Forgotten Wife: Let the Traitors Kneel Down

141 I just want to protect you After April was crowned queen, the murmur of the nobles died down.

No one dared to say anything about the newly crowned queen, especially since it was clear that she had the love and favor of the king.

Cassian and Maya were the first to approach and congratulate the queen on her coronation, they made an exaggerated bow and said.

_Long live her majesty the queen.

All those present imitated them, bowed and said with one voice.

_Long live the queen, mother of the kingdom, long live the king, father of the kingdom.

Alessandro motioned for the musicians to start playing again and told everyone.

_This is a day of double celebration.

Alessandro stretched out his hand towards April, she stood up with her head held high, showing the dignity of a queen, he took her hand and continued saying.

_We celebrate the naming ceremony of my brother Cassian and the coronation of my beloved wife and queen.

Alessandro always emphasized those two words beloved and queen, he wanted no one to doubt how much he loved the queen and that he would not allow anyone to dare to harm her.

_So drink and dance, rejoice with me on this day.

The nobles began to disperse, some returned to the dance floor, others took their glasses and toasted, others approached the royal couple congratulating the newly crowned queen.

April was bored of sitting there listening to the flattery of the nobles approaching while the others danced happily on the dance floor.

Alessandro noticed this, he stood up, extended his hand and bowed his head.

_My queen, may I have this dance? April smiled and took the hand Alessandro held out to her, she was eager to dance.

_Of course my king.

They both headed to the dance floor, when they arrived all the couples stepped aside to give space to the royal couple, that made Abril nervous, all eyes were again focused on her, Alessandro placed one hand on her waist and held her hand with the other, both began to move to the beat of the music, he, feeling the slight trembling in Abril's hands, asked her.

_ Are you nervous? _Yes, everyone is looking at us.

_You just look at me, act as if they don't exist, at this moment it's just you and me.

Those words calmed Abril's heart, she locked her gaze with his and let herself be carried away by the soft music, she lost herself in the world she had always dreamed of.

Alessandro felt Abril's body, warm to the touch, her fingers soft around his hand.

He made her spin on the dance floor, both of them dancing with all the softness in the world.

She didn't miss a single step, she had listened to him and had completely focused her gaze on him, she told him.

_ This has been my best dance.

_ I thought I was the first? _And it is, even better than I had dreamed, I will never forget it.

_There will be better dances than this one.

_Maybe, but I will keep this one in my heart.

Alessandro felt the urge to kiss her, he leaned forward and placed his lips on hers softly.

_I love you Aby, my queen.

_And I love you, Lessan.

They both continued dancing for several more songs until Abril began to feel tired and asked Alessandro to rest for a moment.

He led her to the nearest balcony, the cool breeze caressed their faces giving them a respite from the stifling heat inside the ballroom.

_ Are you thirsty? April nodded.

_I'll go get something to drink, wait for me here.

_OK.

While waiting for Alessandro, April raised her gaze to the sky, that night there was a full moon, the sky was clear and clear, the stars shone softly, she took a deep breath filling her lungs with fresh air and thought.

"This is the best day of my life" At least until she heard the screams of terror coming from the ballroom, she went back inside the room to see what was happening and was met with a terrifying sight, the beautiful dream she had been immersed in minutes before turned into a nightmare.

She saw a billowing horror rising in the middle of the ballroom.

It was black and thick as ink, leaving a dark, pasty stain wherever the creature stepped.

It had two burning white eyes.

Its hands ended in two flat ends like a shovel, with a single black claw protruding from it.

Alessandro and Cassian struggled to contain it while the guests ran around in horror, the guards tried to get everyone out and others joined the battle against that creature that seemed to have come out of the very jaws of hell.

But everyone who stalked it ended up being devoured by the darkness and turned into another one of those waving things, in no time there was more than one to defeat, Alessandro screamed for them not to come closer while he used his wind magic to create a wall, Cassian had done the same with the earth, he had raised the marble floor and tried to contain them, but they were slimy and soft, they went through everything with ease.

April ran towards where Alessandro was, when he saw her heading towards him he felt his blood run cold and he screamed at her to go away, not to go towards them; but April knew that the only one who could defeat those creatures born from darkness was her, so she kept running, she still hadn't broken all the seals and her handling of magic wasn't the best, however, she was strong enough to finish off those creatures or at least that's what she wanted to believe.

