SECRETS | Fate: The Winx Saga ~ Alternate Season 2

Chapter 39

The days before his beloved's funeral, Ben had spent in bed, completely falling apart. Shortly after their victory over Rosalind, he had slipped into a semi-comatose state, retreating into an enchanted dream world where Luna still existed. Two days later, his children, who were unfailingly supportive, had managed to bring him back to his senses, but now he had to take a lot of tranquillisers and sedatives to keep from sinking into despair. He had waited for many hours, hoping to see the ghostly figure one last time, to hear the sound of her voice, in vain. Luna had not returned, she had not appeared since Bloom had destroyed the ring. What he had feared most had happened, he had lost Luna forever, and the thought of her coffin getting into the royal vault tore at his heart. He would have a monument erected in her memory, in memory of her heroic courage, no matter the cost. No one could ever replace her. This time it was over, he had decided not to fall in love again, because love affairs end badly, especially his own, which had always ended in the murder of his beloved woman. Perhaps he was destined to be widowed...

During those dark days, Farah had resumed her position as Headmistress of Fairies and had filed a complaint against Andreas, who had subsequently been arrested as an accessory to malice, torture and murder and taken into custody for rape following the Queen's request for an investigation. Once the paternity test was carried out, he confessed his crime when the result was announced. He was indeed Sky's father. As for Saul, his leave of absence had been extended by a few days, to allow him to be reunited with his wife and to attend Luna's funeral.

That Saturday morning, the largest cathedral in the kingdom, where the ceremony was taking place, was filled with royalty, family from near and far, friends, Alfea students, professors, but also common people, touched by her courage and heroism. She had lost her life saving Alfea and her kingdom from chaos. The ceremony was being broadcast live throughout the Otherworld, and large screens had been set up outside for those who had not found a place in the religious building. Ben was sitting next to the coffin, next to Stella and her dad, Radius, who was acting as regent until his daughter reached the age of majority, which would allow her to take over the throne. The teenager saw very little of her dad, who had remarried to a countess, Cassandra, who herself had a daughter, Chimera, with whom Stella had not been able to find common ground. Despite this, her close relationship with her father remained intact. Radius was a good man who supported her at all costs, and he showed compassion towards the botany professor, his ex-wife's new partner. He had shown him signs of affection, which had somewhat warmed Ben's battered heart. They had loved the same woman and were united in grief. When the interminable mass came to an end, only the relatives of the deceased were allowed to go to the cemetery where the sumptuous royal vault, in which the fairy's ancestors had been buried, was located. This time there were only about thirty people: Stella, her dad and his family, Luna's very old mother who was in a wheelchair, Ben, his children, their friends, Farah, Sky, and Saul, surrounded by two police officers. A few of the fairy's close friends and her closest associates were completing the group. In the dim light of late autumn, the coffin slowly entered the vault, covered with hundreds of wreaths from all over the Other World.

"Dad..." Terra muttered, placing her hand on her dad's back, who was sobbing.

The sight was unbearable, and Professor Harvey could hardly keep his eyes on the coffin. His children clung to him for comfort and Stella hugged him, crying her eyes out.

"If only that bitch Rosalind had never been freed, she'd still be here," she sighed, trembling. "You did everything you could to save my mom and to avenge her, I can only thank you."

Ben didn't know what to say, still in shock at having lost all contact with his other half, who had really become a part of him. Further away, Bloom flinched. She felt guilty but Sky clasped her hand in his to reassure her. Saul and Farah, meanwhile, were staying near Luna's mother, who was devastated by the death of her only daughter. Ben glanced painfully at the woman who should have become his mother-in-law. From the few things the fairy had said about the little lady with the white bun, she had always given her the love she needed and had been a great support when Charles died tragically and when she divorced. The Queen Mother had always appreciated her son-in-law and had been very angry with him when he had decided to break up with Luna. But now they were crying in each other's arms, each bitter with regret. Radius finally turned to Ben and hugged him, trying to console him as best he could.

"Luna was lucky to know you and have you, Professor," he assured him. "You have nothing to regret, you did your best to save her, you couldn't have done more, and I'm sure from where she is she's proud of you, of the man she loves."

Ben welcomed the embrace gently, moved by the kindness of this man who had nevertheless made Luna miserable. But who was he to judge him? Whose fault was it? He didn't even know what had happened after Charles' death because he wasn't there.

"Thank you, this goes straight to my heart, and I will always be there for Stella."

With the funeral coming to an end, Radius walked over to Saul, Farah and Sky, who were saying their goodbyes to each other, as the Specialist now had to go back to jail.

"I don't want you to go, Saul," his wife told him, upset.

"I know, and neither do I, but I have no choice."

The fairy rushed into her husband's arms, in tears, for she knew he would never get out of prison.

"I'm going to miss you, Dad," the young guy declared as he wrapped his arms around him with a sniff.

Radius approached them, looking both serious and cheerful.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have some good news," he announced. "Since Mr. Silva helped save Alfea and the kingdom from Rosalind's clutches, he may be granted a reduction in the length of his prison term, or even an annulment, for service to society."

He shook hands with the principal, who had regained hope, as had his family.

"I am extremely grateful to you for helping to eradicate the murderer of my daughter's mother."

"You're welcome, I'm the one who thanks you for helping me get reunited with my wife and son faster," he retorted with a smile.

Before he was taken to the prison, his friends and the students present said goodbye with a group hug. He stayed alone with Sky for a while, telling him how proud he was of him, and then talked with Farah for a few minutes. He placed his hands on her cheeks, caressing them softly, trying to remember the shape, the texture, the curves, the memory.

"Take care of yourself, love, Sky needs you, I need you," he whispered in a broken voice, a lump of grief obstructing his throat.

"Come back soon..." she breathed, her hands resting on his pecs.

The couple exchanged a final kiss amidst the graves and flowers, sharing a powerful, heartbreaking and final moment of tenderness before being separated by the police officers in charge of taking Headmistress Dowling's husband to jail.