The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.

A/N: I'm not english native speaker, so you might find some typos or grammar mistakes, I do apologize for that.

"EVERYTHING IS LOVE

Observe, friend, how everything comes from love and in love everything is summed up.

Life - is the Existential Love.

Reason - it is Love that ponders.

Study - it is Love that analyzes.

Science - it is Love that investigates.

Philosophy - it is Love that thinks.

Religion - it is Love that seeks God.

Truth - it is Love that is eternalized.

Ideal - it is Love that rises.

Faith - it is love that transcends.

Hope - it is Love that dreams.

Charity - it is Love that helps.

Fraternity - it is Love that expands.

Sacrifice - it is Love that strives.

Renunciation - it is Love that purges.

Sympathy - it is Love that smiles.

Altruism - it is Love that magnifies itself.

Work - it is the Love that builds.

Indifference - it is Love that hides.

Despair - it is the Love that loses control.

Passion - it is Love that is unbalanced.

Jealousy - it is the love that has crazed.

Selfishness - it is Love that animalizes itself.

Pride - it is Love that goes mad.

Sensualism - it is Love that is poisoned.

Vanity - it is Love that gets drunk.

Finally, hatred, which you judge to be the antithesis of Love, is nothing but Love itself which has gravely ill.

Everything is love.

Do not fail to love nobly.

Respect, however, the question that asks you, at every moment, the Divine Law: "HOW?".

André Luiz, Apostilas da Vida (Apostilles of Life)"

.

.

Castle of Bohma, O'Gregon's Bedchambers

A couple of days after the fight, Christopher and Katarina remained separate. Both sleeping in different bedchambers. They didn't even see each other since then. They acted like complete strangers.

"Lucy, I need you to get in touch with Albert and order more from that bottle. The one I had I used in Charles's wine" Katarina spoke as she dressed a black sumptuous dress

"Yes ma'am. Can you tell me if it worked?"

"I will check him in a while. I hope he drank the bottle of wine that I left in his bedchambers"

"I see. Anything else milady?"

"Yes. I will need your help tonight, but you have to be very discreet!"

"Alright, What for?"

"We will leave the castle with the kids to a private land of my family's. I ask you to be careful with the children to not raise any suspicion of Christopher or of that idiot stupid cousin of his, Clairy."

"Absolutely milady. Is Maddy coming along with us?"

Katarina was thoughtful and it took a few seconds to give a definite answer, "Yes. From what Christopher said, it looks like Vladimir opened his mouth about us and before Christopher takes any action, I will anticipate him and I will not let him have any trump card over me in this situation!"

"May I ask what happened?"

"We had a terrible argument! Christopher even mentioned divorce again and I did not like the way he referred to me as if I were just his bitch and this I will not tolerate! I have dedicated my best to him since forever, because I always saw how much he worked hard and Charles's father never did value him like he deserved! Everything I have done was for us as a couple as well. All he got was thanks to me! He owes me more respect as a partner and as a woman! That is the reason why it is useless only arguing, I need to take an action and the time for action is now!"

The lady-in-waiting remained silent, but inertly, she recalled the fact that Katarina had had some unscrupulous conducts, especially in relation to Angelique, the late wife of Christopher.
Katarina loved him very much, but she also loved herself and she was not the kind who measured her actions to achieve her goals. Her conduct as an exemplary wife during the marriage had an obscure side. There were slips of conduct, such as the conducts that had been fostered over Angelique's disgrace and also at Vladimir's expense in granting her a pregnancy to justify the forced marriage.

Katarina was neither an angel nor a demon. Most likely a fallen angel.

Katarina was not herself when possessed by her fierce jealousy. She was able to kill on impulse to defend her acclaimed integrity, Cathlyn's case proved that side of hers. Her well-being, mirrored only in one goal, Christopher Reed.

That man was simply everything she wanted most.

Christopher Reed was the reflection of Katarina. A mirror that reflected the best and worst in the noble brunette.

