Once we had all travelled back to the Palace of Stormhold, there seemed to be a lot of logistics to figure out. I had briefly gone back to Wall to retrieve Dunstan and retell the unbelievable story of how his son was now King to our magical world. There was a lot of questions which was understandable, and I couldn't help but smile when over half of them seemed to be about Una.
Everyone in the Kingdom seemed to rejoice at Una's return, the kind Princess had come home and not only that, brought their new King. I felt as though there would be a great change with Tristan and Yvaine ruling over Stormhold, it was probably time for new ideas.
We had brought Septimus's body back to the Palace and there was a small gathering for his interment. The thought of never seeing his face again, the thought of him lying in that box, alone. It killed me inside that little bit more. I had found that grief was the most painful emotion we could possess as I went through it all a second time but this time it was permanent, when he pushed me over the wall the first time I had grief in hand with hope.
Una suggested that I take his room, to feel close to him. I took up the offer, entering his room looked like a moment lost in another time. I could smell him everywhere, I felt like I could almost feel him nearby. I looked around the room, everything where he had clearly left it before going on his mission for the stone.
My heart stopped when I saw a letter on the side with my name on it. I turned pale as I shakily took the letter from his desk.
My Dearest Bella, my wife...
If you are reading this, then I am no longer here and for that, I can never forgive myself. The thought of leaving you without laying my eyes on you for one last time is like a wound to the heart.
There was a time when I thought our love would stand the test of time and nothing could come between us but as I go forth on this quest, I can't help but have doubt set in my mind that I might not make it.
Even though we have been parted longer now than we were together, you have always been with me. Not a moment went past in the last twenty years where you weren't there, I would wonder what you were doing and whether you did the same. I have lived in the hope of it all and hope is a powerful thing to possess.
Thank you for showing me what love is, it is the most beautiful gift anyone could bestow, and I will be forever grateful you chose me.
In this life and the next,
Your husband, Septimus
The letter fell from my hands, I couldn't feel anything but the hole in my heart from the loss of him burning as though it wouldn't stop until I couldn't breathe anymore. I laid on his bed and couldn't help but feel regret as a cloud of 'what if's' blew over me. Part of me wished that I had been executed that day and then I wouldn't have to feel this pain. I felt sad that no one knew the real Septimus besides me and Una, everyone would remember him for his darkness, for his cruelty but that's because he was fighting to win for love, and no one seemed to realise. I could only hope when death came to me, that we would be reunited once more.
He was the loss of my life.