Forgotten Wife Let the traitors kneel Down (by Patricia Maradiaga) novel Chapter 339

< Part II. A New Plan

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Part II: A New Plan

When Cira emerged from the cave deep within the mountain, Liona bowed to her and said, “Your Majesty,

there was a problem.”

“What happened?”

“The knights of Cosset were here. King Alessandro and Princess Abril were with them.”

Cira felt a sharp headache and had no desire to keep listening to Liona, so she hurried her along. “I have a

headache, speak quickly.”

“They killed all the monsters in the vicinity and purified the well.”

The headache intensified. Cira had spent a lot of energy opening that well. She called for one of the

monsters, which had the shape of a horse but was completely black, with hair made of smoke and mist.

She mounted it and headed to the well.

The well had been completely purified, as had its surroundings. That place could no longer be used to

connect to Hades.

“Damn it, that wretched bitch has ruined my plans.”

Cira mounted her horse again and returned to the mountain. Liona asked, “Can we use the well to connect

to Hades again?”

“No, the well and its surroundings have been completely purified. I can’t use it anymore. I also couldn’t

reach the key, and without the monsters, it will be even more difficult to obtain it. I’ll have to find another

way to get to the key. For now, we can’t do anything here, so let’s go. We need to devise a new plan.”

“As you command, Your Majesty.”

Abril had been sleeping for an entire day. Alessandro was worried about her, but Kiara assured him it was

nothing, just exhaustion. However, he had seen her sleep for weeks, even months, which is why he was so

concerned when she didn’t wake up. When night fell and she finally awoke, Alessandro felt as if he could

breathe again.

He hugged her and said, “Thank God you woke up. You can’t imagine how worried I was about you.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you. How long was I asleep?”

“A day. I thought you wouldn’t wake up.”

Abril returned the hug and said, “I’m fine now.”

“Has there been any other monster attack?”

“That’s not something you should worry about right now. Just replenish your magic. Without it, you can’t fight.”

< Part II A New Plan

“You’re right.”

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“You haven’t eaten anything all day. You must be hungry. I’ll ask them to bring you something light to eat.”

“Thank you.”

Alessandro called the servants. While they waited for the food, Kiara poked her head through the door and

asked, “Can I come in?”

“Of course, come in.”

“I heard from the servants that you had woken up, so I came to see how you are.”

“I’m fine, although I’m still a bit tired and hungry.”

“You’re tired because your magic hasn’t fully recovered. You used a lot of it. I taught you to control your magic so this wouldn’t happen. You don’t have to release so much magic at once to fight.”

“I know, but this time my enemy was stronger.”

“What?”

“We encountered a creature that didn’t seem much affected by my light magic. I know those creatures are not easy to kill, which is why I didn’t hold back my magic when attacking.”

“I see.”

“Kiara, that creature said it was preventing them from taking over this world, that it had never taken them

this long to conquer a world of inferior beings, that they had conquered other worlds.”

“What the hell is Hades?”

“I thought you would know.”

Kiara shook her head. “My mother didn’t talk much about Hades, so I don’t know exactly what it is.”

“I should have asked when I was in the land of the elves.”

“I didn’t know monsters could talk.”

“Not all of them. I’ve only encountered two that do, and they had human forms. They had consciousness and apparently a plan.”

“I’m sorry I don’t know more. It was something that, to me, was just a story, so I never showed interest in learning about Hades.”

Alessandro said, “I’ll visit the guardians‘ room when Aby recovers. I’m sure they know more about what

Hades is.”

“Surely the guardians know more about Hades. After all, they are responsible for closing the gates when they are opened.”

“I just came to say hello. I’ll leave you to rest.”

< Part II A New Plan

“Thank you, Kiara.”

When Kiara left, the servants entered shortly after with a bowl of soup.

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After dinner, Abril got out of bed and looked out onto the balcony. That night there was a full moon, and

the moon and stars shone brilliantly.

“Tonight is beautiful. Let’s take a walk in the garden, Lessan.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m fine. I just want to stretch my legs.”

“Then let’s go.”

As they walked through the corridors, immersed in the silence of the night, Abril couldn’t help but think of

Lissana, how she wouldn’t grow up there or run through the palace halls filling them with shouts of joy and

laughter.

When they reached the garden, Alessandro took Abril’s hand. Their walk was slow and silent. Alessandro

was the first to break the silence.

“What’s wrong, Aby?”

“Nothing.”

“I know something’s bothering you. You’re here, by my side, holding my hand, but your mind is far away. We promised not to hide anything from each other. Tell me what’s wrong, what’s worrying you. I’ve told you many times, you don’t have to carry everything on your own, Aby.”

“I was thinking about Lissana, that maybe it’s not a good idea to bring her back just yet.”

“Why not? Lissana will soon be six years old; her magic won’t endanger her anymore.”

“Her magic, no, but Cira swore to take revenge on me, to take everything I love. I don’t want her to try to

harm Lissana.”

“Here in the palace, she will be safe.”

“This place will soon cease to be a safe haven. Cira will come for the key to Hades that we have in our possession, and this will become a battlefield. I’m afraid my daughter will be here when that happens.”

“Do you want her to stay in the land of the fairies until all this is over?”

“Yes, I think that’s best. What do you think?”

“I hate having my daughter far away, not being able to see her grow, but I’d hate losing her even more. If that’s what you want, I’ll accept it.”

Abril hugged Alessandro and said, “Thank you for accepting my decision.”

“I know you only want what’s best for our daughter. How could I oppose that? Besides, you’re right; this place will soon cease to be safe.”

< Part II The First Guardian

Part II: The First Guardian

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The next day, Alessandro waited for Abril to wake up, worried that she might not. When she opened her

eyes, he kissed her on the cheek and said, “Good morning, Aby.”

