Chapter 124 - I will apologize and take her as my child

"Your mother was pregnant before she was defeated my dear.

Since our body disappeared from the human realm after our death, so that we won't have to be buried, she appeared here and got her sentence.

She gave birth to her in the prison and Belle was taken away from her. She gave her the name by herself and we've all been taking care of her since then.

She became our source of joy here. We taught her all the things she needs to know about the human realm like I used to read fairy tales to you when you're young."

Clara felt a headache coming. She didn't like where this was going.

"Why didn't you tell me when I came here the last time? and why does she look like a five-year-old kid? 

I was 12 when mom got defeated. Shouldn't she be like 12 years old now?" she asked, even though it hurts that her mother couldn't take care of Belle by herself and had to watch her daughter being taken away.

"The time here is different, and we barely age here in this realm. The fact that she managed to grow that much within twelve years is because she doesn't really belong here for now.

And moreover, we never plan on sending her to earth in the first place, but we felt a strong sense of insecurity on earth and we believe Gregory is up to something very dreadful and we wouldn't want to send her after you get defeated."

Clara shook her head with her face looking like she's about to break down. Why are they doing this?

She had it rough and they want Belle to face the same thing? 

"You don't believe I could end him?" she asked.

"None of us believed that we would end up being defeated by him, but we still did in the end. 

We send her earlier to have a family to rely on, so that she won't be alone. And ever since we informed her she will be having a real mom and dad just like in the stories we told her, she couldn't sleep without the photo of you and your other piece beside her." her grandma said, smiling after the last sentence.

Clara blinked repeatedly, "my photo and Leo's?" she asked.

Her grandma nodded her head and explained, "we have a seer here. Immediately you and your other piece met, she saw it and made a sketch of her vision for safe keep. When I got here, I saw mine as well. They are being recorded.

She always kept the photo with her and held it to her chest when sleeping, waiting for the day she will get to meet you two." she said.

Clara teared up instantly, as she realised how much she had been hard on the little princess. She raised her delicate fingers and covered her eyes in embarrassment.

She felt bad and wondered how matured Belle was, to be able to hold back after she shattered her fantasy, telling her not to call her mommy.

She recalled Leo saying she scared her and how the girl cried and she found it dramatic.

Clara burst into tears immediately. It's been so long she shed tears, as it will make an impact on nature when she's on earth, but the human realm is different.

"This isn't fair grandma. It wasn't easy for me to carry this burden, and now I have to live with the fear of mistakenly passing it to her." she let her tears flow continuously.

"Everyday was hard on me and I have to get humiliated and hated for ridiculous reasons, while affecting Sonya with it, since anyone that tried to help me will fall below in financial growth, so that I won't improve from one spot. 

And now that little girl will…." She whimpered, her shoulders shaking and was about to sat on the floor, when her grandma held her and pulled her into her embrace.

"I'm sorry dear. Belle is not a weak child. She's stronger than you can imagine and well knowledged in this guardian role. You should try to learn some few things from her, as she was passed on, all the knowledge we had when we were guardians."

Clara's chest heaved up and down, "I still don't buy this grandma. I actually treated her badly today and made her cry. I'm such a bad person. I told her not to call me mommy." 

"It's okay, but I'm glad you did not say that while the others are still here. She's an adorable kid, and was doted on by everyone here." Her grandma said. It hurts them that she's gone than her appearance hurts Clara, but even though she's so little, she's brave and well knowledged.

Clara knew there's no point crying continuously, as it wouldn't change the fact that Belle is at risk of being a god damn guardian and face the same hardship she faced, if she didn't defeat Gregory.

She wore a determined expression and wiped off her tears, "I will have to correct my mistakes. I will apologize and take her as my child. I won't let her take this guardian role no matter what!"

*****

Meanwhile.

Back at Clara's quarters, Leo has left the little princess with Mick and came to talk to Clara's quarter to talk some sense into her.

He knocked on the door and didn't get a reply.

He sighed, thinking Clara was doing it on purpose because she's still angry because of 'god knows what'.

He knocked repeatedly and turned the handle of the door, only to find it unlocked. 

Not wanting to intrude, he poked his head in and called her name, "Clara?"

He didn't hear any response, so he slowly entered the living room,only to see her laying on top of her couch, with her eyes closed.

He moved closer and felt that something was off here. His heartbeat quickened and eyes turned vigilant.

He called her name and kneel beside her. He pressed his ear to her chest to listen to her heart, but she's not breathing.

"Oh my god!" he exclaimed in horror and started shaking her shoulders, but she remained motionless.

"Oh no! Oh god! No! No!..." Leo kept exclaiming as he picked her up and started running out of the premises.