Alessandro was distracted for a moment when he saw April running towards them, towards danger, and he didn't pay enough attention, Something moved at the edge of his field of vision at the same moment that April's voice exploded in his ears: _ Lessan, be careful! He dove to the side, moving away from the flickering shadow that had been about to swallow him.

April launched a ball of light towards the creature that was closest to Alessandro, when that ball of light collided with that creature a thunderous shriek was heard.

April covered her ears for a moment and then launched another attack at that creature making it disappear with her light.

She stood in front of Alessandro, for many it would have been funny that such a small and delicate woman was using her body as a shield to protect Alessandro, but for him that was the bravest and scariest thing April ever did.

She continued attacking the creatures that approached them hissing like a snake, until there were none left until all those creatures disappeared.

She looked at Alessandro and asked him.

_ Are you OK? _That doesn't matter, are you okay? _Yeah.

_ Where did those things come from? _I don't know, before I knew it everyone started screaming in terror.

Alessandro took April's face in his hands and said to her.

_ Why did you come here? It was too dangerous, you should have left.

She shook her head.

_I couldn't do that, when I saw that you were in danger my body moved on its own, when I realized I was already running towards here, I told you I will fight by your side, I don't want to be the only one who is protected, I also want to protect you, so I will always run towards you, no matter the circumstances or the danger there is.

Alessandro put his arms around her, he couldn't say anything since the same thing was happening to him, he didn't care about putting his life in danger to protect her.

The face of the enemy 142 Before the chaos broke out in the ballroom, Maya had seen a strange shadow on the ceiling, she had gone to investigate, it had taken her a while to get up due to the uncomfortable dress she was wearing, but she had climbed up to the ceiling, there was a man wearing a thick hood despite the heat, she screamed.

_ Hey! What are you doing here? That mysterious man dropped a small bottle that fell in the middle of the ballroom, a grotesque creature came out of it, immediately Maya threw one of the daggers that she had hidden inside the dress, stabbing the man's arm.

that man.

He tried to escape, but she was fast, she jumped and blocked his way.

_ Who are you? Show me your face.

_Get away if you don't want to die.

A rough voice came from the hood, Maya pulled out a few knives and said.

_I don't think that's going to happen, if someone's going to die I'm telling you it won't be me, so give up.

The man looked around for an escape route, but when he moved to the right or left, Maya threw a knife at his feet, she told him.

_We can do this the easy way or the hard way and either way you'll be the only one who'll lose.

How do you want us to do it? That man lunged at Maya, both began to struggle, that man tried to knock her down several times and throw her off the roof, but even with that big dress that Maya was wearing, it wasn't easy for her, she blocked all his attacks, in the middle of the fight she removed the hood of his cloak, Maya was very surprised when she saw that that man had red hair like April's.

That man took the opportunity to knock her down and run away.

Maya reacted quickly and threw a knife at him, but he used a teleportation scroll and disappeared into the air.

_Damn, it got away from me.

The screams of terror could still be heard in the ballroom, Maya decided to go back to try to help in some way, however, when April arrived, she had already taken care of all the monsters.

Cassian, seeing Maya approaching with her dress torn and disheveled, ran towards her very worried.

_Maya, are you okay? Is she hurt anywhere? _I'm fine.

_Well, it seems like you've had a fight with someone.

_That's because I did it.

Maya pointed to the ceiling and said to them.

_When you went to get me a drink I saw a strange shadow on the ceiling so I went to investigate.

_ Did you go up to the roof? _Yes, although it wasn't easy, this dress isn't very practical, but as I was saying, there I saw a man wearing a thick black cape, he dropped a small bottle from the ceiling and that creature came out and attacked them.

_ Where is that man? _After fighting, he escaped, although I wounded him in the arm.

Maya looked at April and said in a low voice so that only Cassian could hear her.

_That man had red hair like April.

_ Are you sure? _In the struggle I removed his hood and today the moon shines brightly, I am very sure of what I saw.

_Don't tell April.

_OK.

Maya saw Cassian, he was a mess, covered in dust, she shook his hair a little and said to him.

_I think you should go take a bath, you look horrible.

Cassian looked around, the entire ballroom had been destroyed by the battle, the guards were lifting the wounded off the ground, he told her.

_ The bathroom will have to wait, I have to help here.

_Then I will also help, the more help the better.

_Thank you.

