Never be the Last

Chapter 41

Ashlyn's POV

I am still dumbfounded. At last, someone has remembered the past. I never wished for it or hoped that someone may nor will reconcile it. This is just astonishing. I'm kinda relief that it's uncle Philip who remembered it. Outside I may not care that someone recalled my past but inside I'm at ease that someone can comfort me. That's what I needed. The solace of words will motivate me to keep going. Thank the gods, an impossible miracle had happened. Someone has remembered the lifetimes of suffering I experience.

Looking out, I saw valleys, villages, the imperial home of the royal family standing out. I am at our carriage. I mean we are sitting in our carriage. "Uncle Philip, tell me, what happened that night when we talked at the rails of my room?" I asked, thinking what happened to our conversation that led him unsettled. I felt something crop up when I told him a little information from my family and myself. I don't deny I was worried, it was the first time that occur to uncle Philip. Who wouldn't? When the person who believed me, in the end, was acting strange and wrong. Uncle looked at me with a thinkable answer growing to his face. "I don't know how to explain things. But I want to supposedly make it short as I can. That night while you narrate what life you had before the shits. I was feeling some vibe like I had felt more than a hundred or thousands times or many more. You mentioned Hunter. The whole time when I thought of your uncle, my heart was pounding like it wants to come out. My heart discontinued skipping when I saw Hunter crying-yelling at me. At first, I thought that was a dream but when I woke up earlier. It was flooded with memories from your lifetimes. I realized that the dream I saw while we were at the rails of your balcony wasn't just a hallucination. It was a memory." Uncle shut his eyes, not wanting to be a prison of my sight. "There is something I want to tell you but when we go abroad I'll tell you the revelation I know your heart can't handle." I made a face of confusion. What truth is it?

Wait, could it be possible that the truth that uncle Philip wants to tell and the truth that my mother wants me to discover are the same? I'll confirm that once we go to the neighboring continent.

After the carriage ride, we straightly go to the empress's palace at the glass greenhouse. Lobelia palace. Once we got there, two warm hands squeeze me, "Ash, dear, it's good you visit. The two have been finding you since they woke up. I'm sorry for the rush. Did I bother you?" I shook, the empress let us sat on the chairs. "Your highness, good morning, may the sun bless you eternity." Uncle greeted nervously. Royal aunt smiled at the way he's acting. "Good morning to you too, physician Philip." Royal aunt spoke as she sat.

"Dear, do you want something?" Royal aunt asked, I shook again. "Royal aunt, this is the last day I'll be visiting you and your whole family. I'm going abroad." Her face fell, royal aunt then rub her forehead. "Are you alright, aunt?" I spoke once more. Royal aunt hesitantly nods. "When will you leave?" I rouse from my sit, running to her. Embracing her because I know for the time being I'll miss her. "Next week," Answering her question. I couldn't see her face but I know she's starting to cry. I fondled her back. Royal aunt gets off of our embrace. Surprisingly she didn't cry. She was readying her warm smile. "When you arrive there, be safe, okay?" I was silent, I was lost at words. "Yes, royal aunt." I gave her a small smile since she will not see it for many years that will pass. "Ash, darling, always remember this will not be the last. I'll tell Mason about your leave. Therefore we can give you a farewell gift."

Royal aunt let us go to the imperial palace. We left her at her own palace. She said she wanted to breathe and accept that I'm leaving. The front door of the palace is being waited by the maids and some butlers. We're not rushing things but all the workers here are total tense. A maid led us to the princes' room. Alejandro told me he always visited his brother's room back then when he was a toddler. Claude decided or should I say made I request to his father, the emperor, to move into a large spacious room for the two of them to sleep on. We arrived in front of their room. The maid who guides us leaves us standing at the front door. Isn't that a bit rude? Uncle and I heard something fell. And some cursing. I didn't bother to knock because I know Claude will recognize my act.

"How are you doing? Claude?" Uncle froze when we see him, I didn't. I walk towards him. Alas, he fell onto the ground. That must be why he was cursing. On the side, we saw Alejandro peacefully sleeping. Alejandro should be really tired from the long sleep he and Claude had. Claude received my help, I pulled him up, and help him sit on his bed. "I want to tell you something." He weakly smiled, I raised an eyebrow. I shrugged, "Before you say it, I just wanted you to know I'm leaving. I'll be studying somewhere at the Fairchild continent." I plainly say, not bothering his reaction. "Ahh," He said. His face lands in his hands.

Like what his mother did, Claude present me with a weak warm smile, "You're going abroad then I'll write you tons of letters. And the thing I was about to say earlier, well, um... I will tell it to you once you come back here." His last sentence was doubtful. He's hiding something. But I don't want to force him to say it out loud. Because he is still the crown prince and because I have a bit of respect as someone who is also a human being. God, I know he doesn't deserve that.

