Facing the truth

Three weeks had passed since Lala's last meeting with Wolfric and Honora. In these three weeks, they had met every other morning at the first light of dawn, discussing the plans for rebuilding on the lands that once belonged to Lala’s family. At last, Wolfric, the King of the North, had granted the lands to Lala, the last surviving heir of Merrywood. His decree echoed throughout the realm, publicly announced and ratified for all to hear.
Amid this, rumors began to bloom like wildflowers—whispers about Lala’s engagement to Robin Slaughterwood in the past month. But only she knew that this engagement had never been born of love. She had never been fond of Robin Slaughterwood. The Slaughterwood family had been the architects of the tragedies that had unfolded in her life for centuries. Vengeance Slaughterwood had slain her brother, and Castor had been so grievously wounded by him that it had nearly claimed his life. But the difference between Castor and Lala's brother, Lyric, was that Castor returned to life at a steep cost—losing control of himself at times. But Lyric's story had ended that day.
For Lyric, the book of his life had been closed, but for Lala, Jacks, and Castor, it was only the beginning of their tragedies. The beginning of losing their innocence. The beginning of losing half their humanity. The vibrant days of youth had come to an end, and a life filled with pain had begun. In this life, they were always at war with themselves, wounding and being wounded. In the end, they had become creatures caught between memory and monstrosity, bound together by the glimmer of something small and bright buried deep within—a spark of hope so fragile it terrified them. But if that spark ever grew, it could change everything. But with hope came risk—the unbearable fear that it might shatter at any moment. Yet they did not have the heart to extinguish it either. And so, they remained suspended, caught between hope and despair; at once hopeful and hopeless. And perhaps that was why Lala did not end her life. She had planted The Phoenix Tree, and all it would take was a single leaf plucked from its branches to free her from the endless pain. But Lala didn’t want her small flame of hope to be extinguished. She wanted to live. She wanted to survive until the day when the sun of her life—the glorious dawn that symbolized happiness—would rise and shine its light upon the darkness she had known.

Jacks had grown weary of being a hero. His heart overflowed with loss, and he fought to deny the reckless, proud boy still beating within him. And he always tried to deny that the good, wild boy within him still existed, always attempting to destroy everything, to ruin his life, because he had no hope left for his future. Castor had locked himself away in an underground castle, birthing vampires into the world. He protected the North even as he yearned to restore his shattered family.
And Lala? Lala had accepted the engagement to Robin Slaughterwood because somewhere, deep within her wounded soul, a fragile hope whispered that Dain Valvor—her first love—might return. Dain, with his dragon and the legendary love they once shared. That was why she had agreed to marry Robin Slaughterwood, to see if she was ready to return to the past. To see if she was ready to finally meet her first love again and begin their legendary relationship once more. She had agreed to this engagement for that reason.
But when Dain returned, Lala understood the truth: their love had ended the day their engagement had been broken. Her past had bound her in chains, but that did not mean she had accepted it. For Lala had never truly let go of anything. The memories had rooted themselves in her heart like thorns, impossible to tear free. Her past clung to her—an unbroken spell, a prison without walls. Every attempt to break free only reopened old wounds.
Even at the funeral of her family, she had not shed a tear. She had bottled her memories, sealing them away inside. But now, the glass of that prison was cracking, and the memories were ready to break free.
"is exactly the same design I remember from the last time... bu… something … changed … the meantime..." Hanora's voice softly crept into the corners of Lala's mind, but Lala seemed to be drowning in a whirlpool of thoughts. Maps, lines, and curves danced in her mind like shadows from a faded and unstable past. Some of Hanora's words reached her ears, like thin pieces of darkness that barely took shape, but she could never fully comprehend them. Each word from Hanora felt like a knot in her mind, pulling her deeper into the most intricate of her fantasies. Everything, even herself, was fading in a strange and hazy manner within her thoughts.
"ariel?"
Yes?""
The queen let out a short laugh
" Did you understand what I was saying?"
"Um... I'm sorry. I didn’t catch the earlier conversations, but I vaguely heard your last words. What exactly did you say?"
"i said this is exactly the same design I remember from the last time, but it seems that some things in the final design have changed."
" yes" lala chuckled briefly "You are very perceptive. I made some changes to the design over the past three days. "lala didn't know why, but she continued to speak honestly to the ancient queen" I wanted the design to align with my character. Perhaps a part of me is still that girl I was centuries ago, but at the same time... I am no longer. Changes never happen in an instant. And I, deep down, have become something else."
Hanora gave a bitter smile.
Suddenly, the king entered the room, and Lala knew what he was going to say.
" All the workers and construction materials have been moved to the Merrywood grounds. The carriage for you and the architect who will accompany you until the construction is complete is ready for you to oversee the site."
"Thank you."
And deep within, Lala knew that as warm and kind as Hanora was, Wolfric was a political man and a warrior, and if he was doing these things, it was not out of kindness. This was a ceasefire and also a display of power to the magnificent North.

