Chapter 276

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Barto sat next to Maya, who leaned her head on her brother’s shoulder. “I’ll be fine,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. “I hope you give me a chance to recover. I’ll be as good as new.” The soft strands of her hair brushed against his cheek, a refreshing sensation that made him feel a bit better. He silently thanked her for the comfort she provided. As he gazed at the blue sky, the clouds danced in the wind, and he reminded himself that he was merely a whisper in the grand scheme of things. Yet, thanks to Maya, Barto felt heard. “I’ll be ready with you, my love,” he promised.
Hearing Maya express her affection made Barto think of his own beloved, whom he hadn’t seen or heard from in far too long. He wondered if she still loved him, if she was waiting for him. Meanwhile, Kiara rose early in the morning, calling for one of the servants to prepare a horse. She also requested an audience with Abril, though she hesitated to ask for something unplanned. But Abril wasn’t available yet, so Kiara waited, leaning against the counter with a sense of impatience. When Abril finally appeared in the garden, she was playing with the princess. Kiara approached her, eager to speak.
“Good morning, Abril,” she greeted. “Good morning, Kiara. What brings you here so early?” Abril replied, her tone warm. “I have some matters to attend to in the human world. It might take me a while, but if you need my help, don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll return afterward,” Kiara said, her voice steady. She handed Abril a small book. “Write what you need in this. Whatever words you inscribe will be spoken through me when I use it to contact you.” “Thank you, Kiara,” Abril said, her eyes softening.
“If my mother sends someone to watch over me, please don’t tell them I’ve left.” “I won’t care if they laugh at my back,” Kiara replied with a smile. “I just hope everything goes well for you.” Abril looked at her little one, wishing with all her heart that everyone would be safe and that she could see her child grow. “Me too,” she whispered. Kiara waved goodbye and headed toward the exit, her heart heavy with the weight of her thoughts. She felt lost, as if she had misplaced something important.
Wandering through the corridors, she searched for the main door, feeling increasingly disoriented. “Where is the main gate?” she asked a passing servant. “It’s on the other side of the east palace,” the servant replied. “What?!” Kiara exclaimed, frustration creeping into her voice. She had taken the wrong path, and every corridor felt like a maze. “Please, I need help.” “Of course,” the servant said, leading her. Kiara often found herself lost, but this was the first time she felt truly disoriented in a building. She sighed deeply, grateful for the assistance.
As they walked, Barto had paused in his tracks, his gaze fixed on a beautiful blonde girl nearby. Maya, noticing his distraction, opened her eyes wide. “What’s wrong?” she asked, trying to understand the sudden change in her brother. “Kiara,” he breathed, recognizing her instantly. “Is that the girl?” Maya asked, her curiosity piqued. Barto hesitated, remembering how he had kept his feelings for Kiara a secret. He had respected that privacy until now, but Maya had always been perceptive. “Yes,” he finally admitted.
Kiara, meanwhile, felt a pang of betrayal as she spotted Barto with another girl in his arms. The sight twisted her heart, making her feel foolish for believing in their love. She tightened her grip on the book, wishing to be with her mother instead of feeling abandoned. “Barto!” she shouted, her voice laced with hurt. “Kiara!” he called back, desperation in his tone. “What?!” she snapped, her emotions boiling over. “She’s my sister,” Barto explained, gesturing toward the girl in his arms. Kiara looked down, taking in the young woman’s dark hair and striking red eyes.
The resemblance was undeniable, yet doubts lingered in her mind. Maya watched the scene unfold, recalling how Barto had never mentioned his sister before. “You should take her to rest,” she suggested, sensing the tension. “We can discuss this later.” Barto nodded, feeling the weight of the situation. “I must take my sister to rest. We’ll continue this conversation afterward,” he said, moving past Kiara, who felt a mix of confusion and disappointment. As he walked away, Barto couldn’t shake the feeling that everything had changed in an instant.