Forgotten Wife Let the traitors kneel Down (by Patricia Maradiaga) novel Chapter 165

I Need a Hug

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Abril had grown up without her mother; only a few months had passed since she had met her and she didn’t want to lose her for a second time.

“I know it’s selfish of me to want her to stay with me, but I don’t want to lose her.”

“You should talk to her and ask what she wants, don’t you think?”

“She only wants me to be happy, but as long as my father is alive, that won’t happen.”

Abril looked at the palms of her hands and said,

“I know I must break all the seals that hold back my magic because, with it, I can help defeat my father, but the price of doing so is very high.”

“They say there’s no victory without sacrifice; in wars, we all lose something valuable, which is why victories are so hard to achieve.”

“I know, but what’s the point of winning if you lose everything? I want victory, but not at the cost of losing everyone I love.”

To Sirius, the princess’s words seemed naively hopeful, but he wished with all his heart that it were so, that the coming war wouldn’t take away everything she held dear.

“Sirius, that’s why I want your help. Help me not to lose my mother.”

“I’ll do everything I can to help, but I can’t promise anything.”

“Thank you.”

“I must leave. His Majesty is waiting for me.”

Before Sirius left, Abril told him,

“I hope you keep our conversation a secret. Alessandro is carrying many burdens right now, and I don’t want to add more to them.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep our conversation a secret.”

“Thank you very much.”

When Sirius arrived at Alessandro’s office, he said to him,

“You’re late.”

“I’m also a busy person; since you ordered all the barriers to be reinforced, the work at the

wizard’s tower has multiplied.”

Med how are they going?”

“Not so well, someone has been destroying them. My mages are exhausted and spend all

their time complaining”

“My to focus on protecting the towns and villages near the barriers.”

The already done that. Is that the only reason you called me?”

“No, actually, I wanted to ask you a favor.”

Sirius was surprised that Alessandro was asking him for a favor and not giving him an order.

“What is it about?”

“I need a magical protective item for Abril, something that can keep her safe in my absence.”

“What you’re asking is almost impossible; Abril’s power can nullify my magic.”

“Abril doesn’t control her power, and she can’t use it to protect herself, which is why I’m asking you this favor. I know what I’m asking isn’t easy, but I know it’s not impossible for

you.”

Sirius sighed heavily, pushed his hair back, and said,

“Why is everyone asking me for impossible things today?”

“I could order you to do it if you refuse, but I don’t want to. I’m asking you this as a friend, Sirius. Please lend me your help.”

If it had been an order, Sirius would have had a reason to refuse, but since it was a request

from a friend, he couldn’t.

“You’re very cunning, you’ve ensured I can’t refuse. I’ll do what I can, but I can’t guarantee it

will work.”

“I know it will work because you’re the master of the wizard’s tower. I also wanted to ask you to help Abril control her magic. Even though several of the seals limiting her magic have been broken, she can’t use it freely.”

“I can’t come to the palace every day; I can’t neglect the wizard’s tower, But she could come with me. The wizard’s tower is the safest place in the kingdom, and I think it would do her good to leave the palace. I heard the elf army is already here.”

Alessandro was reluctant about the idea of separating from Abril, but he knew how much she

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hated being confined. At that moment, she was locked in her room to prevent any of the elves who had come to help from mistaking her for her mother, as the two were practically identical.

“I hate the idea of separating from my wife, but I’m aware that it’s what’s best for her at this moment. I’ll leave her in your care for a while.”

“I’ll take good care of her, Your Majesty.

I think it would be best if she went with me immediately.”

“No, I still have to tell her, come back tomorrow.

“Alright, I’ll come back tomorrow. With your permission, I’ll take my leave, Your Majesty.”

Shortly after Sirius left, Gabriel knocked on the door and asked,

“Your Majesty, may I come in?”

“Come in.”

When Gabriel entered, Alessandro dropped the documents he had in his hand and asked,

“What’s the matter, Gabriel?”

“Duke Alfonso Vampel has requested an audience with Your Majesty.”

“Tell him I’m busy.”

“I’ve already done that, but he insists on speaking with Your Majesty.”

Alessandro hated meeting with Duke Vampel, the old fox; every time he requested an audience, it was because he wanted something, and Alessandro usually couldn’t refuse him, since he controlled most of the nobles. He sighed heavily and said, “All right, tell him I’ll see him.”

After Gabriel left, Alessandro wondered what demand the duke would have that day. Alessandro cursed the duke aloud; he just wanted to finish his work as quickly as possible to go to Abril, and the duke’s visit only delayed him.

“Damn it, why did he have to show up today of all days?”

Alessandro was waiting for the duke, but he was surprised to hear Abril’s sweet voice asking if she could come in. He quickly went to the door, opened it, and upon seeing Abril, he said, “What are you doing here?”

That day, Abril was feeling a bit sad. She didn’t want to be alone and longed for a hug, which

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is why she had gone to see Alessandro even though he had forbidden her to leave. But feeling unwelcome, she turned around and said, “I just wanted to see you, but I guess I’m just a bother. I’ll go back to my room.”

Alessandro took Abril’s hand and pulled her into the office, closed the door, and said, “You’re never a nuisance.”

“Really?”

“Of course, but tell me, has something happened?”

Abril hugged him, pressing her face against Alessandro’s chest, and replied, “Nothing’s wrong, I just needed a hug.”

Alessandro returned the hug, and they remained like that for a minute. Then Alessandro pulled away and gently lifted Abril’s chin to make her look at him.

“You can’t fool me, I know something’s wrong. What is it?”

“It’s really nothing, I just needed to remind myself that I’m not alone anymore.”

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