"I want to tell you something about the architect. This man is named Elric Wintermoor. He is of the same bloodline as the Wintermoors who originally built your estate."
Another Wintermoore!
Lala couldn’t hide her surprise. With all the centuries she had lived, she should have become a being for whom nothing was surprising, but the world still had its wonders. And how did she not know that the Wintermoores’ lineage still existed in the North?
"Because you turned your back on such things..." her inner voice told her. As though ignoring it could erase it!
"It can’t be erased..." Lala whispered to herself. Suppressing any truth only makes it bigger and brighter, and that makes ignoring it harder.
Her inner voice had been whispering constantly in her ear ever since she set foot in the North, and sometimes Lala hated it.
The Wintermoore house
This house wasn’t one of great houses, but they certainly weren’t unknown either. They had overseen the construction of many of the grand old estates in the North, and Lord Merrywood was Elyrius Wintermoore’s friend. Just as Ben and Wolfric helped each other rise to power, Elyrius Wintermoore and Darius merrywood had done the same.
They were noble men. They could have risen to greater powers, but they knew that power is a swamp. It drowns people. Not that power was bad, but too much of it makes the power control people, not the other way around.
This friendship went back to their adolescence. It was something deep. Something ancient.
And that was why Elyrius had full oversight over the construction of the merrywood estate and had done everything in his power to make it great. Lala didn’t know if Elyric Wintermoore knew about the history of her father’s friendship with Elyrius Wintermoore, and if he did, what his reaction would be to the fact that a mansion was about to be built for her on the merrywood lands?
It was true that Lala was the last of the merrywood, and the new mansion and the lands were her rightful inheritance, but that was something she could not say to anyone. She had to pretend to be interested in the history of the merrywood house
But prejudices always remain hidden at first. Elyric might be a prejudiced man. A man attached to the dusty history of his house.
He might want to test her to see if she was worthy of the merrywood lands.
Lala stepped out of the tunnel of the past and into the present.
"Do the Wintermoores of this era know about the old friendship between the merrywood and Wintermoores?"
"You don’t know about them?" Wolfric asked.
"I’ve been trapped in a card for centuries, and I haven’t been back to the North for long." Lala couldn’t stop herself from speaking frankly. After all, she had started a new life, with a new name and a new family, and she no longer wanted to do the things that a fates would do. She just wanted to start a peaceful, ordinary life.
"Well, the Wintermoores are aware of that old friendship and even have the plans for your family’s old estate. And it seems they’ve protected them well. There are even rumors that there are other things hidden in the mansion."
"Well, where is Elyric Wintermoore?"
"The guards were supposed to take him to where the carriage is. You can meet him there."
"Thanks again. Finding a Wintermoore really seems like a great idea. I hope he won’t question me about my interest in the merrywood lands or my connection to the apparently new rulers of the magnificent North."
And she headed off to get the designs and plans for the mansion. She rolled them up.
"Until next time." She said to Hanora and Wolfric and left the room.
"Guide me to where the carriage is." She said to the guard who was waiting for her, and they began walking.
She still hadn’t seen Dane. She felt no shame about disrupting their relationship. It had been over from the start. But she didn’t want there to be any foolish cold wars. The only thing Lala missed was Dane’s petty sulks.
She turned her mind to something else. To whether Elyric Wintermoore had those dark eyes, slightly pale skin, tall and lean frame, and graying hair, wearing the same heavy, silver, or black fabrics with intricate designs, incorporating leather, just like Elyrius did. And the silver ring with the black diamond he wore on his thumb—the same one Elyrius wore.
Of course, it was foolish. So much time had passed. Elyric might look nothing like Elyrius.
The cool air that brushed against her skin pulled her out of her thoughts.
And there he was.
He didn’t seem that old. Probably in his early thirties.
Elyric Wintermoore was a man with gray eyes, and at first glance, there was a mysterious allure about him. His height was relatively tall, giving him a presence that always felt prominent and powerful, but not so tall as to remind one of the legendary height of his ancestors. His dusty hair sometimes caught lighter hues in certain light.
