Chapter 40

Yelena felt like the whole world had fallen.

"You're... W-what do you mean?" She asked in horror, and didn't want to believe what she was told.

"Uhm... I-I can't explain it, My Lady." Avyanna said, sadly, looking down.

Yelena gritted her teeth in agony.

"Y-you can't be right.... Y-you're still her..."

The woman in front of her shakes her head.

Suddenly, light appeared on the lady's hand. Yelena was given hope that the woman was just joking.

"S-see? Y-you're still the Avy I know...." Yelena said.

The woman closed her hand and she leaned towards Yelena.

"This is one of Moon Goddess' daughter's ability. She gave me this ability to help people seek the people they long for, like yourself." She said, putting her hands on Yelena's eyes.

When she took them off, Yelena couldn't see clearly at first. She blinked many times, and her vision cleared.

She saw a floating red string. When she looked where it connected, it was on her chest.

"The string connects your soul and hers, and as you can see..."

Yelena's gaze went to Avyanna's chest and saw no red string. Instead, the string leads outside the door.

Yelena immediately ran out of the building, following the floating string. However, when she went outside, the string was long and looked endless.

"My Lady."

Avyanna followed her.

"She..." she paused. "You'll meet her soon enough." With a smile, she said.

"Are your words true?" Yelena asked with a frown.

"Yes. She just needs more time. Please wait for her." Avyanna smiled.

"Do..." Yelena tipped her head to Avyanna. "Do you know her name?"

Avyanna smiled widely. "It's Avery Bridge, My Lady."

'Avery Bridge... I've seen that name somewhere.' Yelena tried to remember where she heard or read the name, and then it occurred to her.

'It's the name she made me tie on her wrist.' A small smile forms on her lips.

"You should go back. You're not fully recovered." Yelena spoke to Avyanna.

"I will, My Lady. Thank you." Avyanna bows politely before going back inside the building.

Yelena looked up to the sky where the mixed colors of summer clouds gathered.

"I'll wait.... this time."

<After 2 months>

In the middle of the meeting, everyone was in chaos. Yelena's ears have begun to ring because of the voices shouting inside the big room. If only she could raise her own voice.

"Silence." Arci's voice silenced the whole room. His cold voice gave shivers down their spines.

"Now, discuss this problem thoroughly. Stop shouting at each other. It won't solve anything as we can't understand each other." Riley calmly said.

"Marquis Silver, weren't you saying something?" Yelena asked.

"That's right."

Marquis Silver is a 55-year old man and is considered one of the wealthiest nobles.

"I received a report about a drug being used by noble's knights. This drug is reported to be dangerous and one could become addicted to it. However, this drug strengthens the Knights, and for that reason, a lot of people turn a blind eye." He coughed and continued on with his report. "This drug was said to create a mana explosion, despite a knight's having a low mana compared to mages."

"Hmm. The ladies have also said the same while we're at the tea party on the delegation. It does sound suspicious. Have you found its source, Marquis?" Yelena asked.

"For the meantime, I haven't gathered much evidence. I apologize."

"Have any of you reported having the same problem? Or which of you have been using this drug for your knights?" Nathan added.

The nobles averted their gazes as they felt guilty.

"We'll conduct another noble meeting next month. We'll conduct an investigation regarding this issue. The meeting has ended." Arci declared.

The nobles stood up from their seats and, one by one, they exited the room.

The last people are Yelena, Arci, Nathan, and Riley.

"What do you think about this? We need to send reinforcements to the border this year. If we can't, the monsters might cross the border soon." Riley said.

"I'll investigate the drug. I have Roshan to help me with the investigation." Nathan said.

"How's Roshan by the way?" Riley asked.

"He's well. He's helping me with my work." Nathan said.

"He really insisted on living together, huh?" Arci said, putting his feet on the table.

"I couldn't stop him, either. He was determined that we live together. He has also revoked his position as a Marquis. I don't even know what's on that bastard's mind." With a crumpled face, he said.

"How about you, Yelena?"

Yelena looked at them and sighed. "Although I lost support from the Rivers because Roshan is now in Nathan's state, Father was determined that I still fight for the throne."

"So, that still has to be done, huh." Arci smirked. "May the best Noble win."

"Oh please! I don't want to be a ruler. So many duties." Yelena said, rolling her eyes and crossing her arms.

"Pfft."

"Oh, yeah. How's Avyanna... Prince Riley?" Yelena asked.

"She's well. Her body is still healing from the changes she underwent.

"Taking good care of her, I see." Yelena gave a sad smile.

They became silent. No one knows that Avyanna is not the Avyanna who adores Yelena and dotes on her.

"Yelena... You see. I'm... sorry." Riley said.

She snorts. "What are you apologizing for?" She stood up and walked towards the door.

"I'm going to get ready for the ball tonight. Congratulations on your engagement, Prince Riley." She curtseys before leaving the room.

She was in deep thought as she walked down the hallway.

Avery, that's the name of the person that was inside Avyanna for months. The person she loves. The person she longs for.

She remembers... Every life she lived. How she got tired of repeating the same mistakes again and again. How she thought of giving up. How she lost herself and lost her sanity everytime. How her name stays the same but the person she loves has a different name every time.

She couldn't remember their names, but... One thing is for sure. That person has the same appearance. Again and again.

She looked upon the lake.

"Will you appear here?"

She closed her eyes and clasped her hands together. She prays again on this day. She prays to the Moon Goddess to bring her the woman she loves.

When she opened her eyes, nothing had happened. She sighed and started to walk, step by step, second by second.

"I guess it wasn't today, either." She whispered and completely walked away.

End of Book 1 of Our Destiny and Fate <3