Crossing the Border (Rania) novel Chapter 251

**He Asked Me to Leave My Dreams, So I Decided to Make Him One of Them by Mira Lorian**
**Chapter 251**

Rania stood in the greenhouse, her heart encased in a shroud of grief that felt almost tangible. Before her lay Elder Gayle, his body preserved in a glass coffin that gleamed under the muted glow of the overhead lights, casting an ethereal aura around him. Karin had poured her heart and soul into ensuring that he would remain untouched by the ravages of time until they could pay tribute to the man whose wisdom and kindness had shaped them all.

He lay there, so serene, as if caught in a slumber from which he would never stir. A flood of memories surged through Rania’s mind—moments filled with laughter, shared secrets, and the gentle guidance Elder Gayle had offered her in that very garden. She recalled how he had approached her with a warm smile, ready to share the hidden stories of Maximus’s past, stories that had forged the bond between them.

With a trembling hand, she pressed her palm against the cool glass, imagining it was Elder Gayle’s hand she was holding. “I’m so sorry,” she murmured, her voice barely a whisper, as if speaking too loudly would break the fragile stillness surrounding them. Guilt twisted in her stomach, a heavy reminder that she had missed the chance to tell him that her voice had returned, that she was whole again, just as he had always believed she would be.

Elder Gayle had been her unwavering supporter, a stalwart protector against the waves of criticism that often threatened to drown her spirit. He had stood by her side with a fierce loyalty, one she would forever cherish.

“I swear to you, I will be a good luna for this kingdom,” she vowed, her voice gaining strength, infused with a fierce determination. “You need not worry about Maximus anymore. I will look after him.”

Leaning closer, she pressed her lips against the glass, feeling the ache of loss swell within her. The thought of never being able to seek his counsel again, of their conversations being silenced forever, was a weight she could hardly bear.

“Thank you for everything,” she whispered, tears shimmering in her eyes. “I will carry your memory with me always. Please, rest peacefully. You will be deeply missed.” She lingered for a moment longer, lost in her sorrow, before reluctantly pulling away.

Karin, who had stood quietly beside her, watched Rania with a somber expression, fully aware of the emotional gravity of the moment.

Just then, the heavy door of the greenhouse creaked open, and both women turned to see Maximus stepping inside. Karin offered him a respectful nod, sensing the need for privacy between the king and queen. With a gentle understanding, she excused herself, leaving Rania and Maximus to share in their collective grief.

As soon as they were alone, Maximus stepped closer, the air thick with unspoken words and shared sorrow.

“I will miss him,” Rania admitted, her voice a fragile whisper. Turning to him, she sought comfort, wrapping her arms around his waist and allowing her tears to flow freely as she buried her face against his chest.

“We all will miss him,” Maximus replied softly, his voice heavy with sadness, resonating deep within Rania’s heart.

***

The somber atmosphere followed them as they made their way back to the palace, where Elder Gayle’s funeral was set to take place without delay. The ceremony unfolded as a touching tribute, with flowers lovingly arranged around his grave on a hill that overlooked the city—a final resting place that symbolized his unwavering dedication to the kingdom he had cherished so deeply.

As the final words were spoken and the crowd began to disperse, only Maximus, Rania, and a handful of loyal warriors remained, standing vigil over the site, united in their grief.

“You can go ahead, my love,” Maximus said gently, planting a tender kiss on Rania’s cheek. “I wish to stay here a little longer.”

His words were a subtle yet unmistakable signal of his need for solitude, a moment to process his grief, and Rania nodded, understanding his unspoken request for space.

“Okay,” she replied, her heart heavy, before turning to walk away with Cam, her young warrior who had fully recovered and now served as her personal guard. Lucian, another warrior, had also healed from the last battle, but the loss of Ares during their mission to protect her had left an indelible mark on them all.

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