He wore a dark gray-black outfit with intricate patterns, and the collar was adorned with leather. The outfit was not only comfortable and suitable for modern times, but it also conveyed the sense of power and nobility associated with the Wintermoore family. The design of the fabrics also reflected the care and attention to detail in his choices.
On his thumb was a silver ring with a black diamond, a symbol of his family’s history and position. This ring was not only a piece of jewelry but also a mark of the power and ancient legacy of the Wintermoore family.
"Mr. Wintermoore, it’s a pleasure to meet you."
"Lady Lagrimas." He bowed his head in respect. "I’m glad to finally meet you. I’ve had several meetings with the king over the past few weeks, and he mentioned your plans."
"His Majesty is kind. The plans are with me. We can discuss them in the carriage."
Elyric Wintermoore opened the carriage door.
"Please, Lady Lagrimas."
Lala gave Elyric a respectful smile and entered the carriage, with Elyric following her.
The carriage was spacious enough for them to sit opposite each other, without any contact between them.
"May I see the final design?"
"Of course." Lala handed him the designs.
After a few minutes of examination, Elyric said, "I must say, the design is excellent. Building a mansion with this design, which draws so much from the merrywood estate, makes me want to work even harder on it."
"How long do you think it will take to build?"
"If we work hard, a year should be enough." He added after a few minutes, "Are you in a hurry for it to be completed?"
"I wouldn’t say I’m in a hurry, but I would be happy if it’s done sooner."
Elyric Wintermoore nodded in understanding, and they remained silent for the rest of the journey. Elyric was looking at the plans while Lala gazed out the carriage window.
An hour later, the carriage stopped.
They had arrived at the merrywood lands.
Lala got out.
"I need to speak with the workers. Do you need anything from me?"
"No. Please, take your time."
They parted ways.
Lala walked slowly and silently toward the Merrywood grounds. The weather was mild and pleasant, a gentle chill lingering from the past winter was clearly felt in the air, but there was no sign of snow that day. The Merrywood grounds, where the bloody history of her family had been burned in flames, still bore the weight of that painful past. The tall, ancient trees stood majestically as if silently witnessing the stories that had unfolded in this unforgettable land. But none of them had been able to erase the bitter taste of that incident from the memory of the magnificent North.
The plans she held seemed like an ambiguous outline of a distant and unknown future. Every line on the map, every curve drawn with precision, and every column that was to rise from the soil of these lands seemed to bring back a story from her past. The new estate was to be built on this very land; a land intertwined with the pains and sufferings of the Merrywood family. And now, the magnificent North was witnessing that after centuries, these lands would once again breathe life anew.
The workers were carefully and intently preparing the ground for the construction of the estate. The forest soil was moist and still soft in some places, as if the earth was preparing itself for a major change. Pits were being dug slowly, and stones were being carried to their places one by one. Every movement was like a forgotten edifice slowly and silently reconstructing itself. The land, once a witness to blood and fire, was now to host the last remaining member of its former family.
Lala looked on with unparalleled attention at what was happening. No walls had been built yet, and only simple lines of the design were etched into the earth. But whatever was taking shape here felt like a dream set alongside nightmares coming to life. The estate was to be built in the heart of this forest, on soil that could never forget its bitter and terrifying past.
The voice of one of the workers approaching her caught her attention.
" Miss Lagrimas, the work has begun. The ground is ready for construction, and the main work will start next week."
Lala nodded slowly and cast a deep, mysterious glance at the ground. Here, in the heart of the forest, in this soil that held both bitter and sweet memories, a new future was taking shape. There were still no walls, but in Lala's mind, her estate was being built. Quietly, amidst the darkness of the past, a new banquet for her future was in the process of being formed.
"Many will die, but one of us will remain forever to continue the story." Elric said this, and Lala turned her gaze away from him, as if the words she had heard countless times before resonated in her mind in a new way. Her face remained still and silent, but deep within her, something shifted. This phrase had always been engraved in her mind as part of her family’s legacy, but now, strangely, hearing it from someone else felt as though she was experiencing it anew. These words, once a part of the walls of the Merrywood estate, now echoed differently in her ears.