April looked around, there were a lot of injured people, she wanted to help them, use her magic to heal their wounds, but Alessandro stopped her.

_Don't do it.

_ But do you need help? _It's dangerous Aby, the healers will take care of them, you've already done enough.

_But...

_Please, Aby.

_OK.

Although April had already used her magic to destroy the creatures that were attacking them, it had been at the height of the battle, he wished that they hadn't realized that she had used magic, so he didn't want her to continue using it.

Alessandro asked several guards to escort April back, he and Cassian stayed organizing the soldiers and helping in any way they could.

When all the wounded were treated and the ballroom was completely empty, Cassian approached his brother and said.

_Maya has seen the person who brought these creatures.

_ Where is? _He escaped, she couldn't catch him, but she could see his face, although that's not the most important, that man had Lessan red hair.

_ Are you sure what you're saying? _Completely, that man is part of the Venobich family, Maya said he had a young face so he must have been Prince Enzo.

_This is a declaration of war.

_That's right, we can't stay silent anymore, we have to fight.

I will be the next queen 143 Enzo used a teleportation scroll, he arrived directly to the throne room where his father was meeting with several councilors and war generals, when Vritra saw his son with his arm bloody and all misaligned as if he had fought with someone, he frowned and asked annoying.

_ Have you failed? Enzo knelt before his father and said.

_I left the presents, but I couldn't stay to see what was happening.

Someone discovered me and I had to run away.

_Your opponent was so strong that you couldn't have killed him and finished your mission.

_He was a very skilled person, father, if I had used my magic I would have won, but I didn't want to reveal my identity.

_You are useless, I should have sent your sister, she is better than you.

_I'm sorry I disappointed you, father.

_Get out of my sight, I don't want to see you.

Enzo stood up and quickly left the throne room.

When he left, his sister Cira, who was a year younger, was waiting for him by the door.

She told him with a mocking smile.

_Given the state you're in, you must have failed your mission.

_That doesn't matter to you, Cira.

_I actually do care, I begged father to send me, I wanted to be the one to bring the gifts to our sister and see her terrified face.

_It's true that I didn't complete my mission, but that doesn't mean I didn't fail, the gifts were delivered.

_But you didn't see our sister's face marked by fear.

_I don't understand why you insist on calling that bitch, sister.

_Or because compared to you, I do not look down on any of my brothers, no matter how useless they are, for all of you they are a stone that prevents my ascension to the throne.

_You don't hide your greed even a little bit.

_If I were you, I would watch my back.

I already got rid of my older sister, now I only have you left.

Enzo knew that his sister's threat was not something he could take lightly, she was like a rattlesnake that had to be extremely careful of if he was careless he would end up being bitten, and would end up dead because it had a lethal poison.

_I know, but don't think I'll be as easy to defeat as that bitch was, so be careful what you do, or you might not wake up again one of these days.

_That's why I always leave a dagger under my pillow, to get rid of any enemy.

Enzo was losing a lot of blood, the marble floor was stained with his blood, Cira told him.

_You should treat that wound or I might not even have to do anything to get rid of you.

Enzo ignored his sister's comment and stormed off.

As Cira watched her brother walk away, a man appeared out of nowhere.

It was Xein, one of the soldiers under her command who was loyal to Cira.

_Your brother is weak at the moment, we could attack, get rid of him.

Xein commented quietly.

Cira frowned and replied.

_No, even if injured he is strong, if he feels threatened he will burn the entire palace since he will not have good control of his magic, I do not want to have such a problem tonight.

_But princess.

_There is no need to rush Xein, he who is patient always receives the best.

_Yes princess.

_You've found out something about the gift my father sent.

_Not yet, do you want me to go personally to the kingdom of Cosset and see what is happening there? _No, right now they must be very alert because of what happened and I don't want them to catch you.

Cira said goodbye to Xein, he immediately vanished into thin air.

She went to her room and called one of the maids to help her change her clothes, the maid She was combing her hair, seeing the princess so happy she asked her.

_ Has something good happened to you, princess? _ Why do you ask Taru? _Because she looks very happy today.

_Well, you're not wrong.

The truth is that something very good has happened to me.

The more time passes, the closer I am to becoming my father's successor, the queen of Laios.

*** April was sitting on her bed looking out, from where she was she could see the moon shining high above.

The palace was completely silent, it seemed as if everything that had happened during the ball had not been real, at first Everything had been as wonderful as a dream, but then that wonderful dream turned into a nightmare.

