Mystic - EN version

Epilogue

Autumn had begun. Clave remembered that it was her favourite season. As a little girl, she used to love to jump into the piles of dead and orange leaves along the paths. Her sister often followed her reluctantly, but always ended up laughing with her.

With each memory that came back to her, she missed Ruby a little more. Clave had the impression that the dagger she had once thrust into the Queen's stomach was stabbing itself into her heart every day. Her memory resurfaced every day to remind her of what she had done, like a poisoned gift. But at least she had found other people she cared about as much as her sister.

She left the office where she had just finished what she had to do for the day. She grabbed her long pale beige woollen scarf that Catherine had knitted for her and wrapped it around her neck, which was already covered by the collar of her dress. She was rather chilly, but she loved the autumn atmosphere all the same. Snuggling up with Noah in front of the fireplace in the main living room was all she wanted.

She went out into the castle gardens, which were already devoid of all colour except orange. The trees were gradually losing their leaves, ready to make way for winter. It has been four years now. Clave had grown up, matured, learnt and made mistakes. But it wasn't all over.

"You never completely solve your problems, do you?" she mused.

She passed a small courtyard surrounded by benches, then a small bush concealing a dirt path, which she followed, letting her footsteps guide her. She knew what lay at the end of the path: memories, some of them painful. Eventually, she came to two stones clumsily placed on the damp grass. A blue pendant in the shape of a tear glistened in front of one of them. Clave simply knelt down facing the grave and closed her eyes. She stayed there for a while, her hands folded as if she were praying. She often came here, sheltered by the leaves. It soothed her and allowed her to forget, albeit for a moment, all her worries.

Then, as she reached into her pocket, she remembered that she had something very important to do. Today was Noah's birthday. She straightened up and hurried back inside the castle. She searched the corridors, but he wasn't there.

Then she came across Catherine and Griselda in the library. They were holding hands, reading a book together. Clave didn't want to disturb them, but she had to find Noah, so she asked them if they had seen him, but they shook their heads at the same time.

Then she had the idea to look for him on the circular balcony of the tower, the highest point of the castle. And indeed, there he was, leaning against the balustrade, admiring the landscape. The scene reminded Clave of the many discussions they had on the roof of Griselda's mansion long ago. She smiled, then approached her boyfriend and embraced him from behind.

He turned round, surprised, and smiled as he recognised her, then took her hand.

– I knew I'd find you here, said Clave.

– You know me too well, replied Noah.

– I've had time, after all. You've never left me, and I'm very grateful.

The young man frowned, surprised that she was so sentimental. She must have had something on her mind.

– And that's why I wanted to ask you something very important.

She turned towards him, then took a step back and, gracefully, put her knee on the ground, then took out the box containing the ring she had been preparing for a long time. Noah's eyes widened.

– Noah... You've always been with me, and you've always supported me and helped me. I love you and I want to be with you for as long as I can. Will you do me the honour of marrying me?

He fell to his knees in front of Clave, his hand clamped over his mouth.

– Oh my god... he gasped. This is the best birthday present I've ever had.

The tears of emotion wetting his eyes made them shine even brighter. Clave held him close, also ready to cry.

– So, do you want to? she finally smiled.

Noah radiated with laughter.

– Are you seriously asking me that? Of course I am!

They kissed, then, still on the ground, they leaned against the balustrade of the circular balcony, snuggled up against each other. The light of the setting sun illuminated the stone walls of the castle with a warm, golden colour, as reassuring as Noah's eyes. Then Clave stood up and, taking the young man's hand, said:

– May I have this dance?

– Always, smiled the telepath.

They began to turn slowly, hand in hand, eyes closed, letting each other guide them as the night gradually fell, the stars twinkling above their heads. Clave could see no time passing.

It was just the two of them, the sky, the horizon, and their future stretching out beyond it.