The next morning, Amelie strolled into the garden with a watering pipe in hand, droplets glittering in the early sunlight as she sprinkled the flowers. A sudden breeze swept through. She shivered lightly and sneezed.
Sensing a presence behind her, Amelie turned her head. Ravenna was walking toward her. The maid accompanying Amelie quickly stepped forward and took the pipe from her mistress, leaving Amelie free to greet the elder.
"Good morning, Grandma," Amelie said with a bright smile.
"Morning," Ravenna replied softly. "You wake up quite early."
"Yes," Amelie nodded. "I went to bed early, so I woke up early as well. But why are you awake already, Grandma? You should rest more," she asked, concern warming her tone.
"This is my routine," Ravenna answered, brushing the matter aside. "Don’t trouble yourself over me." She reached out, her frail fingers curling around Amelie’s hand, and guided her gently as they began to walk along the stone path that wound between the flowerbeds.
Amelie glanced at her grandmother. She could feel there was something more Ravenna wanted to say, though the elder remained quiet. At last, she broke the silence.
"Grandma... do you have something you want to tell me?"
Ravenna’s eyes softened, though sorrow lingered in them. "There’s much I want to say, child. I will never forget the day you saved my grandson. The fear I felt when Carlos disappeared from our land... it haunted me. You see, he was never truly accepted by our people."
Amelie tilted her head, curiosity stirring. "Not accepted? What do you mean, Grandma?"
Ravenna exhaled as she recalled the painful memories from the past. "Carlos was different from the time he was a boy. But unlike others born into our bloodline, he rejected the path of witches and mages. His parents..." Her voice faltered, pain clouding her features. "They died because of spells. That loss left Carlos furious, bitter against the fate that was forced upon us. From then on, he refused to embrace magic. He resisted everything our people believed in. For years, he fought against it, and the burden grew heavier with time. Many things happened in those days... things I cannot speak of, not yet.
"In the end, he could no longer remain among us. He abandoned our land and sought refuge here, in this kingdom."
"Carlos never told me all this, nor did I ask him," Amelie stated.
"You’re understanding," Ravenna said. "He used to mention you almost every other day. He never contacted you, thinking you might not remember him. However, when you suddenly came, he was all excited and happy to see you again. Though we kept our distance from wolves, Carlos was adamant about helping you. I think whatever you did in the past for him left a deep impression on his mind that kindness did exist. He could have died silently that night, in the pain, but you were a miracle for him."
"I just happened to cross paths with him, Grandma," Amelie said, smiling.
"I know. But it wasn’t a mere coincidence. You two were meant to meet," Ravenna stated. "I don’t have much time left. I don’t know what will happen to Carlos after I leave this body," she added.
"Grandma, don’t say that. I pray you get my age too. You’ll live long!" Amelie said with a hopeful gaze.
"Okay." Gabriel watched her leave slowly. He wanted to go after her, but he knew Amelie would be angry for not staying with the grandmother.
"You care a lot for your mate," Ravenna stated, lowering herself to the couch.
"Yes, I do. Did you sleep well?" Gabriel settled across from her.
"Yes."
"I will talk to my Dad today. Are you okay to travel to the palace? I will call my father and mother here if you want," he suggested.
"How can I disturb the Alpha King and his Queen?" Ravenna hesitated.
"You’re not in good health, Grandma. I will ask them to come here. That will be much better. In the end, you want to see my mother, don’t you? She’s the one who met Ophelia, so you must want to know from her."
Ravenna nodded at him.
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