CHAPTER 532: SAY GOODBYE

The streets of Emberlynx blazed with colours as the parade began. Banners of gold and crimson fluttered from every arch and balcony, catching the twilight like fire. The sound of drums and trumpets carried through the air, their rhythm guiding the steady march of armoured knights on gleaming horses.

At the centre rode Aurelius on a white ceremonial chariot, his golden crown glinting under the sun, his robe trailing like a river of blue silk. The people cheered his name, their voices rising in waves, some weeping with joy, others stretching their hands as if to touch their new emperor. Flowers rained down from the rooftops, filling the air with fragrance and colour.

Behind him followed nobles and courtiers on horses, their jewels and silks flashing in the light. The city itself seemed alive, bells ringing from the cathedral towers, children running barefoot through the crowds, vendors tossing petals into the air.

It was not just a parade. It was the birth of a new reign, and all of Heliosa seemed to roar with pride and hope.

Deep within the procession was the princess who had grown popular in Heliosa. Abrielle. She was beautiful as the rumours said. Praises flew her way, and she maintained her best smile, accepting their praise.

Abrielle continued down the road, her mind still drifting away.

She was happy for Aurelius the way he effortlessly handled the crowd.

He was the reason she was here.

His eyes darted around the crowd, watching the people cheer and celebrate their new emperor. Some even stood on their balconies, waving at him, hoping to be seen. It was beautiful indeed.

Her eyes caught something, and at first, it felt like a fluke. Her grip subconsciously gripped her horse’s reins; she desperately searched again. Her mind could not be playing games with her.

It appeared then disappeared like an illusion. Her heart started beating fast, and she glanced back at the procession. Abrielle came to a halt, other knights rode past her with a questioning look, confusion written all over their faces.

"Are you alright, your highness?" A knight asked out of confusion. His horses were by her side. He desperately searched through the crowd searching for some abnormalities, but he couldn’t see any out of place or fascinating enough to warrant the princess’s attention.

His brows deepened. His gaze shifted back to Abrielle who was still lost in a daze. They were far away from Aurelius now..the new emperor didn’t notice what was happening because he was swamped in the moment.

Only a few noticed what was going on amidst the joyful parade. Abrielle’s eyes turned sharp and without a word she pulled her horse and broke into the crowd

The knight almost lost his soul seeing her reckless actions..he pulled his horse and followed after her. "Your highness, where are you going?" He desperately called.

Abrielle didn’t answer nor did she slow down. She raced through the crowded streets. Scared pedestrians hastily made way for her

The knight was puzzled and confused about what had gotten over the princess. Abrielle rode her out of the busy street to a quieter alley..

Only a few were around as the entire city was watching the parade. She paid no attention to the knight on her heels and jumped off her horse.

Her feet landed on the snow, horse neighs drew close, as did the horse hooves. "Please, your highness, stop running. These streets are dangerous." The knight begged her. Abrielle didn’t answer him.

She only gave him a short glance before she rushed through a nearby door. She knew what she saw and would not stop until she confirmed it with her eyes.

"Your highness," the knight panicked, his teeth gritting as he jumped off the horse. "What is wrong with her?" He grumbled, daring not to raise his voice, lest he lose his head.

He ran through the door, but there was no sign of Abrielle. It looked like a tavern, completely empty without a soul.

His eyes narrowed. Why was the door open? "Princess Abrielle!" He called out, hoping for a response, but none came.

In another part of the building, Abrielle found her way to a door. Her heart was hammering in her chest, and her palms were sweaty.

She reached out for the door and pushed it open. It led to a staircase. Abrielle rushed through, her heels clicking after the wooden boards, which creaked under her weight.

She held up her gown and continued running, it felt as if she wasted a second she would miss it. She arrived at the end of the stairway, and a door stood, slightly ajar

Abrielle pushed the door open and was welcomed by the cold winter breeze, which blew through her eyes, blinding her for a moment. She clearly saw a silhouette hidden in the wind. The same one she saw from a distance away.

Her eyes naturally found it like fate. The cold bit into her skin. She stood on top of a rooftop. The distant music and drum from the parade wafted in the wind.

The wind cleared, and she could finally look ahead. Her eyes darted around the empty roof. Her heart was still hammering. She had a bad feeling in her gut as her gut churned

The rooftop was silent, empty, not a soul to be seen, but she knew what she saw. "Cedric," she called, her feet slowly moving on the steep roof.

There was no answer, Abrielle clenched her fist and continued walking forward. The roof was large with several wall partitions. The wind was still blowing softly.

"Cedric, I know you are there. I can feel your presence." She stated. Her voice slowly broke. Her racing heart was aching.

"Why are you hiding from me?" She asked. Her eyes darted around trying to find any sign of him. She was sure he was here

When she spotted the silhouette watching the parade hidden in the shadows of the roof, she wasn’t sure at first. The wind made it hard to get a good look..

She wanted to ignore it, but the person didn’t move as if the person was caught in a trance. That’s when she stopped and stared back. Her eyes tried to search through the wind but the figure had disappeared.

That’s when her heart started racing; her mind told her that she had to go after it. She might regret it for the rest of her life

Her eyes started to sting. Why wasn’t he answering her? She slowly blinked, and tears slipped down her face. "What did I do wrong that you don’t want to see me?" She cried out. There was still no answer.

She stood in the middle of the roof, way above the ground. The sides were steep, she might fall to her death if she slips off. "If I ever did anything wrong, just tell me. We can talk things over." She begged. He refused to answer.

She was sure he was here. She knew her husband’s presence. Even if it was very subtle, her heart knew he was here. She sniffed. The cold was biting her exposed skin.

She drew in a deep breath, it felt cold in her lungs. "If you don’t answer. I will leave and take your answer as no." Her voice croaked. The tears continued rolling down.

"No, I mean. This marriage is over." She didn’t know why she was saying this or why she was so sure he was here. There was clearly no one here.

She must be losing her mind at this point.

The wind whistled. There wasn’t any reply.

That was a no.

She laughed, and they glanced at the moon. "That’s the answer. He isn’t here. He can’t be here." She muttered..

Abrielle slowly accepted reality. Maybe he was never coming back. A small smile graced her lips.

Why did it hurt? Why did it suddenly feel like the air was being forced out of her lungs?

He was gone. It was what she always wanted. She was so desperate it wasn’t she? "What am I going to do with this freedom?" She asked herself then released a short breath

"Goodbye, hope you find peace wherever you are." She didn’t know why she said those words before she turned around. Her feet felt heavy.

She raised her legs with difficulty and started moving to the door. A sharp crashing sound rang from behind her. Her head snapped behind her, anxious for whatever she didn’t know

Abrielle carelessly spun around, forgetting how narrow the path was, or how steep the sides were. A fast wind blew as she turned, in a flick of a second..

She lost her footing, her surroundings blurred

Abrielle didn’t understand what was happening at first. Her brain didn’t grasp the reality, she was falling from stories above the ground.

They say time slows down when death is close. Ticking second by second.

Enough time for a person’s life to flash before their eyes. A short cry escaped her lips, her eyes were facing the moon. She should be scared. She should have screamed but she just felt tired.

Like she had accepted the embrace of death. Abrielle closed her eyes, submitting to fate.

That’s when the air around her changed, just before she hit the ground. A dark energy eerily similar wrapped around her.

The death didn’t come, her racing heart didn’t stop. She was in someone’s arms. Abrielle opened her eyes, which slowly went wide.

It wasn’t the eyes she remembered.