𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍 || 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 | 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫

Chapter LI: The Fall of Julius Novachrono

Defy the Fates Pt. 6

SOLENE had once dreamed of a life; enchanted and peaceful. She could see it vividly: a humble cottage deep in the Mistwood Forest where she and William first met. His magic bloomed and consumed the entire forest, blessed and abundant with fertile soil that every color that existed painted the flowers that surrounded their home. She would lie on a cozy swing made by her husband as she read a book, enjoying the background music ringing in her ears—gentle giggles and roaring laughters, one from a child and another from a man—people most dear to her.

She dreamt of that family with William someday. A life where they could live happily and peacefully, without any scrutiny and condemnation.

Yet she could not bring herself to bring a smile on her face as she heard of this sudden news.

She did not expect that what they did that night would bear fruit.

"Are you sure, Dr. Owen? Perhaps this is a misunderstanding," she said, still not accepting the information.

Owen breathed heavily, as if carefully choosing the right words to tell her. "Well, your symptoms by far suggest that you are with child, Solene. And my magic rarely brings any errors. Did you have any sexual activity with anyone—with Captain Vangeance perhaps?"

Solene stood up immediately, her back facing him as if it would hide the existence of that event with William. "He cannot know this, Dr. Owen."

"But he is the father of the child you're carrying, Solene. He deserves to know. He would be delighted."

"Not at this time. Everything he has worked hard for is falling apart because of me. The news of my pregnancy will be his downfall." She turned towards Owen, grabbing his hands, her eyes pleading. "Please, do not utter a word about this to anyone, especially William. Do you understand?"

Owen slowly nodded. "You have my word, Solene."

That night, Solene went home while rubbing her belly gently. A part of her was happy, and for a split moment of realizing that she was indeed going to be a mother soon, she felt like she was on cloud nine. That was, until she remembered the suffering that her child might face when the kingdom knew of this, of the possibility that William might lose his position in the Magic Knights.

But she could not help but wonder what William's reaction would be if she told him. Would he be delighted just as Owen had said? Or would he be regretful that he made love to her because now he had another responsibility to take care of aside from being a captain? Or would he be afraid, fearing the consequences that might happen?

Solene knew that deep inside her, her selfishness would only bring disaster. And so, she chose to hide her child from everyone—including its father.

"You are nearing the end of yourselves, Solene." Jinn's voice rang in her head. She did not know if it was just her thought playing tricks, or if it was her mind magic communicating with her.

"Can you be silent for once?" Solene thought. "You're not helping."

"Poor child. That thing should never be born in this sinful kingdom," she said. "You don't have to keep acting like everything is going to be alright, Solene, because it's never going to happen. The dream of yours will forever remain a dream. I'm going to prove it to you."

"Get out of my head!" She roared, and at once her mind was silent again.

~~~~~~~

WILLIAM AWOKE with so much dread the next day. He could not bring himself to stand, much less see another day knowing that he didn't do anything to save Solene from the humiliation she had endured the night before.