She bit her lower lip, averting her eyes to the ground. He chuckled. Detri walked toward them, bowing.
“Your Graces,” he greeted. Then he raised his head. “The belongings are all packed, and we are ready to depart tomorrow.”
Valencia beamed as she looked up.
“Depart?”
Kael and Detri looked at her. Kael smiled warmly as he adjusted his glove.
“Yes… we will be departing soon. Will my wife be ready to face hell with me?”
Valencia’s eyes widened as she realized… that they would soon set out to the Black Forest. She stared at Kael, who kept his smile on his face. Her lips slowly curved into a smile. Father, I will finish what you started, but this time… I will end it all. Demon King, or whoever is waiting at the other end of this world. I must end it.
“Yes, let’s face it together!”
As night fell, Valencia placed her clothes on the chair, preparing herself for the morning that would come. Nuredus knocked on the door softly.
“May I come in?” she asked.
Valencia smiled and nodded.
“Yes, Mother…”
Nuredus smiled and stepped inside, heading toward Valencia. She grabbed Valencia’s hands and placed a gemstone on the palm. Valencia gulped.
“Your great-grandfather had left this behind… he couldn’t see you head out to hell, so he asked me to hand this to you…” Nuredus said.
Tears hovered over Valencia’s lower eyelids. Her lips trembled as her gaze locked onto the gemstone that matched her mother’s eye colors.
“This…”
“... was your mother’s. Duke Elyane had always held onto this. Your eyes resembled hers so much. However, we thought maybe you would want something that was hers and was supposed to be passed down to you,” Nuredus explained.
Valencia cried happily, wiping her tears as she clutched the gemstone tightly.
“Thank you…” she replied.
Nuredus grinned warmly and hugged her.
“Any mother would argue to beg their children to stay… but since you really wanted to go, we would do nothing but support your decision. So come back safely with my son,” Nuredus praised.
Valencia nodded, sniffling.
“Yes…”
Nuredus soothed Valencia as best as possible. Persai… I will protect your daughter for you. So please rest in peace.
Kael walked in—
“Mother… why did you make my dear wife cry?”
“Is that how you talk to your mother?!” Nuredus snapped at the moment she heard Kael.
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