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Chapter 78 – Special Chapter: Dark Side Of Glass Heart (II)
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10 years later...
Melody had turned 19 years old this year.
There was news spreading around about the upcoming of a group from the Cameliard Kingdom. It was said that one of the princesses from the Cameliard Kingdom named Elizabeth Cameliard would be the bride for Crown Prince Jason. It was strange, they thought at first. Why would the princess come here bringing a few servants and a Holy Knight only?
Then, something unexpected happened. The princess asked for them to give shelter and protection to her and her lover. It turned out that the princess and the current Great Holy Knight of Cameliard Kingdom were in love with each other. Of course, the Royalty family and the Aristocrats of the Argonauts Kingdom felt offended. However, thanks to the arrival of the most trusted Sword Master, they were less offended.
"I beg you to consider accepting their request, Your Majesty", Tristan entered the throne room and dropped one knee in front of the King, right beside the princess and the Great Holy Knight "I know this is so impudent of me, especially after my sudden arrival here. However, they can be a big help for our human resource, which is why I have helped them to get here".
"Godfather!", Medeia exclaimed and ran to hug his legs "you've come back!".
"Medeia! What I told you before to keep your manners in front of everyone?", Merlin facepalmed and groaned in exasperation before bowing to the King "please forgive my apprentice, Your Majesty and everyone".
Fortunately, the King, the Crown Prince Jason, and everyone here thought it was so cute of her, so they did not mind at all.
"no, the fault is mine. I just came back after 10 years, after all", Tristan carried Medeia and glared to behind "and don't laugh, Sir!".
Medeia stared at the full-armour Knight "is he a friend of yours, Godfather?".
"well, sort-of. Anyway, I believe Merlin could take good care of you. However, how could you be still so tiny like a child and why do you not grow even an inch taller compared to the last time I saw you?".
Medeia pulled his cheek, dangling her legs frantically and smacking his biceps with her tiny fists "it's so mean of you, Godfather! I'm 19 years old this year!".
Tristan smirked, tapping her nose "oh, can you blame me? You barely changed ever since the last time I saw you when you were only 9 years old. Not to mention, your punches have no power at all, as if you just hit me using the rabbit doll that I gave to you".
Merlin smirked lopsided and joined him to tease her "she still has it, you know".
Medeia fumed with a red face "Godmother!".
The situation in the throne room felt less tense thanks to the couple teased their adopted daughter. Back to their main business, Tristan reported that he had coincidentally found out the darkest secret of the Cameliard Kingdom when he tried to save Elizabeth Cameliard and her lover.
"which is why you even dare to risk your honour and safety? Interesting", the Crown Prince Jason asked in great interest, "you said that Holy Knight, the lover of the princess, is the Great Holy Knight of the Cameliard Kingdom? How strong is he compared to you, Sir Tristan?".
Tristan said confidently "trust me, Crown Prince. I do not try to exaggerate it when I said he's far stronger than me. If we were to fight with the intention to kill each other, he would be able to kill me easily".
"don't say something terrible like that. There's no way I will kill you, Triss", Meliodas took off his helmet "especially not after you helped me and Lizzy".
Medeia sucked in a deep breath. Only now she scrutinizedly observed the physical characters of the couple in front of her.
For the first time ever since they arrived here, Elizabeth 100th, Lizzy spoke and approached Medeia "oh, my! Why did you cry? Are you in pain somewhere?".
Medeia was about to answer her that she was fine, even if she herself did not understand the reason why her tears fell uncontrollably. Well, deep down in her heart, she knew why. However, she could not possibly say it boldly in front of them, right? The reason why she cried, because the couple in front of her, was so much like her deceased parents.
The strange thing happened when Lizzy touched Medeia. They were enveloped by the brilliant, bright golden light. Lizzy dropped to her knee, one of her blue eyes changed into the pristine orange with the triskelion symbol of Goddess Clan member before she collapsed backwards, unconscious.
Meliodas caught her "Lizzy!".
Tristan also panicked "Medeia, get yourself together!".
Looking up, Meliodas found Medeia was in pain as well.
Merlin quickly took the control of this situation "let me check on them in the closest vacant room".
Tightening her grip on Tristan's biceps, Medeia groaned in pain "it... hurts... my back... it feels hot... KYAH!".
