The characters from the game belong to Capcom. The OC's and story background belong to me.
Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

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

A/N: This is a two-part chapter

Edonia, Angelina's Home

It was a little after the sunrise when Angelina woke up after a disturbing dream. A dream she was aware she was sleeping, but her conscience still participated of the events.

She woke up with a song playing in her head, and also the memory of an image she had to draw and paint. She knew she had to paint that and she was sure to follow that intuition.

She rushed to do her usual chores, and as her daughter Olivia was still sleeping, she took the time to work on the work.

Bohma, Lake Land

Chris and Katerina entered the main gate and were accompanied by Lionel's assistant until the house.

"What a pleasant surprise! It's funny that I had a dream with the visits of friends last night, dreams really come true huh!" Lionel said smiling from comfort of his armchair as he saw the couple entering the house and coming to greet him

Kate smiled and replied after they sat on the couch next to him, "I guess they do!"

"What's the reason of sudden visit? I thought I'd never see you again in this life" he asked

"We got the day off and we made a short tour in town and thought of paying another visit to you" Chris replied

"I see, and where's Piers, didn't he get the day off either?"

"No, he had to work."

"Oh I see…Did you go to the festival?"

"Yes we did. It was fun" Chris replied

"Yeah, it was a good way to leave the routine, despite I don't remember much…" Kate replied

Lionel laughed, noticing something different in the couple's body language, "Party and alcohol have that effect, I presume…"

Chris unconsciously looked to the side after the comment, feeling slightly embarrassed

"My real reason for the visit is different" Kate said

"Oh, really? Did something happen?" Lionel asked looking at her

Kate briefly looked at Chris who looked briefly at her as well disguising the panic in his demeanor as he got worried Kate would open her mouth about their intimacy and immediately his mind starting working on an explanation (excuse), and then she turned to Lionel again, "Yeah…" she replied

"What happened?"

"Straight to the point? Chris and I visited the Art Museum and I was fascinated with the local art, the artists' talent and how strong the art is here…"

"Oh, I'm glad to hear that"

"Yeah, it was a good visit…"

"But?" he asked with anticipation

"But something happened in the Art Museum and… and I didn't like some repetitive descriptions on some paintings and that intrigued me…"

"What descriptions?"

"Katarina's"

Lionel raised his eyebrows with full interest in what she had to say about it.

"With exception of one or two portraits of her when young, all the others had a bad adjective about her persona and that gave me a bad impression…"

"About her?" he asked

"No…about how she's remembered. I may not know her full story, but from the small bios about them I could see she was an important figure for this country and Mr. Spoiler here told me the bad side of hers… but I still couldn't comprehend how this is allowed until the present time…especially you who know so much about the whole story…"

"What is exactly your complaint?"

"The word 'infamous'"

"She deserved that adjective…it's even soft after all she did" Chris smirked

"Hitler did more evil than her and he's not described like that! Some even refer to him with admiration!" she replied to him slightly annoyed

"I agree, and if you ask me how I'd describe him, I'd mention many bad adjectives about him too"

"So why isn't in your reports the 'infamous Albert Wesker'? He did bad things to you too, right?"

"What?" he gasped

"With all the respect…There's contradiction in your speech Chris…"

"I won't discuss that with you Katerina, especially here!"

"Hey guys, no fighting. No need to argue about such a petty detail"

"It bothers me the delight he has in bad talk her…"

"I know it does. I could see that, but arguing like husband-and-wife won't solve it"

"We're not husband and wife!" Chris gasped

"I know, but you look like it right now"

Chris stood up bothered, "With all the respect, I'll wait outside while you tag along about Katarina, this boat doesn't belong to me. now excuse me" he said and passed the door

Kate and Lionel exchanged gazes. She had a mix of feelings between embarrassment and annoyance, "I apologize for the ridiculous scene, Mr. Lionel. He's known for being a temperamental guy sometimes…" she said apologetic

He giggled, "Don't worry Kat. I understand, I totally understand!"

"I didn't come to make a scene… I just wanted to understand why you allow such a pejorative description about her when you seem to be the guardian of their history?"

