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All The Ways He Stayed

All The Ways He Stayed

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Ophelia, a lonely mage raised in the shadow of her foster sister Amy, loses everything after Rosalia's death. Cast out by jealousy and heartbreak, she finds herself tangled in royal chaos and in a silent engagement to Prince Samuel. But when the crown becomes his burden and Amy takes his heart, Ophelia vanishes once more. Then comes Hugh; grumpy, infuriating, and impossible to ignore. In his inn, Ophelia finds not just shelter, but something she's never had: belonging. But the past isn't done with her. Old flames return, secrets unravel, and forgiveness blooms where envy once lived. As love and healing take root, Ophelia must choose the life she wants-and the man willing to give her forever. But how can a mage with no deep emotional understanding choose the right thing?

Chapter 1 The Elf

Ophelia's POV

I do not understand mortals, nor will I ever be.

I cannot understand how this woman went out of her way to raise an immortal like me... only to die smiling.

"Ophelia..." I heard her soft mumbling voice calling out for me while she held my hands. Her cold wrinkly skin was sending me the signal that her time is near.

"I do not regret the time I spent raising you..." Rosalia whispered.

"Why are you using your remaining energy to speak..."

She offered me a warm smile, one that I had never seen before. The one that I have been wanting to set out a sight even for just a small ounce of time.

Her eyes darted on me. She could barely open them but she still make sure she can look at me even for the last time.

I could feel her hands slowly loosening its grip. How her breathing slowly disappearing, 40 beats every excruciating minute.

"Because..." There was a long pause in her phrase before she could finally take her time finishing it.

"There is nothing I more fulfilling than knowing my love has raised you right." I watched how tears started falling from her eyes.

This is grief... they say.

But why can't I feel anything? Why does it feel like there was nothing in my heart except for the wish that she passed peacefully? That she do not need to worry about me anymore?

I do not want to see her stressed out on how will I live my life after she finally depart. I just want her soul to rest in peace and be on her way to the afterlife without anything holding her back.

I sighed and breathe heavily as I leaned closer. My forehead touch hers and my hands tightened in her hands.

"Thank you so much for being with me... Thank you so much for honing this mage skills to the best of your ability that I am who I am today. Had it been not for you... I wouldn't be in this stand." I whispered, cherishing every bits of minutes I still have with her.

She did not replied.

She just gave me her loving one last breath as she died smiling.

And for a bit of time, all I felt was this silence. The silence that I had not been blessed with over the past fifty years.

I miss Rosalia's nagging. I did not know that an elf who does not know any emotions could also feel yearning for someone that is meant to leave.

I took all the courage to stand up from my seat. I gently walked away from her bed and opened the door to see her servants crying.

I do not want to be the person delivering the news but I also know this cannot be stopped nor be put into a pause.

"The lady had died. She passed away with a smile." I whispered in the air, looking at how everyone was shedding tears.

"Why can't you do anything for her?!" Rosalia's daughter, Amy, kneeled in front of me while she cried.

"I was not the one he wanted to see for the last time while she was bed ridden and yet, the elf she raised could not even give her another year to live. What kind of nonsense is this?"

She was upset, I know. But she needs to understand that it is not something I could do.

"I cannot bring the dead back." I affirmed. It will break her mortal heart but the truth will never falter.

"Rosalia... wouldn't want that either."

She completely broke in front of me, collapsing as if she was about to follow her mother.

"Amy, stand up." I stood in front of her, in my ground. "Your mother wouldn't want her daughter to follow her on the afterlife."

I sighed loudly as I watched every single one of them crying and shedding. I could hear all their weeping and I know it won't bring her back. It is just draining all of them and it won't be good for me.

I walked past Amy and had no plans to stay in such a gloomy place anymore.

But before I could leave, I heard his voice crack once again. Her voice that was laced with all the pain and the hurting emotions that I have grown accustomed to.

"What did she said about me?" Amy sounded desperate to have a closure before she could move on.

"Did mother says something? Did she ever thought of me before she passed?"

I turned around and see those pair of eyes. Those eyes that had been searching for something to soothe the painful stab that her heart had received.

"No." I plainly answered.

"Until her deathbed, she spoke nothing but the mage she raised."

"How dare you?!" She lunged after me, attempting to have a slap but failed miserably.

She could not break the walls I had built for myself.

Nor will I ever let her...

"Stop crying over what is done and do something to make yourself worthy to be her daughter, Amy."

She looked at me with her eyes flaming in anger and I knew exactly how much she wants to put an end to my life.

"I will not disgrace your mother's death by lying about her last sentences."

"Couldn't you at least show sympathy for our lady?!" One of the maids shouted, clearly not understanding where I am coming from.

"Is that something I am born with?" My eyes travelled all across the room to see the look in their faces. "Or have you all forgotten that this woman does not know what that means?"

I knew they have been resenting me. Some of them might want to stab me or burn me until my ashes have been scattered and could no longer be revived. But what can I do when I do not have the emotions most of them have been blessed with?

"One day..." Amy had her fist clenched. "You will die and no one will mourn for you. No one will remember you... and you will be just another speck of dust who won't matter for most."

"Is this what they call a curse?" I blankly stared at her.

"You will be forgotten... and will be swept away with history–"

"I know."

She looked at me with her flaming eyes as soon as I cut her words.

"No one will mourn someone who will outlive everyone she met."

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