Two pairs of white-feathered wings sprout out of her back as Medeia let out a blood-curling scream. Panting, Medeia dropped her head limply on Tristan's shoulder. She lost consciousness after that.
Merlin ordered Tristan and Meliodas to bring them to the nearest vacant room "I will check them!".
When they woke up, both Lizzy and Medeia had their eyes changed. Lizzy's right eye turned into the pristine golden eye with the triskelion symbol of Goddess Clan. Medeia was even having both her eyes changed into the pristine golden eye with the triskelion symbol of Goddess Clan, temporarily. Medeia had no idea why Meliodas looked so distraught and frightened like the ordinary people did when they met with the ghost. Merlin stayed with Lizzy and Medeia for several days and only told them that they were good to go once they could control their Divine power. Once her Goddess healing power activated, Lizzy could not turn her right eye back into normal. It was different with Medeia who could change her eyes back into her green ones. Medeia's eyes only turned into the Goddess-like pupils when she was using her Divine power to heal someone.
Next week, the Royal Family members of the Argonauts Kingdom gave the title 'Apostle of Goddess' to princess Elizabeth Cameliard and the title 'Saintess' to Medeia. The Argonauts Kingdom declared that they would let Meliodas and Lizzy stay in their Kingdom and protect them from the other Kingdom, even if it meant they would turn into the enemy of the Cameliard Kingdom. Ever since Medeia earned the title of the Saintess, she lived on the Sarpedon Cathedral, while Tristan who just returned, lived with Merlin because Meliodas and Lizzy lived in the house next to Merlin's house.
That day, the Crown Prince Jason would announce his fiancé, the Crown Princess. It had been a secret which only was known by Medeia and her friends (a.k.a Demetrius, Daisy, and Gracia), that Medeia and Crown Prince Jason were in a relationship. Demetrius was fine with it. Daisy, who secretly loved Demetrius, felt sorry for him. However, the one who holding Jason's hand was not Medeia, but Gracia. Of course, the shocking turn-out of this event had caused the maelstrom turmoil for Medeia, but she could not break down, not here, and not right now.
Looking straight to Jason and Gracia who just announced their betrothal, Medeia bowed elegantly and raised her hands in a praying position gracefully "congratulations, Your Highness Crown Prince and Your Highness Crown Princess. May God Bless your union".
After she finished her role as a Saintess at this party, Medeia went outside right if Daisy called her to stop, she didn't stop until she stumbled forward. Before she fell, Demetrius gently put his hand on the ground, so when Medeia fell, she was landing right on top of Demetrius' palm.
Demetrius calmly spoke, "...if there's somewhere you want to go, I can give you a ride, to wherever it is".
Burying her face on his gigantic palm, Medeia mumbled "...to the beach".
Daisy and Demetrius stayed by her side as long as Medeia cried silently on the beach.
Closing the door of the chapel's room behind him, Crown Prince Jason sauntered to the kneeling figure on the floor who raised her hands in a praying position right in front of the blessed alter "you keep avoiding me, so I have no choice but to come here".
"what for? I think it's already clear, Your Highness", without sparing a glance, Medeia bowed her head further slightly "when you announced your betrothal with Gracia, I fully understand that you have thrown me away".
"Medeia, please... you have to listen to me. I have my reason", Jason recited the marriage arrangement that his father and Gracia's family had planned. As a Crown Prince of the Argonauts Kingdom, Jason needed a noble lady with a strong background from the noble faction. That was why he had to marry Gracia who nota bene a noble lady of the Duke family. Jason dropped to one knee on the floor, wrapping his arms around Medeia's neck to hug her from behind "the one and only woman that I love, is only you. Please understand and wait for me. Once I become the King and stabilize the Kingdom, I will make you my Queen".
Looking behind over her shoulder, Medeia coldly demanded "then what will you do with Gracia? It's not like you can divorce her, considering her high stature as the Duke's daughter. Or is it? You want to make me your Queen and keep Gracia as your Mistress?".
Earning his silence, she needn't wait for his answer. Turning her body around, she shoved him and stood gracefully. Tilting her head, she smiled and savagely said "let's just end our relationship for good, then. I don't want to be one of your women. The love which you've given to me once, I don't need it anymore. Just give your love solely for Gracia. I don't want to love you anymore".
