The fragments of Akasa’s past pulled the Queen deeper into sorrow. The tears she had tried to hold back now flowed freely.
But before she could steady herself, reality trembled again—for the third time—without her intervention.
>>— The world shifted —<<
A hospital room came into view. Akasa—now grown—sat beside his mother’s bed. Her body looked frail beneath the thin white sheets.
“Mom, you know what?” Akasa said lightly.
“On my way here, I saw some pretty girls selling bread. They said fifteen thousand for two loaves. So I tried to bargain—five thousand for two.”
He chuckled. “One of them threw a sandal at me. Weird, right?”
His mother smiled despite herself. “My child… still mischievous as ever.”
That smile—small and warm—was proof that Akasa was still Akasa. A stark contrast to her own fragile condition.
“Do you remember your promise to me?” she asked softly, reaching for his hand.
“I do,” Akasa nodded.
“And the three principles I told you about?”
“Of course,” he said, his gaze lowering.
“No matter what happens...” she continued, gently caressing his cheek, “...never forget those three things.”
“I—I won’t,” Akasa answered, forcing strength into his voice. But her words sounded less like advice… and more like a farewell.
His eyes burned. Every sentence she spoke felt like a needle pressing deeper into his heart.
“Good,” she said with relief.
“I can sleep peacefully now.”
She turned her head toward Raffy, who stood quietly beside Akasa.
“Raffy… please look after him,” she said warmly.
“If he gets stubborn, just smack his head for me.”
“I-I will, Auntie,” Raffy replied, his voice trembling.
“I’ll smack him until there’s a bump.”
She smiled—truly warm this time. Grateful that her son had a friend like him.