She's That Knight Known as Zero 223 Sincere Prayer

"Don't forget, she was your cousin as well," Rino smiled as he remarked.

"That's right. You guys really are cousin. Both having to go through a long distance relationship," Hideyoshi added.

"Hey if you're going to talk about long distance, the longest one would be Raven," Theo retorted bringing Raven into their conversation.

Raven raised an eyebrow upon hearing them talk about him. He was just quietly watching from the side, why did they suddenly decided to bring him to the topic.

Theo raised his hands as he grinned at Raven. Then he fell into a deep thought, he subconsciously touched his collar before looking for Suzuki. She was actually helping some of their people into getting to the carriages.

"Suzuki," as Suzuki helped another child get into another carriage she heard him call for her.

She stopped her movement but didn't look at him. Of course she was the same as Nana, realizing the reality of everything now that they were about to depart. That is why she was doing her best to get herself busy as the time of departure was close.

"You were so sure when you pulled me into acting with you. Why the sudden fear now?" Theo seeing her reaction understood completely what was going on her mind.

'Both me and Nana our cousin. At the same time both you and Suzuki are cousins. And yet both couples are leaving on different kingdoms. Just how much more intertwined are the four of us?' he couldn't help but think as he sighed and chuckled before walking towards her.

"Look at me Suzuki," he said.

But she didn't do so and instead started walking away from the carriage and was about to go to another. She really didn't know what to say to him. And she didn't want to cry either.

Theo sighed as he stopped her by the hand and pulled her in a less crowded place.

"Are you really not going to look at me? It's almost time for us to part ways," he said after stopping and looking at Suzuki who has her head lowered.

Suzuki didn't utter a word as she remained bowing down watching both their feet. Theo could only shake his head, now he knows how Natsuki felt as he coax Nana. Though it would have been much better if Suzuki would throw a tantrum just like Nana.

He then pulled out a necklace hidden in his clothes. This was actually the thing that he touched a while ago when he touched his collar.

After pulling it out, there was actually a pendant. And that pendant was a ring, it was a pure white ring with some delicate designs and those designs were that of snow flakes.

He took it from the lace and took Suzuki's left hand. Without saying anything he placed the ring on her left ring finger. Suzuki felt the cold metal, much colder than normal that he made her wear, upon looking at it her eyes grew wide as she look up at him, finally.

"Finally, you're looking at me," he chuckled upon seeing her shock look.

He then went ahead and explained, "This was the ring my great grandfather had given to my great grandmother. She was the ice ability user back then and my great grandfather was a metal ability user so creating this ring was easy for him. This ring was just special because within it was actually ice conjured by my great grandmother."

"And somehow that ice never melted and the ring remained cold until this day. My great grandmother gave this to my grandmother as a heirloom. My grandmother inherited the ice ability which was then inherited by my aunt. Somehow after my aunt runaway and I was the only grandchild back then, she gave it to me."

Suzuki looked at him as if she wanted to return what he had given her.

"Don't return it. My grandmother told me to give it to the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. It didn't have that much of a special story behind it but the fact that it never grew warm despite my stay here in Aurora Kingdom, made me deem it as a special one."

He then thought for a bit before continuing. "Yeah I think it is indeed special for even after all of us losing our abilities and even the seals on my aunt was removed but this ring remained the same as before truly makes it special."

"But this-"

"Shh, you are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. The distance we'll have for now would be nothing. And once everything was settled, I will take you back and that ring is the proof."

Suzuki then smiled happily as she threw her hands around his shoulder and hugged him tight. Theo chuckled as he hugged her back.

Their friends watched from the sideline. That's right once everything have truly settled then they have to slowly think for their own futures as well. That was the reality of everything. They need to start thinking about that and stop thinking too much of the the past.

Tears weren't shed as they really started departing leaving the place they could also call home. The place that have temporarily sheltered them from the dangers of everything the world could offer during the dark times.

The place that have welcomed them with open arms and embraced them just as a mother embraces her children.

There are those who joined the other kingdoms, those who fell in love with another from the different kingdom. Some decided to change their living environment and not one of the kings stopped them. Maybe it is time to allow the people to choose.

The silent rule that those conspirators created didn't only shackle the royals but even the people. Scared that even they wouldn't have children once they marry those outside of their kingdoms, they chose to just search for the right person within their own kingdom.

Finally after who knows how long, the shackles that was binding each one of them were finally removed. Giving them freedom, true freedom. As they breath in the fresh air surrounding them, a feeling of being released enveloped them. Indeed this truly is the start of their new beginning.

Thinking back, they once again realized, just how amazing was the second princess of Aurora kingdom? Isn't she the one who gave them this freedom once again? She really did left so many gifts for them to open. Everyone had a smile on their lips as they thought, the bright future ahead of them was once again bestowed to them by that lady.

Each person, thousands and thousands of heart silently thanked her from the bottom of their hearts. And had the same yearning, 'Please return, return to the ones who loved you dearly. Return to your true home and finally gift yourself the satisfaction of being home and embrace the warmth your family and loved ones would give.'

*****

In another world. A short shake suddenly woke the people who was in deep slumber, but since it was only for a good few seconds they dismissed it as nothing. And then they returned to their sleep once again.

There was only two people who had their hearts on their throats and run fast to the secret chamber deep within the ground with their night gowns. Not minding their looks they entered the room in a flustered manner.

Seeing as the lady was still sleeping like a dead person, they sighed both of relief and disappointment.

"That shaking wasn't normal, that must have mean that she had given a reaction," one said.

"Indeed, we really can't let our guards down. But when would se really wake up?" the other asked.

"When she arrived her body was riddled in so many wounds, even her bones were broken and her insides were injured. If not for a healing ability her mortal body would surely have died already. But even with that she ended up being in a coma state. In the end it would be up to her when she will wake up."

They then silently left once again.

As they ascend the long stretch of stairs they remembered the words of the voice who spoke on their dreams, "I can only send her to you. Take care of her, that is why I allowed you to retain everything. Watch over her and help her heal her body. After that just watch over her, everything that happens after you've done your duties shall be up to her."

*****

Another person was in deep thought, 'How lucky of her, to think that each person right now was actually wishing for her return. Just how many people were wishing of that from the bottom of their hearts? Should I get jealous because of that? That they are praying purely because they wanted her to find her happiness as well? How long has it been since so many people prayed sincerely from the bottom of their hearts?'

Chapter end