Erased by time

Chapter 25 : The Final Choice

The castle gardens were a tapestry of vibrant hues, a symphony of colours and scents that had always been a source of comfort for Jenny. But today, the fragrant roses and the delicate lilies failed to soothe the turmoil raging within her. Her heart felt like a battlefield, a clash of conflicting desires and a profound sense of uncertainty.She had found a world that resonated with her soul, a world where she felt seen, understood, and cherished. Raia, with its ancient magic, its captivating history, and its people who welcomed her with open arms, had become her refuge. The king, despite his troubled past, had become a beacon of warmth and affection, a man who understood her like no one else. And Amelia, with her fiery spirit and her unwavering loyalty, had become a sister, a confidante, a source of laughter and strength.Yet, a part of her yearned for the familiarity of her own world, for the rhythm of her ordinary life, for the touch of her family. She missed her mother's gentle embrace, her father's reassuring voice, and the quiet comfort of her childhood home.A tear escaped, tracing a lonely path down her cheek as she stood by the shimmering lake, its surface reflecting the turmoil in her heart."What will you choose, Jenny?"The voice, a gentle murmur carried by the breeze, startled her. Turning, she found Amelia seated on a stone bench, her eyes filled with an understanding that seemed to pierce her soul."I don't know," Jenny whispered, the words a confession of her vulnerability. "It feels like I'm torn between two worlds, two lives, two destinies."Amelia's hand gently reached out, her fingers brushing against Jenny's. "There's no shame in feeling lost, my dear. It's a journey of the heart, and sometimes the path is unclear.""But I must choose," Jenny said, her voice laced with urgency. "The portal will not stay open forever. And with every passing day, the pull of my own world grows stronger."Amelia rose and walked beside her, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon where the sun painted the sky in fiery hues of orange and red."Do not mistake yearning for obligation, Jenny," she said, her voice a whisper against the gentle rustling of the leaves. "Your heart will lead you to the answer. But listen to it with your entire being, not just the echoes of what you think you should do."Jenny looked at Amelia, her eyes reflecting the raw honesty of her friend's words. She realized that Amelia was right. Her choice was not about duty or obligation; it was about her heart's desire, a desire that had been awakened in this magical world. The king, his face etched with concern, joined them, his gaze falling on Jenny's troubled expression."You've been quiet," he said, his voice a gentle caress. "Is something troubling you?"Jenny met his eyes, the depth of her affection for him reflected in their depths. "I'm trying to find my way, my king," she confessed, her voice filled with a mixture of love and fear. "This place has given me so much. I've found my purpose, my strength, and a love that transcends time."The king stepped closer, his hand finding hers. "Then hold onto that love, Jenny," he said, his voice filled with a warmth that soothed her troubled soul. "And let it guide you, no matter where your path leads."His words, spoken with an understanding that was both profound and selfless, resonated within her. She realized that the king's love for her was pure and unconditional, a love that recognized her choices and respected her journey.Days turned into nights as Jenny wrestled with her decision. The magic of Raia continued to weave its spell, drawing her closer to the world she had come to love. Yet, the thought of leaving her own world, of leaving the life she knew, felt like a wrenching separation.One evening, as the stars twinkled above the castle, Jenny found herself drawn to the clearing where the portal shimmered, a gateway to the unknown. The energy pulsed around it, a silent invitation to cross the threshold, to return to her own time. She stood there, lost in contemplation, the moonbeams casting long shadows around her. She felt the tug of both worlds, the pull of the past and the promise of the future.As she reached out to touch the shimmering surface, a voice echoed in her heart, a whisper of wisdom that transcended the boundaries of time and space. It was Jenevieve's voice, the voice of her ancestor, the first female knight of Raia. "Follow your heart, Jenny," the voice whispered. "Your destiny is your own to choose."The words resonated with a profound sense of peace. Jenny finally understood. Her choice was not about betraying one world for another; it was about embracing the power of her own destiny, a destiny that had been shaped by the echoes of the past and the possibilities of the future.With a newfound sense of clarity, Jenny stepped back from the portal. She knew her journey had only just begun, a journey that would forever be intertwined with the magic and the love she had found in Raia. But for now, she had a choice to make, a choice that was hers alone.And as the moon bathed the clearing in its silvery glow, Jenny closed her eyes and whispered a silent prayer. "Thank you, Jenevieve," she said, her voice filled with gratitude."Thank you for showing me the way."With a newfound sense of purpose, Jenny walked towards the castle, her steps light, her heart filled with a mixture of sadness and hope. She had found her strength, her courage, and her voice in this magical world. But she had also discovered a love that transcended time and space, a love that would forever be a part of her.The final choice was hers, and she knew, with a certainty that warmed her soul, that whatever decision she made, it would be the right one.