CHAPTER 547: TEMPORARY GOODBYE

The night felt longer than usual. Maybe it was because of the looming battle, or it was something else. Evelyn lay on her bed just staring at the ceiling. A little crack up there caught her attention but she wasn’t really staring at the crack.

Her mind was elsewhere.

"Elias," She mumbled, then rolled to the side, grabbing the sheets. The kiss kept playing on her mind. She could not help but wonder what he meant. Did he really love her?

But why was he interested in an older lady? An illegitimate daughter of a noble home who was sold into slavery. She could not find the answers no matter how much she thought about it.

Why was she even thinking about him? Her mind replayed everything over the past years. His calm face and those sharp hazel eyes were etched in her brain.

"I might die and I don’t want to leave this world without regrets."

"If I die now, I will die in peace knowing I kissed the woman who stole my heart but refuses to accept it. "

Those words rang and there was this indescribable pain she didn’t understand in her heart.

*****

Dawn finally arrived, it was finally time to leave for Draconia. Lucian’s coronation was at hand.

"Never knew you looked this charming in armour." The ginger-haired princess chimed with a soft smile to her husband. Abrielle had patiently helped Cedric put on his armour. It wasn’t the custom-made one he usually wore to war. This was provided by Aurelius and fitted the Heliosian style more.

She didn’t have to; some servants could do the job, but she wanted to. It was her little contribution.

She wasn’t going to war but would be in the comfort of Heliosa waiting for victory with Evelyn.

Cedric smiled, his arm wrapped around her waist as he placed a soft kiss on the crown of her head. "You have never seen me in one before." He replied tenderly.

His smile made her cheeks flushed but Abrielle didn’t bother to hide her cheeks. Her mind wandered; throughout the previous night, she had not been able to get any sleep.

She kept on thinking about this final battle. Cedric was not the one she wrote about in her book. He wasn’t just the tyrant first prince, but the youngest prince of hell, yet she felt uneasy remembering his mother’s warnings.

.

What if Lucian kills him?

Cedric sensed the shift in her mood, his large palm cupped her cheeks. Their gaze locked, and he leaned forward pressing their foreheads against each other.

"You don’t have to worry me. This battle would be over before you know it then I would be able to be by your side without any worries." He assured her yet his words were not exactly comforting

Her hand clutched her dress and she struggled to swallow a lump in her throat. "I can’t help but worry. It’s my duty as your wife." She answered but it seemed there was more she wanted to say.

The entire night she thought about it. She should tell him the truth.

Cedric chuckled freely then pulled her cheeks. "I am glad to have a wife who cares and doesn’t want me dead. I will make sure to live knowing my death would hurt someone." He chimed.

Abrielle shot him a glare then puffed her cheeks. Her pouted cheeks made his heart feel light. "That was in the past," Abrielle grumbled, then her expression slowly changed. The look of concern was still there.

"Cedric," she called, her voice carrying heavy emotions. It felt like she was about to tell him something. Cedric could read minds now after he advanced his abilities but he chose not to read her mind.

He wanted to trust her and protect her privacy. Even if he did not read her mind he could feel emotions. The strong reluctance she felt.

"Yes, my love." It was the first time he called her that and her heart skipped a beat.

She started playing with her fingers, her gaze faltered like a teenager wanting to confess her love. "There is something I want to say."

His eyes glimmered expectantly. "What is it?" He asked, then a grin crossed her face. Abrielle had a sudden change of heart.

"It’s a secret but I promise to tell you once you return. I will be waiting." She teased him then tipped on her toes to place a kiss on his lips.

He was stunned but his grin didn’t disappear. Abrielle giggled and then locked arms with him. "We should start leaving. The soldiers are waiting." She urged then pulled his arms. With a hopeless smile, he followed after her

She made up her mind, she was going to tell him those 3 simple words once he returned and everything about her being Hazel.

******

Rows of carriages and a parade of soldiers arrived at an old temple on the outskirts of Emberlynx.