Jason was stunned and he froze like a statue. Walking past him, Medeia left him in the chapel. When she opened the door, she met with Gracia who looked at lost of words. Medeia didn't care whether she overheard her conversation with Jason or not. She simply walked by, leaving those two who betrayed her.
Leaning her chin on her palm, Medeia called them out "hey, Daisy, Dimmy".
Both Demetrius and Daisy turned their head to her. They had lunch in Medeia's private garden at the Sarpedon Cathedral. They discussed a plan from Sarpedon Cathedral to rebuild Solon, Medeia's hometown which had been destroyed under the Demon's attack 16 years ago. This idea came from Jason who tried to have a reconciliation with Medeia, but Medeia was not interested at all.
Looking up, Medeia told them "...I'm leaving the Argonauts Kingdom of the Sarpedon Island soon".
Daisy choked and Demetrius jaw-dropped before they demanded her to explain why should she leave this Kingdom?
Daisy calmly concluded "or is it? Because Gracia and Jason don't stop bothering you?".
Demetrius cracked his knuckles, he looked like he was about three seconds before killing them "if it is the case, then should I shoo them away before they enter your eyesight?".
Medeia waved her hands frantically "what? No, it's not! I just want to fulfil the dying wish of my parents to find and visit my late grandmother's homeland in Ireland".
Then, Medeia recited about her childhood to Demetrius and Daisy, when she and her parents had planned to find the Elf village in Ireland, the homeland of Elise's Elf-mother.
With a solemn expression, a sad smile etched on her face because she remembered her parents "I have been working hard to gather the money, so I can move to Ireland. Of course, I will need the money to buy the provisions and to stay in an inn, right? Or, I can just buy the camp supply and other necessity. One thing for sure, I will stay in Ireland once I move there. I will live in my grandmother's village if they allow me to. I'm not coming back here, to Britannia, because I don't see any reason for me to stay in Britannia anymore. So, I guess this will be our separation".
Daisy and Demetrius exchanged glances before Daisy crossed her hands before her chest "don't be ridiculous. Of course, you're not going alone. I will come with you. I'd like to stay in the Elf village as well. Obviously, it's far better compared to live in this Kingdom which fulfilled with the cunning human".
Demetrius added, "she's right. It's too dangerous to let you travel overseas alone. We'll go with you. It's not like we can simply accept it when you said you are not going to come back here".
Daisy smirked and winked to Demetrius "oh, but don't get us wrong, Mede. Other than Sir Tristan and Lady Merlin, you are the only human that we adore and can trust, because we're friends, right?".
Medeia bowed her head further and burst out into tears in happiness and relief "...thank you. Thank you very much. I love you guys... You are really my best friends".
"my, my, you're such a crybaby", Daisy wiped her tears using her handkerchief "how could we not be worried about you?".
Lizzy came out of the bushes "wait, we're coming with you too!".
Meliodas followed her in tow "yeah, we didn't mean to eavesdrop. Sorry. I just followed Lizzy here. She was so worried about you because you don't look so cheerful like the usual".
Tristan came out with Merlin in tow "well, you are not leaving without us. Also, what did you say just now? You have no reason to stay in Britannia anymore? Nonsense. What about us?".
Medeia flinched. Now, she felt bad "because... I don't want to bother you two anymore. In Ireland, at least I knew that my family is probably still alive there. We aren't related by blood, even. I don't want to cause more troubles for you two more than I have".
Merlin raised her eyebrow "...are you referring to the bad rumours about me and Tristan?".
Earning her silence, which meant it was true, Merlin sighed and Tristan facepalmed.
Crouching in front of Medeia, Tristan squeezed her shoulders "look, Medeia, we have talked about this multiple times, right? I and Merlin, don't care about whatever people said about us. We never regret our choice to take you from that village. Even if you don't think the same, you are my sister. We think of you as our family".
Medeia smiled warmly and tearily said, "...thank you".
When the news about Medeia's departure with Demetrius and Daisy spread, there were some people who asked her to not leave. Jason and Gracia were included. Of course, Daisy and Demetrius were being helped by Tristan, Merlin, and Meliodas did not allow those two to meet Medeia personally because they knew clearly what was their intention. Even Lizzy helped them with trying to prevent Medeia meet those two.
