Chapter 397 - What Is Your Verdict?

They gathered around the dining table sporting bright smiles on their faces.

Elva studied the faces of each of her visitors in amazement. It's very rare to have so many visitors in her abode. She used to live alone at the top of Windless Mountain for centuries. She rarely interacts with humans because they can be troublesome.

Then Veronica comes along... and followed by Terros, Graven, and the others.

And now she got pregnant with Graven's child.

Interacting with others somehow paints color on her dull life.

It's been a roller coaster ride meeting them all...

She has no regrets so far.

She prepared a special wine for tonight's occasion to celebrate Graven's successful comeback.

"Hello everyone! Nice meeting you all!" She raised her glass.

Everybody raised their glass as well.

"Tonight, we gathered together to celebrate Graven's successful comeback to life! It's been a nerve wracking experience for all of us. We all suffered a lot. In the end - good prevails! It's my privilege to meet you all. Meeting you all makes me realized one thing, it's a waste of time to live alone in my own world. It's nice to be surrounded with good friends and loved ones - sharing each others ups and down in life. After all that happens, life is still good! Let's celebrate it today! Cheers!" Elva finishes her speech animatedly and sipped her wine.

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

They looked at each other merrily and sipped their wines.

Terros smiled broadly. "Guys, I'm so happy to meet you all! I really do!" he said, feeling emotional.

Then everyone looked at Graven.

Time for Graven to make a speech. He looked at the faces of everyone at the dining table. Each of them contributed something meaningful to his life. "Guys, I would like to thank each of you for helping me in surviving my recent ordeal. I've been subjected to one of the darkest moment in my life in these past few days. I can't move my body, I can't talk, but I can hear everything and that was the worst thing that can happen to anyone. It's simply a mind torture in the worst form..." he paused for a moment.

Then he continues...

"I'm glad I meet you all who are willing to help me through my darkest times. You're all have a special place in my heart. I'm deeply honored to meet you all in this lifetime. Thank you so much for your help and support! Let's enjoy the delicious meals and the company of each other for years to come! Cheers!" he ended his speech in high spirit.

Everyone clapped their hands in glee, tears shimmered in their eyes.

Menedelia looked at the faces of everyone around the table. She smiled appreciatively. She meet new people today - they look nice inside and out. She feels good to be with these people, she only meets them the first time and they all send good vibes in her direction. She's in good company.

Elva addressed them. "Let's eat!" she said.

They began putting food on their plate and ate dinner with a good appetite.

After eating dinner... the women helped Veronica clean the dirty dishes and tidy the kitchen.

Graven and Laura retired into the terrace, talking to each other.

"My love, I shall stay here for the night. Rest assured that I will go home tomorrow. Inform the cook to prepare a feast for my homecoming. I want to celebrate my second life with the whole family including all the staff in the manor," Graven said.

"Okay," Laura replied happily. "Me, Rebecca and Menedelia will go home now," she said.

"Alright," Graven said and planted a kiss on her lips. He caresses her baby bump lovingly. "See you tomorrow, baby!"

Laura, Rebecca, and Menedelia went to Elva and Veronica's side and gave them a quick hug.

"Thank you for your kindness and generosity, ladies! We appreciated it very much!" Laura said.

Elva smiled brightly. "Same to you, girls. Thanks for visiting my humble abode. Till we meet again!"

"Bye, girls!" Veronica said. "See you again, soon!"

The three women smiled and waved goodbye at Terros, Graven, Elva, and Veronica. A few seconds later, they vanished from the terrace.

Veronica returned to the kitchen to deal with the leftovers.

Elva, Terros, and Graven remained on the terrace, discussing the cursed King.

"Guys, what are you going to do with the cursed King?" Elva asked. "I'll leave the decision to the two of you. If you want to see him, just inform me. I'll take you to the secret cave where I imprisoned him."

"Graven and I still need to discuss that matter today. Is it okay if we will tell you our decision tomorrow?" Terros said.

"Sure! Just tell me tomorrow. I have to retire to my room now to sleep early," Elva said with a yawn.

"Good night," Terros replied.

"Night night! Sleep well," Graven said.

"Good night," Elva said and rose to her feet.

Graven continue watching Elva as she entered the door.

Terros saw that Graven was following Elva's back with his gaze as she entered the house. His brows knitted together. He coughed a little. "Hmm..."

