Chapter 69: Goodbye
A day passed with Time's usual pace. While the survivors prepared themselves to face loss of memories, the dragons—especially the ones responsible for that matter—were doing something else.
"How did it go?"
Kyrios, who was restlessly walking around the hallway, rushed towards the suddenly opened door. His twin sister nonchalantly stepped out as if taking a morning walk after breakfast.
"It's done." Kyriaki shrugged her shoulders, looking up at the adults following her.
Endymion sighed repeatedly as if someone just handed him the meaning of life and he didn't like it one bit, Elysium wore a sour expression as if the world was about to end and he was helpless against it. However, in stark contrast to them, the other two people; the man with the same ocean blue eyes as Euclid and the woman with lilac eyes looked quite happy. Behind them, Euclid walked out of the room with a proud smile.
"Wow! Congratulations!" Kyrios expressed with delight.
〘Hmmm…but I hope Ria won't love Euclid too much〙
Contrary to his delightful expression, his thoughts were different. Unable to understand, Kyriaki tilted her head in confusion.
〘I don't want to share my sister〙
〘Hah…it's not possible though. But at least, I hope she wouldn't neglect me〙
〘Ugh…am I being childish?〙
"Ah…" Kyriaki involuntarily let out a soft exclamation.
'Why is he still anxious?'
She thought this side of Kyrios hadn't come to light since the original timeline had changed.
In the original timeline, Kyrios was like this.
Always anxious.
Full of suffocating responsibilities.
Low self-esteem.
He craved for his father and grandfather's love, which appeared so far away from his grasp. He was always anxious, thinking he wasn't enough. Thinking he was worthless.
—Rio…— Although telepathic, Kyriaki called out in her most soft and gentle voice, as if coaxing a child.
—Yes?—Kyrios looked at her with his usual cheerful attitude. But he couldn't hide the anxiety in his golden yellow eyes, which had lost its luster.
—Hah…what should I do?—
—Huh? Why? What happened?—
—I don't know. I feel like I like my brother more than my fiancé. It's strange. This feeling is definitely love, but it's different from the love I feel for dad. And it's different from the love I feel for grandpa too. No, actually, I think the love I give for the three of you is the same love, but with different sides. If by any chance I start liking my fiancé, wouldn't it be another kind of love? What should I do? I can't seem to understand what kind of love it would be—
She whispered ever so slightly. Her tone was soft and carefree, yet it carried a secrecy only a handful of people could notice. And Kyrios was one of those people. Kyriaki usually liked to use a minimum of words to converse, but today she seemed to want to voice her thoughts as much as possible.
Kyrios blinked his big golden eyes and soon smiled brilliantly.
—Eucee would be so happy to hear that—
—Don't tell him. I only told you because only you can hear my concerns—
—Gasp! I won't tell him!—
〘That's right〙
〘It's a different kind of love〙
〘Ria loves me in her own way. That love only belongs to me〙
〘Love have so many different sides. So it's okay〙
〘And thank you, Ria. For listening to mu childish concerns〙
"What childish? You are speaking nonsense."
It seems Kyrios hadn't forgotten that Kyriaki could hear his thoughts. He smiled brightly, looking at her fondly. Kyriaki merely looked ahead with a poker face, as if her gentleness before was a lie.
"Haha…okay, are you going to say goodbye to your guests?"
"Yeah." Kyriaki glanced at Euclid, who was having a conversation with his parents.
"I want to come too…but it's not appropriate. I'll wait for you with Netzer. Come back safely."
Kyrios waved his hand cheerfully and hopped towards Netzer and the two golden dragons. Giving him a one last glance, Kyriaki slowly approached her might-be-future-in-lows.
"Ah, Your Royal Highness." The woman with soft lilac eyes smiled gently as she noticed Kyriaki. Her long Silver hair, tinted with lilac hue at the edge, glittered like stardust.
"Lady Sterope, please speak comfortably. I am your son's fiancée after all."
"I'll do that when you call me mother." She winked. Even that kind of gesture looked soft and gentle when she did it. There was no mischief that Elysium had when he did it.
"Hahaha…" Kyriaki laughed, brushing it over with a short hand gesture.
It took her this much time to get closer to her own family, how much would it be to do the same for a family that she couldn't be sure of being hers?
