Exemption

echoing through his room, calling his name softly. He recognized it, that strict voice, but it was a little different sounding than when he

heard it the first time.

It sounded... warmer. Friendlier.

Knowing who this was, the NoFace turned his head slightly into its direction and saw the figure of Jaydes, the Queen of the Underwhere standing 

just a few feet away from him. She looked at him with her black eyes, but her expression was adorned with a barely noticeable smile.

"I hope you count your blessings of having been able to witness the molding of this bond of love.", she spoke quietly. 

Natal only smiled as he slowly lifted his frail body from the bed. When he stood, blood soaking through his loose clothing was seen.

It spread further across his chest, indicating that the decay that had been going on for a while now had gotten to the point of eating 

a great hole into his chest.

He had lost a lot of weight and almost all of his muscle mass ever since he had been freed from his oppressor Midaus. Reason for that being when 

he was freed, the decaying process was speed up drastically, resulting in him to be in constant physical pain and having major coughing fits. 

Thus, making him stop eating some time ago now. He told his family it would be fine, and they shouldn’t worry.

Though they knew he lied. 

As the NoFace stood, Jaydes eyed him shortly before she looked back at him as he responded to her previous question,

"Yes... I... do count my blessings. I am glad I... was able to feel such a... young love once more." Natal smiled. 

His stance was poor and he shivered, the Queen lifted her chin just slightly. 

"Good... This shows me that you deserved that extension of your life." 

With that, she slowly put her hand out, looking at him. "Now... like I have told you last time... You know why I am here." 

With a slight nod, the NoFace started tearing out of gratefulness. He stepped closer to her. 

"... Thank you once more for... allowing my uncle's request.", he whispered. 

She nodded, 

"Courage has to be rewarded, Ardor. Now... come. Your time is about expired. Let me take you to the Underwhere." 

His tired eyes looked at her hand, first without a word. And as he looked up to her, he shakily lifted his own, asking, 

"...What about my wife...? My son? And uncle? And the few that still do care about me...?" 

"They know it is going to happen, Ardor. They may not want to be aware of it, but deep in the back of their minds they are." 

She closed her eyes.

"They are prepared for you to leave them." Her eyes opened themselves again, but they shortly averted to the ground. 

"Yes, tears will be shed, many in fact... But you are suffering. Keep in mind that life extensions... are actually not that well for the one whose

life gets extended...  thus, not really tolerated by my presence. But... as always... you Ardors are an exception." 

Letting her words reach his still sane mind he thought for a bit, then nodded in consent and smiled again. 

"Your eminence... May I ask one last thing before we go...?" 

"You may."

"Am I... going to see my parents when we get there?"

"Prepare for surprises, Ardor... Prepare for surprises.", she slightly smiled, and he placed his hand in hers. 

She took a few steps back holding onto his hand and pulled out his soul which looked as muscular and healthy as Natal used to be.

As soon as she had done this, Jaydes and the soul vanished, leaving a slight gust of wind moving the curtains a bit more to the sides, 

revealing more of the window and the beautiful scene that was seen through it.

Natal’s eyes closed and his body dropped to the floor with a thud, lying on his chest. 

The soft light of the descending sun graced his cold room, alighted it with warm colors and made it look peaceful and calm. 

Covering Natal's body like a blanket as if wanting to prevent his body's warmth from escaping.

The last of his tears of gratitude were falling to the near ground, slowly like the snowflakes outside in the warm, lively winter day where 

people were celebrating their new king and queen.

But unlike his tears and the snowflakes which faded on the ground after their fall... 

His smile never faded.