Elric, noticing her expression had become slightly cold and unreadable, and interpreting it as confusion and uncertainty, quickly began to explain.
"This was a motto carved on the stone wall around the Merrywood estate centuries ago. Right to the left of a beautiful metal door."

Lala, who was familiar with this phrase, still couldn’t shake the deeper sensation it left within her. Why, now, should she hear it from Elric’s lips? It felt as if the world itself was trying to break through the barrier behind which her memories had been hidden.

"Lady Lagrimas, if you wish, we can visit the Wintermoore estate this weekend. I plan to give you a full tour of the estate. The lower floor is locked, but I will allow you to see it. In fact, it’s more like a museum, and the graves of the Merrywoods are there as well."

Lala paused for a moment, looking at him. There was something about Elric's suggestion, perhaps because of the historical and mysterious nature of the Wintermoore estate, that felt ruthless to her. She didn’t want to drown herself in the past’s memories, yet the curiosity and need to learn more about her family’s graves, and what had happened after her parents’ death, made her restless.

"Why do you want to give me all this information?" Lala’s voice came out softly but sharply, carrying the question that had always lingered in her mind.
"Because you are going to build a new manor on the Merrywood grounds, it might be better for you to know more about its history. The motto that was carved on the Merrywood manor wall meant that the only one left in their lineage should carry on their legacy. But the truth is, the Merrywood family perished far too quickly, and now, as a Wintermoore, the heir to this legacy, I want these lands to go to someone who not only knows their history but also respects it."

These words made Lala narrow her eyes and look down at the ground. Something in these words, the combination of respect and destiny, deeply affected her. From what Elric had said, it seemed that within the dark paths she had tried to escape from, there were still elements of her past history that she had to confront.

Minutes passed in silence as Lala remained lost in her thoughts when the sound of hooves reached her ears from a distance, pulling her out of her reverie.

"Lord Wintermoore!" The voice of the messenger rang out.

"Thomas Grey, what’s happened?" Elric asked, turning toward him.

The messenger, upon reaching them, dismounted and bowed his head slightly in a sign of respect before handing a letter to Elric Wintermoore.

As Elric read the letter, a deep crease appeared between his brows. However, this crease was not from anger but from processing the information.

"Lady Lagrimas…" Elric closed the letter and placed it in his pocket. "A family matter has come up, and I must go. I hope it won't be too troublesome for you."

Lala felt a strange sense of relief. In fact, now that she was alone, she could walk through the grounds and organize her thoughts a little.

"No, of course not. You can attend to your business. I will stay here and leave later."

"So… farewell until when?" Elric asked, and Lala realized he was asking when she would visit the Wintermoore manor.

"One month from now. Exactly four weeks. I know I should come sooner to learn more about the history and legacy of the Merrywoods, but I’m very busy at the moment. We can start in four weeks. I’ll be ready by then."

"Then, until four weeks from now. If you have any questions, you can send a letter. Be sure to put your name on it. I’ll inform the manor guards to make sure your letters are directly delivered to me."

"Thank you for your offer. You’re right, I should know more about the Merrywoods."

Lala wasn’t sure if she was saying this to herself or to Elric.

"Farewell," Elric said.

Lala nodded in response, a gesture that conveyed the same sentiment.