〘She looks so beautiful!〙
〘Ah, finally a daughter for myself!〙
〘My son doesn't deserve her, truly〙
〘But I'm glad she could change him to be honest rather than pretending〙
〘I'm grateful for her. Our entire family was worried about my son before〙
〘I'd have openly expressed my joy and gratitude if not for the necessity of keeping this act of courteousness〙
〘Should I just give her a gift with the excuse of becoming a family?〙
〘What should I give her?〙
〘Minerals like cosmic steel? Jewels? Rare weapons? Artifacts? Ah, I heard she's into cooking, how about the >Platinum Rose< collection? 〙
"I'll do that, Mother."
Kyriaki immediately changed her way of addressing her. Her attitude underwent a 180° degree change in lightning speed.
'This Sub-authority is really useful.'
She doesn't have to keep her guard up and always be cautious anymore. And taking advantage of people as well adapting to situations appropriately was now as easy as eating a piece of cake to her.
"Oh my, how lovely. Would you mind calling me father too?"
"I don't mind at all, Father."
'Because your thoughts are exactly the same as yours wife's'
Kyriaki beamed at Euclid's father, Lord Zeon.
Euclid meanwhile, stared at her with his mouth agape. Her sudden change of attitude, which didn't budge when they were discussing the matters of engagement, seemed to have given him a shock.
"Would my father and mother mind if I took Eucee away?"
〘Oh my~ 'Eucee' she says〙
"We don't mind at all."
〘Ah…Youth!〙
"Yeah, go ahead."
Kyriaki bowed very politely to the two of them before dragging the dazed Euclid away.
A silence settled between the two newly engaged couple as they disappeared into the complex hallway system of the main palace. After a while of travelling, the first to speak was none other than Euclid's.
"I didn't know you were this eager to become family with me?" He rubbed his lower lip with his index finger, looking at the hand held by Kyriaki and her face alternatively as they walked.
"Well… not you, but your mother. She says she'd give me something amazing if we are family."
"... something amazing?"
" >Platinum Rose<"
"What's that? A flower?"
"Your ignorance is truly amusing. You must be the reason why people put directions on hand sanitizers."
"Ugh..must you always attack me with words?"
"What? You want me to use a sword instead?"
While bickering, they soon arrived at their destination.
It was none other than the backyard of the Selene Palace—between it and the Ochros Palace—to be precise.
Modified as a spaceship port, including the engineering facility and mechanical institution, the place was filled with various types of spaceships. From warships to small hovercars, everything there belongs to Elysium, as the Dragon King.
"Wow…" no matter how many times they see it, they couldn't help but admire the sight.
Every morning and afternoon, they walk past this place to attend the academy, but why is it that each day, the spaceships seem more and more fascinating?
"I agree with Rio for choosing Blacksmithing & Mechanical engineering." Euclid mumbled in awe. Kyriaki nodded enthusiastically.
"If it wasn't for music, I'd have joined him."
"Same here," Euclid agreed. "If it wasn't for Arts, I'd have chosen Mechanical engineering right away.
Contrary to their personalities, both of them chose art-focused subjects from this category, as they had to follow rules. Surprisingly, they came to love their field. If not, they'd have demanded a transfer right this instant after facing the colossal steel ships.
Euclid inspected a brand new hoovercar, a limited edition only released a day ago. To his knowledge, there are only five in the whole world in this latest edition.
Mumbling why it hasn't gone straight into Elysium's personal collection, Kyriaki walked past the hoovering car Euclid was paying attention to, spotting a familiar figure right away.
"Miss Marina!"
"Good day to you, Your Highness." Marina awkwardly bowed. Her posture trying to imitate nobles was stiff, like she was forced to do so and clearly hating it.
"No need to be so stiff, just call me Kyriaki like before." Kyriaki waved her hand leisurely, striding towards her.
"Ah, yes." Marina fidgeted with her long sleeves displaying how awkward the whole situation was. She occasionally glanced at the huge futuristic spaceship with its door wide opened like a beast's maw.
Kyriaki also looked at the massive spaceship that looked like those from sci-fi or superhero movies. It stood proud among countless more spaceships, guarded by Dark Elves from all sides. Watching this, Kyriaki was undeniably proud. She felt a fragment of thrill, even.
"You said you're from Lifianest continent?" Tearing off her gaze from the fascinating spaceship, Kyriaki threw a question at Marina.
"Yes, Domitoris Empire, to be exact."
"Oh? You are from that 12-year-old Empire?"
"...That 12-year-old Empire was founded by four people. And one of them is my husband."
"Are you boasting?"
"Not even close. He abandoned me the day before I was sucked into the Void Plane, just because I refused to imitate nobles."