He smiled, "The guardian of their history…first time hearing that and it makes me feel honored and embarrassed as I see you have a good reason for your complaint"

"I am no one to ask you anything but…"

"But you're right. It's not good to read or learn of someone that way…it gives a bad impression"

"It does… that word stands out before all the legacy she have and it makes people never forget the good things she did…"

"I agree"

Flashback

Old Katarina was sitting on her bed reading a newspaper when Lionel entered the barn carrying a tray with fruits for her.

"Keeping yourself updated?" he asked

"Unfortunately yes"

"Unfortunately?"

She nodded in confirmation

"Why? Any bad news?"

"My youngest son is the king and people wonder for how long I will live more…they say only the good die young…they forgot everything I stood up for, everything I fought for…once I said I would leave my mark in the sands of time, and I actually did…a bad legacy. Once I said they would never forget my name…a bad name.
I have lived long enough to witness my own ruination. I was intelligent, but a high intelligence is nothing if you are a crappy person. Some people have intelligence and only that. nothing else… I am one of those…"

"I often argue with Henry because that. He helps spreading your bad name. You're his mother, he should come listen to your side."

"Do not that anymore. It is a waste of energy. Christopher marked my name forever and elevated Angelique's, that is his legacy. People pity. Pity them and their fairytale love… they do not know how many times he made me feel like trash. How he abused my emotional, my feelings. How many times he cheated on me and I still loved him with my all and always said the best things about him because I always admired him! My love for him blinded me… but even when someone gives you reason, you cannot talk trash about the ones you love because one day they will be gone and you will only miss them with their good and their bad…So leave things at that. It is true I exploded and exceeded in my reactions. I did kill two innocent people – a child included – so let my children think whatever they want of me. I deserve it. No one will believe my sadness, my version, my side…Let history be what it is. It is my responsibility"

"Every coin has two sides…"

"Do not struggle for me Lio. Soon I will leave this world and join Christopher, Angelique and the others in the other side. I will apologize personally to them. That is what matters to me now and not what the living will think of me when I am gone, but I appreciate your efforts to defend me"

"I grew up listening to all versions of the history, but I needed mine own. You're not that bad as you think, as they think I've seen people do worse than you and they're still acclaimed…Granny, everyone makes mistakes! You're not perfect. No one is perfect! Even less those who judge you"

"Lionel, my dear great-grandson Lio… when someone has lost everything, nothing else matters. All I wanted I have lost because of my own stupidity. All I want now is to leave this world, but that black pill has been my penitence. I should have died the day Christopher died too, just like in the Drowned Lovers tale…my favorite one! I have not lived since then but only survived…I cannot take it anymore… I do not want only dream about him, but I want to be with him even if he still hates me…I believe one day his anger will pass…it always does! I have seen it many times…Why this time will be different? I cannot help loving his anger too, no matter how much I whine about it"

.

.

I'll do as you wish…

End of Flashback

"It's been a long time ago. People should get over it!" Kate said rolling her eyes

"Yeah, it's been a long time"

"And in my opinion, I don't think she was that evil, I may be a fool for not knowing further details, but I strongly believe my intuitions and it tells me she wasn't that bad as they say…"

"She wasn't that bad…she just loved too much"

Kate made a thoughtful face, "As for I have heard…Christopher is said to have loved Angelique immensely…"

"And he did"

"I don't question that, my point is…Do you think if it wasn't for Angelique, Christopher could have loved Katarina and all that tragedy avoided?"

"My honest opinion?"

"Of course! I don't take less than that"

He giggled, "I like that about you. You're too sincere…even with a stranger"

"That's indeed huh! But being honest again…I see you as the grandpa I never had…I feel so comfortable as if I know you my whole life. Does it make sense?"

"It does to me" he smiled

She smiled back. – If only she knew…-

"Now my honest opinion? Christopher did love Katarina as much he did love Angelique. Nobody hates something or someone who they don't care. Love and hate are two sides of the same coin. You may notice that the heavier feelings you experience are directed to very close people whom you love or would like to love. Love may be suffocated in the midst of rancor, sorrow, vengeful thirst. But love still exists. It remains dormant waiting for the most propitious occasion to develop fully, overcoming obstacles to healing past wounds. It may seem strange, but perhaps hatred is necessary for the full knowledge of love, for the real appreciation of love. If we did not feel the torture of hunger, we would certainly neglect our care in supplying our bodies with the energy necessary to carry out the activities that life requires. Hate is nothing but a desperate hunger for love."

