Chapter 27: Embracing a New Beginning

(POV: Deniel)

"What a beautiful scene!" I say in my mind and laugh, feeling a bitter taste in my mouth.

I know I promised to set her free if she woke up. But I confess that seeing her so happy only because she's reunited with Nicollas makes my heart ache.

I watch her lick Nicollas' face countless times, and the more I look. The stronger the strange feeling grows in my chest.

It should be ME making her smile like that. It should be ME hugging and kissing her that way. It should be ME in his place. I should be the father of the child she carries in her womb.

I clenched my hands into fists and bite my lower lip.

No!

I won't allow myself to envy that being. I am better than that. I, Deniel, the most powerful wizard on the face of this earth (and the only one as well), will not succumb to such feelings.

I let out a long sigh through my mouth. I let my hands fall by my sides and take a deep breath, filling my lungs generously. I have to swallow the tears; they want to escape from my eyes, but I have to maintain composure.

I take one last look at the scene of the two together.

"Truly, I hope you can be happy, Lina," I whisper, a mixture of sadness and... I turn around and leave the courtyard that was once meant to be the castle's garden.

As I walk away, my thoughts wander between the past and the uncertain future. I sense the weight of loneliness and loss once again. I think of my family, my children, my wife... of all my people, who no longer exist today... I sense like I failed them, but somehow, I feel relieved.

I glance at the moon for a moment. No matter how things are here on Earth, the moon always remains the same. Cold and indifferent.

I decide it's time to start anew in a distant place where I can find peace and perhaps even redemption.

I shake off the dark thoughts and focus on envisioning a new journey, a new life ahead of me. The world is vast and full of possibilities, and I, Deniel, can no longer be held back by the past. I need to let my family rest in peace. I will keep them alive only in my memories.

With renewed determination, I forge my path towards the unknown. I leave behind the sorrows and painful memories, embracing the promise of a fresh start. I don't know what the future holds, but I am willing to face any challenge that comes my way.

And so, with each step I take, I distance myself from that scene that hurts me so much. Behind me, the castle and all its broken ties; ahead of me, a new horizon waiting to be explored.

(POV: Sophie)

Tears...

They well up in my eyes. I'm sad, hurt, and disappointed. I never imagined Lina like this, cold, hard, insensitive... but what did I expect? She lost her memory, doesn't remember anything or who she is.

Unable to accept the situation Lina is in, I walk to my sister's room, who is already fully recovered.

At least that's one good thing, my sister no longer shows any signs of having been ill.

As I enter the hallway that leads to my sister's room. I disguise my surprise upon seeing Deniel leaning against the door with his head down.

I approach, and he looks up at me, staring. His eyes are red, and his face looks deeply troubled.

"How can I help you, sir?" I ask hesitantly, keeping my head down.

"You don't need to refer to me like that anymore, Sophie. And you don't need to lower your head in my presence," he says in a calm and dejected tone.

I look at Deniel, and there's a smile on his face, serene and genuine, even though he's not showing his teeth.

"W-Why do you say that?"

"From what I remember, you only owed me obedience as long as I was taking care of your sister's treatment, right?"

"Yes, you're right. I had forgotten," I reply and give a smile without showing my teeth.

"Here," Deniel extends his hand with a bag, and I take it. "This is for you and your sister to start over."

I open the small bag and widen my eyes at the sight of several bundles of money. Still in shock, I look at Deniel.

"I can't accept this," I try to return the bag.

"Not only can you accept it, but you will," he pushes my hand against my chest. "It's time for me to reassess myself and search for my true essence."

"Wow, Deniel," I say, still unable to believe it. "I'm really happy that you want to change."

"No, Sophie, I don't want to change."

"But I thought..."

"I want to go back to what I was before. I wasn't always like I am today, Sophie," Deniel explains.

"Oh! Now I understand."

I sense a little embarrassed, lower my head, and stare fixedly at my dirt-covered feet. Lost in thought about my own behavior, I snap back to reality when I feel arms around me.

I look up and Deniel hugs me, a genuine embrace. I know it because I return the hug.

"I'm sorry, Sophie, for everything I did to you. I know that even though you were working for me. You shouldn't have lived in the conditions you did," he whispers in my ear, and a tear escapes my eye.

"I... It's okay, Deniel," I hug him a little tighter.

When I met Deniel, my sister and I were on the streets, with nowhere to go. None of our relatives wanted us around. But it's not the time to think about that.

We let go of the hug, and Deniel places his right hand on my shoulder, looking into my eyes.

"Be happy, Sophie, and good luck with your new life! Oh, before I forget, Lina has regained her memory. You don't need to worry about her anymore."

I can't contain my happiness at knowing my friend is back to her old self, and I hug Deniel, who smiles (this time showing his teeth) and returns the embrace.

"Now I ask you for a favor," he requests as we let go of the hug.

"What is it?"

"Don't tell Lina about our conversation. Only say that you found this bag in your sister's room along with a letter saying it's payment for your services. Can you do me that favor?"

"I can do that. But why?"

"I don't want her to have any more memories of me."

"But wouldn't your new way of thinking be a good memory?" I ask, furrowing my brow.

"I want her to forget that I was ever part of her life."

I don't like that answer. After all, everyone deserves a second chance, at least that's what I believe.

"Okay, Deniel," I give in. "I won't tell Lina anything."

Giving me one last smile, Deniel turns his back and walks down the long corridor. I sigh. I know that one day Deniel will be very happy and find a new love to take him away from the past that only brought him pain and suffering.

Watching him disappear down the corridor, I open the door to my sister's room and find her sitting on the bed, eating.

When she sees me, she breaks into a beautiful smile that I get lost in for a moment.

"I'm glad you're here, Sophie. I missed you so much," she says, wiping her mouth.

I give her a smile and walk to her bed, sitting beside her and hugging her.

"Now we will have the life I promised you, my sister," I kiss her forehead. "Now we will be very happy, I promise."

Anabelly gives me such a beautiful smile that I know it was all worth it.

I have so much to thank Deniel for because if he hadn't made that agreement with me, I wouldn't have met Lina, and my sister wouldn't have her health restored.

"Let's pack our things, Ana. Let's go and find our place in this world."

"Let's go!" she says, very happy.

The two of us gather all our belongings in a small backpack and leave the room.

Hand in hand, we walk through the corridors that will lead us out of this castle where I've suffered and smiled, learned and overcome many things.

We leave the castle and I take one last look back. I smile as I remember all the countless things I experienced there, and with those memories, I venture into the forest with Anabelly.