Chapter 137

Chapter 137


It had been a long and exhausting night. Though the sky was still dark, I knew it wouldn’t last much longer. The sun would shine again, and I hoped that by then, the war would truly be over.

A great change awaited us all with the sunrise.

"How did you know?" Brix asked.

I held onto the necklace I wore. "This isn't just a pass, Brix. The light gave me this necklace so I could see what was hidden in the darkness. I found the truth because of it."

"But what if—"

"I would still believe in you," I cut him off.

A cold wind blew, ruffling his hair. We stood there for a moment, just looking at each other. It felt like all of it had just been a dream.

"I don’t care if they don’t believe me," he told me. "I’m used to that. As long as you believe in me, nothing else matters."

I closed the distance between us. I looked up to meet his gaze. "Trusting you is the best decision I’ve ever made. You’re free now, Brix."

"Damn. My eyes..." He tilted his head.

Someone behind us faked a cough. When I saw who it was, I told Brix I’d go find Celeste. Before I walked away completely, I turned back to see him.

I smiled when Oscar hugged Brix.

Finally, the Cardinal brothers were back.

This was Lord Severo’s defeat.

Instead of Celeste, I found Nathalia. She was leaning against a tree, playing with the grass by her feet.

I took a deep breath before approaching her.

"How’s Brix?" she asked.

"I’m sorry..." I said.

"It’s my fault," she mumbled, still not looking at me. "I underestimated Mom’s hatred for Brixton. I was one of the reasons his past became so bitter. What kind of sister am I?"

"It wasn’t just you. It feels like..." I choked up. "The world failed him. But it doesn’t matter anymore. Now that everyone knows the truth, his name will finally be cleared."

"I—I don’t know what to say..." That’s when she looked at me, her eyes trembling and filled with tears. "I’m ashamed of myself. I—I don’t know how to face him."

I took her hand. "I never thought someone like Nathalia Cardinal would feel ashamed. You’ve been in the spotlight all over the world, featured on magazines... what’s left to be ashamed of?"

She stared at me, and after a moment, she laughed.

"You don’t make sense, Astra. This is different."

"Oscar already talked to Brix," I said. "You’re the only one left."

She pulled her hand away to wipe her tears. Despite everything, her makeup remained untouched.

"Go on, Lady Nathalia. The world is waiting for the Cardinal Siblings to make peace again."

She hugged me. "Thank you for believing in him. You saved my brother, Astra."

"That’s nothing compared to what he’s done for me."

She let go of the hug. "Thank you, Astra."

I nodded and watched her walk toward her brothers.

I took a deep breath and looked up. The magical barrier the healers had cast was still in place. That meant we still had time to rest.

"That was overwhelming," Erikson said. "The way you stood up for him and risked everything just to believe in him—that was awesome."

"I wasn’t scared." I turned to him. "Because I knew I was fighting for the right thing."

He chuckled. "You can never go wrong with Brixton."

"Right."

"Shit. That makes me jealous."

I laughed. "I still can’t believe you like me."

"Uhm. No. Wrong." He shook his head. "You know I don’t just like you."

It felt like everything had returned to normal. We were able to talk calmly and even joke around. But I knew that once the barrier broke, we’d have to fight again.

"Now that you’re talking about it, I’m curious. What’s it like when Erikson Nadija loves someone?" I asked.

He shrugged. "It’s pretty simple."

"How?" I playfully hit his shoulder. "Are you the sweet type? The superhero type? The masochist? Or the cold, distant kind?"

He grimaced. "What are those?"

"Okay, here." I cleared my throat. "How would a girl know that you love her?"

"When you push me away, but I come back. When you drive me off, but I stay. When I love, I love hard. I may not be as strong as Brix, but as long as you’re with me, I’ll make sure no one can hurt you."

I was stunned by his answer. "W-whoa..."

He laughed. "Want to experience it?"

"No. I’m good."

"Ouch."

My gaze shifted past Erikson and landed on Randolf—he was carrying Celeste. I quickly ran over to them.

"What happened?" I asked anxiously.

"I—I don’t know..." He gently laid Celeste on the grass. "This place isn’t working on her. Her wounds aren’t healing. I—I’m scared."

Celeste just looked at us. The weakness on her face said it all.

"Celeste!" I widened my eyes at her. "Don’t you dare."

She laughed. "I’m just tired."

I examined her wounds. All of us had healed thanks to the healers—but not her. Why weren’t her wounds healing?

"I—I’m thirsty..." she murmured.

Randolf immediately bit his arm and held it to her lips. His hands trembled as he tried to give her his blood.

"I—I really think she’s just tired," he said.

"Yes. I think so too." I agreed, forcing a smile. "Let’s rest here until she recovers. It’s been a rough night."

My anxiety spiked when Celeste suddenly coughed, spilling Randolf’s blood.

"Her body’s rejecting your blood, Randolf," Erikson said. "That only means one thing. You understand me, right?"

Randolf quickly stood up and ran.

He was going to find Oscar. Oscar was the one who turned Celeste into a vampire. If her body was looking for something, it was his blood.

I rested Celeste’s head in my arms, brushing my fingers through her hair. Every time she coughed, I held her tighter.

"Everything will be fine," I whispered.

"What happened, Celeste?" Erikson asked.

"I don’t know either," she replied.

Soon Randolf returned, and Oscar was with him. Oscar’s brows furrowed. He knelt down slowly and touched Celeste’s cheek.

"She needs your blood," Randolf said.

Oscar gave her his blood. Unlike with Randolf’s, Celeste’s body accepted it. I noticed her hand gently holding Oscar’s.

I relaxed when I saw her wounds finally healing. It really was Oscar’s blood she needed. After all that time without it, her body had started to crave it.

"She’s healing!" Erikson said joyfully.

It was over—but Celeste didn’t let go of Oscar’s hand.

"How are you feeling?" Oscar asked.

"Better. Thank you, Milord."

"Thank you, Randolf," Lady Nathalia said. "It’s good you brought her here quickly."

Randolf nodded.

"Get some rest," Oscar told her.

Although reluctant, Celeste finally let go of Oscar’s hand. I also noticed that Oscar didn’t want to let go, either—but he had to. Celeste was no longer his. Someone else owned his heart now.

Oscar turned to Randolf. He tapped his shoulder. "She’s fine. She just needs some rest. Please look after her. Thank you."

"T-thank you, Lord Oscar." Randolf bowed.

Oscar left Celeste in our care.

Randolf knelt and gently cupped Celeste’s cheek.

"I’m glad you’re okay. You scared me."

"Thank you, Randolf."

"No. Thank you, Celeste. Thank you for being strong."

I traded places with Randolf. He now cradled Celeste. When I saw that she was really fine, I decided to give them space.

"She still loves him..." Erikson said.