She remained reflective. She could see the logic of it. the weird sense, "So Chris needs to learn how to love Katarina so he can start loosen up about her as he himself has no reason to hate on her like that as she didn't do anything directly to him…"

Lionel smiled impressed, "Exactly! Katarina didn't do anything directly to Christopher Redfield. He can't hate on her just because of history"

"Yeah, but that bad adjective before her name incites people to do that, it already warns that she wasn't a good thing. First impressions cause more impact than getting to know someone"

"That's true. I totally agree with you"

"So why do you still allow it?"

Lionel smiled warmly, "Do you want me to remove it?"

"Sure if you can do that, though I'm no one to request anything like that to you…"

"You're more than you think Kate. I consider you one of my best friends, and even someone of my own family!"

She smiled not knowing what to say, "I'm flattered to hear that Lio…may I call you like that?"

"Absolutely! It's been a long time I haven't been called warmly like that…"

They smiled and stayed in silence for a while.

Kate looked at the paintings on the walls, especially Katarina's. It was inevitable her connection to that woman. A strange admiration.

"She was flashy, wasn't she?" he asked noticing her behavior

"She was…and it's sad that everyone gave their backs to her… she had so many children and descendants… I can't imagine how lonely she felt and how she managed to live so long all alone… Just her and her memories…it is sadder that no one really sees that the one who most lost was herself! No punishment is harder than that"

Lionel let out a sigh, "I can't imagine either and that makes her a strong woman. You have to be strong to face your own shadow, your deepest fears so raw… it's something I admire about her… When I read her diaries, I learned her biggest fear was to be alone and she hated staying alone anywhere. When she was young, she had her parents and sister. Then she had friends and her closest friends, Christopher and Pierce. The passion of youth caused some complications in her life but she beat it. Then she had her own family and her closest confident Lucy when Christopher wasn't around or the children… But she didn't realize her biggest insecurity and deep soul wound were leading her to her biggest fear- the loneliness. She had to abdicate of her children and Christopher who obviously she had lost in that fatidic day she killed pregnant Angelique. She killed a mother and a child and left orphan children and a ruined families, so it was just she losing her own somehow with the indifference of most of them…but still she wasn't totally alone as she had Lucy… When Lucy died, she realized she couldn't stop the inevitable fate so she embraced Christopher's hate and also Pierce's in hope it would pass because Christopher and Pierce did have their temperamental personalities so she waited for the redemption that never came. She did have the eventual visits of some children but never the twins…the twins that were the fruits of their true love and her deepest regret of abandon. Her hope for forgiveness was stronger than her solitude. Until the day she had the compassion and the only family member to ever visit her among all the descendants, the great-grandson that had the blood of all of them…he abdicated of many things in his life, including the crown, to take care of her. To be there for her. Only one among several…"

Tears formed in their eyes.

Kate the most emotional of the pair, taken by a strong wave of feelings, stood up from the couch and sat on the armchair arm, and hugged Lionel who hugged warmly hugged back. He could feel her loneliness – it still existed. He so hoped things would be different this time.

"The guardian angel" she spoke in sobs

"Yeah…a guardian…" he whispered caressing her back, while he used his energy to absorb part of the miasma in her aura. His third vision revealed to him the seal in the chakra of her reproductive organs, so he focused mentally his vision and energy on there while he still caressed her in support. It was when he saw two small lights next the door.

With his third vision still activated, Lionel could see through the house walls and saw Chris near the lake staring the barn from afar, and the mysterious female silhouette near the barn staring him without him taking notice.

"The guardian of their history…" Kate said smile as she sit up, as she felt calmer

Lionel smiled proudly, "Are you feeling better now?"

"Absolutely! I admit I was feeling sad and confused when we got here"

"I noticed"

"You're a smart man Lio! I like that about you…I wish we had met before"

"Me too!"

"But I guess it's what they say: better late than never"

"That's true and about your request, I will gladly make that true. I think it's fair granting you that before I die"

"My last wish" she said jokingly

"Yeah! I promise you that"

"Now I'd better check on Chris"

"Mr. Spoiler"

She laughed loud, "Yeah…"

"Before we go…I sense there's something still going on and that you wish for a resolution. May I help you with something?"

