Serpent Emperor's Bride

Chapter 280: The Final Goodbye

[Imperial Dungeon — The Next Morning]

Morning never truly reached the Imperial Dungeon; only pale shafts of sunlight slipped through the narrow stone vents high above the ancient walls.

The cold never left this place, nor did regret; drops of water echoed somewhere deep within the endless corridors.

One...then another...then another. Outside the last prison chamber, two Royal Knights stood in complete silence. A royal physician slowly stepped out, carrying a blood-soaked cloth in his hands, his expression alone revealed enough.

Raviel immediately rose from where he had been sitting against the cold wall; he had not slept, not even for a single heartbeat. His clothes were wrinkled; his eyes were swollen from an entire night of silent tears.

"...Physician." His voice had become rough. "...Tell me."

The physician glanced at him. "I have done everything I know. The herbs no longer work, the healing arts no longer answer, and he has lost too much."

Silence.

"The body..." The old physician sighed heavily. "...has already begun saying farewell."

Raviel slowly closed his eyes. "...Thank you."

The physician nodded once before quietly departing. Leaving behind nothing but silence. Raviel slowly pushed open the iron door.

CREEEEAK...

Inside the prison cell remained dimly lit. Naburash lay upon the simple stone bed; he had become frighteningly thin, his hair had lost all brilliance, and his lips had turned pale. Fresh blood stained the cloth resting beside him.

His breathing...had become painfully shallow. Raviel quietly walked closer; he pulled the worn wooden chair beside the bed.

Then he simply sat watching. For several long moments...neither of them spoke. Raviel slowly reached forward; his fingers gently brushed several loose strands of hair away from Naburash’s forehead.

"...You look terrible." A weak smile appeared upon his face. "...You always did."

Silence.

"You know..." he laughed quietly. "I imagined this day thousands of times. I imagined finding you in another kingdom. I imagined meeting you in a crowded market. I imagined you becoming an old merchant...or perhaps an annoying old serpent."

Another small laugh escaped him.

"But..." His smile slowly disappeared. "I never imagined finding you here."

Silence.

His fingers slowly intertwined with Naburash’s cold hand as his voice trembled, "I hated you for years. Even though I did everything to find you, I truly hated you, silently. I cursed you. I convinced myself...that you abandoned me. That I simply wasn’t worth staying for."

A tear quietly rolled down his cheek.

"But every time someone said forget him.’" Raviel slowly shook his head. "I couldn’t. I searched every caravan. Every underground market, every thief, every dealer, and every smuggler who crossed the deserts. I used every favor I had...looking for one serpent."

Another tear fell.

"And when Malika was running from Slyvarakh...I helped him escape not because I wanted rewards but because I hoped someone, somewhere might one day help you too. If I became a noble, I could look for you."

Silence.

Suddenly...Naburash’s fingers moved, very slightly.

Raviel immediately looked up. "...Naburash?"

The pale serpent slowly opened his eyes; his vision remained blurred, and then very slowly he smiled.

"You’re...beautiful."

Raviel laughed through fresh tears. "...Liar. I’ve become old. I’ve got wrinkles."

Naburash weakly shook his head. "Still...beautiful."

Silence.

"I found you," Raviel whispered. "I told Lord Urzan...that I wouldn’t stop."

Another weak smile appeared upon Naburash’s lips. "...I’m sorry."

Raviel immediately shook his head. "No, don’t. I’m the one who should’ve found you sooner. I should’ve searched harder. I should’ve never believed that you abandoned me."

Naburash slowly tightened his fingers around Raviel’s hand; barely enough strength remained.

"No, you...gave me...something."

Raviel leaned closer. "...What?"

Naburash smiled faintly. "...Hope. As long...as I believed...my mate...still existed, I...could keep walking."

His chest suddenly trembled.

COUGH—

Blood spilled from the corner of his lips.

"Naburash!" Raviel immediately supported him. "No, Physician! Someone! PLEASE!"

His desperate voice echoed throughout the dungeon. The Royal Knights rushed inside, and the physician hurried after them. He immediately checked Naburash’s pulse; his expression slowly fell.

Raviel looked at him. "Save him."

The physician remained silent. "Please. I beg you. Please..."

The old physician slowly lowered his head. "There is nothing more I can do."

Raviel stared at him, as though he had forgotten how to breathe.

"No," he whispered. "...No..."

Naburash slowly reached toward Raviel’s face; his trembling fingers wiped away one falling tear.

"Don’t cry...I am honored that while I will be written as a traitor in history pages, there...will be at least one serpent who will truly...mourn for me through his...heart, and that’s enough for me."

Raviel grabbed his hand with both of his. With his completely broken voice, he said, "Do not say that; don’t leave. We only found each other. I searched for half my life. I..."

His shoulders shook uncontrollably.

"...I don’t know how to lose you again."

Naburash looked at him with eyes filled only with peace. "Then..."

A long, painful breath escaped him.

"Don’t...lose me. Carry...me with you."

Silence.

"Live for both of us." His fingers slowly loosened, and his breathing became softer...softer...and softer, until...

It stopped.

Silence.

The physician quietly closed Naburash’s eyes; the Royal Knights stared at the body; no one dared speak. Raviel remained frozen, still holding Naburash’s hand, waiting.