As a simple servant, Lucy kept her thoughts to herself as Katarina discussed her plans for the escape.

"May I ask another question?" the favorite asked politely

"Say it"

"Are you really going to leave Christopher?"

Katarina laughed with disdain, "Of course not! This is out of question! I will just scare him a little and give him the time he needs. I have known him for a long time and I know he will need to breathe a little after that fight... just as I... you know… long marriage phases! Ups and downs…"

Katarina finished dressing up and lifted her chin up in an imposing posture as she walked the corridors of the Castle of Bohma, full of confidence as she headed to the king's chambers.

Royal Bedchambers

Charles sat on the bed, waiting for Katarina's entrance. He looked to the side and took the bottle of wine and a glass, and served himself.

Katarina arrived at that very moment, and was delighted to see that scene. Her plan was working. She gave a faint smile, in which she disguised it with the happiness of seeing the old friend and ally a bit more restored from his health.

"Charles!" She greeted him pleasantly

"Kat!" he greeted her back with a warm smile, "Do you want wine?"

She nodded, "Of course!" She waited for him to serve her a drink and thanked him, then sat down at the end of the bed - such intimacy with the monarch -, "How are you feeling?" she asked after taking a sip of the liquid

"I feel much better! Still a little tired, but no longer in terrible pain"

"I am glad to hear this! I guess my presence brought back your health!" she commented playfully

He laughed, "Yeah, I think so. It's always a pleasure to see you Kat!"

She smiled and took another sip of the wine before switching subjects, "So, did you think about that?"

"About your children's marriage?"

"Yes"

"You want to marry your firstborn, right?"

"Yes, Maddy first and then my second girl Lilly"

"Don't you think you're a little rushed?"

"No I do not think so. Madeline recently became a young lady. She is no longer a child if you know what I mean…"

"She became a woman early, if you're referring to the bleeding?"

"You got it right; she is already in the stage of acting like a woman and find a good husband"

"Why the hurry to marry her?"

"No. It is not hurry. I will wait patiently for the good husband for her, but she is already aware that soon she will live her freedom and may leave the nest, after all, she will soon be 12 years old and will be in legal age to marry."

"I understand. And Christopher, does he agree with that?"

"Yes, but he has reservations about her age, yet I have already explained to him that it may take a few more years for her to actually get married. Maybe that will happen when she is 15-16. And about that time, I hope she will find a good husband for her, and then it will be Lilly's turn to be in legal age to marry"

"I understand, but let me make a point..."

"Sure"

"I admire you wanting to marry your children and secure their future, but I'm quite surprised to see that coming from you because as I recall correctly you were so reluctant to get married back in the days. I thought you would grant your greater freedom to choose their peers"

Katarina giggled, "I am not forcing marriage on them. I am looking for suitors, they can deny if they do not approve the candidates. But they must be aware that they shall not stay in the nest forever"

"Ah, of course! Now I understand your proposal"

She smiled elegantly, "So, anyone in mind? Maybe some cousin of yours or someone else?"

"No relatives of mine, your beautiful children don't deserve anyone from my family. I do not trust anyone else in my family! Or what's left of it. So they are definitely out of question!"

Katarina disguised her displease and pretended curiosity on the matter, "Why? What happened?"

"I do not want to discuss details. But I can tell you that I am doing everything I can for the Council to approve the person I indicated to be my successor, in case I do not recover my health."

"Really?"

"Yes. Didn't Christopher tell you?"

She made a face, "Hum…No..."

"I made him the legal regent of Bohma and Edonia while I'm bedridden, and in case I do not survive, he must be my successor"

Katarina's lips parted in shock, she remained motionless. Mute. She did not know how to react to that revelation. Now her husband's words made sense during the discussion. How could he hide it from her? How long had he known this and remained silent? He did not say any of that in the letter. And that made her even angrier still. She hated her husband's silences, especially regarding important matters.

