🥀 . +° Rosalyna

Rosalyna's early years were smooth sailing, untouched by any shadows of hardship. Her parents had a perfect balance, shielding her from harm while allowing her the freedom to grow. She was enrolled in a prestigious school and school life was a joy for her, not just for the academics, but for the friendships she cherished and the dance classes that filled her with delight. She would beg her maids and butlers at home to dance with her if her parents were busy.

But the fleeting bliss of her adolescence was abruptly shattered at the age of sixteen when a grim diagnosis cast a shadow over her once carefree existence. Terminal illness, the doctor's solemn words hung heavy in the air. It broke Rosalyna and her family into a whirlwind of despair. Tears flowed freely as her parents struggled to handle the agonizing thought of losing their cherished daughter.

Despite her attempts to soothe her parents, saying that there was still a chance she would be okay in the end, it never truly helped. Rosalyna would often hearing her parents crying at night.

As time passed, Rosalyna got weaker and weaker and she knew her end was approaching. The vibrant joy that once filled her days had faded, leaving her bedridden and she lost her beloved pastime, dancing. In a moment of desperation, under the dark night's stars, she made a silent wish—that she wouldn't face her final moments alone.

Unbeknownst to her, her plea reached the ears of Astrophel, the god of wishes and stars. Soon after, a mysterious and handsome figure began appearing in her dreams, bringing with him a sense of happiness long absent from her waking hours. In these dreams, reality seemed to blur, they felt so real, so vivid with each place they visited there. No longer did she dread the confines of her bed; instead, she found respite from the harsh reality of her weakened state, free from the burden of her illness, finding comfort in the presence of Astrophel.

Night after night, Rosalyna found herself nestled in Astrophel's embrace within the realms of her dreams. Despite his attempts to guard his heart, Astrophel couldn't resist the pull of Rosalyna's affection, and soon found himself falling deeply in love with her. In a tender moment, he confessed his divine nature to her making her become even more interested in him.

The next morning, Rosalyna awoke to find Astrophel's coat draped around her shoulders, a tangible reminder of their love. Her family and servants puzzled over its origin, but Rosalyna seemed so much happier wearing it, so they didn't question her too much.

Soon, Astrophel began appearing in the waking world, materializing in a more human form. With gentle strength, he aided her fragile body, supporting her as she moved through the city with him. He was there when she needed him most.

As Rosalyna's bond with Astrophel provided fleeting moments of happiness, her illness worsened. She slipped further into the grip of exhaustion, she was rarely ever awake and spent most her time sleeping. She couldn't go out with Astrophel anymore to the market, she couldn't have dinner with her parents, she couldn't even visit the rose garden she grew up in. They became distant memories as her world shrank to the confines of her bed. Her dreams began to get darker, her mind was too weak to keep her dreams as vivid, they grew colder, blurrier.. until it became completely pitch black.

This dream was different, she felt weaker than ever, she could barely move in her own dream. This was it, this was her final dream, the dream she wouldn't wake up from. Tears flooded her eyes, she was afraid, she didn't wanna die. She had so much to do, so many dreams to pursue, the desires for marriage, for a family, forever out of reach. Her pleas for reprieve fell on deaf ears, yet Astrophel remained by her side, offering silent companionship, holding her tightly in his arms.

She cried weakly in Astrophel's arms as he held her tighter, she'd whisper "I don't wanna die. I'm scared, please." yet he could offer no comfort. Astrophel knew he couldn't tell her it would be okay, because they both knew it wouldn't. All he could offer in reply was a "I'm here." as he held her tighter, letting her tears soak his shirt. He gently stroked her head in an attempt to comfort her from an impending fate. Her sobs slowly subsided, her movements stilled, her eyes remained stained with tears yet shut, never to open again, never to see the tears or hear the broken sobs of Astrophel. He had granted her wish.