One day, not too long before their departure, Medeia accidentally overheard the conversation between Daisy and Gracia.
Gracia blocked her way "wait, Daisy! Are you guys really leaving? Why did you not let me talk with Medeia?".
Daisy clicked her tongue "I think Medeia had made it clear for you and Jason, that she does not want to have anything to do with you two, anymore. Can you blame that child to react this way to you two, after you two betrayed her?".
Gracia clasped her hands, she looked on the verge of tears "but... we're friends, right? It's so mean of you guys, leaving me alone after I and Jason are betrothed! It's not like I can fight against my family's wish and I am not in the position to say 'no', so what could I have done? What should I do to make up everything?".
"take it as your own risk for betraying her. I don't care. You could have rejected your betrothal with Crown Prince, but you accepted it even if you knew what kind of a relationship that Medeia had with the Crown Prince", Daisy retorted and crossed her hands before her chest "also, do you think I don't know? With what kind of feeling you accepted this betrothal? Don't forget that as an Elf, I have the ability to listen to people's mind. Deep down in your heart, you're so jealous and envied Lady Merlin and Medeia, because they are loved and admired by everyone, including Sir Tristan. Just because your love is unrequited, you wanted to steal away all attention she has. You directed your knife to Medeia".
Gracia sucked in a deep breath "I... I just want to be loved! Is it so wrong?".
Daisy narrowed her eyes "no, but what you did to her, it's wrong".
Gracia challenged "how about you, then? What would you do if you were in my position? Do you think I don't know? Just the same with Demetrius who has been in love with Medeia, you have been in love with him too! When you were given the chance to be together with him, would you not take it?".
"if it meant that I was to hurt Mede, I would not. For me, my love is not something I should embrace forever, but to hope for his happiness solely, even if he does not belong to me and we are not meant to be together. I need not his love in return if I earn it with stole him away from another woman as you did", Daisy said without a doubt and cut her out sharply "yes, I do love him, but I'm fine even if he doesn't return my love. As long as he can be happy, even if he doesn't belong to me, it's fine. Besides, not only Dimmy, I adore Medeia like my sister, so... even if they're being together in the end, I am perfectly fine with it".
Gracia stunned, clearly not expected it "you are unbelievable".
"think with your air-headed brain, do you think... with what kind of feelings, Medeia smiled that way when she said congratulations for your betrothal with her first love?", Daisy snorted when she could not answer "see? You're so full of yourself, self-centred, and selfish. This is why I always thought how annoying and cunning the humans can be sometimes, expect for Medeia and her family".
After Gracia and Daisy separated their way, Medeia went straight to the beach. She always stood here and stared at the sea when she was upset over something. Though, she didn't expect to meet with the guests here.
"what are you doing here?", Lizzy, who came here with Meliodas first, clearly baffled "whoa, there... why are you crying?".
Meliodas patted her head "we know you're a crybaby, but the looks in your eyes... it looked like when you were crying in our first meeting like you missed someone particular. What's up?".
"you are so mean!", Medeia protested to Meliodas, bawling "just the same with my Dad...".
Both Meliodas and Lizzy sat on each side. Lizzy sat on her right and Meliodas sat on her left.
Lizzy raised her hand, pulling Medeia's head to lean on her shoulder "so, we've heard from Sir Tristan that we looked like your deceased parents. It's the reason why you cried when the first time we met. You may not realize it, but you always looked at us with those sad eyes, like you've missed someone you've always seen in us. Does it your parents?".
Medeia nodded her head briefly before she moved out of Lizzy's grip, burying her face on her intertwined forearms above her knees "...I missed my childhood, when I needn't worry about what people thought of me when I could happily spend my time with my parents when my parents were still with me...".
Medeia did not know why, but she thought she could always trust these two, just like how did she feel about Tristan and Merlin. She was serious about what she was talking about. Maybe it sounded so childish and naive of her, but she really missed her childhood. She missed the time when she could live her life carefreely without worry about what people thought of her. She needn't worry about her reputation or be wary of other people who might trick her or stab her back. Above everything else, she missed her parents. She missed the time when both her mother and father holding her hands, walking together under the snow happily.
