Abril hesitated for a moment. Alessandro said,
“Then how about we go back to the beach?”
Abril brightened up at the thought of returning to the beach and said,
“I’d like to go back to the beach more.”
“Then it’s settled, let’s go to the beach.”
Alessandro asked the servants to prepare a basket with food and his horse for a trip. When the servants had everything ready, they left. Alessandro rode slowly, wanting Abri to appreciate the scenery. Upon arriving at the beach, Alessandro dismounted first, then helped her down. She stood gazing at the sea for a moment. Alessandro had spread a blanket on the sand under the shade of some palm trees and placed the basket on top. He approached Abril, placed a hat he had in his hand on her head, and said, “The sun is very strong. Let’s rest a bit under the shade of that palm tree. I don’t want you to faint from the heat.”
“Yes,”
Abril followed Alessandro. He took off his shoes and sat on the blanket, extending his arms and saying, “Come here.”
Abril moved closer, intending to sit beside Alessandro as she understood that was what he wanted. However, he gently pulled her arm, making her sit between his legs. She asked, “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Today, I want to pamper my wife. Can’t I?”
“I didn’t say that.”
Alessandro hugged her and said, “For today, I am all yours. I’ll do whatever you wish, you just have to ask.”
Abril leaned against his chest and asked, “Can I really ask for anything?”
“Of course, I’ll fulfill any wish, though letting you go is not among what I can grant.”
“And loving me?”
Alessandro remained silent for a moment before responding, “Yes, loving you is included.” And he kissed her. They shared several kisses. Abril knew her request might never truly be granted, but at that moment, she wanted to believe his answer was real. She needed something to hold onto as she felt particularly vulnerable that day.
They stayed on the beach all day. When the sun began to set, Abril approached the shore to watch the waves crash against the sand, forming white foam. Alessandro hugged her from behind, rested his chin on her shoulder, and asked, “Are you okay?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
Something to hold on to
“Yes.”
“You don’t seem like it.”
“What do you mean?”
“I feel like something is bothering you.”
Abril remained silent for a moment and finally responded, “It’s about my father.”
“Are you worried about what that pirate said?”
“You wouldn’t send me back to him, would you?”
“Of course not. Are you afraid of going back to him?”
“I just don’t want to return to that castle, nothing more.”
Alessandro knew there was more behind Abril’s words, but he didn’t press her to tell him, as she seemed unwilling to talk about it. “I’ve told you before, I won’t let you leave my side. If your father wants to take you back, he will have to face me. It would mean starting the war again, and this time, he won’t be on the winning side.”
Abril seemed to harbor doubts about what Alessandro was saying. He released his embrace, took her face in his hands, and asked, “Do you doubt me?”
“I don’t want you to fight with my father because of me. I don’t want anything to happen to you. My father is not a good man.”
“Now you are part of my family. I won’t let anyone take you away from me. That’s just my own selfishness, and your father has grown old. I can handle him, don’t worry about that.”
Abril hugged him and said, “Alright.”
When they returned to the mansion, a man in completely black armor was waiting for them at the door. Alessandro helped Abril down from the horse and said, “Go ahead, I’ll be there soon.”
Abril passed by the man and felt a chill run down her spine. She walked quickly, wanting to get away as fast as she could. There was something about the man that unsettled her. Before leaving, Abril looked at Alessandro. He seemed upset. She wondered who that man was and what he had come to do.
Alessandro frowned and said to the man in armor, “What are you doing here, Taren?”
“I need to speak with Your Majesty.”
< Something to hold on to
“It better be very important for you to present yourself in this manner”
“I assure you it is, Your Majesty.”
Alessandro asked him to follow. They entered an empty room, and after ensuring no one else was there, Taren removed his helmet, feeling relieved to take it off. He had been waiting all day to speak with the king and, unable to reveal his identity, had to stay in the armor despite the intense heat.
“Finally, I can breathe. I was roasting in there. A bit longer, and I would have died.”
“What have you come for, Taren?”
Taren took out a letter and handed it to the king.
“What is this?”
“I don’t know. I’m just the messenger.”
Alessandro opened the letter, and after reading it, he said, “Return to the palace and tell Sirius to reinforce the magical barriers.”
“All of them?”
“All of them, and hurry.”
“Do I have to leave now?”
Alessandro raised an eyebrow, his gaze intimidating. He didn’t need to say anything, his response was clear on his face.
“Alright, I understand. I’ll leave immediately.”
“Don’t get distracted on the way, Taren.”
“I won’t, Your Majesty. I’ll use teleportation scrolls. I’ll reach the palace in a few minutes.”
“Go.”
Taren bowed and left the room. He headed to the courtyard, tore a scroll, and vanished into the air.
Cassian had stepped out onto the balcony to get some fresh air. As he did, he saw a man in black armor leaving the mansion. He recognized him immediately; Taren Lacross, the captain of the shadows in the service of the king. Cassian wondered what Taren was doing there. Normally, Taren never left the palace unless it was absolutely necessary, as he was responsible for maintaining order in the king’s absence. The few times he did leave the palace were to carry out high-level missions of utmost importance and confidentiality.
Cassian couldn’t remain in the dark about why Taren had come, so he went to find Lessan to ask him. Alessandro was climbing the stairs, and Cassian waited for him at the bottom, asking with great concern.
“What happened? What was Taren doing here?”
“I don’t think this is the best place to talk about it,” Alessandro replied, continuing to walk.
“Let’s talk in your room.”
Abril heard footsteps in the hallway and Alessandro’s voice. She peeked out of the door just in time to see Alessandro entering into Cassian’s room. She stepped out and stood in front of Cassian’s room. She wanted to ask Cassian who the knight in black armor was but didn’t want to do it in front of Alessandro.
She unintentionally overheard the conversation between Alessandro and Cassian.
“What was Taren doing here, Lessan?”
“King Venobich has started gathering his army. The war will begin soon.”
“And what do you plan to do?”
“I’ll continue with the plan. I’ll inspect the kingdom before returning to the palace.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to return to the palace and start preparing?”
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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