Chapter 54: Eiravelle’s Farewell to Arielle

Everyone left Arielle and Eiravelle in the bedchamber to give them time to talk to each other. The door clicked shut behind them, and the sound seemed to echo in the quiet room, marking the beginning of something that neither sister wanted to face.

Eiravelle was still sitting beside Arielle on the edge of the bed, her hands are clasped tightly in her lap, her gaze was fixed somewhere on the floor. The wood was polished and dark, reflecting the faint glow of the lamp, and she traced the grain with her eyes as if it held the answers she was looking for.

Arielle was still sitting, her back was propped with pillows against the headboard of the bed. She smiled as she waited for whatever Eiravelle wanted to say, but there was a tension in her shoulders that betrayed her calm expression. She knew her little sister well enough to know when something was wrong, and everything about Eiravelle’s posture screamed that something was very, very wrong.

The room was warm, lit by a single lamp on the bedside table that cast soft shadows across the walls. The Arthion mansion had grown quiet, the distant sounds of servants moved through the halls fading into nothing. It felt like the whole world had narrowed down to this room, to these two sisters and the words that hung unspoken between them.

The air was thick with the weight of everything that had happened, everything that was about to happen, and Eiravelle could feel it pressing down on her chest like a physical thing.

Eiravelle thought about it, her brow was furrowing as she sighed. She had rehearsed this moment a hundred times in her head during the flight back, had tried to find the right words to say what needed to be said. She had imagined Arielle’s reaction, had prepared herself for tears and arguments or pleas.

But now that she was here, now that Arielle was looking at her with those gentle eyes, the words felt impossible. How was she supposed to say goodbye to the only person who had ever truly loved her? How was she supposed to walk away from the sister who had sacrificed everything for her?

The thought made her stomach clench, and for a moment, she considered abandoning the whole plan, staying here where it was safe and warm and familiar.

"What’s the sigh for, my dear little sister?" Arielle asked, her voice was soft and teasing. She smiled as she held Eiravelle’s hand, her thumb was brushing gently over her knuckles. The touch was familiar, comforting, and it made Eiravelle’s heart ache with a pain she could not put into words.

Arielle’s hands were warm, and Eiravelle could feel the softness of her sister’s palms––the same hands that were never asking for anything in return.

Slowly, Eiravelle raised her gaze and locked eye contact with Arielle. Her sister’s eyes were warm and patient, full of the kind of unconditional love that Eiravelle had always look forward to everyday. She had never realized how much she depended on that love until now, when she was about to leave it behind.

Looking at Arielle now, Eiravelle could see all the years they had spent together—the childhood games, the whispered secrets, the nights when Arielle had held her while she cried. It was all there, written in the lines around her sister’s eyes, in the curve of her smile, in the way she held herself with quiet strength.

She smiled and shook her head, though the smile did not reach her eyes. "I... I just want to say that... I am thankful for everything..." Eiravelle said, her voice was barely above a whisper. The words felt inadequate, too small for everything she wanted to express. How could she put into words the depth of her gratitude, the enormity of what Arielle had done for her?

Arielle shook her head, a fond expression crossing her face. "You don’t have to thank me, I already told you. I did all these because I am your older sister, and I love you as my little sister." Her features softened as she saw the resignation on Eiravelle’s face.

It was a look she had seen before, a look that meant Eiravelle had already made up her mind about something and was preparing to do something difficult. The recognition made her heart lurch, and she tightened her grip on Eiravelle’s hand, as if she could anchor her little sister to this room, to this moment, to her.

"Sister... I am here... Because..." Eiravelle hesitated, the words are catching in her throat. She could feel her heart hammering against her ribs, and could feel the sweat forming on her palms.

The smile on Arielle’s face slowly faded, replaced by a cautious worry. There was something in the way Eiravelle’s voice quivered, something that made Arielle’s instincts scream that she was not going to like what came next.

"Mm?" Arielle hummed a question, hoping against hope that it was not what she was thinking. She had noticed the way Eiravelle had been acting since she returned, the way she held herself like someone preparing for a long journey, the way she looked at Arielle as if she were memorizing her face. She had hoped she was wrong. She had prayed she was wrong. But the look in Eiravelle’s eyes now confirmed her worst fears.

"I am here to tell you... That... Uhm... Well, we’ve been together since we were kids and..." Eiravelle’s voice trailed off, and she could not bring herself to finish the sentence. She had practiced this. She had told herself she would be strong, that she would say what needed to be said and not falter.

But now, with Arielle looking at her like that, with her sister’s hand warm in hers, she felt like her heart was being torn in two. The words were stuck in her throat like thorns, and she had to force herself to breathe, to remember why she was doing this.

"Eiravelle, what do you mean exactly?" Arielle kept her voice calm and gentle, though her hold on Eiravelle’s hand tightened a bit. She was trying to be patient, trying to give Eiravelle the space to say what she needed to say.