As though another breath would come, another smile, another word, but minutes passed; nothing happened.

"...Naburash?"

Silence.

He smiled weakly. "...Enough pretending."

Another pause.

"...Wake up."

Nothing. His smile slowly collapsed; his forehead rested against Naburash’s cold hand.

"Please, I spent half my life looking for you..." His voice shattered into sobs. "Lord Urzan, why...why did you return him to me...only to take him away again?"

No answer came, only silence.

Outside the dungeon the bells of Lord Urzan’s temple echoed across Zahryssar. As though offering one final prayer...

For a thief who finally found his mate. And a serpent who died in the arms of the only one he had ever wished to find.

***

[Malika’s Private Residency — Hallway — Later]

The hallway remained unusually quiet. Morning sunlight spilled through the towering windows, painting long streaks of gold across the white marble floor.

Servants quietly stepped aside. Every serpent who crossed the corridor instinctively lowered their heads. Malik Zeramet walked calmly through the palace; Captain Varesh followed at his right. High Mage Arkhazunn walked a step behind.

For several moments...none of them spoke.

Finally, Zeramet broke the silence as his golden eyes remained fixed ahead. "I never imagined that Raviel had been Naburash’s mate all this time."

Varesh slowly nodded. "Neither did I, Malik. The Malika has allowed Raviel to remain beside his mate...until his final breath."

Silence.

Zeramet nodded once. "...It was the correct judgment. A ruler may deny mercy, but he must never deny farewell."

Arkhazunn quietly lowered his eyes. "Malika made the only decision possible. He protected the law without crushing the heart of an innocent husband."

Silence returned.

Then rapid footsteps echoed through the hallway. A royal knight hurried toward them, the moment he arrived...he immediately dropped onto one knee.

"My greetings, Malik."

Zeramet stopped. "You may speak."

The knight lowered his head. "The Royal Physician has sent word the prisoner...Naburash has passed away."

Silence, a suffocating, uncomfortable silence. Arkhazunn’s fingers twitched beneath his sleeves. Varesh glanced towards Arkhazunn, and even Zeramet remained motionless.

For several long moments no one spoke. Then a quiet breath escaped him.

"...So." His voice carried neither hatred nor satisfaction. "...He has finally reached the end of his road."

The knight bowed. "Yes, Malik."

Another silence settled. Finally, Zeramet spoke again; his voice became firm. "As decreed by the Laws of Zahryssar...a traitor shall not be buried within the Imperial Mausoleum, nor within any sacred burial ground of Zahryssar. Their bodies are abandoned to the desert to return to dust beneath the judgment of Lord Urzan."

The hallway grew quiet once more. Varesh stepped forward respectfully. "My Malik...Raviel he will never allow such a fate."

Before Zeramet could answer—

"...I would ask for something else."

A familiar voice echoed through the hallway; everyone turned. Raviel slowly walked toward them; his steps were steady, but his eyes had become completely hollow. The tears had long since stopped; there were no cries left, no strength left, only emptiness.

He stopped several steps before Zeramet. Then he bowed deeply.

"My Malik." His voice had become strangely calm. "My homeland lies upon the border villages. It is a forgotten place, a place far from the capital."

He slowly lowered his head further.

"I ask for nothing more: no ceremony, no prayers, and no mourners." His fingers slowly tightened. "Only permission...to bury my mate...where he first opened his eyes."

Silence.

The hallway waited. Zeramet looked quietly at Raviel, then without hesitation... "Granted."

Raviel slowly looked up. Zeramet continued as his gaze shifted towards the royal knight. "Prepare an ordinary carriage. No royal escort, no banners, and no funeral procession."

The knight immediately bowed. "As you command, Malik."

He hurried away; silence settled once again. Raviel lowered himself into another respectful bow. "Thank you...for not allowing him to rot beneath the desert sun."

Zeramet had already begun walking away; his footsteps echoed softly through the marble corridor. Then, without turning back, he spoke.

"There was one thing Naburash did correctly." Everyone looked toward him. Zeramet’s voice remained calm. "He chose the right human to become my mate. I merely returned that kindness."

Silence.

Then without another word, the Malik disappeared beyond the palace corridor, leaving only the echo of his footsteps behind.

Raviel remained standing where he was, his eyes slowly closed. For the first time since Naburash’s death, a faint broken smile appeared.

"You heard that..." he whispered to himself. "Even now someone acknowledged you."

He slowly turned; his footsteps carried him back toward the Imperial Dungeon. The guards quietly stepped aside.

No one spoke. Inside the silent prison cell...Naburash rested peacefully upon the stone bed; his suffering had finally ended. Raviel walked toward him; he knelt beside the bed, and his trembling fingers gently brushed across Naburash’s pale cheek one final time.

"Come." His voice was barely above a whisper. "It’s time...to go home."

With the tenderness of a husband...rather than the strength of a thief... Raviel slowly lifted Naburash into his arms, supporting him carefully, as though afraid he might still feel pain, and without another word he carried his mate from the dungeon.

Toward the waiting carriage, and toward the forgotten border village Where one serpent would finally return home and another would begin learning how to live alone.