I washed myself, combed my hair and put on the best dress I could find in the closet. Len waited at the door and together we walked down the grand stairs.
Everyone was waiting below. Two lines of Morganthe servants looked up to welcome us. In the centre of the hall were my family and my friends. I smiled at Uncle Adam and Oma, who waved at me.
I was finally well enough to leave the bed. I had been waiting for this day, the day when I could return home.
I met my uncle and aunt for the first time, in a formal way. They had visited me regularly during my recovery but we never had any serious talks. Len’s father, my Uncle Tristen, seemed to change a lot after the incident. Probably, he had never predicted the day when his children betrayed and turned against him. Carmine might think he got the throne with his own power and strength but that was not true. Zander pointed out once that Uncle Tristen fell into Carmine’s trap not because of his carelessness and of Carmine’s success but due to the wrong trust he still had in his son at that time. That implied Uncle Tristen had always kept his hope and belief in his children despite having banished them. Carmine had taken his last trust for grunted though.
Demonia went through hard times making herself guilty. She remained rather sensitive after what she had done to me in the banquet. After losing two children, her sorrow was only understandable. She was the kind of mothers that cared much for her children but had unfortunately spoiled them in the same way. Learning of my true identity, she almost fainted. She said she could never forgive herself having been so selfish, trying to keep her son beside her regardless of my life. She claimed she could never pay for the rudeness she had towards her best friend’s daughter. All I could tell her was her selfishness was never a sin, for it just proved her love for Len.
Uncle Tristen stepped forward to meet me. His pale face showed a somewhat dubious expression. He reached out to touch my face. His hand was cold but I did not mind. I stared straight into his hazel eyes.
“I still can’t believe this.” He shook his head, taking his hand away. “You look so much like her.”
“Why did I never see that?” Demonia said. “Your face is just a copy of Winona’s.”
“Well,” I began. “I suppose it does not really matter now. I do believe my parents are happy the way I am right now and they never blamed anyone for what’s happened.”
“And you talk just like her.” Uncle Tristen said. In fact, I thought he was quite friendly, after having got on with him for the past few days. He was not as severe as I had imagined him to be.
“I have found I have made plentiful mistakes being the way I have been.” He said, either answering my thought or confessing something. He turned to Zander and then to Len. “I did not do my part in this family properly. That’s why I deserve such betrayal and loss of my children. It is meaningless for regrets now. I just want to clear all the misunderstandings and problems that have existed in this family due to my long-time ignorance and incautiousness.”
“Zander and Lucard,” Demonia said. “Will you forgive us for being such bad parents?”
“It’s never your fault, mother.” Len said. “You have cared enough for us.”
“There is nothing to forgive.” Zander said. “As a member of this family, I am ashamed of what Carmine and Carmina have done. I will not blame you and father for your past mistakes because I have done my wrong as well.”
“We are just sorry about what happened to Lucia.” Demonia took Zander’s hand. He looked doleful.
Lucia had to be Zander’s girlfriend, whom Carmine had abducted and used as a bait to threaten Zander and eventually killed. I shivered as I recalled what Carmine said about making a girl die with excessive loss of blood.
“It must be hard on you.” Demonia said.
Zander turned away and remained calm. “It is my wrong not being able to protect her.”
It was just heartrending. The girl was buried in the Morganthes’ garden as a proof of being part of the family. It turned out that Zander had not made the unbreakable oath with her before everything happened but Lucia was still literally his bride. He would not forget her for at least several centuries. Or more…
“Father,” Len stood beside, taking my hand. “I have a request.”
Uncle Tristen nodded at him.
“I want to give the inheritance of this land to Zander. He should be a better man than I am. He has done the most to save the family.”
Everyone looked surprised.
“What?” Zander turned to him as though Len was mad.
“I do not want to become the master of the Morganthes.” Len said. “I never wanted to. I did not wish to disappoint you and mother so I never expressed my feeling truly. Right now, I only beg for your understanding and hope you respect my decision, allowing me,” Len smiled at me. “to stay beside Alice in a world that suits her best.”
“But, Lucard…” Demonia scowled.
“I know what you want to say, mother.” Len said. “You want me to stay home with you but I believe I deserve more freedom than that. I will stay as often as you want if you permit me to pursue a life that will make me happy at the same time.”
“We would want you to be happy.” Demonia smiled.
“My answer to your request will be the same.” Uncle Tristen said. “I will make Zander the next master of the Morganthes and you, Lucard, should live a blissful and pleasant life with Alice.”
He turned to ask Zander. “Do you accept such decision and my faith in you, Zander?”
Zander paused for a moment before nodding.
“Thank you, Lucard.” Zander said.
“No, I should thank you.” Len said. “You saved Alice.”