Of magic and blood

Epilogue

Yuna could hardly believe it had only been two weeks since the defeat of her mother.

Chaos reined in the realm for weeks to come, as Calluna took back her throne and negotiations were started between all three kingdoms. Ties and trust that had been broken slowly began to heal between the war-torn lands.

Lilac regained her strength bit by bit. Yuna helped her recover her health, watched as the courageous princess made increditable progress. The dark enchantment set upon her by Morgana had stolen much from her, but Lilac fought and fought to win it all back.

In those weeks, Yuna hardly saw her brother, Lily, Simon, or anyone as she was busy helping Lilac and they were busy helping Calluna bring order back to the palace and the entire kingdom.

But finally, after those two weeks of hard work, Lilac returned to full health and was able to joint Lily and Calluna in restoring the peace.

Whenever Yuna saw Lilac, she was reminded yet again why she wanted to heal in the first place. She was saving people's lives. She was making a difference. And she was creating, healing and making whole again, not destroying like Morgana.

Now that Lilac was back on her feet again, the subject of heir quickly became a heated topic. Yuna often sat in on the meetings between Calluna, Lilac and Lily, and some of Calluna's most trusted advisers who had kept their loyalty even through Morgana's rein, listening to them argue and bicker about it.

As stated in their laws and traditions, the eldest of the bloodline was to assume the throne. Lilac was, in all technicality, the eldest of Lily by two minutes, meaning she was the rightful heir to the throne. Yuna personally thought that Lilac would make a wonderful Queen Sorceress.

However, Lilac had other ideas. She argued that she was already an heir to a different throne, the kingdom she had grown up in, and refused to take up the crown of Gelus.

Yuna could understand why. She didn't hold it against her cousin. Lilac hadn't grown up in this kingdom, she didn't know the people and the traditions and the culture. Lily was in the same boat and felt the same way as Lilac.

But it left the throne of Gelus open and valuable, more than it had been. They needed a confirmed heir, it would bring much needed peace and stability to the people. Calluna argued that she couldn't rule forever. And someone of the bloodline had to sit on the throne.

The answer came as a surprise to everyone.

Caspar had stepped up, offering to become the next ruler. A male heir was extremely rare in the bloodline, with only two previous King Sorcerers in their long history of rulers.

It was debated furiously for many days, but the traditions and laws stated nothing against the unheard-of-practice, and everyone walked out of the deal satisfied. Calluna had an heir. Lilac and Lily were free to live their own lives without the responsibilities of a kingdom they never even knew.

Yuna was proud of her brother. She could think of no one who was more worthy than him. And she knew he would be a kind and fair leader.

A week later, he was crowned. Yuna couldn't help but think of the last crowning ceremony she had attended. Khione's. Only this ceremony was full of joy and merriment.

And as the dancing and merrymaking commenced in the throne room, Yuna decided she would slip away from the crowded room. She walked along the corridors of the Palace, smiling. No longer did the heavy air of fear and dread choke the hallways and passages of the Palace. The fear had been cleansed, melted away like snow under a spring sun.

"Yuna!"

She turned, startled, and grinned widely when she was it was Lysander. Ten years seemed to have been removed from his features. He was smiling again. But there was a tinge of sadness in his eyes.

Lysander and Lilac had been the main reason Morgana hadn't been executed. They had argued that they would be just as bad as her if they followed through with the execution. Yuna agreed. Morgan may have done horrible, truly evil things, but she was still a human being. And her mother.

Lysander spent the most time with her. Yuna assumed that he was still very much in love with her, although if she still returned the same sentiments, she didn't know. As horrible as it was, she still didn't consider them her parents.

"Lysander!" She embraced him in a warm hug, still smiling.

He chuckled and leaned back to look at her, his hands resting on her shoulders, "As I recall, we had a very similar meeting at another ceremony."

"I believe I recall that as well." Yuna replied with a smile, "And if I also recall, I promised a further conversation that was never followed through."

Lysander's smile never left, "No better time, then?"

They walked together, talking for a while and using the time to catch up with the other. However, they avoided the topic of Morgana. That was until they came to her portrait hanging on the wall, next to Calluna's.

Lysander gazed up at the painting, then sighed in a melancholy way, "She has indeed done evil things, hasn't she?"

Yuna didn't answer. She had a feeling Lysander wouldn't like what she had to say.

"And yet..." he chuckled sadly, leaving his thought unsaid, and faced Yuna, "Understand, Yuna. Our hearts are not ours to control. Who we love is not up to us. And sometimes... love hurts. Love is both a curse and a blessing."

Yuna looked away. She knew better than most.

"But enough of my rambling. Come, let us go back to the festivities." He offered his arm, which Yuna took, and they went back towards the throne room.

The celebration had not calmed at all in the time Yuna had been gone. She looked out into the crowd of smiling and dancing faces.

She saw Caspar and Rose, laughing breathlessly as they danced to the fast pace of the song playing. They shared smiles that was only reserved for the other. It was easy to believe they had always been lovers.

She saw Lilac standing off to the side, unable just yet to dance, but smiling and clapping along all the same. Lily stood next to her, speaking to Caleb with Evander standing close.

And with them was Simon. Her eyes always went to him, no matter how hard she tried not to, and after a moment, his eyes flickered up to meet hers and held her captive.

She looked away first, her cheeks filling with color.

But Yuna was content. The kingdom was put together again. Balance had been restored. There was still so much to do, so much to make right again, but for now, it was enough.

And Yuna was truly happy.