"Oh, I see. Must be tough."
"Not at all. At least not for me. I'm born a commoner, so I haven't given up on anything."
"True."
"By the way—Gasp!"
Suddenly, Marina—who was about to engage in a deeper conversation—began to open and close her mouth like a clam. Her deep green eyes trembled and widened like full moons. As if she was so shocked that she momentarily forgot the language itself, she just stood there.
"Hmmm…? What's wrong?" Kyriaki followed her gaze.
"Th-that—"
"Ah~ that?" Upon seeing what made Marina stutter with surprise, Kyriaki chuckled.
A long line of floating emergency stretchers, each under the careful care of Dark Elves in Medic and Guard uniforms floated towards them like a line of ants.
The survivors lay there, eyes closed as if in deep sleep.
"Looks like it's done?" The question was asked by Euclid, who had slipped up to them at one point.
"Yeah. The side effects are a bit too severe since we had to erase and manipulate months worth of memories."
"I think them being humans also played a big part in experiencing side effects."
"I agree."
"Wh-what's happening? K-Kyriaki…why are they like this?"
"Didn't I tell you? They underwent memory manipulation. This is just a temporary side effect. Once they return home, they'll resume their daily lives like any ordinary person."
"..."
"Ah, the person who performed the memory manipulation is the head of the House Hectate, a branch house of Orpheus."
"..."
"He's the best Mind attribute user in the universe."
"..."
"...My words don't seem to comfort her."
Kyriaki observed Marina from the side, stroking her chin. Marina's head was in chaos, even to someone without mind reading ability, that fact was clear.
〘It's okay, they are safe anyway〙
〘Their memories are erased but in return they are returning home safely〙
〘The side effects...〙
〘I wonder how sever they are〙
〘But…why am I not lying with them?〙
"Because of the side effects."
"Huh?"
Kyriaki smiled faintly and patted Marina's hand gently, as if treating her like touching expensive glass.
"You won't undergo any memory manipulation. This is the first time I used my authority as the heir in a case involving the entire primal plane. So be grateful."
"Huh? Pardon?"
When Marina asked in a daze, Kyriaki's eyes scanned her top to bottom. Then her eyes landed on Marina's stomach.
Due to the attire she wore, the shape of her body was hidden so meticulously. Paired with her plump face, no one would suspect. However, she couldn't deceive a dragon's eyes.
"You are pregnant."
"H-how did you—"
"Did you forget who I am?"
It sounded like a cringe line from a cheap third tire novel, but Kyriaki couldn't help but ask that question. For many reasons, she had to ask.
"It wouldn't have made any difference if the amount of memories we had to erase were short. But for many additional factors, such as this long time period of memories, your human body & mind as well as your unusual situation of pregnancy, I had to step in so that your child would be safe."
"Ah…"
"The side effects might have caused high mental damage to the unborn baby, it might have become permanent, even. Why didn't you inform us of your pregnancy beforehand? I waited for you to tell me on your own, but you let me down."
"I-I…"
〘I thought I shouldn't be a hassle to you, I thought it wouldn't be very harmful if I endure〙
"Did you really forget who I am? I am your guardian throughout our survival journey. And I am the Crown Princess of Dragons. Do you think this kind of thing would be a hassle to me?"
"Ah…I—"
"Ria, stop nagging. She's already regretting it."
"I'm not nagging. I'm just stating facts."
"No, that's nagging. I know because I have a mother."
"Are you implying I am ignorant because I don't have a mother?"
"No—what the hell! How did you even come up with that idea? You've spoken words you'd have spoken in three months in just a few minutes. And now you're picking fights with your fiancé."
"Pfft."
"Hmmm?"
"Huh?"
Kyriaki and Euclid turned their tiny heads in sync towards the source of sound.
Marina, with a flushed face, giggled as she covered her mouth with the back of her hand. With the other free hand, she stroked her slightly swollen belly.
"Pfft…I'm sorry. I didn't—Pfft—meant to…"
"Laugh or talk, choose one." Euclid narrowed his eyes as he coldly spoke.
"Pfft….hahaha!" Marina gave up on talking and began to laugh to her heart's content for a while.
Her giggles stopped only after the wolf couple greeted them and boarded the spaceships after the survivors. As a royal privilege they were free from memory manipulation as well.
"It's been a little over five months…" She finally spoke, brushing back her short brown hair as she grinned. "My belly is less noticeable compared to mothers in the same condition. So I thought I hid it well, but it seems I truly forgot who you are, Kyriaki."
