“Goddess Elixane?” I parroted, bewildered.
Rachelle and the woman in her mid-40s nodded at the same time. “She is our sister. Well, the sixth daughter of Mother.” My eyes widened. “And she is from another timeline where the other Dominixe, other Valerian, and Demetrius are.”
“Huh?” I was getting confused by what she said. “Is this the business you are talking about? And how did you go to another timeline just to… see her.” I glanced at Elixane, who was looking at me with longing.
Her gaze made me uncomfortable, but she smiled and stepped forward.
“I have come to the celestial realm as Mother’s orders, or I shall say, part of Ragriel’s plans,” she explained before she looked behind me, where the three of them were still reuniting and discoursing. “And I have come to take Dominixe and Valerian’s souls to this timeline so they can reunite with my nephew. I apologize for taking your souls from your bodies, Dameta, Valerian.” She bowed her head with her hands clasping together. “This is temporary. I promise to return your spirits as soon as our business is done here.”
I couldn’t utter a word, not knowing what to say. Elixane must have realized that.
“I am Elixane, Goddess of Reincarnation. They must have told you that I was the one who split Valerian’s soul into two so his wolf could take over his body as Niccolo.” She smiled when she saw that I was getting wary of her. “No need to be wary of me, Dameta. Fret not. We will meet in this timeline very soon.”
“I-I see…” I was fidgeting my hands, looking at her. “Um… I-I would like to thank you for… helping Valerian when he was Niccolo.”
Elixane smiled. “Do not mention it. I have done it since my seventh sister asked for my help. And I cannot take it seeing her in despair.” She heaved a sigh. “And now… she will reunite with those two important people. I hope Demetrius would be able to forgive his mother.” Her tone died down, looking like she was expecting Demetrius would still have difficulty admitting that he was already forgiving her.
Judging at Demetrius’ state, how his face brightened more than what he showed us was the first time I had ever seen his genuine reaction.
His smile seemed like some freshly brewed tea. I could tell now that he was not lying about his actions and was delighted that he was reuniting with his mother and father in his original timeline.
A tear fell from my eye when they faced us. “Elixane…” The other Dominixe said, smiling gently.
“Sister…” Elixane’s voice croaked. “I missed you, dear sister… We are incomplete without you in the celestial realm as one of the spirit goddesses.” She walked past us and hugged her.
The other Dominixe started to shed tears. “This is the price I paid for disturbing this timeline, Sister Elixane. I am really prepared for it.” She glanced at me with a smile. “Nice to meet you, other me.”
My heart felt about to burst when she greeted me. I bit my lower lip, nodding back at her to acknowledge.
“N-Nice to meet you, too, other me…”
It was bizarre that I was greeting myself that her soul was aged in her 40s yet she was in my body.
“Other me…” Valerian, my honeydew, approached his other self and smiled. “You bastard… How dare you let yourself be killed.”
The other Valerian chuckled as he attempted to shake his hands with him, but it was futile since we were in our spirit forms. “You are lucky that you are alive. You are way more cunning than I was.”
“Not really. I only do it for the love of our mate.” Valerian turned at me and winked at me. Then he turned to the other Dominixe. “Thank you, Dameta, for helping me. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be able to be with Lilith today.”
She nodded. “You are most welcome, Val.”
“I will check Henry, love.” I heard Claude say before he disappeared before our sight.
Rachelle clasped her hands. “It is time for a long farewell, everyone. They cannot last long here anymore.” She approached Demetrius with a tap on his back. “Demetrius, didn’t you have to say something about what you did for today?”
Demetrius looked down, feeling guilty. When our eyes met, he bit his lower lip, looking like he was about to cry.
“Demetrius!” Valerian and I said in unison when Demetrius dropped to his knees and bowed his head, touching the ground.
“I am sorry for my terrible actions, Mother, Father. Please accept my humblest apology for tormenting you. My hatred against my mother blinded me that I wanted to hurt the two of you in this timeline and collaborated with
grandfather with a promise that he would see Grandma Lunaria again…” He looked up with his eyes full of regretful tears. “It is my fault… I can ask for grandma or Auntie Grizel not to fate you are having a son like me in this timeline. It’s the least I can do so I wouldn’t have to be the reminder that I have hurt you two.”
Valerian and I exchanged glances as our hearts were syncing in unison. Even though we weren’t talking at this moment, just by gazing at each other was enough that the words couldn’t surpass the feelings swirling around us.
