Chapter 1977 - Mortal (1)

Dyon smiled lightly, looking up at the nine shining moons while holding Madeleine in his arms.

He remembered the first time he met Madeleine. Back then, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her black hair was done up in an elegant bun, she wore crystal framed glasses, and her eyes shone with a delicate golden light.

However, she had also been incredibly sick. What should have been a rosy complexion was marred by a pale white death, as though the grim reaper was holding its scythe to her neck.

Dyon remembered being enamored immediately. It wasn't just because of Madeleine's beauty, but it was rather the strength of her heart. Even with death looming over her young life, she still managed to smile, playing the role of big sister for Delia and Meiying.

It could be said that Dyon's and Madeleine's relationship was fast-tracked. Considering Dyon's personality, the moment he decided he liked someone, he would never let them suffer any grievances. This led to him foolishly risking his life for a girl he had only known for a few weeks.

But, could that really be said to be his fault? Was it really on him that Madeleine's so-called elder brother tried to take his life without proper cause or reason?

If Dyon had to point to something that truly ushered him into the martial world, it was that moment… It was that moment where he realized that human lives weren't worth much in this world at all.

"Tell me the truth Madeleine, do you want me to drag your parents back to your side?"

The question was so sudden that Madeleine froze. In all these years, not once had Dyon ever directly spoken to Madeleine about Nora and Amell. After his outburst in Belmont Palace, he hardly thought about them at all.

But Dyon felt that maybe this topic had been avoided for too long. This wife of his remained silent on so many things. Quietly enduring, she was like an invisible pillar that acted as the emotional backbone of the Sacharro Clan. Maybe she had never stopped being a big sister at all.

Part of Dyon realized that maybe his choice to push Amell and Nora away wasn't entirely sincere. He thought he was just acting on Madeleine's wishes, but was he really?

After reaching a calm state of mind, there were many things Dyon realized. Among these things were that he simply owed his wives too much.

"You don't have to answer immediately." Dyon said softly. "I just don't want to be the reason you never reconnect with your family. I know that my Madeleine is a forgiving person, almost too forgiving. And … every relationship you've ever completely severed seems to be because of me.

"You abandoned your foster family because of me. You abandoned the Sapientia because of me. You severed ties with your former master because of me. And now you're even refusing to acknowledge your own parents because of me.

"I don't want to be the reason anymore. I want you to do what you want to do."

Dyon realized just how true this was barely a few months ago.

Madeleine was a kindhearted soul. She was innately an understanding individual, almost to a fault. So, how could this same Madeleine cut off ties with so many? It was Dyon's disposition to cut off those who crossed his bottom line, not Madeleine's…

It was because her foster family tried to kill him that Madeleine cut ties with them. It was because the Sapientia Clan tried to scheme for her wedding with Prince Belmont, taking her away from him, that she cut ties with them. It was because her former master tried to kill him and Ri that she cut ties with her. And… It was because Dyon hated parents who abandoned their children that Madeleine ignore them.

Dyon no longer felt it was appropriate for him to make that choice for Madeleine. Until now, he had done it too many times. Madeleine deserved to make her own decisions… He didn't want her to lose herself because of him, he had already experienced that once with Ri.

He loved Madeleine for who she was, not because she followed his thoughts to perfection.

Dyon suddenly felt droplets of water on his forearms. He didn't need to look to know they came from Madeleine as her grip tightened on his forearms.

"Dyon…" Madeleine whispered. "I… I want a family…"

Dyon felt his heart tremble. Whatever calm disposition he had gained seemed completely useless. It was only now he understood just how much longing was hidden away in Madeleine's heart.

He only knew the bad of Madeleine's foster family, but wasn't it true that they had done everything just to protect her?

He only knew the bad of Madeleine's master, but wasn't it true that they had done everything just to protect her?

He only knew that bad of Madeleine's parents… But wasn't it true that they had done everything just to protect her?

Madeleine had grown up with her foster family. She had a father, a mother, two brothers, and a stepmother. Later, she gained two little sisters. Even after the Sapientia Clan abandoned her when her talent seemingly dried up, they never left her side… Even her master left her lofty post to silently work as a maid by her side, all to protect her.

Maybe it was only now Dyon truly realized just how much having Madeleine by his side had stripped from her.