"but it was... simply the scenes of the endearing memory in the past from a long time ago...", Medeia lifted her head and slipped her bangs behind her earlobe. After she told them about Daisy and Gracia's conversation which she had accidentally overheard, Medeia apologized to them and told them about her revised plan "sorry, you have to hear this from me. I've planned to leave this place faster without bringing Dimmy and Daisy. I guess I will leave this place only with Godmother and Godfather instead".
After what she overheard, Medeia felt bad because she failed her friends. She did not care anymore about Jason and Gracia, but she hoped with her leaving them, Daisy and Demetrius could be together and be happy even without her. However, Tristan and Merlin had so adamantly refused to let her leave to travel alone. Even Tristan said that he would wander around the world if she were to leave alone. Besides, it was unlike Merlin who could not track her down. So, it was impossible to leave without those two. Meliodas and Lizzy had their own lives here. It was not like she could drag them along her in her journey and caused trouble to them, she told them. It only made Meliodas and Lizzy want to come with her even more.
"Besides, you just said that you thought we're so much like your parents, didn't you?", Meliodas casually tucked his hands behind his head "okay then, we just can take the role of your parents and take you as our daughter. I bet Lizzy would love it. What do you think, Lizzy?".
Lizzy grinned broadly and hugged Medeia "to have a cute daughter like her? Of course! I'd like to!".
When Medeia cried in happiness, Meliodas ruffled her head "geez, crying again, huh? You should try to learn by now that as a woman, you should not cry in front of people easily. Just cry when you are in the bathroom, when you hide under your blanket after you made sure that you have turned off the light, or in your father and mother's hug, like this".
When Meliodas and Lizzy hugged her in a bear hug, it only made her cry harder before Medeia smiled brightly "thank you so much".
Only a night before she wanted to leave this place, Medeia had a guest. Though, when she opened the door of the chapel, she frowned "Gracia? What do you want?".
"come with me. You and your family have to leave this Island. Jason tried to lock you and your family up, so you have to run", Gracia grabbed her wrist, dragging her outside "Jason is not going to let you leave this Kingdom, at all cost".
Medeia swatted her hand away, sceptically "how could I know you're telling a lie or not? Why should I believe you?".
"you can hate me as much as you want, and I know, this is so bold of me, but I don't want to lose you. I still think of you as my best friend!", Gracia pleaded "please, Medeia. Listen to me, just this once".
On a curve, when they turned around to the other hallway, they bumped into Meliodas and Lizzy who just wanted to pick Medeia in the chapel. What Gracia said was right. Meliodas and Tristan overheard from the soldiers accidentally, that Jason would capture them all this night. Tristan had gone to pick Merlin, so they would be okay, most likely. Meliodas had sent the message to Daisy, so she should be on her way to pick Demetrius before they met again on the West shore.
Gracia raised her hand in confusion "wait, why the West shore? There's no access to the West shore that is located below the steep cliff. The waves and winds are strong, too. Which is why we never find the ships there".
"Instead, it makes that place a perfect place to run away", Meliodas raised his thumb "Tristan and Merlin have prepared a little ship for us to make people think that we run away from there, but in fact, we just need Merlin and Tristan to teleport us".
"like this", Merlin appeared along with Tristan in tow behind them. Looking around, she knew that their members were still incomplete "we just need to pick Daisy and Demetrius, I guess?".
Unfortunately, just because you wished so, it didn't mean the world would turn out as you wish.
Medeia sent her familiars, the Darkness Butterflies, to find Daisy and Demetrius. How shocked they were because Daisy and Demetrius were captured and got dragged to the town square. Medeia could not involve Meliodas and Lizzy in her problem, so she asked Tristan and Merlin to bring them into the safety while she and Gracia would go to speak with Jason. Hopefully, he would listen to their plea. It was the trap, though.
However, Jason caught her and imprisoned Medeia instead. In the prison, when some Knights tried to rape her because they wanted to 'taste' her before she was claimed by Jason, Gracia and Daisy saved her. As an Elf, Daisy was an expert in using the bow and arrows. Gracia was unarmed, but she knew all the movements of the soldiers in the Castle and the hallway, including the secret passages. After Gracia uncuffed her shackles with the key in her hand that Gracia had stolen from the guards, Medeia hugged Gracia and Daisy while Daisy was using her healing power to heal the scratches, bruises, and bumps on Medeia's body.
