciating days, she took her last breath in the infirmary. The Kingdom cried and mourned for the loss of their Queen. Even the sky poured the day she was to be buried. Everyone had gathered to just get one last glimpse of her. As the Royal Guards took away the coffin she was in, everyone cried including the stone-hard warriors. And I saw him breaking to pieces with each step they took carrying her away from him. He had only gotten a glance of her after she was fully dressed in a porcelain silk gown. He was the first one to see her peacefully sleeping in the coffin. After that, he reminded in the shadows silently watching as the loyal subjects said one last farewell to their Queen.

That day everyone saw, cried, and mourned for her death. But everyone was oblivious that two other people died with her too. He had been just a shell of himself ever since. A void beast surviving every day with the wish of dying. But he couldn't and I knew why. His subjects! He had sworn to protect them, provide for them. And how could he die when the throne was empty. An heir. All he needed was an heir and he could peacefully pass away after he had fulfilled his last duty. And I was determined to aid him in fulfilling that. After months of trying and two miscarriages we were finally blessed and had you. I don't know who you are, how you look. But I know you'll grow up to be just as strong, mighty, kind and an incredible monarch of the Kingdom.

I hope you find this when you are old enough to understand that I didn't leave you on purpose. What mother would do such a thing? I never wished for this, never wished to say you goodbye this way. But I might never get another chance. The healer told me I have a monstrous disease growing in my brain, that is eating me from the inside with each passing second. They are secretly treating me, but I don't believe I will live long enough to hold you in my arms. But I wish I would live long enough to give birth to you. Your father still doesn't know about this, and I don't wish to let him know either. Not now.

I am sorry I won't be there when you take your first step when you say your first word when you learn your first alphabet when you win your first race when you grow up be a mighty and just ruler of your Kingdom. But know that your mother loves you. And I'm sorry I'm having to leave you.

You must be thinking why I told you all this, it's because I never fulfilled my promise to Seraphina. Her last wish was to let your father know how much she loved him. But what could I do? I was so envious. I was greedy for the warmth and love from your father that I never could bring myself to say those words to him. I don't know if your father would still be with you when you read this but if he is then please beg forgiveness on behalf of me.

I pray you get to know real love and real friendship. I want you to be fearless and true to yourself, first and foremost. I don’t ever want you to feel insecure, and I want you to remember these words I am telling you now because they will always be current and never changing. I just want you to know that I love you. I love you so much my peony.

-

She realized she was crying when a teardrop fell on the page. She took deep breaths and wiped away her tears as she calmed herself. She walked out of the chamber, clutching the diary close, and down the corridor to the King's private office. The guards bowed and she knocked on the doors,

"Come in!" His gruff voice said, and the doors swung open. Her father, the King of Auhesraivia, sat on the swivel chair behind the grand table. Slight wrinkles on his face indicated that time had taken its toll. As soon as he saw her, his ocean blues lit up. She stood in front of him and bowed her head. He stood up and walked in front of her, enveloping her in a warm hug.

"Oh, my Princess!" He said as she snuggled into his warmth.

"Papa,"

"I'm disheartened that you choose to reside in your chamber rather than come and see me!" he said as he drew back. She bowed her head as his face contoured in displeasure and hurt.

"I apologize!" She lifted her head and saw him smiling down at him,

"How my little Princess has grown!" He exclaimed, lovingly rubbing her head "Papa, please! I'm grown up now, stop doing that!" She pushed his hand away as she straightened her hair

"You will always be my little Princess!" He pinched her nose and motioned for her to take a seat on the couch facing the large window. They chatted as she told him all about her stay in the foreign pack and her training. With each of her tales, she saw her father's chest puff up in pride.

"I'm so proud of you, my Peach blossom!" He declared, his chest puffed up with pride, and she beamed at him.

"What is that you're carrying?" he asked, his gaze falling on the diary she was clutching in her arms. She lowered her gaze to the diary and then to him. "Mother wanted you to have it," she said as she handed him the diary. As she stood up, she said.

"I'll take your leave now!" She bowed as he stood up and kissed her forehead.

"I'll see you at the dinner table!" She smiled and exited the chamber. As she stood against the wall, she dismissed the guards. Listening to the mighty King's silent cries. She soon burst into tears as well.

"Mother!" Ríona rested her forehead against the headstone. She placed the peonies on the grave as she sat by her mother's burial place silently.

"He loves you." You may not realize it, but he loves you. He comes to visit you every now and then, cleans your grave with his bare hands, and always brings you your favorite peonies that he grows in our garden. I never saw him visit her though, not once in my lifetime. Perhaps he simply feels unworthy of visiting her grave. But I visited her, they laid her by her other half. I could feel the love they shared every time I visited her, even though I knew they never held each other. I told her how everyone told me I looked like her and believe me, I felt her presence by me, I always have like I feel yours. I hope she is at peace on the other side. Are you at peace, Mother? I'm hoping you are!" She sat with her mother for a few more hours until the sunset on the horizon and she said her goodbyes.

He was kneeling by her grave the next day. For the first time in twenty-six years.

"I wish I had the opportunity to tell you this in person. I loved you too, My Moon!"

She had watched him sob as he kneeled by her grave, a sad smile on her lips and her soul howling in the buried grief. The warm hand of the other half of soul wrapped around her waist as he drew her into his embrace. In a loving kiss, his soft lips touched her head, and she looked up at him in a gleaming smile. He smiled down at her as they both stared at him from the other side.

____________*The End*____________