When their mother died, Gritz drank day and night. He was always drinking and hurting his son, Leones. His children suffered two years from his anger and resentment. Then, he soon died of because of alcohol.
The Luz siblings suffered even more when Gritz disappeared. Carlos took the lead among his brothers and did his utmost best to live and survive with his siblings. Somehow, he and Nico became kind to Leones.
Everything went well at first because Romil and Carlos worked in the market in a nearby town but they could not pay the rent so they decided to live underground like everyone else did after the ambush.
Living underground had never been easier. It was difficult to find work and the government in the underground had taken no action. The mayor only favored those persons with money. They had no choice but to steal and commit other crimes that will give them enough wealth to live underground. But sometimes, it led them to danger, so Romil opposed his brothers’ method to live. Carlos, on the other hand, just wanted to live even in a bad way so he took Nico and Leones with him to earn or get something to eat while Romil took care of the housework.
~*~
After the long journey of the wind, it finally landed on the prince's skin. Stellan's feathers fluttered and his hair danced with the wind. He sighed when he returned to reality, and touched the gold necklace. That was the necklace Revi gave him before she left.
The prince looked around as he leaned against the apple tree. In front of him, the Rajanseth river can be seen. It was shiny and crystal clear.
Butterflies, on the other hand, happily flew around the river. Not so far away, Mount Colossus can be seen. It was believed to be the abode of the gods. Even though Rajanseth is far from the mountain, it is still large to look at.
The river was named by Stellan as one of his possessions. He often stayed at the river because he had no responsibility in the palace other than education. Only he, his friends, and the guards could enter the river. The king could also enter but because he was busy, he did not have time to visit the river.
Stellan turned to his side where Revi's picture could be seen. The picture was painted by Stellan for almost three years, and until now, it’s not yet finished. Stellan approached the picture and painted again. He wanted to finish the art so that when the day comes and Revi will return home, he will gift the art for her.
"Greetings, Your Highness." A guard arrived. He bowed in homage and stood up after Stellan ordered him to rise.
"I'm doing something. Kindly tell me your concerns later." Stellan just ignored the guard and continued painting.
"This is crucial, Your Highness. The remaining heir of the most powerful family in Atolon, Renata Viglianco, already came back. Sheʼs currently talking to the head minister in the palace of New Order." Stellan was stunned after hearing what the guard said. His jaw dropped and gazed at the guard.
The guard nodded, a sign that what he had said was true. Stellan immediately left the river. He took the horse with him and hurried to the New Order’s Palace.
"That's what I told you, sir. Revi is our dearest friend. Why are you not letting us in?" Dion was in great trouble as he talked to the ministry’s guard. Earlier, he said that Revi was their friend but he and his friends were still not allowed to enter the gate.
"I'm sorry, but no one can go inside — hey!" The guards were alerted when someone suddenly entered inside, but they stopped when they realized that the Royal Guards were approaching the gate. It was Prince Stellan who entered suddenly and because of him, Dion; Fritz; and Leones got a chance to enter the palace.
After they passed the gate, they caught their friend, Stellan, getting of the horse. They approached him. "Stellan, good you heard the news about her," Leones said.
The four looked around. Apart from the large palace in front of them, Mount Colossus and the palace of the royal family were also salient.
"That's good," the prince said and went inside.
When the four entered the palace, they saw Vida and Ender. The three young men ignored them while Fritz stared at them. Until to this day, they were still not getting along.
Within close range, they saw Revi with some of the ministers. She grew older, and became thinner than before. Her white-blonde hair was replaced by black. Her physical appearance was completely different.
When Stellan saw Revi, he immediately approached her. "Revi!"
Renata was silent and did not even look at her childhood friends. Then, she left them without uttering a single word. The prince was stunned by what Renata just did. Stellan gazed to his friends. He also realized that Ender and Vida were gone.
"What happened to her?" Stellan asked.
Fritz answered his question, "just let her, Stellan. She just got back here, she needs time."
Time had passed. It’s already night. Instead of falling asleep, the prince reminisced the moment earlier. What Revi did to him, even though it was normal, bothered him. He was restless, and he could not sleep. Until he decided to leave the room. He was about to go back inside his chamber but he walked out of the palace. He secretly took the horse and immediately went to the river.
Seeing who’s in the river took his breath away. It was Renata. She was quiet while looking at the river under the moon. Her hair danced with the wind and her hands hid in her pockets.
Stellan came a little closer. "Your hair changed, Renata . . ." He lowered his gaze and felt a little embarrassed. They haven't seen each other for a long time so Stellan was uncomfortable.
Revi just looked at him but she didn't speak. ". . . but youʼre still as beautiful as the moon . . . " Stellan sighed and the embarrassment inside him was gone. He was glad because Revi kept her promise. ". . . Welcome home."
Renata just stared at Stellan and walked beside him. "I came back . . . Not for you." Renata left the prince dumbfounded.
To be continued . . .