The Crown's Obsession (WN)

Music Recommendation: Following the clock to sheep by Oberhofer

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When Madeline opened her eyes, which had returned to her usual brown ones, it took her a while before she was finally able to completely open them and see where she was. All she saw was the blue sky that stretched from one side to another with a never-ending expanse. She felt something soft beneath where she laid, and she pushed herself to stand up.

Madeline looked down to see the smokey clouds beneath her feet. She didn't know where she was and didn't find anyone around right now.

Where was she and what was she doing here? Questioned Madeline to herself.

She started to walk, her feet careful as she was worried where she would fall down and somewhere in the back of her mind, she felt as if she was dreaming. After walking a few distance, Madeline didn't know what or where to go from here until she heard someone behind her speak,

"Good morning, Madeline."

Her head snapped around, and Madeline caught sight of a person with blonde and wavy hair, "Who are you?" she asked with a faint frown on her face.

The person had white wings behind his back, and he offered her a warm smile even though he had heard the same question being asked almost every day by people who entered the realm of Heaven.

"We have met before. I am an archangel and my name is Gabriel," he introduced himself. "I can tell by the look on your face that you are confused and wondering where you are, but I believe you have already figured it out."

"Heaven?" whispered Madeline and Gabriel nodded. "Does this mean I am dead?" she asked him.

Gabriel didn't nod nor did he answer her question right away, but he then said, "We all finish our terms in the living world. God creates us with certain tasks that we need to complete. When the person is done and is worthy to enter Heaven, the person gets invited in here. It is the afterlife where one doesn't have to worry about anything as this is a place where you shall be protected and will find the everlasting peace in your mind. Don't you feel that?" he asked, his golden-brown eyes staring into her brown ones that had slightly lowered down.

"I do feel I am in peace," agreed Madeline before offering Gabriel a smile. "I feel like my mind is free, and there is nothing I need to worry about." But somewhere in the corner of her mind, she didn't know why it felt as if something was trying to push her memories into her mind. "It is strange…"

"What is?" questioned Gabriel, his eyes picking on her facial expression that looked like she was confused.

"Why is it that I am not able to remember anything," murmured Madeline under her breath.

Gabriel knew this was going to happen, it happened to every single soul, and Madeline was no exception. Every soul from the living world who entered Heaven had his or her memory erased. Being the person who had brought her into Heaven so that her soul wouldn't be lost midway, it had been a few minutes since they had left the living world and had entered Heaven.

The archangel had been apprehensive if Madeline would continue to have her memories intact, but he was glad to hear that it had been erased. This way, she would peacefully be able to transcend into the afterlife.

"Don't be frightened over it, Madeline," instructed Gabriel. He placed his hand on her arm and said, "What happened when you were in the living world doesn't matter anymore. It is a past that you don't have to worry about remembering and recollecting. Some memories are washed away so that you could attain inner mental peace. God has given you shelter, and he has welcomed you with open arms, my child."

Madeline bowed her head, "God has been generous."

"That he has. Come let's take a walk so that I can show you the place," offered Gabriel, and Madeline started to walk with him.

"Where are others?" asked Madeline because she had not seen anyone in sight since she had woken up from her sleep that felt like a slumber as if she had been sleeping for years. "Where exactly is Heaven?" she questioned, her curiosity peeking with questions.

"It isn't a place that you can travel to. Heaven will come to you when you deserve it. It will open the doors and show you the path. You have a pure heart, and it holds good to everyone who is in Heaven, the souls I mean," explained Gabriel, his footsteps were steady, letting Madeline walk next to him. "Right now, we are in the pathway passage that comes before the gates to Heaven."

When Madeline turned, she noticed her wings that were as big as Gabriel's wings, "I have wings," her words were filled with surprise as if it was her first time seeing it.

"The most gifted one's will always receive it. Your actions and nature has been remarkable in the living world," informed Gabriel, and as they continued to walk, Madeline caught sight of an open garden ahead of them, that had plenty of flowers, and it gave out a pleasant smell.

"They smell like roses," murmured Madeline. They had started to walk past the tall trees and beneath their feet was the green grass to cushion their bare feet.

Gabriel smiled at her words, "The garden of Owe smells to please every soul who resides in this realm. Every person smells a different scent coming from it, something that would calm them. Some smell honey, some smell wet mud and many other things."

"What do you smell, Gabriel?" asked Madeline, turning to look at the archangel who stared at the bushes and the flowers in there.

Taking a second to answer, Gabriel replied, "I smell the clouds."

The clouds? Thought Madeline to herself, how strange.

Just as they continued to walk in the vast place that looked like a garden with tall trees that had grown at random places, she caught sight of people who wore white robes similar to what Gabriel and she wore. Except that they had no wings, but they did have a halo above their head.