Only now she did realize that she was indeed a queen. A pretentious queen, yet a valid queen.

Only now she did realize how much she could have undermined Charles's decision if he had known of the terrible conduct she had had with the stupid duchess.
And apparently, Charles did not know the confusion yet. And that way she intended to keep things.

"So didn't he tell you that?" The king commented, bringing the brunette's attention back to him.

Katarina could not disguise her reaction to that revelation, "No... Actually we have not had time to talk yet…"

"I understand. Anyways, I still have not gotten a response from the Council and I hope they approve my proposal. Christopher is a good man and proved to be a good regent too...and so did you. I will never forget what you two did for Baveen and Arthena! And for that, I fear I will not be in good health by the time it takes to make my will be validated."

"That will not happen, Charles! I promise you that your will, will be accepted! And I even have a suggestion to give you about an experimental remedy that may be your last option, but I swear that so far the results have been positive! It is an experimental remedy, but a miraculous one! I am sure it will restore your health! "

"How do you know that?"

"I have taken it myself!"

"You did?" he asked surprised

"Yes I did! There was a time when my health was weakening and... And a friend suggested giving it a try and it worked! I have never felt so good before!"

"And what is this remedy made of?"

"This remedy is produced from a very rare herb. It comes in powder or tablet form. I assure you it works!"

"Are you absolutely sure?"

"Of course! If you want, I can take it along with you to prove you that it really does not cause any harm! And I will even make you a confession now... my period came back after I took this medicine! I had already stopped bleeding... and now I can even be a mother again if Christopher and I are not careful..."

Charles made a face. He liked hearing that confession and didn't disguise his usual attraction for the beautiful brunette, "The only thing I envy about Christopher..." he took her grip, "I wish you had been my queen, a queen still so fertile, so strong and beautiful... mother of my heirs... what a bad decision my father made by marrying me to another woman, and today I need heirs... not even bastards I have! What a tragic fate of mine…"

Katarina smiled keeping a mysterious aura. A sudden thought passed her mind after the sovereign's words. She could have power in two ways, collaborating in the Council's acceptance to respect Christopher as a valid successor and to be queen in fact after Charles's death, or to accept Charles's seemingly indecent proposal and give him a bastard heir.

She had the upper hand...

"It is indeed a tragic fate a king like you die without offspring…" she held his grip back

O'Gregon Chambers

"You're agitated, milady. What happened?"

"Change of plans. You go with the kids and take some other reliable maids. I will join you later. I cannot leave the castle now..." Katarina spoke walking in circles around the bedchambers

"Why not? Did Christopher suspect of you?"

"No... It happens I need think about Charles's proposal…"

"What proposal?"

"I accidentally told him that I am still fertile and he suggested that I give him a bastard heir…"

The favorite widened her eyes in surprise, "And you're going to do that?"

"I do not know… that is why I need to think better! Or I save his life until the Council complies with his proposal to make Christopher his successor, or I give him a bastard successor…"

"What? That would be a scandal!"

Katarina laughed, "I live off scandals since I was young! I am used to that!"

"But you love Christopher..."

"I am bitterly mad at him! I knew he was hiding something and so did Pierce and that must be the reason why he left Edonia so suddenly! Charles named Pierce a council member, but in case of succession, Pierce will be Head of Government while Christopher Head of State... and I was completely alienated from that information and I almost ruined everything because of that whore Cathlyn! She must have been thinking that she would be the new queen or something, and that was why she was feeling so defiant! Damn! And the idiot of my husband remained silent! I am losing confidence in Christopher... He omitted this from me all the long! I so knew he was different and I do not doubt he is still hiding something else... and if he is, I will find out or I am not Katarina O'Gregon!"

"But my lady... Christopher will never accept you having a child with Charles. Or are you really considering leaving him now?"

Katarina frowned thoughtful. She had really forgotten that if she agreed giving Charles a child.

