Kitanna
Chapter 245: EVENING SOLACE

Chapter 245: EVENING SOLACE

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: ARE YOU GONE ALREADY ~ NICKI MINAJ FT BILLIE EILISH]

Axilla didn’t want to cry. In fact, she had wanted to suppress her tears and apologize for her immature behavior to Cortez. But all hope of composure vanished when Cortez touched her face and spoke in a soft, gentle voice that broke her even further. She never fretted about such matters before. She was content with the love of those around her. She never felt the need for parents to feel complete, as the people around her never treated her like an outcast. But today, everything served as a reminder of the void in her life, the missing piece. Unlike other noblewomen, she lacked a family name. Even servants had family ties. And whenever she was with Lady Hash, she felt a longing to belong, to have someone to call family. These thoughts invaded her mind, causing her body to shake as she cried heartbreakingly.

Cortez narrowed his eyes, pulling the girl close to his chest. He didn’t speak a word but allowed her to feel her emotions. Her pain was not wrong, and it wouldn’t be right to stifle it. But he wanted to ease her suffering, to halt the tears cascading down her cheeks, to mend her broken heart.

Axilla had been coping well over the years, even after Cortez learned from the king of Morado the story behind the girl’s existence. She was still holding up. All Cortez could ponder was what had triggered this outpouring of sadness, and his mind pointed to one target; the woman who had visited her earlier.

Axilla finally ceased her tears, pulling away from the hug. She wiped the tears clinging to her lashes and sniffled to stem the flow of water from her nose.

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to act like that in front of you."

Cortez shook his head, "Don’t apologize," he said, raising his hands to tuck a strand of her hair falling on her face. Then he continued, "Never apologize for feeling pain. Let nobody tell you that your pain is unjustified. You’re human, and it’s natural to feel pain when hurt. It’s part of our inherent emotions, no matter how hard we try to suppress it." He replied in a composed tone.

Taking the girl’s hand, he led her outside the inn, where they found an empty chair. Cortez adjusted himself so that Axilla could sit beside him. When she did, he smiled.

"When you’re feeling low, it feels as though your insides are suffocating. Only the natural breeze can blow away the sorrows," he remarked, allowing the gentle night breeze to sway his black hair.

Axilla, sitting beside him, furrowed her brows. How was the night breeze supposed to alleviate her pain? She pondered silently.

As if sensing her thoughts, Cortez raised one of his perfectly arched brows. "Don’t believe me? Just close your eyes and breathe in. Let the wind fill you, let it soothe you," he said, demonstrating for her.

Though skeptical, Axilla joined him. She wanted to give it a try, doubting that Cortez’s method would work. As she closed her eyes, the first wind blew gently, rustling the dry leaves on the ground and swaying the leaves on the tree. Axilla inhaled gently, finding herself gradually immersed in the moment, momentarily forgetting her earlier heartache.

"See? You seem to enjoy it even more than I do," Cortez remarked, his eyes now fixed on her.

Axilla opened her eyes and smiled, nodding in agreement. "It truly works. Thank you."

Cortez nodded, gazing up at the dark sky. "Would it be more comforting if I told you that I too am without parents?" He asked, still not meeting her eyes.

Axilla chuckled softly, "I appreciate your attempt to comfort me, but your parents and Lady Larel would not be pleased. If you have parents, you should acknowledge them," she replied with a sigh.

Cortez shifted his gaze from the sky to the girl beside him, who was now looking at him.

Axilla couldn’t blink as Cortez’s unwavering gaze held her captive. She gulped, "You’re not joking?" she asked, sensing the seriousness in his demeanor. His usual mirth and mischief were absent from his eyes, replaced by sincerity. Cortez nodded. Axilla gulped.

"H-how? B-but Lady Larel and you?" she stammered, struggling to comprehend.

"Are not related," Cortez clarified, finally looking away briefly before fixing his gaze on the girl’s shocked face.

"That’s what she wanted to tell you that day. I’m not related by blood to Larel. Her parents trained me until I was twelve, after which I joined the merchants," Cortez explained.

Axilla blinked, surprised by this unexpected revelation. "Did your parents pass away?" she asked in a hushed voice.

"You could say that about the man who impregnated my mother," he replied curtly.

Axilla detected the hostility in Cortez’s voice. She didn’t need a third party to tell her that there was a strained relationship between father and son.

Cortez turned to face Axilla directly before revealing, "I’m going to tell you something, and I know it might be difficult for you to accept. But I’ll respect your decision." He paused, gauging Axilla’s expression before continuing.

"I killed my mother."

The words echoed in Axilla’s ears, causing her throat to go dry and her legs to stiffen. She rose from her seat and moved toward the door.

Cortez sighed, anticipating this reaction. However, he was surprised when Axilla walked back to him, closing the distance and sitting very close to him.

"I had to ensure that no one overheard you. What happened?" she asked, her expression filled with concern as she stared at him.

Cortez, taken aback by her actions, chuckled softly. Rubbing her head tenderly, he smiled.

"Thank you," he said, grateful that someone finally believed him enough to listen to his story. Even Larel had harbored doubts for years, suspecting him of murdering his own mother in cold blood.

Cortez began to recount to Axilla what he could remember, "My mother could have survived if she had terminated the pregnancy, but she chose not to. Somehow, she managed to escape and raised me on her own. But the man who impregnated her eventually found us. I can’t recall all the details, but she pleaded with a noblewoman to help me before we were apprehended. She was stabbed, and I was wounded in the back, a wound that never fully healed and reopens every time I have a nightmare or relive that memory. I watched her die before my eyes, and even in her final moments, all she said was that she loved me." Cortez’s voice sounded distant, as though he were transported back to that moment in time.

Axilla blinked, realizing that she had thought she had it tough without a family name or parents. However, Cortez had nearly been killed by his own father after witnessing his mother’s death. "Have you attempted to find him? I mean, your—" Axilla trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.

Cortez shrugged, "What’s the point in seeking out a dead man? Besides, I don’t remember his face. I’m fine without him. I just wanted to be sure the woman I love hears the story from me and not someone else." He replied.

Axilla nodded her head, then a thought flashed in her mind. But that wouldn’t be true, Cortez’s father wouldn’t just suddenly appear in front of her. Axilla nodded her head, letting the thought go behind her.

Cortez relaxed on the chair, using his hand to keep himself up. "About your parents, you don’t need to be worried. I’ll try my best to find them, I already sent letters back to Wahels anything that could be of help." He said to the girl.

Axilla nodded her head, feeling touched how Cortez always put her above everything else. Even himself. Then she smiled.

"What?" Cortez asked noticing the small smile on the girl’s face.

Axilla shook her head, "Nothing, just remembered that I started my morning here and I’m ending the night here. And with you, which is the best." She replied softly.