The King and his family reached the Crystal Palace where they were warmly welcomed by Great Lady Theodora.
"Grandmother!"
The two young princes ran towards her without care for manners or the like. Within the Great Palace, away from the public eye, they would openly act like spoiled children to their grandmother who always showered them with love.
Great Lady Theodora arranged for a small birthday banquet for Drayce in her hanging garden, the area overlooking the crystal waters of the lake, and spent a happy family meal together with everyone.
While everyone's attention was on the food and the scenery, the Great Lady went towards Esther who had excused herself earlier to freshen up. Instead of returning to her seat, Esther stood on the side while watching Keiren and Drayce laugh together, the older one sitting beside the King while the other sat on the King's knees, as if they were telling their father an exciting story.
The Great Lady realized something as she saw the dazed expression on the Queen's face.
"Is it the time?" the Great Lady asked.
"Hmm," was all Esther could say as she could not help but feel emotional at the thought of leaving the two most precious people in her life—her son and her husband.
"Can't it be prolonged?" the older lady asked as she knew staying was not an option for Esther.
Esther let out a heavy sigh. "I wish I could, but I have been delaying it long enough. Do you remember, Mother? Back when you first brought me to the palace?"
The former queen remembered. "You said you'll stay by my side for five years."
"It feels like it's only been yesterday. Has it been eight years? Nine?" Esther bitterly laughed. "I cannot put them in danger. I don't wish for anything to happen not only to those two, but the entire Ivanov Family, and once again hurt the ones I love. This is a necessary sacrifice."
The older lady could only reach out and squeeze her daughter-in-law's hand. "My son and grandson will be in immense pain that I don't even dare to imagine the future. Even Little Keiren will be hurt, as he truly thinks of you as his mother too."
The older lady's eyes turned moist, her voice shaken, as she imagined the uproar the palace would suffer the next day.
Esther could only softly smile back. She lifted a hand, and in the middle of her palm was a pure white teardrop-shaped crystal, seemingly resembling a delicately cut diamond, but the way it diffused colors was a telltale sign it was not an ordinary crystal.
The Great Lady gazed at it, only to hear Esther speak, "Mother, this is a memory crystal. This crystal carries my fond memories of Megaris, from the moment I met you up till present."
"Why…?"
"In future, when you think the time is right, when you think he needs it the most, you can give it to Dray," Esther said with a wistful look. "But I know seeing my memories will bring my son terrible pain, so if I can ask Mother one last favor, you can choose to use it for yourself to get answers to my son's questions."
Despite her reluctance, the Great Lady accepted it for the sake of her grandson.
Afterwards, the King and his family returned from the Crystal Palace, unaware that something was wrong with the Queen. On the boat ride back, her husband felt that Esther was being too quiet, but he was distracted by Drayce and Keiren who had been demanding their father's attention since it was rare for them to spend time with him.
When the Queen and the Second Prince returned to her residence, Esther spent time with Drayce as she wished to spend this last night with her son. The little prince was excitedly gushing about his gifts, and about his brother and father. He was claiming this was the happiest day of his life, and Esther couldn't imagine what would happen the next day when he realized he could not find his mother.
As they lay in bed, Esther patted his head as he hugged his mother to bury himself in her warm embrace.
"Dray, do you remember everything that mother has taught you?" she asked.
Drayce lifted his head to look at her. "Yes, Mother, but which one are you referring to?"
"I am talking about your powers and about always being a good person," she replied.
"Of course, I remember, Mother. I am five now!" he said proudly, as if he believed his age meant he's a grown-up. "I will not use my powers to hurt anyone and will use them only to save someone. I will be kind like Mother."
She gave an approving nod.
"But, Mother, can I not use my powers as long as I don't hurt others?" he asked "I like being able to teleport anywhere I want."
"Anything that won't hurt others is fine," she replied and he smiled brightly as he cheered. "But you have to promise me something else."
Drayce blinked his red eyes at his mother.
Esther patted his head. "Whether Mother is around you or not, you have to remember it always. You have to be a good boy who won't trouble others."
"I will, Mother. I am Mother's good son," he promised without hesitation. His young brain was not even puzzled why his mother was suddenly telling him this.
She put Drayce to sleep and she gazed at her son for a long, long time as she knew it was the last time she was seeing him. Tears welled up in her eyes—she didn't wish to leave but she had to.
If only she was just an ordinary human and was not bound by the rules of her kind…if only…
Brushing her son's black hair with her fingers, watching that adorable sleeping face, Esther could not stop her tears from falling. She continued to look at her son, engraving each and every detail of his face in her mind.
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