Chapter 208

CHAPTER 8: MY FIRST AND ONLY FRIEND

The next day, Abril woke up first; seeing Alessandro’s sleeping face, she settled on his chest, she wanted to stay like that a little longer before leaving, she wished she wouldn’t have to separate from her lover, nor from her daughter. But she couldn’t do it, she couldn’t ignore the whole world when perhaps she was the only one who could save him.

When Alessandro woke up, she caressed his head and said,

“Good morning, my love.”

Abril sat up and responded with a smile to hide the sadness of his departure that she kept in her heart.

“Good morning.”

Alessandro, seeing that the sun had not yet fully risen, said to her.

“It’s still early, you should sleep a little more.”

Abril shook her head and replied.

“I want to leave as soon as possible.”

Alessandro’s lips rested on her forehead, as he put his arms around her.

“Please take care of yourself and don’t do anything reckless, think of me and Lissana. Okay?”

“They will always be in my thoughts at all times.”

Abril stood up, took a blue tunic from her closet, black pants and matching boots.

While she was changing, Alessandro watched her and asked. “And those clothes?”

“I want to be able to move easily if necessary, dresses are uncomfortable and impractical.”

“You’re right about that.”

Abril tied her hair in a bun, small unruly strands came out on the sides, although she dressed simply, she still looked beautiful.

“I’ll go say goodbye to Lissana. Are you coming?”

“Of course, give me a minute.”

Alessandro got up and put on the first thing he found in the closet. After washing their faces, they both went to Lissana’s room.

Abril opened the door very slowly, trying not to make any noise so as not to wake the baby, but she was already awake. The nanny was carrying her and walking around the room trying to get her to sleep. When she saw that the queen and the king had just entered, she turned to her and bowed.

“Good morning, your majesties.”

Lissana, seeing her mother, stretched out her arms towards her so that she could take her in her arms. Abril took her daughter and told the maid to wait outside the room.

Once alone, Abril turned to Alessandro.

“Take good care of Lissana in my absence.”

“I will, I will take good care of our daughter.”

Lissana stared at her mother with her beautiful golden eyes, while she clung to her mother’s clothes as if she knew she was leaving.

April looked at her tenderly, gave her a kiss on the cheeks and said.

"My little one, mommy will be back soon."

The little girl began to cry as if with her crying she wanted to tell her to stay, that broke April’s heart, she used her magic to put her to sleep, because she couldn’t bear to be separated from her if she heard her cry. She placed her in the crib and said to Alessandro.

"I know you’re always very busy but, try to spend more time with Lissana."

"Don’t worry, I will, I’ll take advantage of the fact that Cassian is here."

"We should go and let her sleep."

April said as she covered her daughter with a blanket.

"Yes."

Then they went to Maya’s room, she knocked on the door and waited for them to open the door or invite her in.

Maya opened the door and motioned for them to be quiet since Cassian was still sleeping, she left the room and closed it very quietly so as not to make any noise.

“I came to check on you, I’m glad to see you’re okay.”

Maya still didn’t feel completely well, but she felt well enough to get up, she wanted to be honest with Abril, but Alessandro was standing next to her, in the end Maya had to lie even though she didn’t want to. “Yes, I’m very well.”

Even though Maya said she was fine, Abril could see the shadows under her eyes and the lack of color in her skin, she took her hand and infused her magic into Maya without Alessandro noticing. Which Maya thanked her for.

“Thank you very much Aby.”

“I came to say goodbye, I’ll be away for a few days.”

“Good luck on your trip.”

“Thank you very much, I’ll need it.”

Alessandro saw one of the maids go by, he excused himself for a moment to go ask the maid to prepare a bag with food. April took the opportunity to talk to Maya.

“Yesterday I remembered that in the kingdom of Laios, there is a book that talks about fairies, I thought it was just fiction but, I don’t know, maybe it can be of some use to you, so I will bring it for you.”

Maya gave him a hug and said. “Thank you very much Aby.”

“I promised to help you and that’s what I will do.”

“I have no way to thank you for your help, you always save me.”

“You are my first friend, I do it with pleasure, so don’t think that you have to thank me, because you don’t.”

When Alessandro returned, they both went to their office, Sirius and Taren were already there waiting for them, ready to leave. April thanked them for their availability.

“Thank you both very much for coming so quickly, I’m counting on you on this trip.”

They both nodded at once; Alessandro took out several bags with gold coins, one he gave to Sirius, another to Taren and the last bag he gave to April, it was bigger and heavier than the others, when she received it she said.

"Don’t you think this is too much, I’m only leaving for three days."

"I know, but even if it’s only three days, I hope you have enough and that

you don’t need anything." Someone knocked on the door, interrupting their conversation, Alessandro let her in immediately, it was the maid he had found in the hallway, she was carrying a satchel in one hand and some brown cloaks in the other, Alessandro took April’s cloak and helped her put it on, April said to him.

"I see you’ve thought of everything, thank you very much."

"I wish you a good trip and a quick return."

April kissed him and said.

"See you soon my love."