CHAPTER 1454: BENEATH THE ASHES II

Lucas stretched out his hands toward her. "Are you ready?"

Lory tilted her head with her usual playful smile. "Always."

Lory placed her palm gently against his, their fingers aligning, and they exchanged a knowing smile without a slight worry. Lory and Lucas then closed their eyes simultaneously. Not long after, a faint, shimmering violet light bloomed between their joined hands.

The light flickered for a second before gradually swelling in intensity, casting waves of radiance outward just like a lantern in a dark night. Soon after, shadows dissipated and were replaced by a warm, otherworldly glow.

When Lory and Lucas opened their eyes again, there was a faint violet sheen that lingered in their irises, indicating their power had been synced and increased multiple times.

"I’m starting now," Lucas said, then slowly opening his other palm. Suddenly, a blinding flash erupted from it, so brilliant that Zhao Li Xin instinctively narrowed his eyes, as everything around him dissolved in bright light.

For a short moment the brilliance enveloped them completely before slowly the light become thin then gradually shadow took shape and colors slowly return, when Zhao Li Xin’s vision became clear he found himself standing in an ethereal garden that feel more like a forest and the broken pillar around them now had stood tall to it’s glory, cover with vines and green leaves.

The whole place was filled with dense trees, their green emerald leaves rustling gently in a soft breeze that carried the scent of blossoms and ripened fruit that hung like jewels on their branches.

At his feet, the grass was thick and soft, jeweled with flowering shrubs in crimson, pink, amethyst, and gold. Petals drifted lazily through the air, turning the breeze into a slow, perpetual rain of color.

Butterflies floated between blossoms, their wings catching the sunlight until they glittered like living shards of stained glass.

For a heartbeat, Zhao Li Xin stood rooted to the spot, his breath caught in silent awe.

The scene before him stirred an old memory, about an illustration from a weathered book he had read in childhood, it was a depiction of heaven itself.

Yet even that cherished image, painted in his young mind with wonder, felt dull and lifeless compared to the living splendor before him.

But wonder came only for a fleeting moment before instinct surged to the forefront. His gaze sharpened, sweeping across the ethereal garden, searching anxiously for the one he loved most. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Zhao Li Xin to find her.

Lory, still standing in the same place with her hand still clasped firmly in Lucas’s palm. The sight immediately eased his trembling heart.

At the same time, Lory was also awed by the scene around her, her lips parted in astonishment, and just like him, her eyes immediately scanned the place, searching for her beloved.

When their gazes finally met, Lory was noticeably relieved, then she let out a reassuring smile, then her lips parted, and she mouthed a sentence, ’It’s just a memory.’

On the other hand, Lucas was standing still with his eyes closed. His brows were slightly furrowed appeared to be in focus. In that moment, Zhao Li Xin understood that they were all being drawn into a memory, a perfect recreation of the past.

Such a feat was no trivial magic; it was the gift of a true Lucient heir and the brother of his wife.

"Mama!" Jade’s delighted cry broke the stillness, his voice ringing like a bell across the garden.

Zhao Li Xin’s head snapped toward the boy just as a figure emerged from between the trees.

A woman stepped into the garden, her long, wavy hair the color of fresh spring leaves, rippling in the breeze. She wore a flowing white dress that caught the light, making her seem almost luminous.

As the wind shifted, it revealed her fair, radiant complexion and a pair of eyes the color of molten amber, tinged with a soft golden glow.

Jade nearly bolted toward her, his little feet lifting from the grass, only for Zhao Li Xin to catch him by the arm.

The boy turned to him with a wounded look, his small voice trembling with plea. "Papa... mama..."

"Be good. Stay here," Zhao Li Xin whispered while gripping the boy’s arm.

The woman’s steps were unhurried, her gaze drifting upward as she followed a pair of sparrows playing among the branches.

They hopped from twig to twig, pecking at the ripe fruit before darting off in a flurry of wings. The soft cooing of doves mingled with the rustle of leaves, and for a moment, the whole world seemed wrapped in peace.

But all of a sudden, just like a ripple disturbing a still pond, a voice came.

"Mevissa."

The voice that came was low and steady, but there was a hint of longing that was barely noticed.

