On the day of Lily''s funeral, the sky, after days of sullen grey, opened up into a vast expanse of blue.


    In the solemn stillness of the cemetery, before Lily''s gravestone stood Jareth, his usually brilliant eyes now dimmed, as he tenderlyid a bouquet of pure daisies on her resting ce.


    Beside the stoney a broken angel pendant, a testament to memories past.


    One by one, the Abernathys, Cassius and Chasel, Arnold and Camille, Jason and Nydia, Aaron, and Elvis, along with Dean, stepped forward to offer flowers and their condolences.


    The women were silently shedding tears, while the men, though steeped in sorrow, were trying to restrain their emotions,forting their partners.


    Only Aaron, a detective seasoned by life''s many dramas, had red-rimmed eyes from the moment he arrived, his gaze shimmering with unshed tears.


    He had only met Lily a few times, but each encounter left a deep impression, especially theirst at the amusement park.


    Before, he had thought her to be aloof and reserved, but that day, he discovered she was also yful and full ofughter.


    Aaron''s mind reyed the scene where Lily, dressed in a pink bunny costume, had rested on his shoulder, jokingly demanding photos.


    Suddenly, he could no longer hold back. He bowed his head deeply, his fingertips trembled as they swiftly wiped away a tear.


    He had yet to send her those pictures.


    And now, there would never be a chance.


    "Rest in peace, Lily," he whispered softly.


    Jareth''s gaze lingered on the photograph atop the grave, where Lily''s face smiled back, radiant and serene. His heart felt shattered, scattered by the breeze that whispered through the graves.


    "In the next life, I hope to meet you again. Next time it''ll be my turn to protect you."


    The inscription on the gravestone read with elegant simplicity: "The world''s dearest Lily Fairhaven."


    Lily had been an orphan, but upon joining the Fairhavens, she had adopted their name and be one of their own. It was Jareth''s father who had named her after the flowers that bloomed vibrantly in the family''s garden, symbolizing enduring love and remembrance.


    As if by destiny, their paths had crossed.


    The sound of steady footsteps broke the silence, and the gathering turned to look, surprise etching their faces.


    "Mari?"


    A few yards away, Mari sat in a wheelchair, draped in a cozy woolen nket, wearing a blue and white hospital gown that entuated her pale appearance. Murray stood by her side, a silent guardian.


    "Mari!" Jareth''s eyes, dim until now, brightened at the sight of her.


    He rushed over, worry clear in his expression, and knelt before her, grasping her frail hand tightly as if he could never hold it tightly enough. "You''re still so weak; how could youe out like this?"


    Thaddeus and Evadne followed, their concern evident. Noticing Mari''s improved condition, they looked questioningly at Murray.


    "Last night, Mr. Chad sent some medicine. It really worked for Ms. Mari," Murray assured them gently. "Mr. and Mrs. Abernathy, Mr. Fairhaven, please rest assured, I brought Ms. Mari with the full knowledge and consent of Mr. Frederic. And not just me, we have bodyguards, servants, and doctors outside the cemetery, ready to attend to any difort she might feel."


    The Abernathys'' expressions shifted subtly, especially Thaddeus, whose


    handsome face darkened, his grip on his wife''s hand tightening.


    "Ah... ah... I..." Mari''s tiny hand twitched within his warm palm, her lips parting


    to utter these simple sounds.


    "Mari, you wanted to see Lily, didn''t you?" Jareth asked gently.


    She nodded, tears brimming in her eyes.


    Taking a deep breath, Jareth pushed her wheelchair toward the grave.


    As they passed Aaron, he closed his eyes in pain and restraint. Even now, his feelings for Mari remained unchanged; love was love, and that couldn''t be altered. But he knew he was unworthy of such a wonderful girl.


    If only he had stayed with Mari at the amusement park, if only he hadn''t been negligent for that one second, maybe things would have been different. Mari wouldn''t have been kidnapped, and Lily...


    Elvis stood at the edge of the crowd, his face etched with sorrow. Then, his gaze caught a figure in ck standing silently among the distant trees, her presence hauntingly beautiful.