She stood up making a face, "Mr. Lionel…you and your hawk eye!"

He laughed, "I'm just an old man…I know some tricks of life…"

"Or maybe I don't know how to disguise things…"

"Yeah, that could be true… So, how can I help you?"

She inhaled deeply and sat on the couch again, and looked out the window. She saw Chris standing facing the barn.

"Have you ever hear that when one person bugs a lot with the other is because they like and don't know? Sometimes we find people very similar to us, so it causes a strangeness that is actually affinity and we understand it as a revolt."

Kate turned to face him, feeling embarrassed. Lionel noticed it.

"For your consenting silence I can see that last night's party changed the dynamics between you"

Kate gasped, "Not the party. The alcohol…"

He laughed, "Oh those young people…There are things that not even time changes!"

"He's my boss Mr. Lionel! This shouldn't had happened…whatever happened because…I don't remember it"

"Kate, the alcohol doesn't change people, it reveals them…whatever happened is just a result of dormant things. It was always there, I had noticed it yesterday even before the booze"

She let out a heavy sigh, "People think we're a couple and that he broke up with his ex-girlfriend because of me…none of that is true…he's not even my type!"

Lionel laughed loud, "No?"

"No! Or at least he didn't used to be…when we met…"

"How did you meet?"

"I firstly met Piers in a restaurant last year and there was an immediate attraction, and I saw the logo of the BSAA on his jacket and as I was looking for a job…things ended up leading me to apply for a vacancy in the BSAA! Irony of the destiny!"

Lionel giggled. No irony at all. It was just fate.

"So I got the job as a receptionist and soon I met Piers again and he had a girlfriend who was super jealous of me, but there was nothing between us…and during that time is when I saw Chris at distance most of the time and soon I learned he was Piers' superior and I always had the impression Chris was a weird guy and that he was not my type because I remember listening to some female coworkers crushing him. initially we only greeted politely and I had more contact with Piers whenever we could. I respected his relationship because I will confess it to you because they don't know…but I was in a relationship too"

Lionel raised his eyebrow and not having a good feeling about it, but kept it to himself.

"But before you think the worst of me…it was a complicated one. I don't actually consider it a relationship…"

"I'm no one to judge Kate"

She laughed distressed, "So continuing… so in resume Piers broke up with the girlfriend as we couldn't control our attraction anymore…but despite us having a good chemistry, things didn't go as I expected and I felt a wall between us, so we didn't actually date, we just…you know…"

"Yeah, I know…I got it"

"So it was during this period with Piers that I had more contact with Chris as they're always together and it was weird because I had a completely different impression about him. he was not the type of man I'd fall or crush. He also had a girlfriend and that one seemed to be my karma"

"Your karma? Why?"

Kate inhaled deeply, "Because we couldn't stand each other for no reason. I admit that…but then she gave me reasons because she always stared me with a bad eye, and when she was with Chris she used to keep marking her territory on him when I was there…so that bugged me because she kept teasing and I don't have much patience with that, so I felt like poking her somehow…but I kept the composure as much I could. I needed the job…but then Chris' longtime secretary got pregnant and she had to leave for maternity, so it opened a vacancy for that and all the other receptionists applied to it too, and I was a little back off to do that, but Piers told me to give it a try because it would give me some temporary extra and because of my complicated situation with my family and my ex-boyfriend, I applied"

"And you were the chosen one…"

"Yeah! But I know Piers interceded for me in a subtle way so Chris could give his final choice because I heard the Human Resources had only presented him the candidates but he would choose and not them"

"I see, so why is Chris' girlfriend your karmic encounter?"

"Because of our delicate situation already, I wasn't sure if I should apply for the vacancy, but when I got it I was afraid the worse could happen as I was already reaching my limit of patience with her teasing, but at the same time I thought it was weird being the chosen one because Chris was already aware we didn't match…and just in the first day I realized that he hadn't told her either he had selected me"

"So you became his little secret huh!"

"Yeah, I felt that way! Which only increased the rumors late on, especially after the fight I had with his stupid fiancée the day I lost my temper with her"

"Did you beat her or something?"

