-Epilogue-
The room was darkening, causing the already dark room to become nearly impossible to see in. Eliza set down the book she was reading and walked outside onto the balcony, fingering the small crystalline heart around her navy blue neck.
Only a couple of days passed since she met her parents, but her mood had changed so much that it seemed like much longer. While she was still upset, she didn't feel as much pain anymore. She had friends who cared, which made all the difference in the worlds for her.
Blumiere and Timpani decided to make use of the otherwise deserted Castle Bleck, and invited Eliza to come live there as well. Nastasia and O'Chunks lived there too now, and as for Mimi, she returned to Merlee's mansion, continuing her duty as Merlee's handmaid.
Eliza sighed and wrung her cold hands together as she gazed up at the dark expanse of sky above, dotted with innumerable twinkling stars, and a moon that was nearly full. A star streaked across the night sky, signaling the beginning of a meteor shower. Closely following the first, three more meteors streaked across.
A meteor shower... She thought. A sign of prosperity... and love...
Walking back inside, Eliza remembered what Romando had told her the very first night they had together. The night that changed her life... both of their lives... forever.
Feeling a wave of grief, Eliza sat down on her bed and buried her face in her hands to cry.
Perhaps it would have been better if Romando never met her. She didn't even want him to get wrapped up in all of that in the first place. Was it all her fault? She was the one who tried to run out in the middle of the morning that day. She was the one who wasn't paying attention. It seemed like whenever something happened, it was Eliza that wasn't paying attention. When Count Noir attacked her, she wasn't paying attention and she could have stopped him... Before Romando did.
But she did enjoy the time she had with him, though it was short. It was the best time of her entire life.
Her face hot with tears, she gazed at the ring on her finger. She still wore it, though it really didn't do much for her. They couldn't be married... She would never see him again...
"Hello?"
Sniffing, Eliza looked up. She hadn't expected anyone to be around this part of the castle this late at night. "Bl-Blumiere? Is that you?" She asked, attempting to quickly dry her eyes.
"Please... Stop crying. I cannot bear to see such a beautiful girl so miserable."
What? Getting a strange sense of deja vu, Eliza looked up with furrowed eyebrows, and asked, "Where... where are you? I can't see you..."
Even though she had partially expected something to happen, she was still shocked as a young man flipped into the bedroom.
Squealing, Eliza stood up and rushed over into Romando's arms, nearly knocking him over.
Laughing, Romando caressed his fionce.
"Oh my gosh, Romando... Of all ways to make an entrance..."
"Well, I picked something you would remember. Would a simple 'Hello' have been sufficient?"
Eliza laughed as she took his hand in hers. "Probably not... But how?"
Romando gripped her hands tight. "Your parents are amazing people. After I met them Monsieur Fonce offered his services as an advisor to King Grambi in exchange for my return here. And... I met my mother." He smiled so broadly, Eliza couldn't help but smile back.
"That's wonderful!"
"She was so kind and gentle... And she has the most vibrant red eyes, just like Blumiere said... She wishes us the best of luck together." He smiled as he kissed Eliza's left hand.
"Just like you promised..." Eliza began to tear up as she remembered his promise that she would never again be alone.
"A gentleman always fulfills his promise to a lady. Evidently, not even death can stop him." He grinned so mischievously, but Eliza just squeezed him again. "And now that the worlds are back in order, we can be married- once you turn sixteen- and we will never be separated again."
Eliza gazed up into his bright orange eyes as she ran her fingers through his black, wavy hair. "I'd like that."
She smiled, and he leaned down and kissed her as if the worlds would never end, just for this moment of pure bliss between a prince, and his princess-to-be.
And so, the Dark Prognosticus was once again averted and hope could once again prevail. The evil tome was sealed away, never again to be seen by evil eyes, and Count Noir was locked away in the deepest part of the Underwhere.
Blumiere and Timpani lived peaceful lives in Castle Bleck, where Blumiere often wrote his poetry for his wife. The worlds lived peacefully on, working hard each day to maintain a bright future.
As for Romando and Eliza?
Now finally reunited, they were soon married with a wedding fit for royalty. Eliza's parents, Foi and Pierre Fonce, now watch their daughter from above with joyful hearts, always by each other's side.
And now you know the story... of the time when those of Darkness... had returned.
-THE END-