Graven looked at Terros.

"Son, are you falling for Elva?" Terros asked him directly. "Just tell me the truth. We are the only ones here, your secret is safe with me," he said.

Graven looked at Terros with a raised brow. "Huh? What kind of question is that?"

"..."

"I saw you looked at her..." Terros repeated.

Graven released a deep sigh. "I hear everything - when you and Veronica discussed how Elva tricked me by disguising as my wife. So, she was the one who take advantage of me for one whole week!" he said, feeling annoyed and upset about the whole thing.

Terros took a deep breath. "I'm sorry that we keep it a secret form you because Elva doesn't want you to know that you are the father of her unborn child," he explained anxiously.

Graven groaned and looked at Terros in the eyes. "Should I confront Elva of what she have done to me? Should I be angry at her? She have done so much good things for me already. I'm confused on what to do with her and what to do with our situation. I'm not romantically attracted to her. But it can't be denied that she was also carrying my child. How am I supposed to feel? What I'm gonna do with the whole thing?" he asked, confused.

Terros nodded his head. "I understand your situation, son. I do..."

"If you are in my shoes, Grandpa. What are you going to do?" Graven asked for his opinion, maybe his mind will be cleared after Grandpa can impart his wisdom to him.

Terros breathed deeply. He looked heavenward for a few seconds and then roamed his eyes around the area.

He cleared his throat. "Elva is not pursing any relationship with you, and same with you. She believed that you have no knowledge about the baby in her womb. Just leave things as they are. Pretend that nothing happened between you and her..."

Graven sighed. "Its too late for that. I know already - that I'm the father of Elva's baby. It's my flesh and blood that we're discussing right now. I can't pretend that nothing happens..." he said, deeply agonizing over it.

"Alright, let me ask this question. Do you have the guts to tell Laura about Elva and the baby?" Terros asked him.

Graven shook his head. "No! I don't want to break Laura's heart. My wife has been through a lot lately. I can't hurt her with the bad news."

"Exactly! What Laura don't know won't hurt her. It's given already that Elva has done a big mistake by deceiving you. But what can yo do to the same person that help you a lot? Are you going to confront her, punish and kill her just because she deceived you? I'm 100% sure that you can't hurt her because she was carrying your child!" Terros declared.

Graven heaved a sigh. "You're right, Grandpa... I can't bring myself to hurt Elva - both physically and emotionally," he replied.

Terros patted Graven's shoulder, consoling him. "I know, I understand your side, son. For now that the baby is not yet out, just pretend that you know nothing and continue living a happy life with your wife Laura. No need to destroy the peace and harmony that we're experiencing right now. Besides, we just came out from darkness. Let's not torture ourselves with another problem. Okay?"

Graven sighed heavily. "Alright..."

"Good! Let's just continue discussing about this issue when the baby is already born in this world. For now, let's carry on with our normal life. Okay?" Terros said.

Graven smiled. "Got it! Thank you for clearing my head, Grandpa! You're the best!" he replied gratefully, feeling thankful for Terros' wise advice. He's feeling better now compared to earlier when his emotions are in a jumble.

Veronica looked at the men from the doorway. They seemed to be having a serious discussion. She doesn't want to intrude on their privacy. "Um... guys, I'm going to sleep now. Just close and lock the door when you already want to sleep," she reminded them.

"Got it, daughter!" Terros replied.

"Good night," Veronica said.

"Night Night, " Graven replied with a smile.

Veronica left the door and retired to her bedroom.

Graven looked at Terros. "Are you sleepy now?" he asked.

Terros shook his head. "Not yet. The night is still early. I still want to enjoy the full moon and the bright sky," he replied.

"Then let's just stay here for a while," Graven said.

A few moments later.

Terros remembered Luke. "Did you hear what your twin had told you about him and Laura?"

Graven nodded his head and smiled brightly. "Yeah, I feel happy after he told me that he will finally give up on Laura and he's ready to find his soulmate. Finally, we're going to fix our strained relationship as brothers. I can't wait to see him again soon, just like old times. One of these days, I will visit my brother at his house when I'm no longer busy!"

"That's good, son. I'm happy for you and Luke!" Terros said. "By the way... let's resume to our main topic.. What are we going to do with the cursed King?" he asked.