"No, but she beat me! It was a huge commotion and the hot talk for a long time…but I was tired of taking in in silence, you know…so I called her loser and then she jumped on me"

"Cat fight"

"Yeah…but then I regretted it because I could be fired! In the end I didn't lose the job, but he lost the fiancée and I felt very bad for it…"

"You did?"

"I did! Not enough to tell him I called her loser which made her explode, but…I did feel bad seeing him saddened because I know he doesn't really have a life and is known for being an workaholic, so I witnessed him happier for having a life outside work…so it hurt me seeing him becoming the grumpy Chris again, and now that we spend 24hrs a day together since he was the only one who helped now I'm homeless, I learned to see another side of him yet a lonely one"

"So from the guy that wasn't your type he has become someone you care too much…and slept last night…"

"He said we didn't sleep… and since this morning we argue and reconcile at the same time for different reasons…like a husband-and-wife like you said… but I know something happened and he doesn't tell me…" she shrugged

"Does he has to? Isn't it obvious?"

"What is obvious that I can't see?"

He smiled taking her grip, "Denied feelings have emerged in him, and you will need to be patient while he works on it. Don't push him. Wait his time"

"I get worried because I don't have money, nowhere to live. My only friend travels a lot and I know I can't stay in her place for a long time because of that as she still lives with her parents. I don't have anywhere else to go. I'm communicative but I don't have real friends besides those three: Piers, Lucy and Chris… So I'm worried he will kick me out"

"He won't my darling. Chris is not that type of man. He will stick to his promise"

"yeah, but our deal was of two weeks, and I'm spending these weeks in this trip…I don't have anywhere else to go when we get back home and I can't afford a rent…I'll have to live in shelters until I can solve my life"

"How much do you need until you find a place for you?"

She widened her eyes, "Don't see me as a beggar…"

"I don't…"

"Mr. Lionel, I…you don't… I can't let you do this…"

"I want to! I love helping people. You need. I can. So period. How much do you need?"

Outside

Chris took the time alone to refresh his mind. The lake had that effect on him. In the library, he had read a little about the Drowned Lovers, and he couldn't believe he was still thinking about that thing. Amidst of that, he kept looking at the end of the lake recalling his dream, and a strong curiosity invaded him. Was there a real grave there? He wondered. According to the books, possibly.

In between chatting in his phone and think about the recent events, he looked back to face the barn, and it intrigued him to see its open doors. He kept observing it from afar. Nothing really that outstanding besides being an old barn and it was visible an apparent bed at the bottom of it.

He had the curiosity to enter in it, but obviously, he wouldn't. So he kept on studying it from afar.

Sometime later, he noticed Lionel and Kate leaving the house and coming to his way. It was evident the difficulty Mr. Lionel had to walk.

"Enjoying the lake as always, Chris?" Lionel said

"Yeah…you're fortunate to live in this paradise"

"Yeah, it feels like heaven" he commented and then looked at the open doors of the barn, "Did you open it?" he asked Chris

"No…it was already open when I got here"

"Ah, maybe my assistant forgot it open. I asked him to clean a few things yesterday"

"Do you want me to close it for you?" Chris asked

"Actually I need you to check something in there for me"

"Sure. What exactly?"

"The bed. I had left an object there and I don't know if my assistant retrieved it"

"Alright"

Without wasting any time, Chris entered the barn. Strangely, he felt like entering the Spence Mansion as he felt a cold in his spine and felt like there were hidden things there – haunted place.

There was no light inside, but the daylight illuminated it through the upper level windows and the open doors.

He did notice a necklace on the bed, and not seeing anything else of interest, he grabbed it. However, in the moment he touched it and saw the green gem, he immediately remembered his dream and the same necklace he had seen Katarina wearing.

He felt a sensation of dizziness, but he was capable of controlling it. When he turned to leave the barn, he felt another dizziness as he had the sight of the lake and a Déjà vu sensation hit him.

"Are you okay?" Lionel asked in concern

"Yeah…I found this" Chris said delivering him the necklace

"Thank you Chris. That's exactly what I was looking for"

"Wow, this is so beautiful!" Kate commented with delight

"Yes it is" Lionel replied and looked at Chris, "Could you please put it on her?"

