Before the Last Snow

Chapter 20: Perdón (forgiveness)

Hedwig had only ever cried once in his life when he parted from his family and had to leave his mother. The second time would be the day Crystal slipped into his arms and they found forgiveness and love. His eyes had the entire ocean and all the underwater, dark, secrets were embossed into his pupils. But, all he wanted to do was smile at the woman he had begun to love. Surely, he was a charming man and had been with women before, unwillingly, and he knew of the kind. His heart fluttered with just the mention of her name, and the only thought that stopped him from confessing was his guilt, but when she glanced at him in that teasing manner, he could no longer hold back.

When he saw Nebula and Crystal standing up for him and announcing ever so proudly that he is a fine man, his eyes dropped a salty drop onto his palms. How could he possibly be in peace with what he knows of his father's plan? He didn't wish to call the man his father, but he had no other choice. The attack was due in a week, around the time of the wedding and yet this seemingly powerful boy couldn't do anything. He could not confront his father. He could not tell the Royals the truth. He could not lie to himself. He knew, soon, he had to do one of them. Perhaps his mind was made, perhaps doubts were still there. Everything was to depend on the return of Lexon.

He carried the burden of his past and yet as Crystal's fingers touched and webbed his hands, his worries seemed to melt away into the evening. 

"What are you so worried for, Hedwig?"

"Nothing. I suppose I am stressed about the wedding."

"Ah, yes. Well, I want you to know that you can tell me anything, Hedwig. Anything at all."

"Of course, I know that Crystal."

"Call me something romantic."

"Huh? Where did that come from?"

"Well, it's that Lexon calls Neb 'moon' all the time and I have never had anyone call me something so sweet."

"You, ma'am, are adorable. Now, what would you have me call you?"

"I love the name 'star'. Would you call me that, please?"

"Oh, I'd rather call you mine."

"Hush now. That was a terrible line!"

"I know. 'Star' seems too odd. I can call you honey."

"Honey is too common. You know what? Call me Crystal. My name is absolutely beautiful."

"Yes, so are you."

Their evening was supposed to be rather calm but the hooves of Pearl and the pounding heartbeats of Lexon and Lurnara were storming through the Kingdom. Almost instantly, Nebula's chest started roaring with tension, too. Something ominous, something inauspicious, something bad, were to happen soon.

The Elder Royals were almost asleep when Lexon barged into the Palace, yelling Hedwig's name.

"Hedwig! Hedwig! You traitor! Best come out now, I met your father and your mother. I know everything."

"Lexon? What are you blabbering about? Hedwig is a fine man!" Lurnara countered him, for she knew nothing about Lexon's adventure.

"I will tell you how fine this man is! Come out now!"

Hedwig knew this was to come. He could have escaped through the windows, or taken Crystal as a prisoner, but he did not. Instead, he held his face low as he walked down the stairs, and before Lexon could react to the betrayer's face, he knelt on the ground.

"I am guilty, King Lexon. Forgive me, please."

Of course, Lexon was still fuming, but he almost gasped at this action. He expected Hedwig to refute his claims, to act innocent, to escape even! But to ask for forgiveness was unusual.