It's emotional to announce this is the final end.
I don't even know where to start because I remember there was times I felt down because I wasn't able to think of what to write, to the times I was furiously typing away.
I sincerly appreciate every vote, read and comment. I cannot express how much confidence I gained throughout this journey.
If anything please tell me what you enjoyed and hated throughout the book or even if you happen to have just read a few chapters, just tell what you think. I'd love to improve!
Now for what quite a few of you anticipated for! It's the epilogue!
...
Walking pass these beautifully painted and carved palace walls, the sounds of her high heels clacking against the marble floor as she made her way down alone echoed. Walking towards to the dead end with a door her left hand with nails that is perfectly coated in a dark red she grabs hold of the door handle. Looking behind she sees nothing but emptiness - Closing her eyes which hid her violet eyes she takes a deep breath .
She's ready.
“Raine” A familiar voice calls out to her as she enters the room, a man sitting on a wheelchair, his eyes sparkled. Even though they had not seen each other for more than ten years, he still looked the same. “Jayden!” Running towards him and grabbing onto his rough hands, their warm touch assured her that he is alive in front of her. Tears began to swirl in both of their eyes, this long awaited reunion had been held back for far too long.
Taking a glance at his legs, she reached out her free hand to touch them. “Your legs… what happened?” - With a gentle smile Jayden sighs, “When me and Zain were escaping, I fell down a cliff. Yet thanks to the forest beneath it I didn’t lose my life, just my legs” A pang of guilt crosses Raine’s face and heart - she is happy that her best friend is still alive, but is still guilty as she knows she is the one who caused the loss of his legs. “Don’t make that face stupid. I heard all about it, you know , about Queen Irene and the cult group” Speaking of the past, Raine smiles towards him briefly patting his hand with hers.
“Yet there’s a lot of rumours, saying she’s still alive in the castle, or even out there somewhere.” Wanting an answer Jayden begs Raine with his eyes - “Jayden, you know there is some things I cannot tell you because of security and political reasons.” - “You’re really a queen, damn looking at you really make me feel emotional”. Raine laughs at him wiping his tears away, and helps him whilst pulling a handkerchief from her pocket.
“Let’s take you somewhere.”
“Huh? Wait Raine!”
Pushing his wheelchair out the room, Raine heads towards the garden. “Are you taking me for a picnic or something?” Looking around him, the scenery is just outstanding - this palace simple holds something different to everything out there, nothing can match to this place. “I’m taking you to see something” Raine muttered as they enter a glass corridor leading to a isolated part of the castle, “You’re not abducting me are you?” Jokingly Jayden laughs but then the laugh of someone else attracts his attention, with the wheelchair stopping Jayden and Raine both look towards their left.
“The answer to your question before.”
Before them stands a woman with white hair, in clothing that presented her as royalty. Sitting on a swing she swung backwards and forth slightly as she muttered and laughed to herself. “Thats…” Jayden starts but the woman notices them - “ELISE! WHY ARE YOU HERE?!” Anger flared in her eyes as she rushed towards Raine but looking at Jayden her eyes widen -
“Nicholas? W-Why are you in a wheelchair?”
Pointing at Jayden confusion crosses his face but Raine reassures him by patting his shoulder as they continue to watch the woman. “No!!!! I didn’t mean to Nicholas! I didn’t want to hurt you!” Crying almost immediately she fall onto the floor but after a moment or two her crying stops as she snaps her head at Jayden. “You betrayed my love… you betrayed my trust… Loving Elise… IT’S ALL YOUR FAULT!”
Screaming and crying, Raine turns Jayden’s wheelchair around. “R-Raine, was she?” - “We made the decision to keep her title as Queen Irene within the palace. I told her she is Nathan’s queen, and the truth to why everything happened the way it did. Shortly after, she slowly lost the ability to remain sane. I originally had her imprisoned in the main part of the castle but since Nathan hated hearing anything about his mother, I moved her to this place” With a huge sigh Jayden shook his head, “The worst punishment is not making a heartless person suffer, but actually making a compassionate person suffer”. Raine’s high heels clacked as she slowly push Jayden’s wheelchair, as they arrived at the pavilion for tea Jayden finally broke his silence.
