25 Chapter 23: The Return

- MIYA'S POV -

I closed my left eye and positioned the bow correctly to shoot the apple that is on top of Odette's servant. I can't let go of the arrow because she's trembling too much. Oh come on, can't she trust my shooting skills?

I decided to put down my bow and arrow then saw Odette face-palmed on my right side, "Hey. Can you please stop shaking? It's not like I'm going to shoot your forehead instead of the apple."

Odette took a deep breath and patted my shoulder, "Stop it, Miya. You're scaring her and what you said might come true—"

"That's why Diggie's here to stop the time in case I missed the apple which will never happen by the way." I scoffed and returned my gaze to her handmaid.

I waved my hand, gesturing her to leave. She quickly nodded and bowed then she left us.

Diggie cleared his throat that caught our attention, "I'll be going then. My brother, Kaja might be looking for me." He bowed as a sign of respect before leaving the castle.

Silence surrounded us. I avoided Odette's gaze, she's been staring at me intently ever since I visited her today at their castle. Now I feel uncomfortable.

She sighed, "Miya. What's the real reason you're here? Do you have a problem?"

I looked up only to see their gigantic chandelier attached to the ceiling, "Remember what Esmeralda said about what she saw in the future before she passed out?"

Odette frowned, "You mean about Alucard's death? Don't tell me—"

I smiled bitterly and slumped my back to the sofa, "Yes, I did. I rejected Alucard. I don't have any other options, Odette! I don't want him to die—" She cut me mid-sentence.

"Yes! You have other options, Miya! God, you and your narrow brain. You're being impulsive these past few days. First, you left him at the party because of what you saw and didn't even bother to ask him 'why'. His reason is pretty obvious, he's trying to protect you! How come you did not notice that?? And now, you rejected him for his safety?? But how about his feelings? Have you ever thought about that? I hate to ask this but what the hell is wrong with you, Miya? You don't want to kill him physically so you killed him emotionally instead." Odette scolded.

I looked down at my boots. She does have a point. Then what shall I do then? I can't think of any way to avoid Alucard's death except for rejecting him. Looks like I'm the reason why he ended up dead so it's best if I stay away from him as far as possible and rejecting him is the best option. No one will get hurt in this way except from the both of us. Choosing the other path will probably cause more damage than the first one.

"It's the only and safe way, Odette. Do you have something to suggest? Something that won't cause pain to anybody?"

She remained silent so I took a deep breath, "Just as I thought."

Odette gasped and combed her hair using her fingers. She looked at me, frustrated. "But you're killing yourself and Alucard. This is suicide. You're sacrificing your happiness to keep him alive. Look at what happened to Gusion, he looks like about to die. I don't want you to commit this kind of mistake. There has to be another way."

I shook my head, "I need him alive even if it means losing my happiness will be the consequence. Admiring him from afar is enough for me."

Yes, I saw Alucard. I went to the Dark Empire earlier before I went to Odette's castle, Oceana Kingdom. He looks very happy as if I didn't reject him nor hurt his feelings. He looks contented with that girl I saw him with, her name is Ruby, I think. Then I shouldn't bother him anymore. Alu's happiness is also my happiness, even if it breaks my heart again and again whenever the thought of Alucard with another woman crosses my mind.

Well, that woman should be me but then again, nothing lasts forever.

Odette did not speak a single word so I decided to break the awkward silence surrounding us, "I should head back to the Moonlight Kingdom. Estes might be looking for me. Thank you for your hospitality and I'm sorry." I bowed my head and was about to reach for the door's handle when Odette spoke.

"I'm coming with you. We still have a war to finish." She tried to smile.

×××

"The Dark Empire will be arriving tomorrow here, at the Main Hall to discuss this matter. For now, there are no signs of Khufra, the fourth Mystic. Only his little minions wandering around their empire. He might be maintaining his energy for the battle that no one knows when. He might attack tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, we don't know. But we need to be prepared." Zilong seriously said.

"Shall we release the wolves too on the day of the war?" Estes asked.

I frowned and looked at his direction, "What? You're in charge of the wolves?" My eyes narrowed. I remembered the day of the party at the border. A pack of wolves attacked us. Luckily, nobody got hurt except for the wolves of course.

Estes avoided my gaze. Natalia shook her head, "No. The wolves aren't tamed. If they're released, a new set of enemies will be added to our list again. They'll just be a distraction to us."

Some of the council agreed and discussed some other issues within the empire until the closed big door of the Main Hall became wide open. Revealing my missing best friend for a week. Odette and I stood up.

"Kadita..." We called her, still in shock to see her now in front of us.

I faced Odette and she did the same when Kadita didn't even glance at us. Kadita went straight to Zilong and whispered something that made the king's eyes widened and bowed down in front of her. All of us are frowning and confused about what's currently happening.

"Aurora, Gord, Chang'e and Guinevere come with me. We'll go to the Sacred Statues. Gatotkaca and Tigreal come with us too. I need to talk to Queen Rafaela personally." Zilong said and left the Main Hall. Though the ones who got mentioned look confused, they still followed Zilong outside.

"Kadita, what's going on?" Odette asked.

She finally looked at our direction, "You cannot put an end to this war without a mystic goddess. That's the reason why I'm here now."

My eyes widened when I finished processing what she just said, "Y-You're not Kadita..."

"I'm sorry about your friend. I don't want to use anyone's body but this is the only way." She explained then switched her gaze to everyone on the table one by one before smiling.

"I'm Lunox, the Twilight Goddess."