Lucy was right in saying that, Christopher had always been what she wanted most, and she had him... but things with him were not exactly how she imagined it would be. She was very hurt now. Years swallowing the disapprovals of his attitudes, his omissions, his betrayals, they were now evident showing how much hurt she was inside.

Things should have been so different... Ah! If he had treated her better...

"I separate myself from him by taking advantage of this moment of crisis, I give an heir to Charles, and then I get back with Christopher… but now I need to guarantee Charles's life until I decide what will be best for me and for now his body seems to be reacting well to the powder, so you go to the land I will go meet Albert"

Castle of Bohma

Following Day

Christopher headed for a farther garden. He needed a time alone and isolated. He did not want any disturbance as he recovered from the situation with Katarina.

It was always like this when they fought. 50/50. When they were well, they were really good. When they were bad, they were complete strangers.

He could not understand how he could still be with her. He could not tell if he really loved her. He could no longer distinguish his feelings for her or for Angelique.

It was a mixture of feelings that tormented him. It took his attention from really important things. It was no longer enough to be being tested by Charles as the legal regent of Bohma and Edonia.

Edonia ... it took his peace to know that the place was vulnerable despite sending Pierce to assist Leonard. Not that he did not trust the skills of Leonard Keane and Pierce Northman, but that responsibility was primarily his and Katarina's in first place.

And now Katarina was not by his side. He was surprised by the disappearance of his children and Katarina's upon waking up and discovering the fact.

She had hurt him a lot with that attitude. Katarina knew how to hurt him when she wanted to.

Katarina had run away.

Simply the beautiful brunette had left with her children. Parts of it. This made him sleepy, tranquil. He did not even suspect her intentions while they slept apart. And nothing more painful than hurting him through their children, his true weakness. It was already painful not to be able to live with his eldest son, Oliver.

Katarina had left even the political affairs that were her function. It was always she who dealt with diplomatic matters; it was always she who made the agreements with the other kingdoms. She was the brain of political relations. She was the intelligence of the pair.
He was the man of military interests. The brain on the battlefield, on the borders. Diplomacy had nothing to do with him.

And on the other hand there was their personal affairs. The "marriage". Legal or not, there was real coexistence. It was real. 12 years were not 12 days.

In the midst of so many conflicts, they always reconnected. After all, he had no choice before. Katarina was his only option for over a decade.

Not anymore.

Angelique was alive, her legal wife.

After so many years, things have changed. Even still loving her. Yes, he still loved his dear redhead.

They still needed to talk.

Talk about what exactly?

Angelique seemed to have already made the choice: George.

Why did he still insist on feeling that there were pendencies between them?

In the midst of so many thoughts, a strange sudden fog had formed around him.
He had seen that before.

In the middle of the fog, the same mysterious woman who had approached him years ago appeared, only slightly older.

"Still lost..." she exclaimed.

"What do you want?" He asked a little defensive.

"I ask you... what do you want?"

"An answer..."

"A definite answer..." she added, "An absolute truth... when there is no absolute truth."

"I do not want absolute truth."

"Do you still remember what I told you last time?"

"About the woman that would bring discord?"

"Exactly... I'm glad you did not forget my words, even though you did not put them into practice..."

"I do not know who this woman is!"

"You know...you even love her"

He frowned, "I think love two women. Which one of them?"

"You think you love..." she repeated him noticing the doubt in his statement

"What?!"

"Either way, two women you've got pendencies. The wheel of life turns slowly, but it is spinning and there is nothing you can do to avoid it. The harvest is a definite truth."

"I don't understand what you're saying..."

"One man and two rivals... old rivals. Old disputes. A cycle that has lasted for many, and many years. Someone has to stop the cycle, but it will not be now, because other pending influences the final outcome... nothing is by chance. Not even pain and suffering. Everything is useful in the field of life. In the unfolding of destiny."

