At the portal.
Everyone was gathered there. Except Gideon.
After the war, Gideon had spent a long time, a couple of days straight, just standing before Kione's grave. The news that his close friend and brother-in-arms, Kione, had lost his life in the midst of the battle against the giant monsters had really dealt a great blow to Gideon. Azrael had accompanied him for an entire day but the man eventually decided to leave Gideon alone.
It was Vera who went to him next and fortunately, she was able to make him finally leave the grave and returned to the Great Castle.
All of them had been worried for him as Gideon had not come out from their room since he left the grave. However, Vera had brought him out with her for their last family meal before Evie departed for her homeland.
Though Gideon did not talk much at all, he did look better than before and that alone was enough to make them all feel relieved. They all knew Vera must have been the greatest reason and support for him to recover as fast as he was, contrary to what the King and Queen themselves had expected. Queen Beatrice had mentioned privately to Evie how worried she was for Gideon because of the prince's tendency to isolate himself and avoid his family for so long. And now, with such a thing had happened and the loss they had to endure from the war, Beatrice was more afraid that Gideon would pull further into himself and keep everyone away at arm's length. But thanks to Vera being by his side, Gideon was somehow faring better than expected. That was the miracle of having a mate and a partner.
"I will definitely come over to visit you soon, Evie." Vera was gripping tightly onto Evie's hands with her own, smiling at her with her emotional eyes. There were shimmers of tears that could be seen in both the ladies' eyes as they held each others' hands in silence for a couple of heartbeats before a sniffle from Vera broke the quietness.
"Make sure to bring Gideon with you, Vera." Evie teased.
"Of course. And I don't think he'll let me out of the Underlands without him next to me. With how we were forcefully separated before, I think it would not be soon that we would want to willingly part from each other." Vera sheepishly and shyly whispered to Evie, blushing a little. As much as she was embarrassed to be seen going around with Gideon, as though they were a couple that were overly sticky to each other, she would rather endure the embarrassment than cause either of them the anxiety of parting.
"As he should." Evie reached out and hugged Vera in an emotional embrace. The two of them obviously did not want to part but they must, as Vera had decided to live together with Gideon in the Underlands forever and will never go back to the human lands again. Though she said she would visit and tour Lirea one day with Gideon, Vera had told Evie she never wanted to live on a permanent basis on the surface ever again. She had told her that the Underlands was her home now and Evie was happy for her friend who had finally found a place where she truly belonged.
"We will be visiting as often as possible as well, our dearest daughter-in-law," King Belial also added on and Evie nodded, giving them a smile filled with gratitude. She knew that it would not be possible for all of them to remain together as much as she wanted that to happen. Belial and Beatrice could not permanently live on the surface as they belonged to the Underlands. She could opt to live with everyone else in the Underlands at least for a few more months until she gives birth. But holding the identity as the Queen of the light faes as well as the wife and Queen of the vampires as well, how was it possible for her to abandon her people on the surface and choose to live in the Underlands? Thus, that was why she had to return to the surface. However, this arrangement that they had agreed to would be the next best thing - visiting between the families as often as possible. That way, they would still be in touch and see each other frequently enough, but still be able to carry out their duties and responsibilities to their utmost ability.
"I'll be looking forward to your visits, Father and Mother." Evie replied and embraced her in-laws as well. While wrapped in their embrace, she whispered to them in the gentlest and softest of tone. Her voice almost broke as she spoke. "In the meanwhile, I'll be leaving Gav to be here in your care. I'll definitely be back for him..." Pulling away, Belial and Beatrice saw a wide and bright smile on her face, but with tears shimmering in her large crystal-like eyes.
Soon, all the happy as well as teary goodbyes were said. Evie and her people finally walked towards the portal. Turning, Evie waved her hand to them and with a smile on her face, they finally crossed the portal.
...
Three years later.
With the help of magic, the city of Crescia was finally restored to its former beauty. The paradise of Lirea was back. Though the population of the Light Faes still remained very small, their power only increased. And the increase in power was not just marginal, but by leaps and bounds.
The Middlelands have already become a place that was unrecognizable from the sad and ruined state it was from three years ago. The once dark and dangerous forest has now turned into something so magical and welcoming. In fact, it would only be right to call it a fairy land filled with light and peace. A place one would be dreaming to visit to just enjoy the beauty of both nature and magic.
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