The woman turned sharply, skirts swirling, the fabric whispering over the grass. Zhao Li Xin and Lory saw the man. It was a knight, tall and imposing, his frame sheathed in silver armor that caught the light with every move.

Behind him, a dark red cape unfurled and billowed, its edges snapping softly like a banner proclaiming his presence.

His face was sharply carved, striking in its beauty yet edged with a distant chill. But when his gaze fell upon her, the frost in his dark grey eyes seemed to melt, replaced by a quiet yearning.

As if afraid his thoughts might be laid bare, he lowered his head, letting the curtain of his long dark hair fall forward to hide half his face.

"Ezra?!" The lady who was called Mevissa was startled, but one could hear the delight mixed with shyness in her voice.

Lory looked at the man, then realized the man indeed had some resemblance to Zhao Li Xin, not only features but his demeanor as well. Could it be that man is Jade’s father? Then, no wonder Jade mistook Zhao Li Xin as his father, so it didn’t happen by accident.

Jade pulled Zhao Li Xin’s sleeve, then pointed at the man with silver armor, "Papa—Papa, Mama"

"So that’s your father?" Zhao Li Xin let out a derisive snort as he noticed the man’s faint resemblance to himself.

But it was only because they shared the same hair color, and beyond that, everything about them was starkly different. Even their hair length set them apart: his own hair flowed down to his waist, while the man’s barely reached his shoulders.

Their facial features were completely different, as they came from entirely different races. And as for temperament, Zhao Li Xin’s coldness was etched deep into his very marrow, whereas the other man’s chill seemed no more than a façade, a mask to hide something deeper.

Yet somehow, this foolish kid mistook him for his father.

’I knew he was an idiot.’

"Ezra... you came."

Mevissa’s smile was soft, almost relieved, as she stepped toward him. But the moment his shoulders flinched, her feet stilled. The light in her eyes dimmed, for she had realized the reason for his coming was not what she had hoped for.

"Did someone tell you to come?"

His jaw tightened as he noticed the sorrow and disappointment in her tone. Coward that he was, he kept his head bowed, not daring to face her hurt expression.

"The Grand Minister sent me. He wishes to know—when will you open Razenna, the Hidden Forest, to the people again? Many are eager to meet you..." He tried to keep his tone firm and formal.

A bitter smile curved her lips. "Three days... and they’re already restless."

Turning away, she walked toward one of the great trees. Her steps were unhurried, almost regal, yet tinged with fatigue. She lifted her hands, and the branches bent low as if bowing to her. A single crimson fruit dropped into her palm.

"You know it’s not me they miss," she murmured, her voice laced with quiet mockery. "It’s my blessing, isn’t it? One bite of the fruit from my garden, and they grow strong—stronger than they ever dreamed—and safe from any harm... invincible."

Ezra’s gaze finally rose. There was pain in his eyes, something he tried to hide beneath steadiness. "People still love you."

"What if I lose this power?" Her words cut clean through the space between them.

He hesitated for a second, then answered firmly. "...Yes."

Her fingers tightened around the fruit, its skin glinting like a ruby under the dappled light. She turned, her voice trembling with a dangerous hope. "Does that include you?"

The silence hung between them, only filled by the sound of rustling leaves and cold breezes. With every second, the silence turns into a bleeding wound. Disappointment flickered across her face; her lips trembled. She turned away, the weight of her steps dragging her from him, yet she kept walking away.

Behind her, almost swallowed by the forest’s hush, came his voice, low, raw, and certain.

"Yes."

Lory watched their interaction and clicked her tongue in annoyance. She had seen enough soap operas to know that this kind of indecisiveness only led to misunderstandings and, inevitably, tragedy.

She truly didn’t understand. If you love someone, then fight for them with everything you have. Even if it’s only for a short while, love them with all your heart. Cherish each day as if it’s your last, so there will be no regrets.

That was how she felt about Zhao Li Xin, and that’s the only reason their relationship worked.

Their eyes met, and without a single word, they knew exactly what the other was thinking. For what it was worth, they would rather have a short time together, loving each other completely, than spend a lifetime never knowing what it felt like at all.