“Good morning, Lessan. Have you been awake long?”

“No, I just woke up.”

“Do you want to have breakfast together?”

“Yes.”

Abril got up, washed her face, and changed her clothes. The two of them had breakfast in the dining room.

When they finished, Alessandro said, “I will enter the Guardians‘ Room. Time works differently there, but I’ll

try not to stay too long and return as soon as possible.”

“I know this is necessary, so take your time. I’ll be here waiting for you.”

Alessandro kissed her on the forehead and said, “Rest, even if you feel fine. You need to because we don’t

know what lies ahead.”

“I know.”

Alessandro left. When he reached the door to the Guardians‘ Room, he paused for a moment before

opening it. As he crossed the threshold, his eyes were momentarily blinded. When his vision cleared, the

first thing he saw was his mother standing in front of him, a warm smile on her face.

“Hello, Lessan.”

“Mother.”

“What brings you here?”

“There is something I need to know about Hades.”

“What do you want to know about Hades?”

“What exactly is that place? A few days ago, we faced a monster that spoke of Hades as if it wasn’t just a

place. It said they had conquered many worlds. That’s why I want to know what Hades is exactly. I want to know what I’m up against.”

“I believe I am not the best person to tell you about that. You should ask the First Guardian. He will answer all your questions. Follow me.”

Alessandro followed his mother down a long corridor filled with portraits. As they walked, he asked, “Why

can’t you answer my questions? I thought you knew everything about Hades.”

“When I was born, there were almost no Guardians left. My knowledge is basic. The First Guardian knows the most about Hades because he was there when the gates of Hades first opened.”

Part The first Guardian

“What?!”

“You can ask him all your questions, Lessan.”

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When they reached the end of the corridor, Alessandro saw a painting of a young man with brown hair and green eyes. Alessandro noticed a certain resemblance to Cassian, although the young man in the painting had long hair, whereas Cassian always kept his short.

“This was the First Guardian.”

“Yes, I must leave now so you can speak with him. Goodbye, Alessandro.”

“Goodbye, Mother.”

As soon as his mother disappeared, Alessandro wished to speak with the man. He appeared before him, and Alessandro stared at him, noticing he looked even more like Cassian in person than in the painting. It was like seeing his brother with long hair.

“Don’t you plan to say anything?” the young man asked.

“Are you the First Guardian?”

“Yes, but I also have a name, though no one ever remembers it. They only remember that I was the First Guardian, as if I were just a Guardian. If you want to talk to me, you should learn my name.”

“How could I know your name if I’ve never heard it?”

“That’s no excuse. If you don’t say my name, I won’t answer your questions.”

Alessandro the the

your nonsense.”

young man was a nuisance. He shot him a murderous look. “I don’t have time for

“Nonsense? What a rude boy. I’ve never encountered such a disrespectful Guardian as you. I won’t answer anything until you show some respect.”

“If you don’t, I’ll burn your portrait, so you’d better start talking.”

The spirit of the young man turned his back on him and said, “I won’t speak with you.”

Alessandro wanted to kill him, but one cannot kill a spirit. He took a deep breath to calm himself and

began asking his questions, hoping the spirit would talk to him.

“I need to know, what exactly is Hades? Why did one of the monsters say that Hades had conquered other

worlds?”

“Hades is the name given to each world conquered by those monsters, each world destroyed and corrupted by darkness,” said the spirit, staring intently at his own portrait.

“My mother said you were the First Guardian. How did you become a Guardian?”

The spirit remained silent, not answering Alessandro’s question.

“What’s wrong? Why won’t you tell me?”

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* Part# The First Guardian

“It’s something you don’t need to know. You only need to know that you cannot let them win or let the Dark King cross the gates because if he does, it will be the end of this world.”

“The Dark King?!”

“I have nothing more to do here, so I’m leaving. Don’t call me again unless you know my name.”

The spirit disappeared. Alessandro tried calling him several times, but he did not reappear. So, he called his mother.

“Mother, I need to speak with the First Guardian, but he disappeared. How do I make him come back?”

“He is only obliged to speak with you once. If he doesn’t want to return, he won’t. Didn’t he answer your questions?”

“No, he just left me with more questions. Mother, do you know the First Guardian’s name?”

“No, I never heard it from the other Guardians. They only called him the First Guardian.”

“He said he would only appear if I said his name. Could you find out what it is?”

“Hmm… that will be a bit difficult. It would be better if you asked one of the other Guardians directly. The

spiritual world is vast, and it will be very hard to find where the other Guardians are to ask them. But if you

want, I’ll try.”

“There’s no need. I’ll ask them myself. Who are the oldest Guardians?”

“In age or seniority?”

“Those who lived at the same time as the First Guardian.”

“They are the portraits closest to the First Guardian’s.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

“I hope you discover his name soon. Goodbye, my son.”

“Goodbye, Mother.”

After his mother disappeared, Alessandro began asking the spirits of the other Guardians what the First

Guardian’s name was, but none of them remembered or had ever heard it. They only referred to him as the

First Guardian. When he couldn’t get the Guardian’s name, Alessandro asked them about Hades and the

Dark King. They said the same thing his mother had, that they didn’t know much about it and had never

heard of the Dark King.

Alessandro decided to return. He had spent too much time in that room. He wondered how much time

had passed. When he came out, he saw the sun was beginning to rise; a whole day had passed. Alessandro went straight to his room. Abril woke up when he opened the door.

“What time is it?”

“It’s still early.”

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Pets & Thu Thurmy:

“Did you just come out of the Guardians‘ Room?”

Alessandro approached, sat next to her, and apologized. “I’m sorry, it took longer than I thought.”

“Did your mother know anything?”

“No, but I found someone who did, the First Guardian. But in the end, he only left me with more questions

than answers.”