All those arguments in the last six years crossed Yelena's mind. Her relationship with her parents also suffered a lot due to her brother's death. She claimed, again and again, that it wasn't an accident. There was something wrong.

There was one problem. They never believed her. They wanted her to move on rather than stuck in the painful past.

​​

Yelena always wished to be trusted by her parents. She argued with them many times because of this. If only they take it to heart and listen to her with an open mind just for once! Things might be different.

Now, the truth was revealed. Some part of her wished to give a cold shoulder to her parents and say that she was right and they were wrong. She could finally say that she was telling the truth with confidence.

That's what she used to thought during the past years whenever they refused to believe her. She was always left with bitterness and her life lost the little light that it had left; all because of her parents.

But now, a part of her wanted to comfort her mother who never believed her. She hated to admit but she understood why they did that. They didn't want her to linger in the past. She was young with a bright future. They wanted her to live in the present and think of the future. They dreamed that kind of life for her.

They loved her; how could she possibly tell them they were wrong? It wouldn't only bring harm to her parents but also herself! It's a love between a child and a parent. If one was hurt, the other felt the same.

"I couldn't understand you before but I do now, Mother." She finally broke the silence that goes on for a while. Though she was feeling quite nervous, she holds her mother's hand. "You want me to let go of my brother so that I will have a future. I know it's hard for you too. You also lost a son. I understand."

Ever since she heard the news yesterday, Mrs. Arista was only filled with guilt. She wasn't even sure if she would be able to face her daughter again. That's why she was feeling wary. However, she put on an act when Yelena finally came; it's her way of protecting herself. She grew up that way.

However, she couldn't continue anymore. All at once, her calm facade dropped and there was undeniable sadness on her face. She wished to stop the tears that were forcing their way out of her eyes but... she failed.

"You live that way for 6 years yet I have no idea. I don't even know that this was your purpose of joining the military and I complained about it each time we met. How can I still call myself a mother?" Vanessa Arista whimpered.

Her strong mother was tearing up right before her eyes and it was enough to put Yelena in a daze! It's the second time but still... the Captain was taken aback. She couldn't get used to such a sight! When she was finally back to her sense, she hurried to wipe her mother tears away.

"Your tear is the last thing I want to see, Mother. I'm still that young girl who loves her mother with all her heart. Things happened and I admit that. However, my love for you never changed." She calmly said.

Vanessa Arista finds herself so unworthy to receive her daughter's love. She thought of Yelena's childhood. She never spared time for her even though she knew how much her daughter enjoyed spending time with her. She always prioritized her work over anything else.

She started regretting everything when she learned of her heart disease a few months ago. It made her look back on herself and all she had was guilt. She was never a good mother yet her daughter still loved her. How lucky she was!

"I'm sorry for everything, my daughter." She finally muttered. "I really wish that I could go back in time and set everything right. I should have been a good mother to you. You deserve better."

Twenty-five years but still, Yelena was convinced that it wasn't late. "You are going to live many more years, Mother. Don't regret for the past but let's only make good memories from now on. I'm still young and you will soon regain your health. We can spend much time together."

Hearing her daughter's pleasant words, Mrs. Arista finally smiled. Then she looked at Felix who was standing behind Yelena who was sitting. "Don't say that. You've waited long enough. Now that you have succeeded, you can spend your life happily with Felix now."

Yelena looked up at Felix and noticed the smile on his face.

"Don't worry, Mother. You are more important. We are still young and we can wait." Felix earnestly said.

Mrs. Arista laughed but she shook her head. "Yelena promised me that if any of her children are interested in business, she will let them take over my company in her place. So, you should marry soon for that to happen."

The Prince narrowed his eyes at Yelena with a perplexed face and the latter looked at him with an awkward smile. Did her mother really had to say that?! She was only embarrassing her!

Seeing her reaction, the Prince's lips curved into an amusing smile. Then he turned back to the mother. "That's a great idea. In that case, I should push forward the marriage."

Yelena raised a brow and her mother chuckled. "That means I should recover soon not to miss your marriage." She remarked.

*

When the couple left the hospital and gets inside the car, Felix suddenly turned his body to Yelena which surprised the latter. She rapidly blinked in confusion.

"I want three." Felix simply said.

"What do you mean?" She asked, dumbfounded.

"I mean, three kids." There was an exciting smile on the Prince's face and the next second, he chuckled.

Yelena slightly frowned and turned away. "You take my mother too seriously."

Felix smiled at her reaction. "I have no sibling and if it's not for Lexus and... " He suddenly paused and his smile slipped. "If it's not for Lexus and Alonzo, I will be very lonely while growing up. I'm the heir apparent and I wasn't allowed to befriend just anyone."

He smiled again and met Yelena's gaze. "It will be great to have three children so that they won't be lonely. It would be more than better if the first and the middle child are boys. The youngest will be a girl and she will have two brothers to look after her."

"How do I feel like this is a well-planned one and not triggered by my mother's words?" Yelena blurted out and he laughed.

"I often thought about it these days. Just think of it as your mother's way of helping me." Felix simply said and his smile widened. "Think about it. It would be great to have two sons. The eldest will have to be the heir apparent and the younger one could fulfil your mother's wish. I mean, if they are interested."

Yelena finally laughed. "You think too much, Your Highness. We still haven't gotten married. It's still a long way to go."

Felix slightly frowned. "You're no fun. There's no harm in fantasizing about the future. It's always good to have a plan."

Yelena observed his reaction and finally nodded. "You have a point. Once everything is settled, we can think about it."

There was a smile of satisfaction on the Prince's face and he let out a breath. "We have come a long way. It's just a few months but it feels like years." He remarked.

Yelena grabbed Felix's arm and put her head on his shoulder. "You're right. I feel like we met each other at the right time. If it's years ago, it would be a long and tiring journey."

Felix narrowed his eyes at her head. "Even if we met earlier, I will still be willing to wait until you accomplished your mission. Letting you go due to impatience would be the biggest mistake."

Yelena chuckled at his words. "Do you think I will let you go just because of that? I don't want to have regrets either."

"After everything is settled here, I will take you to Edeladon and marry you. We won't have to worry about the distance anymore and we can spend each day together. Without enemies, we will live a peaceful life without wariness." Felix stated with a genuine smile on his face.

A life without enemies and wariness? It was what Yelena always dreamed of! After living 6 years with caution, she was really tired now.

"I can't wait for that." She finally said which warmed up his heart.

"Will you miss your job? Your life as a soldier? It's what you love." Felix asked with concern.

Yelena remained quiet for a while before she said, "I will but... I will still have you. You will be my home and that's enough for me."