Forgotten Wife Let the traitors kneel Down (by Patricia Maradiaga) novel Chapter 178

The Joy of Springtime

Clan

After Alessandro left, Abril sat down on the ground and leaned her back against the well. Blessing Alessandro’s armor had left her exhausted, especially since she was already worn out before. She had been using her power to heal the wounded and was almost empty. She closed her eyes for a moment and must have dozed off because she then found herself in a clearing with her mother, who looked at her with a face full of concern.

“Sweetheart, how are you?”

“Mom, did I fall asleep?”

Sophia lovingly caressed Abril’s face and replied.

“No, you actually lost consciousness.”

“I think I overdid it by using so much magic.”

“Sweetheart, you have great power, but you only have access to a part of it because you haven’t broken the last seal yet. I think it’s time you did.”

Abril shook her head no.

“No, if I do, I’ll lose you again.”

The surrounding scenery changed abruptly, from the beautiful clearing they were in to a battlefield full of shattered bodies, with scavenger birds eating the remains. Abril felt a tremor inside her,

especially as she recognized many of those corpses; some were soldiers she had previously healed using her magic.

“Is this the future?”

“It’s just one of many possible futures, although they are all similar. There’s only one that’s different,

and that’s the one where you break the last seal and win the war.

The scenery changed again, and they were in a beautiful garden full of white and pink flowers.

However, Abril still had the horrible scene of death she had seen a second before etched in her

eyes. Clenching her fists in frustration, she responded.

“I can’t…”

Sophia hugged her, and Abril felt a strange warmth, even though it was a dream, it felt real to her.

“Sweetheart, I know you don’t want to lose me, but m not alive, my time ended long ago. Don’t

lose sight of those who are. Protect them and let me go.”

“But I…”

Sophia gently stroked Abril’s head and said,

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“My little Abril, I don’t think I’ve ever told you the meaning of your name. Would you like to know?”

Abril wiped the tears that had started to soak her cheeks. She didn’t understand why her mother

wanted to talk about the meaning of her name, but she was grateful for the change of topic. She

nodded, and Sophia continued speaking.

“It means the joy of spring. From the moment I realized you were in my womb, that’s what you

were to me, my light, my joy, and I eagerly awaited your arrival. When I held you in my arms, I realized I wasn’t wrong; you truly were my Abril.”

“Why are you telling me this now?”

“Because I want you to experience that too.”

Sophia touched Abril’s belly and said,

“I want you to have your own joy of spring, but as you already know, winter must end for spring to

begin. Your father is the cruel winter that kills everything; he must disappear to make way for

spring. Don’t forget.”

After her mother said that, Abril opened her eyes, and Lionel had his face very close to hers.

“What do you think you’re doing sleeping in a place like this? It’s winter; do you want to freeze to

death?”

“I wasn’t actually sleeping, I fainted.”

“It’s no surprise that happened. You haven’t stopped using your magic, you must be about to

empty yourself.”

Lionel helped her up and said,

“Get some rest; you need it if you don’t want to collapse.”

“Yes.”

Abril started to walk unsteadily toward the tent, and Lionel grabbed her by the arm.

“Let me help you.”

“Thanks, Lionel. I really appreciate it.”

Abril spent the day sleeping. When the horn sounded announcing the return of the troops, Abril forced herself to get up; she had to help the wounded and, above all, wanted to make sure Alessandro was okay.

There were more wounded that day than the day before, with mages and medics running back and forth attending to the injured. Abril searched for Alessandro with her eyes; he had just crossed the

barrier with Cassian, and to Abril’s relief, he didn’t seem to be injured.

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She focused on helping the most seriously injured, since only she could save them. When she finished treating the last seriously injured, she overheard two soldiers murmuring as they watched

several elf soldiers pass by.

“How come their army doesn’t have any casualties? That’s terrifying.”

“Yes, maybe they’re not human either; they’re absolute beasts on the battlefield.”

Those elf soldiers seemed to overhear them and turned their gazes towards them, inadvertently catching sight of Abril. Their eyes met for just a moment, but it was enough for them to realize she was like them, since no elf could hide the golden color of their eyes.

They headed towards her, and Abril turned to escape.

“Where are you going?”

Cassian asked as he saw her rush by.

Abril hid behind Cassian. He was about to ask her what was wrong, but then he saw two elves pass by and understood what was happening; Abril was hiding from them.

“Were they chasing you?”

“I’m not quite sure, a moment ago we exchanged glances, and I think they noticed the color of my

eyes.”

“For now, it’s better if you don’t wander around, so they won’t keep looking for you.”

“You’re right.”

“Alessandro really wants to see you. This morning he seemed nervous since you didn’t return to the

tent yesterday.”

“There were many wounded yesterday.”

“Are there many today as well?”

“Yes, but not as many severely wounded, so I can take a break.”

Cassian began to walk, shielding Abril from the elves‘ view, which she appreciated. She didn’t want to worry about them as they reached Alessandro’s tent. She ran into his arms when she saw him,

and he returned the embrace.

“I’m glad to see you’re okay. You are, right?”

“Yes, and all thanks to you.”

“To me?”

“Yes, your blessing on my armor protected me. I’m safe because of you.”

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