But the knot in her stomach was growing tighter with every passing second, and she could feel her own heart beginning to race. She had raised Eiravelle since she was a child. She knew every expression, every gesture, and every subtle shift in her little sister’s demeanor. And right now, everything about Eiravelle screamed that she was about to say something terrible.

Eiravelle took a deep breath, steeling herself. She could not back down now. She had made her decision, and she had to see it through. She thought of the child growing inside her, the innocent life that depended on her to make the right choices.

She thought of the sovereign’s offer, the chance to start anew, to become someone her sister could be proud of. And she thought of Arielle, of the way her sister had always protected her, always put her first. It was time to return the favor.

"I am here to bid farewell... I am accepting the sovereign’s offer to be her concubine—"

Arielle shook her head before Eiravelle could even finish the sentence. "No... No! My sweet, little sister. That is not what you truly wanted, is it?" Her voice sounded like she was begging Eiravelle to stay, to take back the words that had just shattered her heart. She leaned forward, her eyes are searching Eiravelle’s face for some sign that this was a joke, a misunderstanding, anything but the truth.

Eiravelle’s own eyes were filled with tears, but she forced herself to keep them from falling. She had to be strong. She had to do this. "No, it’s not. But for the safety of the child... And... For me to start anew. This is my chance, sister. Do you trust me? Do you trust me that I can change everything and become someone everyone can trust?" Her voice cracked on the last word, and she had to bite her lip to keep from sobbing. She needed Arielle to understand that she needed her sister to believe in her, even if she did not believe in herself.

Arielle was crying openly now, tears are streaming down her cheeks, and she did not bother to wipe them away. She had never been good at hiding her emotions, especially not from Eiravelle. "I know, I trust you. But if you become a concubine, how will I protect you? You’re no longer beside me, I’m scared others will bully you." The words came out broken and desperate, the words of a sister who had spent her whole life protecting someone she loved and did not know how to stop.

She thought of all the times she had stood between Eiravelle and the cruelty of the world, all the times she had taken the blows so her little sister would not have to. The thought of Eiravelle facing that cruelty alone was unbearable.

Eiravelle gently wiped Arielle’s tears, her touch was feather-light against her sister’s skin. Her own tears streamed down from her eyes, but she tried not to cry for Arielle’s sake. She had to be the strong one now. She had to show Arielle that she could do this, that she would be okay.

"You always wipe my tears for me, always telling me everything is gonna be okay." Eiravelle gulped, swallowing the lump in her throat. The words felt thick and heavy, like stones she was forcing out of her mouth. "But this time, let me wipe your tears for you, okay? I will be strong, and I will learn how to defend myself, sister."

She leaned forward and kissed Arielle’s forehead, letting her lips linger there for a moment. It was a gesture of love, of gratitude, and goodbye. It was everything she could not say in words. She could feel Arielle’s skin warm beneath her lips, could smell the familiar scent of her sister’s hair, and she committed it all to memory—the feel, the smell, the warmth—so she could carry it with her wherever she went.

Arielle pulled Eiravelle into a hug and buried her face against her shoulder, her body was shaking with sobs. "If only I am allowed to keep you forever beside me, I would... But you’re a grown up omega now, you make your decisions, hehe. But it didn’t mean this doesn’t make me cry~" Arielle sobbed ugly, her voice cracked in a way that would have been comical under any other circumstances.

She clung to Eiravelle like a drowning person clinging to a lifeline, her fingers are digging into her sister’s back as if she could physically prevent her from leaving.

Eiravelle chuckled softly, though the sound was wet with her own tears, and nodded. "Stop worrying about me. I will send you letters, okay? I will make sure to write for you." She hugged Arielle tight and sighed, the weight of the moment pressed down on her shoulders.

"Haha, this might be our first farewell but this isn’t the end yet. Okay?" She tried to sound light, tried to make it seem like this was just another parting, like she would be back before Arielle knew it. But they both knew the truth. Nothing would ever be the same after this.

Arielle nodded and withdrew slightly to look at Eiravelle, her eyes are red and puffy but still filled with a fierce love. "Okay... Then I will be waiting for your letters then." Her voice was steadier now, though it still wavered at the edges. She reached up and cupped Eiravelle’s face in her hands, her thumbs are brushing away the tears on her sister’s cheeks.

"Promise me you’ll take care of yourself. Promise me you’ll eat properly and rest when you need to and not let anyone treat you badly."

Eiravelle nodded, leaning into her sister’s touch. "I promise," she whispered. "I promise, sister."

Eiravelle stood up slowly, her legs are feeling weak beneath her. She glanced at Arielle for the last time, taking in every detail of her sister’s face—the curve of her smile, the warmth of her eyes, the way she held herself even now with strength and dignity.

She wanted to remember this moment, to carry it with her wherever she went. She wanted to remember Arielle not as she was now, crying and afraid, but as she had always been—strong, kind, and full of love.