Then, she watched as Elric walked away, and once he was completely out of sight, she exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she had been holding
A few minutes after Elric Wintermoore left, Lala walked up to the coachman and said,
"Can you wait a bit longer for me?"
The coachman replied calmly, "Yes, my lady. No problem. I can wait. I just need to know where your next destination is?"
"When I’m ready to return, I’ll tell you the destination."
"Understood, my lady."
Lala walked away from the coachman and headed toward an unknown place in the Merrywood forest.
"Many will die, but one of us will remain forever to continue the story."
"Many will die, but one of us will remain forever to continue the story."
"Many will die, but one of us will remain forever to continue the story."
"Many will die, but one of us will remain forever to continue the story."
"Many will die, but one of us will remain forever to continue the story."
"Many will die, but one of us will remain forever to continue the story... What do you think?"
"A bit... too tragic, Dad."
"Oh, Lyric! You’re a bit late in saying that. Father had already chosen this phrase, and Lord Wintermoore had it carved on the stone wall around the manor by the door."
"Dad! This is so sad. You could have talked about the family’s love or the power that comes from our lineage. Why death? It could’ve been more poetic! Ariel, are you on my side?"
Viola Merrywood had been looking up from her design desk. She had finished her breakfast earlier than anyone else. Darius Merrywood, the lord of the manor, was outside, speaking with one of the servants. The manor had only been completed two months ago, and Darius was still involved with some tasks, including choosing a phrase for their family motto, which was to be carved on the stone wall by the manor’s door. That’s why he was late to breakfast. Ariel and Lyric, like all siblings, although 15 and 17 years old respectively, still teased each other like when they were younger. Sometimes they would run after each other through the manor, constantly arguing, but soon made up because there was no bitterness or malice in their fights. The two of them, due to their argument, were also late to breakfast. Viola Merrywood had finished her breakfast earlier than everyone else and had even done some of her designs, inspired by the trees of the Merrywood forest, and she loved her family, loved their discussions. For her, it was a sign of a healthy and lively family.
"Oh, I don't know, Lyric, if you say the sky is blue, I’ll say it's magenta."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Yes!" Ariel then stuck her tongue out slightly to show her brother.
Lyric, after seeing this, placed his hand on his heart and pretended as though a sword or arrow had pierced his chest. "My dear sister, you have wounded me. You were supposed to be the keeper of my secrets, but it seems you are my greatest enemy!"
Viola and Darius Merrywood looked at each other, laughing at their daughter and son.
"Okay, okay, before you really start stabbing each other with butter knives and then accuse each other of murder, I need to say something about this motto. Yes, it would have been better if it were more poetic and warmer, but life is not always in the light. Sometimes there is darkness, and we may fall. Just as this manor stands at its peak now, one day it will be gone, or completely change, and be forgotten. In the end, we die, and you two will start the Merrywood bloodline that is to live in this manor. I will never ask you to marry someone I’ve chosen for the sake of power. I want this bloodline to be based on a personal choice, free from the corruption of power. This bloodline may go through painful days, and even you two may have bad days, but in the end, you will rise. Many will die, but one of us will remain forever to continue the story. This story continues, the story of this manor and the dark and light days, like the tide that moves the water up and down. It lifts us or knocks us down, but the story still goes on."
Ariel and Lyric were both silent and listening carefully.
"Right... whatever happens, one will remain to continue the story."
"Imagine, what kind of story will the Merrywoods write in history ten centuries from now, and how will they be remembered?"
"Do you know how they will remember you? As the sister who wounded her brother! You’re not a good sister. Tsk tsk tsk."
Ariel picked a grape and threw it at Lyric, but Lyric caught it and ate it.
"Now you’re throwing grapes, and later you’ll throw dangerous things at me... No, no, put that down."
Ariel grabbed her shoe with her hand. "Lyric, if you keep talking about how a good sister sews clothes for her brother like last night, and keep making my head hurt, I’ll hit you!"
"Oh, the poor man who’s going to marry you." But Lyric knew in his heart that his sister was the best.
Ariel was the one who always helped Lyric with everything.