Christopher did not understand the mysterious woman's words. He hated having to read between the lines. If she knew the right way, why did not she speak at once?

"Free-will is the greatest gift, but not everyone knows how to use it. Not everyone knows how to deal with the consequences of their attitudes…"

"I just want to know who the bad woman is so I should stay away from!"

"Who said you should stay away from her?"

"Why would I want to be with someone who is evil?"

"Because there is love. There is eternal bond."

"I cut the bond! I cannot love someone bad!"

"Why not? You already do, and how you love her! It's part of your destiny. In fact, what makes you believe that you have not committed even worse evils that you do not remember?"

"I don't promote evil to anyone! If I find out, and I'll find out who she is, I'll stop loving her and I'll cut the bond!"

The woman smiled slightly and began to disappear in the fog, "Poor man, you cannot escape your destiny! This love will still get very sick and you'll still love her, because everything is love. And sick love unites as much as tender love. You will have eternity to purify yourselves... Divided heart. Which woman will you choose?"

The fog cleared.

"This woman is crazy!" Christopher thought annoyed, but still, remained thoughtful. The woman's words lingered in his mind.

21st Century

Lake House

"Why are you showing me this and telling me all that, Mr. Lionel?" Angelina asked after reading some copies of letters that Christopher supposedly wrote

"Because I believe in your sensitivity, Angely… I want to know your opinion on the matter"

"Honestly… I pity him. He was victim of big lies. He was fooled… that is what happens to good people…they're easily fooled. They're easily used. They don't see evil with anticipation, and even when they do…something stops them to see it through…somehow they still believe in goodness in those people that hurt them…Christopher's love blinded him and everyone paid for that! He loved the wrong woman…or women…he chose wrong…and paid for that."

"If you could, would you try to open his eyes?"

"How could I do that? He'd dead already! There's no time machine!"

"True that…but, what if you could meet him? Even through dreams… you told me you dream about him"

She made a face, "I don't dream about him…I dreamt of Chris…the soldier that saved my life…somehow I got attached to him because of that, and so I dreamt about him a few times and inspired by your tales, I dreamt of him dressed as Christopher, but I knew it was Chris Redfield all the long"

"You tried to reach him in your dreams…"

"It's like I said…I felt attached for the fact he saved my life when we met…those dreams are just fantasies inspired in your tales. No way Chris is Christopher!"

"How can you be so sure of that?"

"Isn't it obvious? They look different! Christopher lived centuries ago! No one lives all that!"

The old man smiled at her statement

"Even if he could through some miracle or something…he'd definitely look very old!"

"And not as handsome as he looks now…" the old man spoke jokingly

The redhead couldn't help the laugh, she even blushed a little. True fact. Chris Redfield was handsome.

"And what about Katarina? What do you think of her?"

"I hate her" she spoke sharply

Lionel stared her. She was quick saying that, and that got his attention, "A gentle girl like you saying such a powerful word…"

"I'm gentle but not stupid. I can't stand her! And obviously I'm not the only one who thinks that. Jerry and most of the town share the same feelings as me"

Unconsciously the young girl passed her hand on her stomach. A simple sign that took Lionel's attention. An her words got him concerned. He was having doubts about those people's success to surpass the negative feelings stock in their souls.

Thank you Pin and silver scropion for the reviews! :D

Thank you everyone who is reading the story :D

I translated the initial text, I liked it's message and I thought that fit the current setting of the story.

We are very close to the final moments of the 18th and somehow I'm happy about it, but sad at the same time. I never thought the story would prolong this much, but I think it's a good thing that I could develop the special points about the whole essence of the story until it's resolution in the 21st. Despite my chapters not being so long in an average scale. It's a long story, but with "short" chapters. Probably if the chapters were longer, there would have less chapters for sure xD or maybe not that much xD

Anyways, the heavy drama will belong to the 18th and very soon the full 21st will be out and I hope you will stay on board with me. A lot of good things are to come :D

Stay Tuned!