Author's Note: So...this is it.

Epilogue

The 14th of the twelfth month of 1870
Rome, Italy
8:17 post meridiem

It has been a long time since the events that shaped my life had happened. My time in the Citta della Quattro Santa was now a distant memory, as I now sit in my room in a house located in Rome. Ever since, things have gotten quite better. Though I can still say that th ghost of Roy still haunts me, it no longer depresses me. Goodness finally seems to come into my existence. And so does surprise! Well, just this afternoon, I met the mysterious man whom I had encountered when I had been walking the streets of Rome. He seemed to be a nice man, since he had talked with me when I sat in one of the benches of the park, that was located close to the house. It was there that I had met him again. I did not have the slightest idea, but I grew to like the old man. He and I became fast friends, as if something was calling to us.

The man said his name was Alexander and he wanted me to call him that. Though he was nice, he was quite enigmatic. When I had jokingly said that I'd call him Grandfather Alexander, there seemed to be something that passed in his eyes and he then smiled that tender smile of his. He was a fatherly man, as he joked and teased me all the time. The old man seemed so happy that I couldn't help but smile and feel happy, too.

Ever since then, I could see him walking by the house, for I had introduced him Maes and Gracia. But, another unnerving that had happened was that Maes seemed to turn ashen when I introduced Alexander to him. Yet, Gracia was herself when she smilingly welcomed Alexander to our home. That night, we had a nice meal and, although Maes was quite silent throughout the evening, I still had a good time with the old man.

We talked on several matters, from cooking to politics and to the recent murders that I had read in the papers. Rumors had began to spread that a secret coven, known as the Imperium was responsible for the deaths. It was quite grisly, but I couldn't fathom why they had to kill others, especially nobles. Our talks reached until the mid of night and Alexander had bid farewell. It was quite sad to see him leave, for I already missed the loving old man.

With that in mind, and the fact that I would see him again tomorrow, I had went to my bed and thought of the things that happened over the course of these past few months. I had went through pain, humiliation, happiness, sorrow, ecstasy and love. All these had helped me grow and accept the world around me. I won't deny that I'm still in love with Roy, but I know that that memory of that special time would be enough to help me survive. I no longer feel bitter against any of those who had crushed me beneath their boots. They were now the distant past.

Yet, I had a feeling that this is not the end of my road. I know that I'm still a long way from the end. But, instead of fretting about that, I'd rather take everything slowly and just wait for the coming dawn with hope and courage in my heart. Of all, Roy taught me the value of cherishing life and not giving up.

He was my teacher, my friend and my lover.

And I'd slumber, with that thought in mind. I'd rather remember him for the good things he had done rather than the pain he had caused. After all, he was still human. And I had known from the start that he would soon be gone from me. I knew of nobles and their arranged marriages, or even worse, of their adulterous debauchery.

It would have been a matter of time. As the people say, it is better to have loved and lost than to not have loved at all! God be praised! At least, I have sampled the delights of looking into someone's eyes and knowing that you'll be safe. How ironic that I experienced that with Roy! But, these words are not borne from bitterness, but rather from an observation that had deemed itself amusing.

In the distance, as I look out of my window, I could see the arising moon. It is probably late, and I have to awaken early by the next morn for Gracia and I are going to the market. So, I conclude this entry knowing that though the future is quite unclear, for the granite wall of time seems to block my view from it, I know and believe that there is light, in the smallest of things. Even seeing a young girl smile in the arms of her loving father had brought a smile to my own face. This world may yet have a chance to arise from the dark decadence that had plagued it.

Tonight, I shall sleep, dreaming of idyllic scenes and painted meadows.

Elizabeth

Author's Note: So, this concludes the tale of "The Child of the Dark Morn"! It seems that I have gone from a long way whence I had begun this story! But, do not fret, readers! For the story of Roy and Riza will not end with this enigmatic scene! Future catastrophes will come, and there will be more sorrows for Roy and Riza. For in the distant future, one shall come and be known as "The Royal Phantasm."

...for those who did not get what I wrote, "The Royal Phantasm" is my sequel. So, celebrate everybody! It's not the end...yet!