She stared at her hands, she couldn't believe that she had defeated those horrible creatures so easily, she had used her magic, but she didn't feel tired at all, on the contrary, her body seemed to be full of energy, strength and power.

April was distracted looking at her hands when Alessandro entered the room, he called out to her to get her attention.

_Aby.

_ When did you come in? She asked very surprised to see him standing in front of her.

_I just arrived, but you seemed very distracted, Are you OK? _Yeah, I was just thinking about everything that happened.

Alessandro sat next to her, he was very worried about April since whenever she used her powers she was completely exhausted, that day she had not only released her magic, she had used it to destroy the monsters that had entered the ballroom.

_ Are you sure? You used a lot of magic to destroy those monsters.

_I know, but I feel fine, now I don't feel tired when using my magic.

_I knew your mother was teaching you how to use your magic, but I never imagined you'd progressed so far.

_I didn't know either, I didn't think I could do it, but when I saw that you were in danger, I didn't think about it, I just rushed to where you were, I just wanted to protect you.

Alessandro put his arms around her and said.

_I'm glad you're okay, that nothing happened to you.

They both stayed hugging for a while without saying anything, words were not necessary, they just wanted to feel each other's warmth, to feel that each other was there for each other.

After a while April broke the silence.

_Lessan, when the war starts, I want to be by your side.

Alessandro moved away a little to see her face, April's face did not show a single a hint of doubt, she looked determined.

_It will be dangerous.

_I know, that's why I want to be by your side.

_Aby.

_If you insist on leaving me behind, I will go to the battlefield on my own, I will do as I did today, I will throw myself into battle until I find you and make sure you are okay.

Alessandro pressed his forehead against Abril's, although he wanted to object to what Abril was saying, she knew that her words were not lie, that she would do exactly what she just said if he left her behind so he replied.

_You are a fool.

_Yes, I am, so you decide, you take me with you or I'll go on my own.

_Then I have no choice, we will go together.

The Four Kingdoms 144 When Cassian finished organizing the guards, he went straight to Maya's room, he knocked on the door with his knuckles and asked.

_Maya, are you awake? Maya was awake, she couldn't sleep, hearing Cassian's voice, she got up and opened the door.

_I don't think anyone will be able to sleep tonight.

_ May I come in? _Sure, come in.

Entering the room Cassian saw Maya's dress lying on the floor beside the bed, it was torn.

He asked.

_ Are you OK? _I already told you yes, I just have a few bruises from the fight.

_Show me.

_I have them all over my body, do you want me to take off my clothes? _What you did was reckless, you should have informed the guards if you had seen something strange on the roof, you did not have to expose yourself to danger in that way.

_I can fight my own battles Cassian, I'm not as weak as I seem.

Cassian took Maya's hand, it had several bruises starting to form.

_You should go to April to heal your wounds.

_I don't have any injuries, just a few bruises.

_You should still do it, I don't like seeing you hurt.

_And I don't like seeing you dirty, you look horrible, your face is so full of dust and dirt that I can't even see your face clearly, you need to take a bath.

_ I know, I'll go now, but I couldn't go to sleep without checking that you were okay.

Maya pulled Cassian's hand and led him to the bathroom, the tub was full of water, she began to remove his clothes and said.

_Thank you.

_ Why are you thanking me? _For worrying about me.

Cassian felt the urge to kiss her, he took Maya's chin making her lift her face, he looked her straight in the eyes and asked her.

_ Can I kiss you? Cassian's question left her a little surprised since normally she was always the one who asked to kiss him or simply did it, she found it strange that he asked her for a kiss, but deep down she liked it.

_Yeah.

Cassian leaned in to kiss her, but Maya stopped him before he touched her lips and said.

_But first take a shower, you're disgusting.

Maya headed towards the door, before crossing the exit she said.

_When you're clean you can touch me, not before.

She closed the door after leaving, Cassian laughed at Maya's response, After taking a bath he returned to the room wrapped in a robe, which was too small for him, but covered him necessary, Maya was lying on the bed, she patted the bed and said.

_Come, now that you are clean I will share my bed with you.

Cassian got under the covers, rested his head on her arm, he looked at her and asked her again.

_ Can I kiss you? Maya gave him a kiss in response.

