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Chapter 455

Thank you for reading on ! We provide free access to all our stories, but maintaining this platform requires ongoing costs. To keep the site running and continue offering free content, we display advertisements. You can close the ads anytime, or upgrade to premium membership ($5/month) for an ad-free reading experience while supporting our mission. You can also earn premium for free by completing simple tasks. We truly appreciate your understanding and support!Pain is only for... Sophia understood that Abril might not grasp why she had been prevented from saving the man she loved. Yet, she knew that there were times when one must sacrifice what they hold most dear. Even if it pained her, she recognized that there was a rightness to it. Sophia was aware that her granddaughter was in that place, and she wanted to say goodbye to her before surrendering Abril's body. That would be the first and last time she could speak with her. "I wish to say goodbye to Lissana.Besides, I believe it's better for Abril to be with her when she leaves me, if necessary." Enora didn't fully understand what her sister was referring to, but she could see the deep sadness and guilt in her eyes. "What did you say, Abril? Why does your face look so troubled?" "I stopped him from saving the man he loved." Enora thought her sister was apologizing for having taken their daughter's body with such force during the battle. She was astonished by the answer. "Love can be a terrible thing." "Perhaps the king of Cosset still lives," Sophia replied, shaking her head. "No, he is dead.noveldramaHis spirit resides in the kingdom of the dead, to which I must return. I am safe with him." Enora understood why her sister felt so guilty. She tried to console her but struggled to find words that could redeem what they had done, even though they both believed that what had happened was necessary. "Wars always bring great pain. Not everyone can be saved. We have been given the power to save, to illuminate the darkness, but we are not omnipotent. Only the one who gives life can grant us that power." "It's true," Sophia said, her voice heavy with sorrow."But the pain of not saving them all still lingers. It hurts me still, knowing that this pain cannot accompany me. It will be my daughter who carries it. Somewhere I go, there will be no pain, no sadness, only peace for those who remain." Enora embraced her sister one last time, knowing that nothing she could say would change what lay ahead. Sophia returned to the camp, where soldiers moved about, tending to their duties and mourning Lissana. They announced the death of the king of Cosset, their faces marked with sorrow. They knew their king was dead and were in mourning.As she approached her tent, Cira appeared before her. "Have you lost something in power?" Cira asked. Sophia sat down, contemplating whether she wanted her to heal her granddaughter. If Cira approached her, she would place her hand on her shoulder, but Cira held back. "I'm not the one who needs it." "Lissana is in need!" "She is fine; it's Cassiel who is not." Cira began to walk, and Sophia followed her to the tent where Cassiel lay. His back was covered in blood, and his leg was twisted at an unnatural angle. "This is very serious," Cira said, trying to staunch the bleeding."It won't stop." Sophia noticed several towels soaked with blood beside the bed. She approached and examined Cassiel. His wings had been torn from their roots, leaving gaping wounds. Cassiel was dying. Sophia placed her hand on his back, where the wounds were most severe. At that moment, the bleeding ceased, but she lacked the strength to fully heal him. She needed to mend his leg; otherwise, he would never walk again. Sophia spoke to Cassiel, doing what she could to stabilize him. He regained consciousness for a brief moment, letting out a howl of pain before slipping back into darkness."Go heal your leg," she urged. "This should be enough for now," Cira said, looking at her intently, as if something troubled her. "Is something wrong?" "Who are you?" Cira asked, her brow furrowing. "I'm surprised you noticed the difference." "You look like my sister, but you don't act like her." "You haven't spent much time with her. How do you know she doesn't act like herself?" "I've observed enough to notice that the way you walk, the way you act, even your expressions are distinct. It's something someone picks up on after a while.So tell me, who are you?" "This is Abril's body, which has been rendered. If you're asking who I am, I am the mother of this girl." "And what is happening with Abril? Where is she?" "She is with me, though her consciousness is asleep. When she leaves her body, she will regain control." "Are you planning to return her?" "Yes, this is my daughter's life.I don't intend to take it, only to help, though I'm not entirely sure I've done a good job." "The king of Cosset is dead; does she know?" "No, she doesn't." "But judging by your reaction, she must know." "I knew this would be very painful for her, which is why I thought it best for her to be with you when she wakes. Then they can console each other." Sophia moved toward the entrance of the tent and paused beside Cira. "I hope you don't continue to hate my wife. Bitterness poisons the heart, and that is what you feel." "Oh, I hated her when we were little girls.I hated her when she was the eldest and everyone compared me to her. I hated that my priest threatened me with how I should feel about her if I wasn't compliant. But now, it doesn't really matter. I was never the one I should hate; it was the priest." "Your father was a good man, sweet and kind. The darkness within him is what changed him. So don't hate who he was; hate what was inside him." Cira fell silent, contemplating those words. Sophia placed a hand on her shoulder. "Remember my words: don't hate.Just live and be happy." Sophia entered the tent of the king of Cosset, and there she found Lissana, who was in a wheelchair beside her father's body, crying bitterly over his death. Sophia approached and placed her hand on Lissana's shoulder. Lissana turned to see her mother's hand resting there. "Mother," she said, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her voice trembled as she spoke. "Father..." "I know," Sophia replied gently. Lissana wept like a small child in her mother's embrace, but as she realized she was the only one crying, she pulled away. "My father is dead!But there are no tears on your face. Doesn't it hurt you?" "It pains me to see your suffering, and it pains me even more knowing that your mother will soon follow you." As she spoke, Lissana realized that even though this woman appeared to be her mother, she was different. "Who are you? What have you done to my mother?" "I haven't done anything to your mother. She is here with me, merely asleep. She must take her body, for she cannot hear me. I am your grandmother, just a part of me remains. This is still her body." Sophia stepped closer to Lissana, but the girl recoiled."I just wanted to see you one last time before I go." Sophia looked at Alessandro's body lying on the bed. "I hope you can be with your mother when you wake up, and don't blame her for anything." Sophia smiled at Lissana. "Precious warrior, your path doesn't end here. Before you face difficult times, never forget that you are not alone."

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