Epilogue

Aleron Alexandre Osman

THE VIEW FROM the top hasn't excited me, unlike before. I did everything I could just be here in this place. It takes a lot of sacrifices to prove my worth as the head guardian.

My great grandfather was the first man to be held as head guardian. It was the highest position granted for this secret yet powerful organization. Only the few who know its name had the chance to live. Anyone who's still alive after knowing the basics was truly blessed.

The organization was made to protect and guide the path towards humanity. To be part of them is an honor. Respect, power, and honor— those are a few of its perks.

The lineage continues. The expectations were too high for the ordinary. No one is above the law. The organization treats everyone fairly. The only exception lies in the hailed guardians. They are the main pillars of prosperity, justice, and fairness.

Even with the surname, I still need to undergo the basics. My worth can be proven based on how I want them to see me. The hardest training, survival way of filtering all of its aspirants is all fair.

I know I can always ace everything. I was raised to be unbreakable and undefended. I can't just fail my clan with tiny little flaws. I thought everything was too easy to predict.

Not until I met her.

She was able to catch my pace. Kathryn "Hime" Dela Vega was four years younger than me. Yet, look what she got herself into.

"I heard she's a newbie." I heard the elders talking. "That's right, but did you see her perform?" Another familiar voice spoke. "She came from the Dela Vega clan. What do you expect?"

Eavesdropping is bad. The said deed was disrespectful so I walked away.

Right there, I know she'll make my life, a more thrilling one. And I was right all along.

Despite her being a newbie, she made a strong impression that made the elders admire her. Even though, I already acquired the position that I longed for. I still make time to observe her from afar.

I contented myself by just observing. After all, that's what a head guardian usually does. We observe more, before making decisions. Deductions are just a small part. We can't just make sudden decisions without weighing their consequences.

Everything was under control until she's starting to mess things up. They said that emotion is everyone's weakness. I agree, especially upon seeing her defenseless. I've tried to warn her by giving some hints. However, her future is in her hands. Her life is hers. I should know my boundaries.

I can make the tables turn in a snap. It's just that, I refuse to do it. I want to see her fight. I want to witness how she handles things like those. I've watched her win and stumble at the same time. I've seen her worst, yet I still found it beautiful.

I tried to close our distance by engaging myself in the business world. I used my real name. Though, I chose Alexandre instead of Osman. I want to keep it lowkey.

I was already entertained as everything passed. I was also there when her friend named Gloria tested his guy's faithfulness. It turns out, he was just a pawn.

I saw her ruining the guy named Patrick Chua and smashing his car. Her childish facade changes when she's thrilled. Everyone will be thrilled to see them play.

Meanwhile, the Dela Vega Heiress was drowned with her emotions. I've seen how she attached herself to the poor guy. It was sad to see her seek his attention.

It was too late to realize that I already introduced myself to her. I unconsciously made decisions out of the blue. From the shadows where I used to hide, I finally let the light capture me.

My parents taught me to be contented. But somehow, I can still find myself wanting more of her. It's like a disease that continuously spreads to my whole well-being.

"Hail the Guardians, let thou shed light upon the darkness." That's what I've been waiting for. The only words I wanted to hear. I won't restrain myself anymore.

Having access to her agency was just my chosen front. I can't just say that I want more of her in exchange. I don't want her to distance herself away from me. I indeed have my ways to access Hydra, even without her approval. Of course, I can. But, I disregard the thought.

I already know who's who from the very start. I just want to watch how they solve the mystery. I don't want to spoil the fun. Seeing them makes progress was oddly satisfying. What more if the confrontation finally happens.

Let's see...

To be fair, I gave all of the finest weapons to use in the upcoming battle. I sufficed their need for better access. I spilled the remaining beans to fuel them.

The sudden appearance of the oldest Étoile was the turning point. The old man used his wit through riddles. I honestly think that they finally understand everything. Nonetheless, it was just a false alarm.

Rather, they have focused themselves on capturing all the pawns. I got their point. They wanted to clear the path before ascending to its highest authorities. I badly want to commend their well-played roles.

Kathryn Dela Vega proved that she's the game master. Her friend, Gloria Greene, served as the bishop. Leonard Valentino was the best pawn regardless of his position as the king. Anne Slovavich played like the innocent queen being protective of his king. The emotions fueled their actions. They were able to take down the hideous society in the most entertaining way.

While me, you can call me using different names. Some may call control-freak, manipulative jerk, or even the worst. But the best and my most preferred name...

Oh, just call me the game changer.

To be honest, anyone can be labeled as a game changer. Life's like a game, anyone can just enter your life. It depends on how you perceive their roles. If you give them the widest access, expect them to bring you the worst. The extremes lie upon our hands.

In simple words, just enjoy the game.

I HEARD her groans. Even when she's dreaming, she always wants to feel my presence beside her.

I choose not to sleep earlier, I want to admire her peaceful, innocent face when she's in this form. No lifted eyebrows, smirks, grins, and glares—just the bare Kathryn Dela Vega. I love to call her queen instead of addressing her as 'princess'.

I smiled as she wrapped her legs around me. We had a long, tough journey. Before, she won't even give me a glance without her glasses and sharp stares. A day was not well spent if she's not nagging and calling my name in a warning tone.

She hates it when someone's ogling at me. She loathes it more when I come late even with just a few minutes. She calls me possessive when in fact, she's the territorial one. I've seen her worst but, I still admire her — despite her flaws.

The unnamed virus turned into a disease. It spreads faster than a wildfire. It can affect everyone's behavior. It can test every single meter you have.

Above all, love is something that unifies us. It's too powerful to be kept. It was meant to be shared and prospered.

It's the common denominator. It was the first thing that binds us all.

"Why are you still awake?" I heard her ask. She's still in her bedroom voice. "I'm just reading this book." Her eyes were partly opened. Her hands found its way to my book.

I already know what will happen next...

"Sleep, Knight. There's a lot of time to read." She said after tossing my book and landed on her couch.

She pulled me down and wrapped my arms around her waist. She put my head on her chest. "Good night, my Knight."

I smiled. Her heartbeats are better than any lullabies.

THE END