Lyric was sure that even if he messed up the worst way possible and told his sister, Ariel would help him fix it after giving him one of her famous glares.
These two siblings were among the most famous siblings in the great North. They belonged to one of the great families, but they never competed over wealth or power, nor did they envy each other.
Only death could separate them, and both Darius and Viola Merrywood were at ease knowing their children always had each other's backs.
"Well, my dear sister, and my dear parents, I’m off to explore the forests. Don’t worry about me. I’ll try to come back for dinner."
"And what about lunch, son?"
"Mother, don’t worry. I’ll eat outside. I have a lot of work today, so I won’t make it for lunch."
"Does that mean wandering around in the forest?"
"I don’t know, exactly what you mean by ‘wandering around’ in your mental dictionary, so I won’t hold it against you if you don’t get it." He then winked and headed toward the door.
"It’s in your best interest to buy me chocolate! If you don’t, bad things will happen to you at night. They say brothers who ignore their sisters’ expectations and neglect them end up with terrible nightmares."
"Now you don’t have to curse me like that over a piece of chocolate, Ariel. I’ll buy the best chocolate."
"Thanks."
"Anything for you, Ariel. How many sisters do I have?"
And then he left.
It was always like this. They had playful, fake, funny arguments, and in the end, they would give their lives for each other.
The Merrywood forest wanted to preserve every moment this family, especially the siblings, had in its memory. It felt that these two would have great destinies, and it hoped both would flourish.
Lala came to her senses with the sound of birds during the sunset. She realized she had been lost in one of her memories, and then... was that a tear?
Lala realized she had been crying. She was known for shedding tears only after letting go of her suitors, but it had been a long time since she last cried. Except for the time she was with Evangeline in her dreams, and after she realized that Evangeline’s memory had been wiped, she felt like she had lost a friend and ruined the relationship between Evangeline and Jacks.
Lala wanted to love and be loved, but she couldn’t. That’s why, deep inside, she didn’t want to ruin such things for anyone. But if she gave in to her darker side, she would enjoy causing others pain—the kind of pain she was already experiencing.
But she tried to stay herself.
She wiped her tears away and lifted her head, determined not to shed another tear. She then looked around to see where she was in the forest. As much as Lala had changed, the forest had not.
She knew where she was. Back in the days when she was still Ariel Merrywood, not a demigod or Lala Lagrimas, she and Lyric would often wander around here. Even when Jacks, castor, and Lyric had become friends, she and Aurora would sometimes go to different places with the boys. They were still so young and pure, and the worst thing they could do was start a big fire. The worst injury they could get was either burning a little with that fire or falling off a horse.
Lala knew that when the earth was no longer soil and small stones, flowers, and grass appeared, it meant she was near a small lake. It was getting late, and she had to leave. So, she promised herself that the next time she visited the manor and its construction, she would go to the small lake and even swim there.
She would pick the flower Lyric loved, the Thrift flower, and then pick an Oxeye Daisy, a flower she had adored when she was human.
She turned in the opposite direction of the small lake and, after a few hours of walking, reached the construction site. She went straight to the carriage and sat inside.
"Let's go."
"Yes, ma’am."
The Merrywood forest witnessed the arrival of the last Merrywood descendant and the construction of another manor, one that hoped not to be cursed like the last. It also witnessed the breaking of an ancient spell by a boy who had once roamed these woods with his friends. And it was very happy.
The forest witnessed the breaking of a curse that had been placed on a man, the curse broken by his true love, this man who once roamed these woods with his friends. Therefore, and this makes Merrywood forest so much Happier.
It had been a long time since that page, with the sad story written on it, had been open, stuck in uncertainty. The forest hated uncertainty. Just as Darius Merrywood had said: "Many will die, but one of us will remain forever to continue the story."
Darius had thought his bloodline would continue, but the story took another form. His daughter was immortal and was continuing the story. This was another way in which the motto could come true, though no one had ever thought of it.
What were the odds of that? The forest gave a bitter smile to itself and then let everything sink into the darkness of the night, allowing the silence to swallow all the noise and lives. Tomorrow would be a new beginning, and the forest was there to witness it all.