Chapter 68: A Broken Reflection
Some soft sounr of labor filled the air around the ruins of Gabriel’s castle.
Workers moved, striking the stone with their hammere, and wood as they began the painstaking task of rebuilding.
Lirian had spared no expense, using Gabriel’s wealth to ensure the reconstruction was quick, fast and with quality.
She sat on a cushioned bench near the gardens, Pedro perched on her shoulder, nuzzling her cheek with his beak.
Her hand stroked the parrot’s feathers as her eyes drifted toward the horizon, where the sky was a muted gray.
The dress she wore was as dark as her thoughts.
Its long sleeves clung to her arms, but the open neckline bared her collarbones, adorned only by the shining of the ring Gabriel had given her.
The fabric swayed gently in the wind, matching the somber heaviness in her heart.
"He’s the real victim," she whispered to herself, her voice seemed far away. "And no one believes it but me."
Pedro let out a soft chirp, as if in agreement, and she sighed, her fingers brushed over the ring.
Its weight felt heavier today, reminding her of the man who had given it to her—the man who was now gone.
Lirian was filled with memories of Gabriel: his rare, fleeting smiles, the way he had protected her without hesitation, the fire in his eyes when he looked at her as if she were the only thing that mattered.
The thought of him locked away, awaiting judgment, made her chest ache with a pain she couldn’t escape.
Her vision blurred as tears welled up, and she bit her lip, trying to hold them back.
’I want to see you,’ she thought desperately, her grip tightening on the ring. ’I need to see you, Gabriel.’
The first tear slipped down her cheek, and as if in response, the faint glow of golden light flickered in the air before her.
She froze, her breath caught in her throat as the light grew brighter.
It swirled and danced, forming the shapes of golden butterflies.
They fluttered toward her, their wings shimmered in the light, and for a moment, Lirian thought she might be dreaming.
Then, through the haze of light and butterflies, a person began to take shape.
"Gabriel?" she whispered in a trembling voice.
The butterflies parted, and there he was—standing before her, whole and smiling.
His silver hair was slightly disheveled, and his piercing golder eyes looked like they were drowning with warmth as they locked onto hers.
"Lirian," he said softly, his voice was like a balm to her aching soul.
She shot to her feet, her heart raced. "Gabriel!"
Without thinking, she rushed toward him, her arms outstretched immediately to hug him.
But as she reached for him, he softened, and he closed his eyes.
The golden butterflies swirled around him again, and before her hands could touch him, he dissolved into light, vanishing into the air.
"Gabriel, no!" she cried, breaking as she stumbled forward.
Her knees hit the ground, the cold stone bit into her skin as she clutched at the empty space where he had been.
The golden butterflies fluttered around her for a moment longer before fading into nothingness.
Lirian’s hands trembled as she pressed them against her chest, her tears fell freely now.
"No... no, please. Come back," she whispered in a hoarse despair.
Pedro hopped down from her shoulder, chirping softly as he nuzzled her arm, but she barely noticed.
The ache in her chest had grown into a raw, all-consuming pain.
She fell in love with him.
The realisation hit her like a thunderbolt, knocking the air from her lungs.
She loved Gabriel—not just as a protector or an ally, but as the one person who had seen her for who she truly was.
And now he was gone.
"I love you," she whispered, in a shaking voice. "I love you, Gabriel."
The workers in the distance paused briefly, glancing toward her with concern, but they said nothing, returning to their tasks.
Lirian stayed on her knees for what felt like an eternity, her tears soaked into the fabric of her dress.
The golden light was gone, but its memory remained the same, etched into her heart like a wound that refused to heal.
Pedro chirped again, his little wings flapped as he hopped onto her lap.
"Love! Danger," he murmured softly, his usual squawking tone subdued.
Lirian managed a bitter laugh, wiping at her tear-streaked face.
"Not this time, Pedro," she said quietly. "The danger’s already here."
She looked down at the ring on her finger, its faint glow barely visible now.
It was a lifeline, a promise—and a burden.
"I’ll save you," she whispered, feeling more motivated and determined than ever.
"I don’t care what it takes. I’ll bring you back."
The castle around her was in ruins, but in that moment, Lirian felt as though she were the one truly broken.
And yet, she refused to give up.
’Gabriel, wherever you are, I’ll find a way to reach you. I promise.’
>__<
"Poor Gabriel, look at you now...so sad."
"Daria, what do you want?"
Daria let out a small chuckle, "you see, when no one was watching me, I decided to join an organization. It’s nothing big, but we’re truly in love with some talents."
Gabriel lifted his head, while completely chained to the wall made of stones.
"I knew it..." he muttered under his breath. "I knew something was wrong with you, Daria."
"Daria?" She lifted an eyebrow. "You think it’s Daria?" She raised her voice, speaking in a high tone for some reason as if mocking him.
"You’re really stupid, Gabriel..." Daria lowered her voice.
"All this time, you had an opportunity to figure it out, but all you thought was Lirian’s safety..." She chuckled.
"A stupid, stupid man...it’s what your nickname should be."
"What do you want?" Gabriel growled. "If not Daria, then who are you?"
"Oh? You wanna know who I am? Okay, I will give you a hint, how about, I throw some rocks at you...huh? Does it bring your memories back?" She smiled.
"You..."
"Hello, Duke."