“Then we can hold the naming ceremony when we return; I’ll grant you lands and your title.”
“That sounds good to me.”
“Even if you’re named duke, you can continue living in the palace; you don’t have to move out.”
“No, I want to show everyone that I’m serious about being a duke. I’m going to leave the nest, Lessan, but that doesn’t mean I won’t visit you.”
“You better make sure you do.”
Abril appeared, wearing a green and white dress that day. Her reddish hair was braided to one side, and she looked as happy as Alessandro. Cassian was truly happy to see them both so joyful.
Abril sat next to Alessandro, the servants served breakfast, and Abril asked,
“When will we leave?”
“We’ll leave after breakfast, so eat well. The journey will be long since we won’t be using any scrolls to travel,” Aessandro replied.
“Why not?”
“The scrolls put a strain on the body. If you’re well, there’s no problem, but if you’re weak, it can make you feel unwell. Since you haven’t fully recovered yet, it’s better to use the carriage. Where we’re going jsn’t very far, so we’ll arrive before nightfall.”
“I’m sorry for being a burden and delaying your journey.”
“Of course not. Cassian overused the scrolls a few days ago, so it’s not advisable for him to use them either.”
Abril felt relieved to know she wasn’t the only reason they weren’t using teleportation scrolls to travel. When they finished breakfast, they left the mansion and got into the carriage.
They traveled for several hours in the carriage without stopping. By noon, Abril’s stomach began to growl with hunger. Lessan asked her,
“Are you hungry?”
“Yes.”
Alessandro asked the coachman to stop. He got out of the carriage along with Cassian.
Alessandro extended his hand to Abril to help her down from the carriage. As she got down, Abril took in the beautiful landscape. They were in a vast meadow with mountains and ranges looming impressively in the distance.
“We’ll take a short break here and then continue our journey.”
Alessandro said to her while holding her hand. Abril looked around in awe as she always did whenever they saw a new place, and she said to him,
“This is beautiful.”
“We’ve been lucky to stop in a good place.”
Cassian stretched his arms to the sky and said,
“It feels great to stretch my legs.”
The guards had laid a blanket under a large tree and set out fruit and some food prepared by the chef.
Alessandro, seeing that everything was ready, said to Abril,
“Everything’s ready, let’s eat.”
“Yes, I’m starving!”
Abril replied while touching her stomach.
“Then let’s go.”
Everyone sat on the blanket and enjoyed a pleasant conversation while eating.
Abril rested her head on Alessandro’s shoulder while looking into the distance. He intertwined his hand with hers.
Cassian, seeing them so affectionate, stood up and said,
“Could you stop flirting for even a second?”
“What do you mean?”
“Lately, you’re always kissing, holding hands, and exchanging glances. I’m single, you know.”
“Does it bother you?”
Abril asked Alessandro.
“I suppose it would be if you’re single.”
“Yes, it is.”
Cassian replied.
“So don’t flirt so much.”
“You should find yourself a girlfriend. You’re getting older and still don’t have a fianc?e. Maybe you should start attending balls and look for a fianc?e. It’s been a while since we’ve held a ball at the palace. Maybe we should have one when we return.”
Abril had read in several books about balls, and whenever she read about them, they seemed wonderful, incredible. She had never attended one and always dreamed of seeing one. With great excitement, she asked.
“A ball, really?”
“I think you like the idea too.”
“I’ve never attended one, but I’ve read about them in books. Whenever I read about balls, I get excited. I would love to attend a ball.”
Alessandro, seeing Abril’s excited face, said to her,
“Then when we return, we’ll have a grand ball.”
“Really?”
“Yes, and we’ll dance together.”
“Dance? I’ve never done that.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to teach you to dance first.”
“I would love that. I can’t wait for that day.”
Abril stepped away to look at some flowers, and when she did, Cassian asked his brother, “Do you really think it’s a good idea for her to attend a ball?”
“Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Everyone in the kingdom hates her for being the daughter of the man who did so much harm to this kingdom.”
“I will be by her side at all times. I won’t let anything happen to her.”
Alessandro watched as Abril picked flowers and said, “She seems excited. I want to make her happy and give her everything she’s missed out on.”
“Do you really love her?”
For the first time, Alessandro was sincere and didn’t deny it. “Yes, I love her.”
Alessandro stood up and said, “And I will take care of her. I won’t let anything bad happen to her.”
Alessandro went to where Abril and gave her a hug. Cassian watched them and wondered if he should do what his brother had suggested, find a girlfriend, someone to be happy with.
They arrived at their destination shortly before dusk, and when they got off the carriage, Abril was surprised because they hadn’t arrived at a mansion like in the previous cities; they had arrived at a temple, so she asked, “Are we staying here?”
“Yes, I want to go unnoticed, and this is the best place to do so,”
A priest came out of the temple, bowed to the king, and guided them to their rooms.
The room given to Alessandro and Abril was small and simple compared to the rooms they had occupied before; there was only one bed big enough for both of them, a wardrobe, two nightstands, one on each side, and a small table by the window.
The priest apologized for not offering them anything better, because in the temples, they tried to live as simply as possible without excessive luxuries.
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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