Chapter 297: Moonflower

Chapter 297: Moonflower

A field of moonflowers stretched endlessly toward the horizon, blanketing the earth in a sea of white.

They shimmered gently beneath the starry night, bathed in the silver glow of the moon hanging solemnly above.

Azriel stood still.

The moonlight reflected in his eyes—both of them, crimson and whole.

He wore the crimson uniform—the one from the auction—unblemished, with both arms intact.

No wounds.

No scars.

No blood.

He exhaled slowly, audibly, as though releasing the weight of the world.

He had seen it all.

From the moment she arrived at the royal capital… to the moment she became the Forest of Eternity.

Azriel lowered his gaze, turning toward the vast field of moonflowers. Not far ahead, a woman sat quietly among them—her white robes mingling with the flowers, as though she, too, had bloomed from the soil.

She smiled at him, radiant and soft, her dark hair flowing like a wave beneath an unseen breeze. Her eyes—those ocean-blue eyes—held a familiar sorrow.

Azriel watched her for a few seconds, mesmerized as moonlight painted her face with divine calm.

Then he walked toward her.

Each step crushed the moonflowers beneath his boots, quiet cracks echoing through the stillness.

He stopped in front of her.

She didn’t rise.

She only smiled gently, lowering her gaze as her fingers brushed the petals of a nearby moonflower.

“…I never had any real control over my life, you know.”

Her voice was quiet, almost dreamlike.

Her smile faded into a sad curve.

“And I’ve been lonely for a long time now.”

Mio plucked the moonflower gently and gazed at it, speaking in a wistful, airy voice.

“Now that everyone’s gone… even me… I miss the old days. We used to laugh so much back then. Like we didn’t have a care in the world. Anger, sadness, guilt—those feelings didn’t exist.”

Her voice trembled slightly.

“But now I’m full of them. I don’t even know if I should be smiling or crying anymore. I just feel… empty.”

Then, as if her own thoughts had betrayed her, she let out a soft, melodious laugh.

“But it’s strange. Whenever I think of the past… I can’t help but smile.”

She dropped the moonflower.

Closed her eyes.

“I’m a real mess, aren’t I?”

Another laugh, quieter this time.

Azriel opened his mouth—then closed it again.

Mio noticed.

She opened her eyes, looked up at him with gentle understanding, and smiled, her gaze tinged with sadness.

“It’s alright,” she said.

“Even if I tried to explain it, you wouldn’t—no…”

She stopped herself.

Shook her head.

“You’re one of the few who would understand. I’m sorry, my lord. It might sound cruel of me. It’s just… it’s not even about being understood, is it?”

Her voice grew softer, more fragile.

“I think… I just wanted to be loved.”

The only chance she’d had—the illusion of love from Lykos—had shattered.

It was never real.

He was never real.

And with that, she had come to realize…

All she ever wanted was to be loved.

She looked away.

“As if it even matters anymore, does it… my lord?”

Tears began to slide down her face, silent and unending.

“Even though you killed me… that’s not what happened to the real me, is it? I mean…”

Her voice cracked.

She turned to Azriel with a broken smile.

“I’m not even real.”

Azriel looked at her, his expression steeped in sorrow.

There was nothing left to say.

Lie.

Don’t lie.

She had already seen his memories.

She knew the truth.

There were no words Azriel could offer to ease the weight in her chest—and perhaps, he no longer had it in him to try.

But just as she had glimpsed his memories, his feelings, his thoughts… Azriel had seen hers.

He hesitated for a moment.

Then, without a word, he dropped to one knee.

Mio blinked, confused.

Azriel parted his lips, mustering a soft, gentle smile—fragile, but sincere.

“My lady… may I have the honor of the final dance?”

Her eyes widened, slowly, as tears streamed down her face.

Dancing.

She had always loved to dance.

Even as a little girl, she would practice in secret with her dolls, spinning quietly in forgotten corners of her lonely world.

Her gaze lowered to his outstretched hand.

A breeze brushed against them, carrying the chill of the night and the perfume of moonflowers in bloom.

Still crying, she smiled—and placed her hand in his.

Her touch was as soft as the petals beneath their feet.

They rose.

No one was there to witness them as they began to move beneath the silver moon—Mio’s core—inside her soul realm, untouched by time, untouched by fate.

They danced.

Her white robes fluttered with each step, and the moonflowers bent gently in rhythm, as if nature itself had paused to listen.

Azriel’s smile, once hesitant and forced, began to grow more natural with every passing second.

As Mio twirled beneath his fingertips, the petals around them shimmered silver, sighing with the wind.

The stars above held their breath.

And the moon watched lovingly from the heavens, casting a tender glow that followed them across the field.

Eventually, Azriel spoke—quietly, but with certainty.

“Real or not, your existence was… and is… irreplaceably important. To the Kingdom of Ismyr. To this world. To Pollux. And to me.”

Mio’s lips curved gently as she closed her eyes, allowing him to lead.

Her voice was warm, distant like a lullaby remembered from childhood.

“I’ve been thinking about that for a long time now, my lord.”

She opened her eyes.

Her reflection shimmered in Azriel’s crimson gaze.

“If I mattered… If anyone still thinks of me… If there’s someone out there who remembers me…Then maybe… I really did exist.”

Only the wind replied, carrying the soft sound of petals breaking free, swirling around them in mourning and grace.

Azriel spoke once more, his voice low and calm.

“That skinwalker took his face… but also his feelings. They mimic what they steal. So… the real Prince Lykos Aureliath must have truly loved you, Lady Mio.”

Mio’s grip on his hand faltered.

Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.

“…I will remember you too. Until the very end. I won’t ever forget you.”

She wept quietly, yet smiled through it all.

A final, peaceful smile.

And with one last turn, Mio let go of his hand.

She spun once more in the sea of moonflowers—and came to a stop.

Her smile was radiant.

Then, her form began to glow.

White sparkles shimmered across her skin.

Her body began to crumble, dissolving into the light.

She looked at him with eyes full of joy, full of peace.

“Thank you for choosing me, my lord.”

She paused.

And then, in the softest voice he had ever heard her speak—

“…Goodbye, Azriel.”

Her smile wavered as her body broke apart into glittering fragments of light, drifting upward—toward the star-strewn sky.

And Azriel…

Azriel closed his eyes.

He felt only the whisper of the night kiss his cheek—a cool, gentle farewell that lingered in the hush she left behind.

“…Goodbye, Mio.”