Then she walked out of the bedchamber, closing the door behind her with a soft click that felt like the end of something precious. She stood in the hallway for a moment, her back was against the door, and let the tears fall freely. She allowed herself this one moment of weakness, this one moment to grieve for everything she was leaving behind.

Then she wiped her eyes, straightened her shoulders, and turned to face whatever came next.

Qazaethel and the others were at the door, waiting. It turned out Qazaethel had been there all this time, standing guard, giving them the privacy they needed while remaining close enough to protect them if necessary.

She stood with her arms crossed, her expression was unreadable, but there was a softness in her eyes that had not been there before.

"Are you ready to go?" Qazaethel asked, her voice was gentle.

Eiravelle nodded, not trusting herself to speak. If she opened her mouth, she was afraid she would break down completely. She had already said goodbye to Arielle. She could not bear to say goodbye to anyone else.

She glanced once more at her family—at Arthion, Elaria, Arisia, who did not want to look at her, and at Ariphale. They were all standing there, watching her with expressions she could not read. Arthion’s face was a mask of stone, betraying nothing.

Elaria’s eyes were red-rimmed, though she turned her head away when Eiravelle looked at her. Arisia stared at the floor, her jaw was tight, as if she was holding back words she knew she should not say.

And Ariphale... Ariphale looked at Eiravelle with something that might have been regret, or perhaps longing, or perhaps simply sadness.

Eiravelle smiled at them, a small, fragile smile, and bowed deeply. "Thank you for keeping me here my whole life," she said, her voice was steady despite the tears that threatened to fall. The words felt inadequate for everything they had given her, but they were all she had left to offer.

After that, she let Qazaethel guide her out. They walked down the corridor together, their footsteps echoed in the silence, and no one spoke. The Arthion family watched them go, their faces were carefully blank, and they did not show any emotions at all, even after Eiravelle and Qazaethel left the corridor and disappeared from sight.

Ruthina frowned and opened the door to Arielle’s bedchamber. She had been standing outside with the others, listening to the muffled sounds of crying, her heart was aching for the sisters she did not know.

She saw the alpha, Arielle, sitting alone on the bed, her shoulders are shaking with silent sobs. The room felt emptier now, colder, as if Eiravelle had taken all the warmth with her when she left.

Ruthina slowly entered the room, her steps were careful and quiet. "Arielle... Arielle, right?" She asked, her voice was soft.

Arielle looked up at her and nodded, her eyes were red and swollen. She did not bother to wipe her tears away. There was no point pretending anymore.

"Can I give you a hug?" Ruthina asked.

Arielle nodded frantically, her whole body was trembling with the force of her grief. She reached out with both arms, desperate for comfort, desperate for anything that could fill the void her sister had left behind.

Ruthina rushed to her side and hugged her tight, wrapping her arms around the alpha as if she could shield her from all the pain in the world. "It’s okay, it’ll be okay," she whispered, though she did not know if that was true.

She did not know what the future held, did not know what trials awaited them, but she knew that right now, in this moment, Arielle needed someone. And Ruthina was there.

Arielle wailed loudly now, the sound was raw and broken, and she held onto the golden rabbit tightly, as if Ruthina was a lifeline or her life depended on the warm embrace that the golden rabbit was providing.

She cried for her sister, for the years they had spent together, for the uncertain future that stretched out before them. She cried because she was afraid, because she was alone, because she did not know how to let go.

Ruthina held her through it all, her own eyes are wet with tears, her heart was breaking for a girl she had just met but already felt connected to. She had found the Saintess, but in doing so, she had witnessed the cost of that discovery. She had seen the pain that followed in its wake, and she knew that whatever came next, it would not be easy.

The world continued to turn, indifferent to the grief of two sisters saying goodbye, but in that small room, the weight of their farewell hung heavy in the air, a sadness that would linger long after the tears had dried.

Arielle’s sobs eventually quieted into shuddering breaths, her grip on Ruthina loosened slightly as exhaustion took hold. She pulled back just enough to look at the golden rabbit’s face, her own expression was a mess of tears and confusion and gratitude.

"You don’t even know me," Arielle whispered, her voice hoarse. "Why are you doing this?"

Ruthina smiled, though it was a sad smile, one that held the weight of ten years of suffering and searching. "Because I know what it’s like to lose everyone you love. And because your sister... She’s important. More important than she knows. And if she’s important to you, then you’re important to me too."

Arielle stared at her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. She did not understand everything, did not know what Ruthina meant about Eiravelle being important, but she understood loss.

"Stay with me," Arielle said, her voice was barely audible. "Just for a little while longer."

Ruthina nodded and settled beside her on the bed, keeping one arm wrapped around the alpha’s shoulders. "I’ll stay as long as you need me," she promised.

And she did. She stayed through the day, holding Arielle as she cried, offering what comfort she could to an alpha she had just met but already felt bound to.