Chapter 3: Sunlit Farewells

Clear sunlight illuminated her mother's grave, surrounded by a breathtaking array of flowers. Levyoka lay peacefully beside the tomb, murmuring softly, "Mother, it seems I'm following your footsteps." The tranquil atmosphere was broken only by the gentle melody of the wind, as tears welled in her eyes and cascaded down her cheeks. "Did you ever regret marrying father or having us? Leaving your beloved must have been agonizing."

Suddenly, Sarsuela emerged, her presence unexpected. With a solemn expression, she interrupted Levyoka's reverie. "I apologize. I promised to care for your daughter, but this is where my journey with her ends." Sarsuela knelt before the tomb, bowing her head in silent reverence.

Turning to Levyoka, who was taken aback by Sarsuela's farewell, she embraced her tenderly. "You will thrive on your own now. I must return to my hometown, where my son awaits." "I informed him two days ago," she added softly.

Levyoka, still processing the whirlwind of emotions, managed to inquire about Sarsuela's son. "You have a son?" Sarsuela's smile was warm as she patted Levyoka's head. "Yes, and he's much like you."

"Is he mischievous too? What's his name?" Levyoka asked eagerly. "Oh, he's quite the gentleman. His name is Damian."

As darkness descended, Levyoka bid farewell to Sarsuela, her heart overflowing with love. Watching the golden stagecoach depart, Sarsuela glanced back one last time, whispering, "May you find love in every corner of your life."

From Levyoka's vantage point, she watches as the carriage recedes into the distance, each passing moment amplifying the sense of separation. "I'll miss you," she whispers to the departing vehicle, her thoughts swirling with questions. "But why leave now, after spending years in such close proximity to your former flame, the king?"

***

Not long before Levyoka decided to visit her mother's tomb, she ventured into a room where her mother's belongings were stored. There, she discovered a piece of paper tucked into a book, bearing a message:

"Dear Leimore,

Must our friendship end this way? You are marrying a man whom I dearly love. I know I shouldn't harbor resentment towards you, for none of this is our fault. Yet, the pain strikes me relentlessly, leaving me uncertain of what to feel or do. For the sake of our friendship and the memories we share, please allow me time to process everything. I understand this is difficult for you too, and rest assured, I will come to you." - Sarsuela

At that moment, Levyoka's eyes widened in disbelief, rendered speechless by the revelation that Sarsuela was her father's beloved. Suddenly losing her balance, she collapsed to the floor, grappling with the weight of the information. Unknowingly, memories flooded her mind of how Sarsuela had cared for her, despite her own irritation. Yet, what pierced her heart most deeply was the absence of her mother, who had passed away mere months after Levyoka's birth. They believed she hadn't recovered her strength after giving birth.

***

In the present moment, Levyoka's weariness was palpable, burdened by the dense fog of conflicting emotions that enveloped her. Weary footsteps carried her through the grand corridors of the palace until she finally reached the sanctuary of her own chamber. With a heavy sigh, she sank onto the plush mattress, the weight of her troubles pressing down upon her. Methodically, she peeled away the layers of her outer attire, each movement a deliberate act of shedding the facade she presented to the world. Exhaustion weighed heavily upon her limbs as she surrendered to the welcoming embrace of her bed, its softness a balm to her troubled soul. With eyes heavy with fatigue, she succumbed to the gentle lullaby of sleep, seeking refuge from the storm of emotions that raged within her.