"You're half way there? It's fascinating." Kyriaki's eyes glittered like melted gold as she gazed at Marina's belly. True to her words, Marina looked like she had just some fat belly instead of pregnancy.
"Is it?"
"Yeah. Fascinating. They say a baby is always a blessing, and it seems to hold some truth."
"That's unexpected." Marina expressed her surprise.
"Why is that?"
"I thought you were indifferent and detached."
"Pfft." This time, it was Euclid who let out a soft single laugh.
"What?" Kyriaki scowled.
"Ahem…Nothing." Euclid looked away, clearing his throat. But the traces of laughter still lingered on his charming lips.
"Hmph!" Kyriaki looked away. Her whole body screamed; I don't want to deal with you anymore, before paying attention to Marina again.
"Anyway…congratulations, although it's too late." She said, her tone casual.
"If you want to congratulate me, why don't you give them a name?"
"Come again?" Dumbfounded, Kyriaki raised an eyebrow and intently gazed at Marina.
If her eyes had a mouth it would have most definitely said; What kind of nonsense is this crazy woman spouting?
Marina recognized her gaze in an instant. But instead of showing displeasure or awkwardness she had before, she knelt on one knee and made eye contact with Kyriaki. Their height is now almost similar.
In the past, she was so anxious she used to skillfully avoid eye contact with Kyriaki. This change was so refreshing that Kyriaki involuntarily smiled. Marina's courage was praiseworthy as she was making eye contact knowing well who she was.
"I don't have parents. I don't have any friends or family. Not even a husband anymore." Marina slowly explained her situation. It felt like she was reminding herself of her own life as she smiled bitterly.
"..."
"But you said you are my guardian."
〘So..umm…a name for the baby〙
〘Kyriaki wouldn't mind, would she?〙
〘Maybe I'm pushing things too far?〙
〘Right…who am I to ask for such personal favours from a dragon〙
"True. I am your guardian." Kyriaki lifted her tiny soft hand and caressed Marina's cheek.
Surprised by her sudden skinship, but unable to pull away, Marina blinked her eyes several times before she closed her eyes. She savoured the soft fluffy feeling as she overlapped her hand over Kyriaki's tiny one.
"If-if by any change, I am being a bother—"
"Ilios."
"Huh?"
"It means the sun and bright light in the language of Dragons. His name will be Illios. Isn't that very fitting?"
"Ah…" Marina's brown eyelashes fluttered. With her eyes pooled with tears and face flushed red, she smiled brightly.
"Thank you. Neither me nor my child will forget this favour."
"Don't mention it." Kyriaki mirrored her smile. It was so dazzling, so beautiful as if the name fitted the one who gave it instead.
〘But 'He' she said?〙
Marina tilted her head, still clinging to Kyriaki's hand. A mischievous smile speared across Kyriaki's face upon seeing her confusion.
Looking at that rare sight, Euclid, who was about to say something, completely shut his mouth and gave the two of them their moment.
What a dragon could detect isn't just pregnancy.
They could accurately guess the gender, condition and potential of an unborn child very easily.
"Ilios will be someone you could be proud of, Miss Marina."
"R-really?"
"Yes. A very healthy, strong and powerful boy, someone who'd shake up the continent."
"Hahaha…so it's a boy?" Marina laughed. Her laughter, mixed with joy, disbelief and dismissal was evident that she didn't take Kyriaki's words seriously. Her attention was on the fact that she was having a boy.
"Thank you." But she seems to have taken it as a compliment.
"You are welcome." Kyriaki stepped back and Marina got up.
'Hmmm…something is missing.'
As she watched Marina bidding farewell to Euclid, Kyriaki frowned her fine brows slightly.
Marina meanwhile, stared at her with delightful eyes.
〘We won't meet ever again once I go back, right?〙
'Yeah' Kyriaki's frown softened as she replied in her mind.
〘I wish we'd get to see each other someday〙
'Unfortunately, that won't happen.'
〘Such a pity…saying goodbye never feels good I guess〙
'But it has its own beauty to it.'
〘Well, I'll do my best to cherish these memories. In doing so, this goodbye won't feel so empty〙
'That's…a good mindset.'
〘I'll make sure to teach my son so that he'll continue to carry on my gratitude towards Kyriaki〙
Hearing those thoughts, as if something clicked in her mind, Kyriaki's eyes shot up.
"Miss Marina." She immediately began the execution of her idea.
