Chapter 93 - Last Will

The white cloud of smoke rise up slowly in the air as it joined the sky. The crisp of the burning wood sings a song while burning a beloved. The flames dance across as if celebrating an event.

The group incircled the flame with sad eyes and throws flowers over it. Aaila created another ball of flame between her hands and let it join the rest of the flames that was burning Aurelie's body. They are all wearing black clothes as they continued grieving for a loved one.

"She's the best mother in the whole world," Aaila sobs and cried at Daisha's shoulder. Maxwell also goes to her side and patted her back in comfort. 

Geraldine's eyes focused on Alexjin who is staring at the fames as it burns his mother's body. Since the flames are created by magic, it easily burned a human body and it didn't take long before the fire died down, leaving a mountain of ash.

She went to Alexjin's side and hold his hand and smiled softly to let him know that she was there for him. After a while, she gave Alexjin a white urn for the ash. He took it and carefully scoop the ask with his barehands and put it on the urn.

"Alexjin…" Geraldine called out, she wanted to tell him that it will burn his skin but trailed off when she saw that Alexjin didn't mind the pain from his hands.

The rest of the children also gathered in the middle and took out a small portion of the ash that wasn't too hot and put it on the urn. Seeing these, Geraldine followed and was about to scoop a handful of ash when Alexjin's hand stopped her.

"Master," A soft smile appeared on his lips as he shook his head. Indicating that he didn't want her to join in, "It's hot."

Geraldine nodded her head as she looked at the redness on Alexjin's hand as he continue scooping the ashes. After it was done, they travelled to the river inside the forest and waited at the banks.

With a heavy breath, Alexjin started scattering the ashes on the river and the children put down the flower floaters and said their final words for Aurelie.

"Master, will mother go to a better place?" Leo pull Geraldine's dress to grab her attention. Seeing Leo below her, she pull him up and craddle him on her arms. 

"Yes, she will be in a nice place and would continue looking for us, guiding us in everyday of our lives," She caresses Leo's hair as they watch the scene before them.

As the children goes back to the house, Alexjin and Geraldine remained at the riverbank. Silently looking over to the running water.

The sun hides behind the thick gloomy clouds and it is like the weather is grieving to their loss. A small droplet hits on Geraldine cheeks and it was followed by several more drolets. She looked at the sky and feel the rain hitting her body.

Looking at the side, she saw Alexjin looking at her with sad eyes. Geraldine took a step forward and hold his hand and pull him below the tree to shelter themselves from the rain. It wasn't strong but it's enough to make them wet. Alexjin took something on his pocket and gave it to his master. 

"What is this?" Geraldine ask but she knows what's the letter about.

"It's from my mother. Her last will and I wanted to share it with you," He said in a low tone.

Geraldine took it and slowly unforlded the letter. Her hands trembling and wishing that what's written in the letter changed than what's written in the past as it is the moment of how will Alexjin act for the upcoming future.

Taking a deep breath, she unfolded it and saw Aurelie's writings. She looked at the blank eyes of Alexjin as he nodded hid head as a permission for her to read the lettter.

```

People tend to be more cautious when they aren't in pain. 

Live doing what you desire.

Decide whether to live in the open or in the shadows.

Live freely, in place of me.

```

Geraldine's hand trembled as her eyes snap back to Alexjin, "The letter…"

"My mother told me that the will wasn't only for me. She mentioned that these words were also meant for you, Master." Alexjin said with electric blue eyes staring back at her.

"I --" Geraldine couldn't say a word as if there's something blocking on her throat. The contents of the letter changed from the past. She could be happier as her plan succeed but it felt like she has been strangled.

Alexjin went in front of her with delicate eyes staring into hers, "Master, please take care of me."

As soon as she heard those sentences, she felt something heavy that had been placed into her heart. It felt frustrating and imprisoned as if she's being choked.

"Master, I don't know how to start over or what I desire in life," Alexjin's smile slowly disappeared on his mouth as he took a step forward, "I still do not know what I deside but I'm sure you have one."

Geraldine nodded her head, ".…. Yes, I do."

"Teach me."

By hearing those words, Geraldine folded the paper and placed it back on the envelope. Then she kneeled down in front of Alexjin who was shocked by her actions.

"Alexjin, become my lord."

Alexjin eyebrows crunched in confusion as he doesn't know what his master means but stayed silent to her what she's about to say.

"Become someone who will lead this Empire in the future and grant me the honor and glory to be chosen as your first knight." 

Silence befall around them as they both looked into each other's eyes. Geraldine knows that he doesn't understand what she means but in the future, he will understand the meaning of it.

A smile formed on Geraldine's lips as she thinks of their current situation. If they were to follow the rules, there should be a proper ceremony to held. The knight would offer up their sword and the lord would place their hand on the kneeling knight placing an oath.

Alexjin close his eyes for a second and kneeled as well and takes Geraldine's hand and kissed it, "I don't understand what you mean, Master but if that's the case, I wish for you to become my Lady." He paused and looked at her in the eyes.

"Master is the only thing I have left, now."

The pain of Alexjin's eyes is evident even though his face says otherwise. The grip on her hands tightened but it doesn't hurt her a bit. The thunder erupted as the rain got heavier, wetting them both. She could feel Alexjin's sincerity sipping into her bones.

At that moment, a blank drawing paper is placed on Geraldine's hand. Fate's choice was given to her and now is the time to start painting on the blank drawing paper.

"Master, tell me. What do you desire?"

Geraldine jolted to the sudden question, she was about to answer when a loud scream nearly shook the forest. Both their heads snapped at the direction of the house.

"The children!" Alexjin was about to run when he noticed Geraldine still kneeling on the ground with a smile on her face.

"Master…"

"Alexjin, go and meet your destiny. We will meet again and when that time comes, let me paint you with desire." After she said her piece, a bright lightning stikes them, making Alexjin close his eyes and when he opened it, Geraldine is nowhere in sight.

He looked around in search for her when another scream erupted that shifted his attention to the children as he hurriedly run away from the riverbank, leaving his mother's urn.

Upon returning, he saw a group of knights wearing a silver armor with a red cloak draped over their shoulders and a lion with a crown symbol engraved into their chest. He doesn't know what they came for but the symbol is familiar to him but doesn't remember where he sees it.

"What are you doing? Leave the children alone!" Alexjin screamed and went infront of the children. Maxwell went beside him and use his body as a shield as well.

The knight put down Leo and look at Alexjin from top to bottom with a smirk, "Do you know Aurelie Houde?" 

Alexjin didn't answer as he doesn't know her mother's last name and they might be referring to someone else.

Seeing that Alexjin stayed silent, the knight pull out a portrait and shows it to him. A young woman who is wearing expensive clothes and jewelries. At first he doesn't recognize the woman in the portrait but the longer he looks, the more her face becomes familiar especially her hair which is the exact same thing as him.

"So kid, let me rephrase my question. Are you the son of Aurelie Houde?"