My deadpan face stayed still. "How has Alejandro doing?" I asked, Claude, chuckled. "Stubborn. He wanted to go see you, to play with you. But I said we needed to rest for now. Yet his stubbornness is really his thing. Alejandro planned to sneak out but because of his condition, he lost unconscious stepping out of our room. It was a relief I saw him out, I called the maids to assist that brat back to his bed. Earlier, he got bored again. He planned another nonsense. I told one of our maids to put half of one sleeping pill into his drink. So that he cannot disturb anyone. That is also the reason why he is still sleeping." I couldn't help but giggle. Claude, on the other hand, brushed my hair. I stared at him.

His stare was becoming sharp and focus. This was uncomfortable. Uncle Philip may have felt the troubled awkwardness going around us three. Therefore, uncle sneezes the way in our agonizing silence. "Your majesty, I think we should go now. We need to prepare the things we're bringing abroad." His voice was dark and cold. Wow, he has more wrath than I have towards him. Claude didn't look unfazed. "Lyn, write a letter when you come back." I nod, before I go, I wrote a letter for Alejandro, I kept it short, cuz, hey, why would I need to explain it further way? Saying:

Dear Alix,

By the time you wake up, I suppose you may have read this. Next week I'll be leaving the continent, to study abroad. I know you must be thinking why would I need to leave. Because I want to see the neighboring continent. The sights of there.

We got out of their room, I heard uncle growled. "If he isn't just the crown prince, the empress's son, and this is his territory. I would have killed that guy." He mumbled, I smiled knowing someone can relate to my shitty experiences. "Let's go, uncle," I said, elbowing him from the side. Uncle laughs, his normal laugh, not his crazy laugh like what he showed this morning. We are currently walking down the stairs. And, damn, the staircase is so long. Uncle and I huffed. We reach the floor of the first area, uncle groans, and breath. So do I. The maids bid us farewell and a safe ride.

However, in front of us were the big doors that are opened by the guards guarding there. A pair of hands seize me from my rear. Then a whisper leaning to my frame, coming from a mellow breath, "Never be the last. Never be the first. But please, I'll do my best to make this the endmost of something. Just let me make it up to you when you come back." A voice said, realizing it was coming from Claude. He left as he held me. I turn to see him but my gaze was welcomed by the back of his body. He was wearing a robe that we saw when we enter their room. The same sleeping pants. Nevertheless, he was barefoot walking down here and going back to his room. The imperial household employees had their mouths down to the floor. Speechless. Jealous. And surprise. Uncle sharply snarls at them, snapping them to continue their work. Uncle pat my shoulder. Signaling the carriage is here.

Once more, we are in the carriage. Carriage ride it is. "What could the crown prince want to tell?" That question also walked into my mind. I waved my shoulders. A thought shot me to say something, "Do you think, no, is it possible that he had remembered the past as well?" I was unsure. Uncle thought what I said, "Maybe and maybe not." He answered despite the concern that perhaps Claude has reconciled the past. "Mia," He called. I look at him, waiting for what he is going to say.

"What I'll tell you is only part of what I want to tell you when we go to the neighboring continent. I also die just like you but in a different way. I die because I discovered the truth. It wasn't someone I knew or who had a grudge against me. Because I was murdered every time the missing gospel of your life is being revealed and being found out by me. After that, I came back to the start like you repeat your life however in my case I don't remember it. That's why I was really happy when missing memories came back to me. Those memories were the ones I cherished the most. Most of them are shared with you and Hunter." He was tapping his legs while telling me what he encounter.

"Do you want to see him again?" I shot an effortless simple question that my uncle can answer quickly. But, "I... I," He chose to stutter. I'm getting interested in what happened after my death. Many circumstances seem to appear to be important that I didn't know. "The right question is what is your relationship with papa?" If uncle has known papa for a while or more then he would know who am I referring to. Uncle halt at my query, "I was your papa's lover." That didn't shock me much cuz even in our family, from the early years. There has been this kind of relationship. Leo and Emil, my ancestors.

I cross my arms, looked at him straightly-directly to his eyes, "Okay, you have my blessing." I spoke, not revealing how happy I am. Uncle Philip had his reaction in another way, his jaw dropped, and blushed heavily. "When did it start? Can you tell me in full detail?" I smiled a bit. A wild grin grew onto his face, "Are meetings, how we started to feel for each other, how we love each other was like a repeated time. Like yours but you can change some that will take place. Ours happens repeatedly even if the time, the day, the year is different in how many redoing reincarnations you had. I met Hunter when we saved ourselves from a wild beast that was about to attack us. He escaped from the prisons of the Lenoir empire. To be exact, at that time, I was in the forest where I was collecting some herbs to brew. He was in there to find something to make as a poison. After our survival, we talked till we met many times. Coincidentally or intentionally. We just wanted to spend the days we have with each other. But I shouldn't have been comfortable..." A tear escaped from his eyes.