Chris made a face but didn't decline, "Sure"

"What? Why?" Kate made a puzzled face

"It's yours now my dear"

"What? No! I can't accept that Mr. Lionel"

"And I won't wear that my dear. It's a female necklace"

"You can give it to a daughter or granddaughter…"

"I want to give it to you"

Chris waited the two discuss the necklace possession, and studied it. The Déjà vu feeling just didn't go away. That gem hypnotized him.

"Put it on her Chris, please" Lionel said bringing him back to reality

Kate lifted her hair, still embarrassed, but at the same time she liked the new very special gift.

"This was made for you, darling. It suited you well!" Lionel commented, "Don't you agree Chris?"

Chris looked at Kate and the necklace. Kate was blushing and avoiding eye contact with him, but she did look at him briefly. When the hazel eyes met the greenish ones, a strange feeling hit him making him smile, "It's perfect on you. Your eyes match the emerald of it"

Kate swallowed in distress, blushing like a red tomato, "Thank you…"

Chris cleared his throat, "Do you want me to close the doors?" he asked turning to Lionel

"Yes, please."

While Chris headed to the barn, Lionel turned to look at Kate who couldn't lay off her eyes from the necklace. A very special necklace – especially made to Katarina O'Gregon by no one else than Christopher Reed himself.

A gift that Katarina mistakenly gave as a payment when she ordered Angelique's assassination. She didn't give it as a payment on her own, but the necklace happened to be kept among the other jewelry she would give as a payment. She didn't check the small bag when Lucy delivered it to her, a negligence that served as proof in her involvement in the deadly alliance, but also a negligence that disrupted Christopher's heart forever not only due to her involvement but for the sentimental meaning that necklace had for him.

Flashback

Christopher Reed had recently moved to the Lake Manor with his children after setting a deal with George about that property.

One day, he was cutting the grass while the twins were playing together near the lakeshore when he noticed a shining object on the ground.

He knelt to grab it, and a strong pain cored through his body when his eyes recognized the necklace he had made to give to Katarina as a birthday gift when they were still teenagers.

Inside Flashback

"I know you have everything money can buy, but…"

"What I really want no money can buy!"

He smiled, "This is for you…I hope you like it…" he said delivering a simple small wooden box

She opened it and a large smile formed on her face. A smile from ear to ear as the bubbly young brunette jumped in happiness and hugged the young boy before her, "I loved it!" she said lifting her hair, "Put it on me"

"Did you really like it?"

"I loved it. It is the best gift I ever got!"

He smiled flattered, "I made it"

She turned to look at him in surprise, "Did you?"

"Yes I did!"

"Ahh, now I understand why you were making mystery a while ago and talking to that goldsmith! Sassy boy!"

He laughed, "I suck at gifts…so when I found that gem I had that idea as I knew your birthday was the next on the list of friends…"

"You found it or you took it…borrowed?" she said disguising the real meaning

He laughed understanding her sense, "I found it! In my parent's Arthena land…I found a small abandoned manor there and I found it in a secret passage in the fireplace"

"Oh, really? That is awesome. The Reed's secrets huh!"

"Yes, but please, don't tell it anyone"

"I will not! I swear!"

End of Inside Flashback

Katarina did fulfill her promise. She never told or commented with anyone – not even with her sister or Lucy – about the secrets of the Reed's land of Arthena.

However, that promise had lost all the value when he saw the gift as a payment for someone's assassination, especially Angelique's assassination.

Devastated with the monster Katarina had become, Christopher Reed's disappointment took all the few appreciation he had for Katarina, turning resentment into hate.

"Daddy, daddy…you're not looking!" said the three-year-old Melissa wanting to show him her hair with a pink lily flower between her ear and curly hair

"I'm sorry my dear…you look pretty!" he said with teary eyes as he looked at the small version of Katarina before him

"Daddy you're crying…"

"I'm fine darling"

"Don't cry daddy…I'm here with you" the sweet little girl said embracing him

Soon after her twin brother joined the hug and wiped his father's tears.

"We're here with you daddy…we're here…" said the little boy with a sweet but serious expression – just like his father's.

The only thing he didn't and couldn't hate about Katarina was the children she had given him.

End of Flashback

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