Fate To Fake: Loved by the Fallen; Fated to Kill the Divine
Chapter 89: Ophis and Raphael... feeling something too much!

Chapter 89: Ophis and Raphael... feeling something too much!

The sun had dipped lower now, casting a golden-orange hue across the park. The chaos of rides and music still buzzed around, but for a moment, the trio just walked quietly along a cobbled path lined with lanterns and flower beds.

Raphael walked beside Leo, her shoulder occasionally brushing his, but neither moved away.

She played with the edge of her sleeve, her fingers fidgeting.

"...You grown a lot," she muttered softly.

Leo blinked, turning toward her. "Huh?"

"In there," she continued without meeting his eyes. "You didn’t let go. Even when I screamed and... freaked out. You held on."

He scratched the back of his neck. "Well... you were grabbing me like a life raft, y’know. I was more scared of you crushing me than the ghosts."

She giggled, cheeks pink. "Shut up..."

But the smile lingered on her lips longer than usual.

Leo slowed a little, watching the sunset light dance across her face. He’d seen her angry, smug, flustered... but right now?

She looked soft... Fragile in a beautiful kind of way.

Fuck... He couldn’t see her as his aunt no matter how he looked at her!!

"...You were cute when you were screaming."

She turned, stunned. "W-What?"

He shrugged, glancing away, trying to play it off.

Ophis, walking a few feet behind, narrowed her eyes with a silent grin.

’Oh? Ohhh? Is he planing for third girlfriend?’

But she said nothing.

As the sky dimmed into twilight, stars slowly peeked through the velvet blue canvas above. Lights all across the park flickered on—warm yellows, dreamy purples, flashing reds. The final part of the park came into view, standing tall like a crown above everything else:

The Ferris Wheel.

Massive. Glowing. Turning slowly against the darkening sky.

"It’s so high..." Raphael whispered as they neared it. Her voice carried both awe and hesitation.

Ophis stood beside her, arms behind her back, looking up with a thoughtful smile.

"A perfect ending," she said softly.

Leo exhaled. "For what?"

Ophis cheekily smiled at him.

They got into the queue, watching the wheel rotate steadily. Each gondola looked like a little glass bubble floating in the air, circling gently. Music played softly through the speakers nearby—slow, instrumental, peaceful.

Everything had slowed down now.

When it was their turn, the staff opened the door to the next gondola.

The gondola door opened with a quiet click.

Leo let Raphael step in first. She hesitated at the small gate, glancing at the world spinning in colors below, then at him—trusting, nervous, hopeful. He gave a lopsided smile and held out his hand.

She took it.

Ophis followed, flopping onto the bench with a content sigh. "Front row seats to the city lights," she declared, pressing her face to the glass.

Leo and Raphael slid onto the seat across from her, the two of them so close their knees brushed under the tiny table. The door shut, sealing them inside their own floating world. With a soft jerk, the gondola began to rise.

The sounds of the fair grew muffled, fading into a hush. Only the creak of the old wheel, the soft music, and the occasional distant laugh drifted up.

As the gondola climbed higher, the whole park unfolded beneath them—lanterns scattered like fireflies, rivers of people glowing in the dark, the distant shimmer of city buildings.

Raphael stared out, mouth parted in awe, the last traces of daylight painting her hair gold hue. Her fingers tightened on Leo’s hand, unconsciously. He looked down at their joined hands, then up at her face.

Ophis pretended to be busy, but kept one eye on them, a sly grin never leaving her lips.

The gondola rocked gently.

"So..." Raphael began, her voice barely above a whisper. "You really weren’t scared?"

Leo snorted. "I was terrified... But you were louder."

She smacked his shoulder with slightly annoyed expression.

Give her some slacks, would you!!

She knew she failed as Aunt there... shouting and crying... but he shouldn’t make that obvious, right?

She was his aunt... gave her some respect, bastard!!

As the Ferris wheel lingered at its apex, the city sprawled out below, a living map of golden light and velvet shadow. Inside the glass cocoon, laughter echoed soft and bright.

They started talking—at first quietly, then with growing ease—as the gondola creaked and the world turned outside.

"Remember the haunted house?" Ophis teased, grinning at Raphael. "I think you almost broke his arm!"

Raphael let out an indignant huff, half laughing, half hiding her face behind her hands. "That was not my fault! Leo pushed me first!"

Leo made an innocent face, wide-eyed. "Hey! I was just making sure you didn’t trip on the rubber bats—"

"Oh, so the bats were more dangerous than the ten-foot ghost?" Raphael shot back, her voice bubbling with amusement.

They all laughed, shoulders bumping as the gondola rocked slightly, their voices filling the tiny space with warmth. Outside, the sky melted from deep blue to black, city lights twinkling like scattered gems.

They really didn’t talk about the end ghost... rather no body wanted to hear that shit or remember that shit!!

"Don’t forget the bumper cars," Leo said, shooting a look at Ophis. "Somebody nearly drove over that poor kid—"

Ophis raised a finger, feigning offense. "That child challenged me to a duel! I had to defend my honor!"

"Yeah, yeah, Against a child?" Leo joked.

Veins popped on Ophis forehead.

Raphael giggled, "I haven’t had this much fun in years..."

Her words hung, tender and a little sad. Leo felt the weight of them—how much these hours meant to her, how rare it was for all of them to just be... Alive.

He glanced at her, saw her gaze shining with memories.

For a second, he paused... just taking it all in.

The sounds of laughter, the warmth of the breeze brushing past their faces, the dim glow of the city lights below—it wasn’t anything grand or cinematic.

But maybe, just maybe... this was what happiness really felt like.

Not some explosive moment. Not some victory or dramatic twist.

Just this... being surrounded by people who made him feel safe.

Family... Laughter. The soft kind of joy that quietly settled in his chest.

He had always wondered what the fuss was about—what was so special about an amusement park anyway? Just a few rides, a little thrill, maybe some snacks... that’s all, right?

But now, he understood.

Now he knew exactly why children dragged their parents to these places with shining eyes.

Why families came together here and left with something more than memories.

It wasn’t the rides—it was what happened in between. The laughter. The holding hands. The screaming together. The little moments.

And now... for the first time in his life... he was part of that.

He finally had a family.

Ophis shifted beside him, stretching out her slender legs. Her boots bumped gently against the edge of the gondola as the city lights below cast golden glimmers on her pale face. She wasn’t teasing for once. Her lips weren’t curled in their usual smug smirk. Instead, her expression had softened—peaceful, thoughtful.

A blush crept into her cheeks. Just a faint pink dusting, but noticeable.

Maybe it was the height. Maybe it was the warmth of the cabin... Or maybe it was the way Leo kept smiling at her like she was someone precious... like he saw her, not the weapon she was trained to be.

She had never let herself enjoy things this much before. There had always been pressure. Missions. Standards to meet. Strength to prove.

She wasn’t like her siblings—loud, powerful, perfect. She was the quiet one. The overlooked one. The one who always felt like she had to try harder just to keep up.

But now?

Now, she was just Ophis... Not someone trying to earn her place.

Just herself.

And it was all because of Leo.

Her heart fluttered wildly when he looked at her again, his smile as soft as sunlight on a rainy day.