Lifting the bow in her hand, Daisy put the arrow on it, looking around "follow us".
Gracia gently held her hand, leading the way "before we infiltrated to this Castle, Sir Meliodas, Sir Tristan, and Dimmy are fighting outside. Lady Merlin and Lady Lizzy are waiting on the shore".
In the halfway, Daisy stopped abruptly and they saw it from the hallway. Demetrius got struck by the poisonous arrow before he fell to the ground. After she stared at the unmoving body of Demetrius, Daisy turned to them and smiled. Medeia knew that smile. It was the very same smile as the ones she had seen from her parents the last time she saw them when her parents were ready to sacrifice their lives.
Daisy told Gracia to take Medeia with her, giving the twin daggers in her hands "this is your last chance, Gracia. If you let something happened to her, I will not forgive you".
Medeia shook her head and grabbed her hand tearfully "no! You have to come with us!".
"…I can't…", Daisy smiled apologetically before she kissed Medeia's forehead, cupping her cheek "may God bless your soul and grant you the happiness you deserve, Medeia", turning to Gracia, Daisy sternly ordered, "I'm counting on you. Now, go!".
Gracia nodded her head, pulling Medeia with her "let's go!".
"no! Daisy!".
Looking behind over her shoulder as they ran away, Medeia saw how Daisy stood tall, fighting all the Knights Demetrius.
Gracia gritted her teeth "don't look back".
Medeia complied and gritted her teeth. She turned her head and closed her eyes tightly. In the halfway, after they were running far into the woods, Gracia stopped and gave the twin daggers to Medeia "you will need these more than I do".
Medeia grabbed those daggers and nodded her head before she squeezed her hand "but, Gracia… what will happen to you? If I can run away, will Jason—?".
Gracia smiled reassuringly "don't worry. I'm his fiancé. At least, he probably only will punish me, but not to kill me. Now, let's go".
When they arrived on the West shore, they only found Jason with his troops. Merlin and Tristan were too busy fighting the Knights in the Capital because Jason had ordered his Knights to drag Lizzy and Meliodas to the East Shore, where the Knights from the Cameliard Kingdom had waited for them. Jason complimented how useful the Holy Water which had been produced by the Cameliard Kingdom, telling them how easy was it for Jason to get it in his hands after he sold the information about Lizzy and Meliodas' whereabouts in their Kingdom.
Medeia was confused "but what for exactly are you using the Holy Water?".
"you really have no idea, haven't you? Poor girl", Jason chuckled darkly before telling her "of course, to immobilize Sir Meliodas. Or, should I call him as your father?".
Medeia's eyes widened "…what?".
"well, I don't know exactly, why and how could they know about it… but, I overheard the conversation between Lady Merlin and Sir Tristan, that Sir Meliodas is your biological father and princess Lizzy is your mother's reincarnation", Jason shrugged before he narrowed his eyes "but I'm really disappointed, Gracia. How dare you stab me in the back? First Medeia, and now me? You are really a back-stabber, huh?".
"says the one who cheated on her. I was such a fool, to think that you might love me", Gracia squeezed Medeia's hand and glanced sideways. Turning her back around, Gracia pushed her "now, run!".
Before they could run away, though…
Jason pierced his sword through Gracia's torso.
Medeia screamed and caught Gracia's fallen body "NO!".
Kneeling on the ground, Medeia supported her friend's bloodied body and reached out her trembling hand, contemplating whether should she pull the sword out of her body or not.
Gracia lifted her trembling hand to cup her cheek "Mede… run…".
Medeia hiccupped, holding her hand "why... why did you try to save me?".
"...isn't it clear? Because... you are my first friend. I always want to be like you... I yearn to be like you, Medeia... you, who always have been just like the moon for me, who always shines even in the darkest night... just being with you, walking together as your friends and seeing you smile… it makes me happy... it soothed my heart even though I'm lost in my path... even though we're not together, just being with you and makes me happy... though, it's no longer… possible… it's really like the former days that were like a dream...", Gracia choked out before puking so much blood. Breathing raggedly, she smiled apologetically to her "forgive me… I truly regretted it… I hoped... I could make up everything for you... after my betrayal... you must have... hated me...".