"Yes?"
"Take this."
Kyriaki lifted her hand and snapped it with a thoughtful look. A golden card appeared between her fingers, like a magician that summoned a joker card.
"Oh!" Euclid exclaimed. "Are you going to finally use it?"
"Here, this is my gift for your son." Ignoring Euclid, Kyriaki extended the card towards Marina.
"May I ask what this is?" Marina tilted her head, accepting the card even though she had no idea what it was.
"If you find yourself in trouble or need help, go find a Dark Elf, Fairy, Dwarf, Titan or Someone who carries golden blood. If you show this to them, they'll grant you any wish within their capabilities."
As soon as Kyriaki finished her explanation, the card turned into melted gold and slithered around Marina's hand.
"Ah!" Surprised, she tried to shake it off.
But instead, the melted gold settled on her ring finger, forming a small golden ring in a peculiar design.
It was a tiny golden dragon hugging her finger with its limbs and wings, holding a tiny multicolor crystal in its mouth. Just by looking at it, the ring looked beautiful and mystic.
"I don't mind even if your son passes it down to his descendants. The value of this card or more accurately—ring, won't change."
〘I am not smart enough to understand the meaning of her words〙
〘But it seems valuable〙
〘Ans since it's a sincere gift, I'll gladly accept it on Ilios' behalf〙
Marina blinked and then nodded with a smile.
"I will keep that in mind. Well then, Good bye, both of you."
That earned an acknowlaging nod from the two hatchlings. The farewell came to an end, following the wolf couple, Marina boarded the ship. The process was systematic and swift, with no fault to point at.
Kyriaki and Euclid watched calmly as the spaceship took off and flew away into the distance where Mitherr-ge was.
"So how is it?" Kyriaki opened her mouth. There was a playful and curious tone in her words as she spoke.
"How is what?" Euclid asked, turning to look at Kyriaki, who was still looking at the spaceship drifting away.
"Meeting your first human."
"Nothing but disdain."
"Really? Why?"
"Because human lives are fleeting."
"Hmmm…are they?" This time, there was more curiosity and less playfulness in Kyriaki's voice.
"They were like a strom. Suddenly crashed into our long life, stayed for a fleeting moment, and then vanished, leaving all sorts of traces." Euclid explained, gazing at Kyriaki's side profile.
It seems the actions of Warkan, Marina and the others left a deep impression on Euclid. And that impression appeared to be boarded closer to negativity.
"That's not all, right?"
"..."
"Your face says it all."
"You aren't even looking at me." Euclid grumbled, wrinkling his high nose.
"I don't need to see it to tell." Kyriaki giggled. Her voice relaxed and soft. Listening to her alluring voice, Euclid's ears turned slightly red.
"So? What's the issue?"
"... Humans are complicated."
"Ahaha!" Kyriaki burst into a playful laughter upon hearing his honest mumble. Yet her head was still lifted, her eyes were still focused upward.
"Right…Humans are complicated."
Kyriaki immediately understood what this hatchling, who was studying to understand emotions, was talking about. Even to humans who excelled in understanding their own psychology, Humans are always complicated, so how much would it be for a dragon? Especially a young dragon like Euclid?
"They have both good and evil, they are a perfect mixture of seven deadly sins and seven heavenly virtues, so it's complicated. Why can't they pick a side?"
"Oh dear…" Kyriaki grinned at Euclid's increasing complaints. She felt like talking to Kyrios when Euclid acted like this. Her tone softened considerably without her knowing.
"Is it very confusing?"
"Very."
"I see. So you find them complicated because they don't choose any side?'
"Yes."
"But Eucee…so are we. Us dragons are similar. We have both good and evil, we are a mix of those too."
"But we are wise enough to control them, unlike humans."
"Humans also have wisdom. However, since their lives are so very fleeting, they give in to their primal instincts and impulsiveness so easily. That's what makes them so unpredictable, amazing and fascinating."
"...I guess so."
"Let's learn from them since their complicated mindset sometimes causes miracles or calamities. Perhaps, we might find our own miracle and surpass calamity if we learn from them better."
Kyriaki smiled, she could feel Euclid's gaze poking at her side profile. Ignoring him wasn't so hard. What she said to Euclid was something she said to herself as well.
'Since I got a second chance and a long life, I'll try to learn as much as possible.'
Kyriaki's smile deepened.
The glittering golden eyes, as if holding sunlight, continued to keep the drifting spaceship in their gaze.
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