“So Noah” Before Jayden could even finish his sentence, Raine who was pouring the tea missed the cup. “S-Sorry” Stuttering to herself Jayden frowns,
“I heard he left the palace for almost ten years now. Yet you didn’t even go with him, can you tell me why?” - “We still talk to each other through email and letters”
Jayden roll his eyes, “Oh please, there’s something called a camera and internet. Or did you know, if you saw him or if he saw you, he’d come back” Hitting the right lines Raine sighs as she took a seat, “I was the one who pushed him to go, but you don’t have to worry.” “Don’t have to worry?! Raine! He’s your mate!” Jayden pushes further with his words but Raine puts a stop to it. “Jayden, I didn’t push him away because I just wanted to become queen because if I did, me and him would be ruling right now. I just wanted him to have a taste of freedom before being constrained”
“But-“ A shadow hovers over Jayden, who quickly notices it. Turning around quickly Jayden’s eyes widen as he faces Nathan who is looking down at him sternly. “I will retire from my position when Noah returns, you shouldn’t push Raine because she’s just been doing whatever she can for my brother’s wellbeing” Sitting down right next to Raine Jayden sighs, “I guess whatever the king says goes” Giving up on pushing Raine, Nathan smiles towards Jayden. “It’s good to see you here, after hearing the news of you still alive, Raine hadn’t slept for days”
Confusion wash over Jayden, his brows forms a v in the middle. “You never really used to care for Raine… you two hated each other!” “Yeah well… things change” With a indifferent tone Nathan takes a cookie from the plate in front of him - “Hey Raine…you two…” Suggesting something might’ve happened between the two Raine starts to laugh as Nathan glares at Jayden. “I’m not low enough to touch the woman my brother loves. Now let’s move on the subject” Feeling touché Jayden chuckled before the trio carried the rest of the afternoon talking.
…
“A letter for you”
Receiving the letter in her hands she gracefully open it up after peeling away the familiar seal with the letter ’N’ stamped onto it. Reading it, Raine quickly fold it back into the original envelope adding it to her collection of letter through these ten years. Taking a deep breath in and out, the birds chirped outside her window, signalling another beautiful day.
“He’s coming back” Smiling to herself Raine push her chair out to prepare a welcoming for her beloved.
Greeted by the many maids and butlers, she entered the kitchen. “Your Highness!?” Calling the head chef, he wipes his hands before making a clumsy greeting. “Q-Queen Raine! What brings you here?” “Oh come on Martin, I told you just call me Raine.” Raine chuckle before taking a scan around the kitchen. “I think you know who is coming back today right?” Martin’s eyes widen and his head quickly nods, “How could I forget! Please! I have prepared all the ingredients and the food will be-“ “I want to cook with my own hands” Mummer start to spread amongst the kitchen staff.
“So today I want you to teach me how to cook a good welcome home meal. Don’t hold back if I do anything wrong”
Pointing at each of the staff playfully the staff look at each other, worried how this is going to turn out. Martin sighs, “Ten minutes to prepare!” He yelled and the staff scattered to prepare everything as Raine dropped her jacket and replacing it with a apron.
“Put the flour and start mixing the egg in the middle to form a dough.” Martin instructed, following his orders, Raine kept a smile on her face as Nathan entered the kitchen quietly. He watches Raine work her hardest to bake a cake, with other food cooking in the background. “The carrots!” She yelled as she rushed over to pull the lid off from the pan of boiling carrots,
“Ah! That’s hot”
Rubbing her burnt fingers on her ear lobe she manages to pull the lid from the pan with her free hand - “Has she been here for a long time?” Nathan asked a staff who promptly nodded, “She hasn’t been so lively ever since…” With a gentle smile, Nathan check his watch.
“He should be here soon”
…
Decorating the cake, with flour all over her body and face, Raine wipes a sweat with her flour covered hands. “Why is this cream so hard to control?!” Growling to herself she attempted to complete the cream covered cake; failing to notice someone had entered the empty kitchen.
“He’s going to laugh at this”
Frowning to herself, she knew Noah will laugh at her cake, after all, he is a expert in cooking. “Who’s going to laugh?” A familiar voice called out from the entrance of the kitchen, her heartbeat quickens. Her head snaps up to see a face she had not seen for ten years. “I hope, I’m not too late. Even though I am earlier than you anticipated me to arrive”; Giving her his brilliant smile and dropping the tool in her hands Raine chokes on her own breath as she starts running towards him. His open arms welcome her, waiting for the moment where their love can reach each other.