"Yeah, I admit I never have hated someone so much like this…", Medeia gritted her teeth, wiping her tears in vain "but even so... not even once, I hope for your death, ever! I did hate you… I thought that I resented you for your betrayal... but in the end… I could never hate you… and I never hope you to die, ever!".
"glad to hear it...", Gracia's face turned ashen "hey, Medeia... we're a friend, right?".
"of course. We're friends", Medeia had tried to heal her, but she failed. She did not know why, but she could not use her healing power at a time like this. What she could do right now, only to hold her hand like this and convince her friend in her dying state, that she had forgiven her "that's why, no need to apologize for anything, Gracia… because there's nothing that should be forgiven between us from the first place".
"...I'm really happy to hear it", Gracia grabbed her hand weakly "Medeia, could you... stay with me... for a bit longer? At least, until I fall asleep... I'm so sleepy...".
Medeia nodded her head and smiled, shakily "…is it cold?".
"It is... but your hand... is so warm... as always...", Gracia slowly closed her eyes with a peaceful smile etched on her face "hey, Medeia... Do you know? No matter how painful it has been... I want you to believe... that this world is beautiful...".
As the first snow of this year started to fall, Gracia closed her eyes and passed away. Using her familiars, the Darkness Butterflies who were flying all around the Sarpedon Island, Medeia could see what had happened on this Island. Merlin had sustained a grave injury. Tristan was hiding with her, trying to heal her. Meliodas tried to protect Lizzy, but the Knights poured that detestable Holy Water on him, again. When she saw the burns on Meliodas' body, Lizzy reached out her hands and ran to her side. As they reached out their hand to each other, the Knights cladded in armours with the Cameliard Kingdom symbol had tried to separate them. In the process, Meliodas and Lizzy hugged each other's body before seven spears stabbed Meliodas on his back, piercing through his hearts while several arrows were embedding on Lizzy's body. After they fell to the ground, Medeia covered her face with her bloodied hands. The blood on her palm was not hers, but Gracia. She failed her family and her friends. She hoped Merlin and Tristan would be fine, but right now, the rein of her control had totally snapped. Especially after she witnessed through the Butterflies, how those detestable humans cheered for killing Meliodas, the Demon.
In front of her eyes.
TWICE.
Although her name was going to be written in history as an evil woman who had destroyed an island and brought a Kingdom to its end, Medeia didn't care. What she cared about was only her family.
However, she could no longer find her family anywhere in this world.
She was alone.
"good night, Gracia. Forgive me, for unable to save you. You are the best friend I've ever had. I will never forget you, ever", Medeia kissed her forehead and stood. The wind started to gather around her along with her darkness as she whispered "Jason... you have done something unforgivable…".
Merlin who was fully healed and Tristan who had healed her, just arrived here when they saw that her transformation had started.
Looking down in a still dazed state, Merlin breathed "Medeia".
In the middle of the burned land where the ground was covered by blood and rains, a single child cried silently, looking up to them "...I am going to kill all humans...".
Tristan raised his hand up to shield his face from the strong blow of the wind, wrapping his other hand around Merlin's hip to support her "Medeia, stop!".
Her blonde hair turned purple and her green eyes turned bloody red. Medeia ordered all of her familiars, the Darkness Butterflies to eat all humans in the Sarpedon Island. Lifting the twin daggers in her hands, Medeia sent the icy glare to Jason, the only one who survived because she wanted to kill him with her own hands.
Crawling backwards, Jason stuttered "Medeia, wait! You... you love me, right? You can't possibly kill me! I-I love you too!".
"liar. I can feel there's no truth beneath your words. I admit I do love you. I never love someone deeply like this…", Medeia, who smiled despite her greatly trembling body, looked like the luminous flower in the darkness "and I never truly hate someone deeply like this before, Jason. Goodbye".
"who's there to say that killing your first love with your hand is a good idea?", Tristina appeared behind Jason, lifting her hand "Blossoming Flower Of The Blizzard".
Using her Ice, Tristina froze Jason to death in front of Medeia who dropped the twin daggers in her hands. Looking up, Medeia blinked away her tears to where the sun had peeked on the horizon "…the dawn looked like the blood…".