"After some time, people started to know about our relationship. Many criticize our love. Saying a De Alegro like me dating someone like him. Add to that is he is a guy. We didn't care. That didn't bother us. We let everything, everyone, think and do things to us freely. Since at the end of the day, Hunter and I will choose each other. Brother then knew about my connection to him. He let me do as I please. It was going alright. At that moment when I wanted to let him meet you. You died. You died in many ways like your reincarnations. You died. We saw what happened to you. Hunter fumed, he can't believe that the daughter of his sister was the adoptive daughter of our family. Because of his range towards my family and to various people who killed you, he wanted to murder them. I, on the other hand, flamed when you died as well as sad when I saw Hunter cried for the first time. He was a bubbly mischievous boy. Seeing him cry was a pain in me. An eternal pain. Weeks passed by, he became cold and silent yet he didn't abandon me. That was the worse part of it. Thinking he will despise me. Knowing my relatives killed his niece. My wrath grew when Eclipse killed my lover, your uncle. I loath my brother, his sons, his daughter, the vigilante, the wizard, the princes, the bandit, and the slave knight. I felt that something was wrong. Something was not right. I did some investigation that led me from the truth that killed me." That damn truth again. Tears fall from him. I waited for him to calm down to the breakdown of his cries.

"Do you remember the stranger's face that murdered you?" Uncle sought, "Apparently no. But I remember her saying I was blocking her plan. It was a woman by the way. I recognize it because of her voice." I carefully nodded. This woman must not be a human. Just guessing. If their story happens reversely then mine was different but the same. What damn reason is playing us? I don't know anymore.

Uncle got down from the carriage when it stopped. He holds my hand carefully as I step my foot on the ground. We walk straight to the knight's area, he said he had a surprise for me. A celebrating gift for him remembering the past. And to myself also. He said this will be the start of people fearing us. Hmm, I'm kinda excited. My villainess title got really into me. I smiled at that thought.

I sat so was my uncle. Knights halt seeing us. They froze, uncle smirk. I saw how devilish his eyes were. It's like there's another person who's in him. Another monster of his own. In a snap of his fingers, guards come to us, few inches away. With Mirya middling them. Oh, I get his gift. What kind of punishment will it be? I crossed my legs. Placed my elbow, standing as it is. Now, rest my chin to my palm. "Well, well, my dear niece. I have a present for you." Uncle cheerfully said. I innocently nodded like I didn't know anything. He took a knife in the boots he's wearing. A brow rose. A giggle escaped from his and my mouth. He gently strides to where Mirya is standing. Uncle may seem smiling like he usually smiles but within it, he's enjoying how Mirya is trembling from fear. It may be too quick that I can understand him easily. But, hey, he's too easy to read. Maybe, I'm the only one who thinks that way.

When uncle stood tall in front of Mirya, he didn't hesitate to rip her uniform; Making her naked. It shocked tons of people watching him. Maids, gardeners, knights, guards, name all names we can call to all the workers here. Uncle then glides his knife lightly on Mirya's body like he is holding a feather. Mirya yelp from the pain. The whole knight's ground was filled with her cries. He brutally slides the knife like it's nothing. I was observing him. Let's see what's his other personality is. I didn't mind the others throwing up at what they are staring at. Really, trained assassins and knights are like this now? This is only the basics. The cutting took an hour to be finished. Uncle Philip moved back. Sitting next to me while faking his panting. He also faked his move when he wiped his false sweat. I doubt he didn't even look tired, I rolled my eyes, he saw my way. He laughs. A normal one, a normal one.

"Hmmm," The knights were still holding Mirya up. Uncle Philip shot me a confused look. "You know, uncle, something is lacking at what you did." I smiled, uncle stayed confused. "What is it?" He asked. I stood, brushing some dust in my dress then taking another knife in my uncle's other boot. I smiled guiding myself to where Mirya is being held. Afterward, I carved a one bloody sentence making them flinched;

'I AM THE BITCH WHO POISONED MY LADY'S FOOD AND DRINKS SINCE SHE CAME TO THIS RESIDENCE' is what is said in her chest to her breast and her stomach. Big and noticeable. "That's what's missing." I plainly said before I go back where uncle is sitting. I stabbed the knife in Mirya's side. I gesture to the guards to let her go, I want her lying on the ground bleeding. It was deadly silent. They are scarred. If one goes out or one speaks up, they can see another amusing to watch. Uncle Philip clapped his hands. Proud of what I did.

"Listen up. To those who will act as Mirya did to my niece. As you may see, what my niece wrote at Mirya's body. This stupid thing has been poisoning Mia since she came here five years ago. What the fuck?! You didn't even have cautions trusting that bitch? You were all trained to be the protectors of this house but you didn't even know that the one you are protecting is being silently poisoned. I will not just do what I did to the bitchy maid, I'll triple the pain to those who dare to test their life. This will never be the last if you don't imitate what she did. Got it?" Uncle spoke lovingly. They looked down, swallowing before nodding.

"What the hell happened here?" A voice from the opening asked while two boys at his back had their eyes wide open. Shivering, I see. Wow, another star of our show. I glance at uncle Philip grinning like a madman. I smiled. This is pleasing to see.