The Tale of the Lotus Heart

Epilogue

With everything calmed down, we finally took some time to take Tyrian and Amethyst to visit Ronald and Margaret. The time in the Heavenly Realm wasn't parallel to the Mortal Realm. So when we finally went down, Ronald and Margaret had aged significantly. They're hair was gray, and wrinkles etched their faces. I smiled as we walked up to the farmhouse. Ronald and Margaret were sitting on the porch swing outside. Margaret stood when she saw me.

"Aivi? Is that you?" She asked as she carefully walked closer to me. I nodded before hugging her gently.

"It's me. I brought my kids to meet you," I explained. Tyrian and Amethyst bowed and curtsied to them as Ronald walked over slowly with a cane.

"Tyrian, Amethyst, meet Margaret and Ronald," I introduced them as Yong stood beside me. They quickly took a liking to Margaret and Ronald. Yong and I took the time to take a stroll on the land.

"Aivi, there's something I haven't told you," Yong said hesitantly as he held my hand.

"Seeing you at the coffee shop, wasn't the first time I met you. Your previous life, you were named Zyanya. You were a mortal then too. It was a very long time ago. Thousands of years before I met you again. Zyanya and I loved each other too. We never took it further than confessing our feelings before she got stabbed trying to protect me. She didn't know what I was either, but a demon escaped to the Mortal Realm and tried to diminish my soul with the soul-shattering spear. It could've harmed me, and even killed me. She sacrificed herself to save me. But she was you. When I first saw you, I was intrigued by you because you looked like her. Only after talking to you did I realize that you and Zyanya were the same person," Yong explained.

"My previous life?" I asked confused. Yong knew me before?

"So you only approached me because I looked like your first love?" I asked. Yong shook his head.

"No. I saved you because I was feeling generous at the time, but I stayed because I honestly feel in love with you... the current you," he explained. I didn't know how to feel about it.

"So you were interested because I looked like your past love?" I asked for clarification. He shook his head.

"Not exactly. I wasn't sure at first, but after resetting your shoulder, I knew you were the same person. Your life source only solidified my guess. But it doesn't change the fact that you are the one I love. You are the one I have always loved. Are you mad?" He asked hesitantly. I thought to myself for a moment before shaking my head.

"I don't expect you to dissect my previous relationships, so I won't dissect yours. Whatever happened before, I don't know about it. All that matters is now. We're married, we have two beautiful children together, and I love you. To me, that's all that matters," I answered. Yong smiled as we stopped walking and turned to me.

"I promised to love and protect you for the rest of my life, and I'll keep that promise," Yong said. I found myself smiling with him. I let go of his hand to touch his cheek gently. Yong didn't hesitate to lean into my touch.

"You're too good to me," I said out loud. Yong only chuckled before bringing his lips to mine in a gentle kiss as his arms wrapped around my waist. I was overwhelmed with the feeling of happiness that this was our life. I loved Yong, and I was happy I got to marry him, have his kids, and support him from his side. When he pulled away to look at me, tears of happiness were streaked down my cheeks. Yong chuckled as he gently wiped my cheeks dry.

"Why are you crying, love?" He asked. I shook my head before pulling him into a hug.

"It's just... I'm happy. I'm happy that I get to love you," I answered while hiding my face in his chest. He chuckled and kissed the top of my head as he hugged me back.

"I love you too, Little Flower. Always."