It wasn’t just any temple, but one which was built by the founding god of Heliosa, the god of wisdom.

Cassius had built this temple, which was guarded by the royal family, which held something important to the battle.

"It’s time," Cedric mentioned. Once the carriage door opened, he stepped out. Standing under the sun with a soft smile and his signature black and gold mask on. He gave his hand to Abrielle.

The princess accepted, then alighted from the carriage. Abrielle decided to see him off. The soldiers were already patiently waiting for them.

Evelyn stood a few steps away from the couple as they approached the entrance. "Your highness," Elias called out as he jogged towards Cedric, then gave a short bow before glancing at Evelyn with a fleeting gaze.

Her eyes averted, unable to hold his gaze. "Is everything ready?" Cedric asked his First in command.

Elias nodded. "The shadow knights are already positioned on Vitalis, and the former emperor has prepared everything for our departure." He explained.

Abrielle clutched Cedric’s arm subconsciously. He placed his hand on her to assure her. "Your father is waiting." He mentioned. Abrielle sighed then entered the temple

At the doorway, they came across Aurelius, who had a charming smile. Abrielle’s gaze flickered surprised to see him

"Will you be joining the battle?" She asked him. Aurelius and Cedric glanced at each other before he answered.

"I am a newly crowned emperor. I can’t leave Emberlynx yet, but someone better would join them." He hinted then glanced at Silvanius who stood in front of the altar in the enormous temple

The old walls were almost falling apart from age. This temple was as old as the empire. An entire army would fit in.

"I am surprised Father decided to join," Abrielle mentioned. At the last minute, why were they cracking their heads on routes to get to Vitalis on time without exhausting the soldiers? Silvanius showed up like their Saviour.

By right, he was the strongest mage in Heliosa. He might even be considered stronger than Callista, the formidable female lead who had the advantage of the plot.

Silvanius stood with a stern face, his radiant ginger hair looked like flames. The former emperor sensed Abrielle’s gaze.

He looked ahead, once he realised it was his first daughter, a smile broke on his youthful face. Abrielle returned the smile

"He said he wants to explore the kingdom you grew up in, and it won’t hurt to help his son-in-law. He doesn’t want you to be a window so soon." Aurelius answered and Abrielle’s smile increased.

Silvanius had accepted Cedric. Although his acceptance didn’t really matter since they recently realised their ties. It was still heart-warming

"I am glad he is helping," Abrielle mentioned. Cedric gave an approving nod before he pulled her into a hug, and they parted. This was where they said their temporary goodbye.

His eyes darted to Aurelius. "I will leave her in your care once more," Cedric said. His eyes lingered on Abrielle before she stepped back, then turned around.

He slowly descended the stairs to enter the empty temple.

Abrielle’s heart squeezed as she watched him. Aurelius’ fingers brushed against her, then he held his sister’s hand. "He will be fine. He isn’t called the bloodlust demon for anything."

Aurelius’ words were reassuring, yet her heart still felt pain. "Make sure to win Cedric. If not, I might remarry." She screamed in teasing. He glanced back and then smiled at her.

That single smile stole her breath. She couldn’t breathe. "How does Silvanius plan to take them to Vitalis?" Abrielle asked her brother the emperor.

She wasn’t sure of the details, but transporting this many people to such a far distance required a miracle.

Their hands were still linked. "This temple, as you know, was built by Cassius. It lies on an ancient teleportation rune with an identical pair of Vitalis." Aurelius explained. Abrielle was amazed

"But only a powerful mage of Father’s calibre can spark it. In a matter of seconds, they will be in Vitalis. A surprise attack no one saw coming." Aurelius explained in great detail to Abrielle.

Just as he explained, bright lights ignited on the floor, and the ruins were about to start. Abrielle’s hold on Aurelius’s hand tightened. That’s when a desperate call rang.

"Elias," Evelyn called, rushing forward before she could think. The thought of what if this was the last time they saw. Elias glanced at her confusion written on his face. Before she could get close to

him.

Blinding lights flashed. In the blink of an eye, they were gone