Chapter 197: A Long Long Time Ago...
A long long time ago...
"Mother! Mother! Look what I’ve done!" Light footsteps echoed across the damp ground, crunching against dried twigs.
"Careful, Hades," Celeste said, opening her arms just in time to catch him as he threw himself into a hug around her waist. She crouched down, steadying him by the shoulders. "I told you to stop running. You’re going to fall and hurt yourself," she scolded gently.
The young boy beamed up at her, flashing a gap toothed smile. "I know, I know. I shouldn’t have run but I did it because I wanted to show you this!" He waved a piece of paper, which immediately caught his mother’s attention.
"What’s this?" Celeste asked as she took the paper and unfolded it.
Ink drawings were sketched onto the sheet. "This is you," Hades said proudly, pointing at a figure in a long dress with flowing hair. "This is me," he added, gesturing to the smaller figure beside it. "And that’s Father," he finished, pointing to the last figure drawn at the far edge of the paper.
Celeste noticed the distance. "Why is Father standing all the way over there?" she asked gently.
"Well... I don’t think he wants to stand close to me. He doesn’t like me that much," Hades answered quietly.
Celeste swallowed hard, folding the paper carefully before pulling him into a warm embrace. "Don’t say that, my dearest. Your father does care about you even if he doesn’t show it the way you want."
Hades cast his gaze downward. "But he never comes to play with me... or even talk to me."
Celeste’s heart tightened at his words. "Your father is a very complicated man. But he does care. And besides," she added, cupping his cheeks, "who wouldn’t like you? You’re incredibly adorable and so very handsome."
She showered his face with kisses, making him giggle uncontrollably.
"Mother, stop!" he laughed. "Someone might see us! Remember, I’m a big boy now!"
Celeste laughed along, pulling back. "Yes, yes. You’re a big boy but never too big for my kisses." She rose to her feet, brushing a few loose strands of hair from his face. "Come on, let’s go see the tree. It must’ve grown taller by now."
"Yes! Yes!" Hades exclaimed, grabbing her hand and tugging her along as they headed toward the lake.
There, by the lake, stood the young cherry blossom tree. It had only been planted a year ago, its slender trunk now lined with budding branches, and the first of its delicate petals just beginning to bloom.
"It’s beautiful, Mother," Hades said in awe, still holding her hand tightly as he stared at the tree.
Celeste smiled down at him. "Yes, dearest. It is beautiful. And it’ll only become more beautiful as the years go by."
"Hmmm. That sounds... long. I’ll be old by then," Hades replied with a frown.
Celeste chuckled at his response. "You’re only a child, dear. You have so many years of youth ahead of you."
"What about you?" Hades asked, looking up at her with wide eyes. "Will you still be here with me when the tree gets much bigger?"
"Of course," Celeste replied softly. "I will always be with you. Whenever you feel alone or need someone to talk to, just come to this tree, and you’ll feel better. This place is my special place."
"Why do you say that, Mother?" he asked, curiously tilting his head.
"Because it was made and nurtured with love and with you, my dearest son. My favorite person in this world," she said with a warm smile. "We planted this tree together and cared for it as it grew. As long as this tree stands, we will always find each other."
Celeste gently led Hades to sit at the base of the young tree. He laid his head on her lap as she brushed her fingers through his dark hair. She knew he was probably too young to understand all she had said, but it didn’t matter. She needed him to feel how much he meant to her.
Her heart swelled with love for him, even as it bled with the silent ache of Azazel’s distance. She had once hoped he would come around that they would one day live as a happy family. But she had been utterly wrong.
Years had passed, and Azazel still could not bring himself to fully accept Hades. It broke her heart, but she couldn’t let it consume her. She had to give her son enough love to fill every void, enough that he never felt the absence of a father.
"Mother?" Hades called out, playing with a petal that had fallen on his shoulder.
"Yes, dearest?" she replied gently.
"One day, when I’m all grown up and big... I want to sail on a ship. Would you come with me?"
Celeste smiled warmly. "Of course. Where else would I be if not with you? I would very much like to sail with you, my son."
"Thank you, Mother. Maybe we could even convince Father to come with us."
Celeste’s smile faltered slightly. "Perhaps one day," she whispered. It stung to lie to her son, but she wanted to protect his heart for as long as she could. One day, he would be old enough to face the truth.
Hades lifted his head from her lap, placing a hand over his stomach. "I’m hungry. Can we go inside and get some food?"
"Yes, I’m feeling a bit hungry myself. We can nibble on a few biscuits while I prepare lunch. Does that sound alright to you?"
"Yes, it does." Hades jumped to his feet and brushed the dust from his clothes. Then, with a playful smile, he extended his small hand toward her. "Allow me to help you up, Your Majesty."
Celeste chuckled and placed her hand in his. He wasn’t strong enough to lift her, but she rose on her own, brushing the dirt from her dress. "Let’s go."
Still holding hands, Celeste and Hades began the walk back to the castle, their laughter and quiet conversation trailing behind them.