“Noah!” Calling out his name the moment they embrace, Noah hugs her tightly. They had both been waiting for this moment for ten years - ten long years. “I’m back” He whispered into her ears she nodded into his chest. “You’re home” She respond with her voice cracking a little.
Their ten year separation finally ended.
After their short reunion in the kitchen, Nathan who overlook the couple’s happiness from his balcony had a pang of sadness hit him. Yet he was more than happy to leave it to this way, because in the end. They were meant to be together.
"Your Majesty, the meeting will start very soon - shall I escort you back into the palace or?"
Taking a deep breath in his eyes watches his kingdom running peacefully and smoothly, glancing behind him he excuses his butler wanting to be alone. Today, he has everything - the throne, the status, the people and the respect. Yet what he is missing is the person who helped him through all of the hardships - the one who been at his side when he was nothing but scum. However he doesn't regret it, even if they both have chosen different paths. They could've been together, they could be standing here admiring their kingdom which they have fought to shape together. Though, unwilling to be played by destiny they had to part. No. In fact it was only that person who was willing to go against fate.
Smiling to himself he remembered what one person once said
'When a bird is locked up in a cage for too long, when the door is open - do you know what happens?' - Turning around he walks back into the palace.
The bird won't fly out, why? It's because it's scared that if it does it won't be able to survive' - This palace is his cage, the place where he started and will be the place where he will end. Yet the curse of loneliness will no longer be the case, because things have changed and time had passed. From today he will no longer be King Nathan, he will be just Nathan.
“Anna, can you see? I’m finally breaking free”
From today, Noah will no longer be just Noah, but King Noah who rules with his beloved, Queen Raine.
“Hey! Nathan! I knew you was there!” Noah called from below to which Nathan had to walk back out on the balcony. “Come and join us! Raine cooked too much food” Pulling a sickly look Nathan shook his head “I’ll pass, her food is dangerous!” Teasing her Raine huffed, “How dare you make fun of my cooking!”
Nathan roll his eyes befoe looking at Noah, “I haven’t had your cooking in ten years Noah, maybe you should teach her how to cook” - “We’ll see how much of a housewife she is” Noah laughs as Raine cross her arms “I’m the queen, I don’t cook”
“Come on Nathan! If her cooking is really that bad I’ll cook”
The butler behind Nathan hesitates, “Hold the meeting” Nathan called as he leaped down from the balcony and landing in front of the two, Raine scoffs “Show off” - “You two never change, how did you run the kingdom like this?” Noah asked the two who pushed him forward.
“Stop asking questions and go!” The both of them yelled, before laughing together.
This is how it is going to be and it will how it is always going to be.
The End
...
Here is a small Q&A I devised after reading comments and reading PM's! I hope I have answered some of your questions!
Q: So did Queen Irene love or hate Nicholas in the end?
A: I suppose it’s love that carried hatred. A painful kind of love.
Q: Raine wanted to become Queen, but why didn’t she wait and travel with Noah then come back later?
A: That could’ve been a way, but Raine knew that a decision like so would just make Nathan take on a lot of responsibilities by himself, Nathan himself is suffering since he has to fix what his mother left behind.
Q: Throughout the story it was hinted Nathan liked Raine?
A: Yeah he did xD, but obviously like in the epilogue he knew his limits.
Q: Did Nathan love Anna?
A: Yeah, but this love was limited because of Anna’s part in Mina’s death. Actually in the epilogue, the person who Nathan said they could’ve had a different ending was referring to him and Anna.
Q: King Nicholas seemed to have died really easily…?
A: He hadn’t actually fully recovered from his poisoning, his recovery rate was slowed down.
Q: Did the ending of the story change throughout the development of the book?
A: Of course! I had so many endings, but this one fit the best. There is another one that was just as fitting to the story, but I won’t reveal it.
Q: Is there going to be a second book?
A: Nope.
Q: If there is one thing you could change, what would it be?
A: I’d create a better development between Noah and Raine, I couldn’t do a lot after they retuned back to the palace.
TADAAA!!! No more Raine, Noah or Nathan! Please tell me what you hated and liked aboutt his book! Or the chapters you have read!
From now on I will be working on my new book Death's Grasp, or maybe a new werewolf book... Hmmm...
On behalf of the characters I'd like to say thank you! Especially those who have followed through the entire story, it had been a long journey but it's now time to part >.<
See you later!