Act 4: Fallen Heaven - Chapter 623: Avril's Hope

Act 4: Fallen Heaven - Chapter 623: Avril's Hope

Avril looked at the woman, and the more displeased she felt. That arrogant face and the high-and-mighty tone reminded her of the devils who accompanied her mistress, foul fiends who deserved no pity. She pushed ahead, ignoring the shouts of the others, a burst of strength surging with each step. The door slammed shut from a forceful swipe of her hand, and her spell extended roots from her shadow, locking the door. Now, no one could interrupt her. Returning to her seat, Avril received shocked gazes from Celestina, Serena, and Gavir.

"That won't cause any trouble, right? She rubs her hair nervously and worries she caused trouble." Avril said, chuckling weakly. Oscar always warned her not to go overboard, but it was too late.

"No. I swear on my name that no harm shall come to you, and if the one outside wants to retaliate, I will protect you." Celestina grabbed the scroll the annoying woman had brought. The princess's grip was very strong, crushing the scroll, its center squeezing into a needle's width. Light shone like a beautiful glove on her hand. Without hesitation, Celestina burned the scroll, leaving nothing, not even ashes, as if the scroll's very existence offended her. Her scowl faded. A smile lifted on her fair countenance, and a song of cheerful laughter rang out from her red lips. Serena joined in, failing to hold her laughter behind her hands. Celestina folded her arms and exhaled deeply. "I've always wanted to do that. Like Oscar, you're quite unpredictable and worrisome."

"What happened to him?" Avril's voice dropped, her eyes forward. Her hands gripped themselves pale and trembled. She didn't know why they hesitated, that sadness darkening their faces the longer the silence continued. Celestina seemed to struggle to speak, so Avril broke the silence first. "No matter what happened to him, no matter what state he is in, I am here for him. I am Avril Terr, his wife. She's tired of the secrets and wants to know."

"It's a long story. I don't know where to start." Celestina said. "Perhaps, from the very beginning." She narrated everything from when Oscar first landed on the continent, and Avril listened quietly, not missing a single word of her husband's heroics and achievements. The news of Oscar's parents' deaths struck her like a dagger to the heart. Oscar always spoke of returning to the farm and spending more time with his parents. For him to never have that chance...she shut her eyes as they began to water, tears leaking from the shut eyelids.

The more she heard, the more she wished she had never listened. But it was her duty to know. Celestina also broke into tears, casting a murky green over the pools of tears overflowing. Avril almost lifted her hands to stop listening but forcibly held them back. Oscar had suffered...no, suffered wasn't the right word to describe the horrors he faced, the tragedy that befell him. His master was dead. He had been betrayed by the elder he respected since his younger days. All of his friends were dead. Avril bit her lips, dug her nails red into her skin, and drenched her long skirt in unending tears.

"He left?" Avril asked.

"Gone," Celestina stated listlessly. She lowered her head, hair drooping to touch the floor. "I'm sorry."

"We're sorry. We all failed Oscar. He's the true hero, but unlike the stories, there was no victory." Serena bowed, followed by Gavir.

"But he's alive...." Avril rose to her feet and lifted Celestina by the hands, returning the embrace from earlier. "She thanks her for being there for Oscar when she could not. I am glad he didn't lose everyone. You're all still here, and I am as well." Celestina didn't reply. They remained still, shedding tears in each other's warmth. Separating, Avril felt an urge and tiptoed higher, resting a hand on Celestina's silver hair and caressing it gently like a mother. "Thank you. She can't imagine the pain and burdens you bear." In the same way that Oscar always comforted her, she couldn't help but do the same to this pitiful princess.

"No. My place is here. You can move on to the heights you wish for. I will go on my path." Celestina sighed, grinding her teeth.

"The war is over, my dear princess. The hundreds of years of waiting have ended. The Brilliant Drake Empire has claimed hegemony over the continent. You are free. Prince Charles can take over. Let your wings spread. I can't bear the thought of you holding yourself back." Gilbert said, his charming words sounding like sewage to Avril's ears.

"And with my freedom, I choose to live for my people and empire. Farewell, I have to be with my friends. By all means, live well in the Bloodlands." Celestina snarked. Her brow tensed with deep lines of anger.

Avril led them out of the room and down several stairs, stopping to laugh. The others couldn't contain themselves and joined in, their cheers echoing in the broken halls. Gavir watched from the side, smiling warmly at them. Avril hummed and exclaimed, excited, "I'm glad to have new friends. She's so excited."

"I haven't felt this gratified since the end of the war. That bastard never stopped pressing on our precious princess." Serena frowned deeply. "If only that bastard came earlier...."

"We can't dwell on the ifs. All we can do is live in what is. Our lives have to carry on our duties for all that died, for all who suffered." Celestina looked somber, but Avril flicked her forehead, Oscar's signature technique for knocking her from whatever mood she might be in. Celestina rubbed her reddened forehead, raising a brow, clearly confused.

"Then don't look so sad. When Oscar saw the people who died in the Burning Valley for him, he grieved but bounced back. She remembers him saying he needed to live a happy life to make their sacrifices worth it. She flicks her again." Avril flicked Celestina's forehead again. The three chuckled again, especially Celestina, who let loose as if pouring out all the bottled-up emotions in her heart.

"That's right....If I can't hold a smile for the future that they built, then what was the point?" Celestina thanked Avril. Her mood was visibly better, with a healthy complexion on her smooth, relaxed face. Almost prancing, she took Avril and Serena outside, where the streets and houses held no distinction, bricks and rocks everywhere in ruins. Workers cleared parts of rubble and laid down foundations for new houses. Celestina personally thanked each worker, receiving their praises of confidence in her. She was a good person.

After a few minutes, Avril arrived at a half-broken estate, its ceiling gone and part of the structure ruined. An old butler and two maids greeted them inside before two children peeked their small heads from the side and strode toward her. Their adorable, small legs were too cute. She knelt to meet them at eye level and caressed their heads, unable to contain her joy. "Hello, I am your mother."