He took my hand and brought it to his lips, indulging me in feeling the butterflies tickling my whole being. His lips that made me lost to heaven so many times had granted me another a pale of good quality of love.
“We have forgiven you, Demetrius,” I said, returning my gaze to him. “However, it may take some time since… you have scarred our hearts.” Demetrius’ face dropped with sorrow.
Valerian tapped Demetrius’ shoulder, causing him to look at my honeydew. “For now, Dominixe and I need to heal first, Demetrius. But rest assured. I promise I will get her pregnant as soon as possible.” He winked at me, and I looked at him in disbelief and playfully rolled my eyes. “And the Demetrius in this timeline will be with us, and we will love him for the rest of our lives. Right, honeydew?”
Smiling, I agreed. “Yes, honeydew.” I touched his face with longing. “Be good now, my dear Demetrius. We are alright here,” I said softly.
Our words reached his heart, inflicting tears staining his handsome face. “Mother… Father…” He embraced us, brewing some warmth and comfort.
We hugged him back to let him know his feelings caressed our hearts. My chest was filled with emotions, knowing I would miss this boy.
After a meaningful farewell and returning to our bodies, Elixane waved at us, opening a portal to the celestial realm.
“We will meet again, sisters! I am hoping to reunite with you soon!” Elixane said, waving her hand at us after the souls of other-selves and Demetrius entered the portal.
“Farewell, big sister!” I said, waving back.
“See you in this timeline, Elixane!” Rachelle said as she sniffed.
I hugged Valerian when they were out of sight, shedding more tears that they were gone now.
“It’s alright, Lilith… I am here.” Valerian’s soft tone was like a lullaby, as always.
Sniffing, I nodded. But I gasped when Rachelle hugged us. “You two did well! I am happy that you two are alright!”
We laughed when I suddenly felt an excruciating pain strike in my stomach.
“What…?” I stepped back and lowered my eyes when I felt a warm liquid gushing from the apex of my thighs.
Rachelle and Valerian gasped in horror as blood bathed my legs.
“You are bleeding!” Valerian immediately caught me in his arms when my body collapsed.
“Shit! Summon Iseldis!” I heard Rachelle say.
I had a hard time comprehending their words as the pain in my lower abdomen was intense that I lost consciousness, not knowing what was happening.
I only woke up with my head feeling like it was rotated so many times that my vision was affected. “Where am… I?” I asked, seeing some glittering stones in the ceiling as if they were stellar remnants.
“Honeydew… You are awake…”
I turned to my side to see Valerian, who had dark circles penetrating his handsome face. “What happened…?” I looked around for something to drink and saw the glass of water.
My mouth felt dry, like I was in a hot, scorching desert. Valerian tended to me with care and brought me some water to drink.
I recalled why I ended up here, remembering that I fainted when I saw that I was bleeding profusely between my thighs. “What happened to me, honeydew?” I asked when he couldn’t keep his hands off me, raining some love kisses on my face.
I giggled between his kisses before Valerian finally set his eyes on me. My heart leaped, seeing his eyes filled with turmoil of emotions. I thought it might be something serious, but his eyes glinted in glee.
“I should have known…” he muttered, enough for me to hear it.
“Should have known what?” I blinked, tilting my head a little.
Valerian heaved out a relieving sigh, looking at me tenderly. “You are pregnant, honeydew!” he said happily.
“Huh?” My shrilled voice, along with my somersaulted stomach, had made my jaw drop. “P-Pregnant, you say?”
He nodded vigorously. “Yes, Lilith. You are pregnant! You are pregnant with our little Demetrius!” He hugged me, and I was still in shock, unable to form any word.
I was staring at nowhere, trying to comprehend what he said. “I am pregnant…” I muttered.
Every word I uttered was engraved in my mind like a grave with its imprinted letters. I gasped when everything had finally sunk in, tears were forming in my eyes.
“I am pregnant…” It was not wondering this time, but a blithesome tone smeared in my voice before I finally cried in no time. “But… how did that happen, honeydew?” I asked when we both separated as he cupped my cheek. “I regressed so many times… And you have me taking the tonic for preventing pregnancy…”
My mind almost went haywire, but I still managed to form a word, placing my hand on my flat stomach.
“And how long am I pregnant?” I added.