Tristina said bitterly "yeah, exactly".
Time for the funeral, then. There were only four of them on Sarpedon Island (three living beings and a ghost). Tristan was grumbling about gladly killing them himself when he pulled out those spears and arrows from the corpses of their parents. Time to find them again, then.
Giving a light peck on their forehead, Medeia bid her farewell "sleep well, father, mother".
Merlin snapped her fingers. After they burned all corpses in the Sarpedon Island, they spread the ashes to the sea. From a far distance, Tristan stared sadly at Medeia who only stood on the shore and stared at the sea.
Merlin prodded Tristina to tell them about what she meant that they would need to go to the Cameliard Kingdom after this "though, I wonder, indeed. This is twice for Meliodas, lost his battle because of the damned Holy Water. I'm curious about what we will find there".
"I also wondered what was the reason why mother left the Cameliard Kingdom?", Tristina frowned "in her last breath, she whispered about the 'Dark History' of the Cameliard Kingdom. Triss, have you ever heard from our parents about—wait, what is she doing?".
Tristan, Tristina, and Merlin turned their head to Medeia.
"...I wonder if I can meet you two again if I just throw myself and drown...", Medeia reached out her hand to the dagger lying on the ground nearby "Actually... why would I have to born if, in the end, I just had to suffer?".
Tristan snapped his fingers, was using his teleport to appear in front of Medeia, but it was too late. As he reached his hand out to her, Tristan screamed "MEDEIA!".
Medeia stabbed her throat using the dagger in her hand. She smiled as her body fell backwards to the sea under the steep cliff. The last thing she saw was not Tristan who reached out his hand to her, but a pair of those sad sea-like eyes who glazed over, looking down at her.
It was Merissa.
Medeia felt like she could hear the voices from the multiple people who had a heated argue nearby. Vaguely, she could hear them talking nearby.
"will she be alright?". (Tristina)
"physically, she will. Mentally, who knows?". (Merissa)
"what do you mean that Grandfather has a clutch on her, oldest sister?". (Tristina)
"exactly, it's like what I said, Tina. I think compared to us, Medeia's blood is closer to father's, thus that old bastard could easily get a grip on her as he did to our father". (Guinevere)
"due to the curse?", a moment of silence before the gruff voice of a man—Tristan, she recognized—said, "it's decided, then. I, Tina, and oldest sister will go to the Cameliard Kingdom with Merlin. Merissa should watch over her".
Merissa argued back "why not just ask Lily and Tina to take the babysitting instead? Lily and Dahlia love children, and Tina can watch her guard for 24 hours non-stop. Aunt Merlin is still recovering. Why not take me instead?".
Lily protested through the mirror "who would go to find our parents, then? Anyway, why should you burn our father's body as well? I have quite the difficulty just to find where in the entire land of Britannia the hell they are now, you know?".
"after his body got stabbed by seven spears and several swords, it's the best choice", Merlin said before she jolted "ah, you're awake".
Later, Tristan and Merlin ushered them all to get out and spoke with her.
When they checked her next time, Medeia resolved and told them "let's stop this, together".
The seven of them hugged each other in a bear hug "yes, together".
Before Tristan and Merlin went to infiltrate into the Cameliard Kingdom with Tristina and Guinevere, they asked Lily and Dahlia in the Enchanted Woods.
Lily held her hands "I can keep your real identity as a secret. At least, you have to change your name. You don't mind at all about it?".
"yes, I am", Medeia nodded her head willingly "what is my name, sister?".
Guinevere, only her soul, appeared and reached out her hands to cup her cheeks "from now on, your name is Melody De Argonautica".
Later, Melody joined the Magdalena Order and she was included as one of the Exorcist in the Canterbury Cathedral.
Ban roared "ENOUGH!".
In his mind, before Guinevere sent them back to their time, Ban thought about how could that poor little girl endure the death of her parents, twice. She was just a lost kid who wanted to be loved by her parents. Why should she experience it? She clearly did not deserve this!
Guinevere narrowed her eyes "…you're right. It's been enough".
A snap and they went back to their time.
A/N:
Told you, prepare your heart. My baby doesn't deserve this *snort
Anyway, the next chapter will be the last chapter of the first book before we enter the next book.