_ What do you think? Cassian snatched her lips away again, his kiss was deep, long and pleasurable, leaving Maya breathless.

It wasn't until that moment that Cassian realized how much he wanted to kiss her, to try her soft lips.

He just let Maya take a breath and took her mouth again, hungry and voracious, he wanted more, he wanted to keep kissing her until their lips would tire, until the night ended, the moon would set and give way to the day and the radiant sun.

But she did not allow it.

After a few kisses, Maya said to him with a broken voice.

_Let's stop for today.

Cassian wanted to ask why, but he didn't dare.

She hugged him, buried her face in his chest and said.

_Let's just sleep today.

He put his arms around her, content to feel the warmth of her body.

That night they just slept in each other's arms, feeling each other's breath and warmth.

When Dantriel and Ethan arrived at the palace, They felt a strange atmosphere throughout the palace.

There were more guards and they all had long faces, as if something had happened.

Ethan and Dantriel went straight to the main palace and asked for an audience with the king.

Gabriel led them to a room and He told them to sit down and wait for them.

They waited for a while, Ethan started to get desperate and said.

_I'm tired of waiting, they are the ones interested, why do we have to wait for them? _This war concerns all of us, Ethan.

_Our kingdom can fight against the darkness, we don't need humans.

_Ethan, in the past when the darkness was fought, all the kingdoms were united, elves, fairies, humans and sorcerers, they all fought under one banner, as one people; now the fairies isolated their kingdom and they hate anyone who isn't a fairy, the sorcerers scattered and now there are only a few, we won't be able to win this war alone.

_The darkness is still weak, if we attack first...

Dantriel didn't let him finish speaking, he cut off his words and said to him.

_Darkness is not so easy to defeat Ethan, do not let your judgment be clouded by your contempt for humans.

_Don't ask me for something I can't do.

_ Then I order you, collaborating with the humans is a direct order from our queen, we are here to form an alliance, not to start a war, do not forget it.

The door to the room opened, Alessandro entered, Ethan said very annoyed.

_ Have you made us wait too long? If you don't want our help, we'll leave.

_Ethan.

Dantriel replied, trying to shut him up.

Alessandro was tired, he had only slept a few hours that night, he told them.

_I'm a king and I have more things to deal with, I can't just come running when you call me, yesterday we were attacked by monsters, monsters created by darkness.

Ethan was alarmed to hear that they had been attacked and asked.

_ Where is Sophia? Is she okay? Is she not hurt? Alessandro didn't like that Ethan referred to April as Sophia, he responded very angrily.

_It's not Sophia, it's April, and she's fine, she took care of the monsters.

Ethan felt more at ease when he heard that she was okay.

Dantriel said.

_Tell us what happened.

_Yesterday we had a ball, King Venobich took advantage of the moment to send monsters created by darkness, there were many dead and wounded.

_ Were they easy to beat? _No, they weren't, the fire doesn't affect them like it used to.

_That means they have become stronger.

That's why they should have killed that man before he got stronger.

Ethan said as he plopped down on the couch.

_If they had done that, this wouldn't have happened.

_Nor could one act recklessly.

Alessandro replied.

_Even without the darkness, King Venobich is a terrifying and extremely strong man, it would be suicide to invade a kingdom you know nothing about, I have sent several spies, but none have returned, there is no way to know what is happening in the kingdom of Laios, nor to know what King Venobich is up to, what we do know is that, with yesterday's attack, he has openly declared war on us, it will only be a matter of time before he leads his troops here.

_Then we must not waste any more time, we must find the keys to Hades before he finds them and prepare for war.

_We need more warriors, your kingdom will send troops to fight in this war.

_Yes, that's why we wanted to talk to you, our kingdom will send its warriors to fight in this war, it will also put weapons blessed with light magic.

_ When? _Help should arrive in a few days, they will join your army, although we will also need help from the wizards, I understand that you have wizards at your service.

_ The wizards are reinforcing the barriers throughout the kingdom right now.

_When they finish doing it, ask them to join your army, wizards will be of great help during the battle.

_I know, I have already given the order that every magician who is not busy at the moment comes to the palace.

_Then we will leave today if possible to the fairy kingdom.

_I'll call Cassian and Maya, they'll accompany you.

_Then we will wait for them here.

Alessandro headed for the door, before he crossed the threshold Ethan told him.

_Take good care of her.

_You don't have to tell me, I'll do it, she's my wife.