“Yes, thank you.”
The next day, Cassian got up very early, sneaked out of the palace, and went to the bookstore. When he arrived, the shop was still closed. He waited for a while until Laila arrived. Upon seeing him, she said, “What are you doing here so early? Don’t tell me you missed me so much that you couldn’t wait to see me.”
‘No, actually, I came to tell you that I won’t be able to make it to our date. I’ll be away for a few days!
Laila was saddened to hear that he had only come to cancel their date and asked, “When will you be back?”
‘I don’t know.”
“But will you come back?”
“Yes.”
Laila kissed him on the cheek and said, “Then we’ll have that date when you return.”
“Goodbye.”
Cassian began to walk away. Before Laila entered the shop, he suddenly asked, “Why do you insist on going out with me? I’m a boring person and…”
Cassian tightened his grip on his leg, not daring to say the last words.
Laila smiled in response.
“You are very strange. I don’t understand you.”
“I’m not strange. I’m just someone who doesn’t judge a book by its cover. I know there’s something wonderful in you, and if I keep insisting, I might be surprised by what I find.”
“I repeat, you are strange.”
Cassian said with a smile. Laila looked at him intently, charmed by his smile, and said, “I’ll be waiting for you, so come back soon.”
When Cassian returned to the palace, he found his brother in the hallways. Seeing the clothes he was wearing, Alessandro asked, “Where are you coming from?”
“Nowhere.”
“The servants have been looking for you everywhere, and no one could find you.”
“I was in the library. They didn’t look in the right place.”
Alessandro looked at him as if he didn’t believe what he was saying. Cassian wanted to change the subject and asked, “Is everything ready?”
“Yes, we’ll be leaving soon, so if you have anything to do, I suggest you hurry.”
“Of course.”
“Then I’ll go find the princess. I’ll see you in the dining room. We’ll leave after lunch.”
“Yes.”
Cassian began to walk away. Alessandro called him, and he turned around and asked, “What’s up?”
“Just telling you to hurry.”
“I will, Lessan.”
Alessandro went to find Abril. She was in her room, happily finishing her hair when he arrived. She seemed like a little girl, so excited. That night, she had barely slept from the excitement. Alessandro had noticed because she had moved around a lot and hadn’t let him sleep either.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, shall we go now?”
Alessandro shook his head. “First, let’s eat. It’s a bit early, but we won’t be able to stop on the way, so we’ll eat now and then leave.”
“Okay.”
Alessandro extended his hand to Abril and said, “Then let’s go.”
She took his hand, and as they walked through the hallways, she wondered when holding his hand had become so normal. When they arrived at the dining room, Cassian greeted Abril.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Cassian.”
Cassian saw how happy she was and asked, “Are you ready to leave?”
“Of course. Will the carriage ride be long?”
Alessandro answered her question, “It will be a few hours in the carriage, and then we’ll use a scroll to transport ourselves.”
Abril remembered how awful she had felt when she arrived in the Kingdom of Cosset. At that moment, all the excitement she had felt disappeared. Alessandro asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Do we have to use the scrolls?”
“Yes, we’ll have to use them to get to different parts of the kingdom. Otherwise, it would take too long to do the inspection. I can’t be away from the palace for too long. Is there a problem with that?”
“It’s just that traveling with a scroll was horrible for me. Maybe it’s best if I stay.”
“Usually, only the first trip is unpleasant. I don’t think you’ll have any problem doing it again.”
“Really?”
“Yes, so don’t worry. Everything will be fine.”
After eating, they headed to the carriage. Alessandro and Abril sat together, and Cassian had to sit in front of them, finding it annoying to watch them flirt.
Once they had moved a bit away from the palace, Abril looked out the window to admire the landscape. Alessandro placed his hand on her back and said, “Be careful.”
Abril continued looking into the distance and responded, “It’s beautiful.”
Alessandro only saw trees around them and asked, “What do you mean?”
“The landscape; it’s very beautiful. When I arrived here, I couldn’t appreciate it. I’m glad I can do so now.”
For some reason, Alessandro felt bad. For a long time, he had done the same thing as King Venobich: kept her locked up, isolated from everyone and everything. He wondered how she could be so kind and sweet despite everything she had suffered.
The carriage suddenly stopped, and Abril asked, “Why are we stopping?”
“We’ll use a magic scroll, so sit properly.”
Abril adjusted herself and wished it would be over soon, and above all, that she wouldn’t feel sick this time. Alessandro noticed how nervous and scared Abril was. He took her hand and said, “Relax, nothing will happen. Everything will be fine.”
After saying that, a light enveloped them. Abril closed her eyes tightly while squeezing Alessandro’s hand. A few minutes later, Alessandro said, “You can open your eyes now. We’ve arrived.”
Abril opened her eyes fearfully. She seemed to be fine, no pain, no nausea. She felt perfectly well.
“Are you alright?” Alessandro asked, somewhat worried.
“Yes.”
“Usually, it’s only the first time you use teleportation scrolls that you feel sick.”
“I’m glad it was like that.”
The coachman opened the door and said, “We have arrived at our destination, Your Majesty.”
Alessandro got out first, followed by Cassian. Abril stayed looking out the window. In the distance, she could see the sea and ships sailing across the vast ocean. Seeing that she hadn’t gotten out, Alessandro called her, “Abril, you’re the only one left.”
Alessandro offered his hand to help her down. She took his hand, and upon descending, she saw a beautiful landscape. She stood there, enchanted, looking at everything with great amazement and excitement,
“Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful.
“Welcome to the port city of Lasset,”
Abril hugged Alessandro and said, “Thank you for bringing me.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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