My curiosity made Valerian smile, bringing my hands to his lips, not leaving his loving gaze on me, making my heart gallop more inside my chest.
“Moon Goddess already explained how it happened since I was also confused when the Moon Goddess told me that you are pregnant with our pup,” he said. “Your mother said you were just exhausted, and our pup is not at risk… Thank the Moon Goddess!”
“What did Mother say?” Speaking of which, I noticed that I was not in an unfamiliar place. “Is this… one of the chambers of the celestial palace?” I asked, getting distracted from the gemstones embellished and decorated in this chamber.
“Yes. Luna Queen Rachelle immediately decided to bring you here since there is a pool of recovery that helps nourish your body to its original state. You have been here for a few hours, honeydew. But… in our realm, we are already gone for a few days.” He chuckled, not minding it.
“I guess we need to return soon.” I softened when Valerian was holding me as if I was a delicate flower. “So, tell me now, honeydew. I am dying to know how I get pregnant with our pup.”
“Oh, right.” Valerian counted for a moment before he began. “Your mother told me that the tonic I have been given to you once, and the time you were kidnapped by your father before you regressed, you were not even continuously taking it. Even if you regressed, your body is already affected by the drastic change, and unknowingly, you are conceiving our pup.”
My jaw dropped at the words he said. So, that was why…
I mindlessly caressed my stomach, feeling my heart about to explode from what I had learned today.
“Then, I put our pup in danger…” I held my breath, horrified at the risk of what I did. How much more if Valerian knew that Demetrius killed me? I hope Mother did not tell that part.
“It is not your fault, honeydew.” Valerian looked at me with a reassuring smile. “You did not know.”
I hugged him, burying my face in the crook of his neck. “I am glad that it is over…” I whispered.
“Yes…” I creased my forehead when Valerian took something out of the pocket of his trousers. “I have something to bestow on you, honeydew.”
“Hmm? What is it?” I stiffened when Valerian hugged me from behind. “Honeydew?” I flinched again when his chin was on my shoulder and kissed my cheek.
Valerian took my left hand and inserted something in my ring finger, only to realize it was a ring with a purple-violet gemstone.
My breath froze upon seeing it. “Val…” My lips quivered as my eyes got teary-eyed. “Are you…” … proposing to me?
I couldn’t even say a word. My mouth was stitched.
“There. An amethyst engagement ring for my honeydew since your favorite color is purple.” He kissed the two rings on my ring finger from my left hand. “You are now engaged to me, Lady Cantavalle.” He grinned. “You are not going to escape me.”
I almost cried in happiness but remembered something, turning my head at him. “You did not even ask me…” I frowned, emphasizing that he did not ask if I would marry him.
Valerian had this smug look with a mischievous smile. “Well, I already claimed to you that you are going to be my future wife. Remember this promise ring and my words that I will marry you?” He was rotating the crappy metal ring I was still wearing, not daring to remove it.
I playfully rolled my eyes. “I do not remember it. Unfortunately.” I was just kidding to see his reaction as I smirked.
“Ah… Is that so?” In an instant, he was already pinning me against the bed. I gulped, seeing how he looked like he wanted to ravish me with his eyes burning in lust and desire. “Perhaps, shall I help you to refresh your memory, Your Grace?”
I was biting my lower lip, staring at him to devour his gaze with the same intensity. But then, my stomach growled so loud that both of us stopped.
“Stop…” I quickly dismissed Valerian when I caught him trying not to laugh. “Stop laughing!”
“I am not laughing.” He helped me to get up. “I must get you some food.”
However, just before he could do that, I pulled him back and quickly descended my lips into his, pouring all the love I had kept before and after I regressed. Valerian did not hesitate to kiss me back, serving me with the same fervor, with his lips moving while reaching the back of my head, gently clutching the roots of my hair.
The feelings we felt for each other mixed as some milk was poured into the tea. It was well-condensed, aromatic, and euphoric.
“Let’s get married, Lilith…” His wet lips brushed my lower lip after our passionate kiss.
Smiling, I nodded as we brushed our noses together. Valerian softened at that gesture, liking it whenever I did it to him. “Yes, Your Grace. I cannot wait to be your wife and you as my husband…” I said, biting my lower lip as our hearts danced together.
Valerian intertwined our hands together. “I will finally fulfill my promise to you… At last, my duchess…”