Chapter 46: What Could've Been

Waranthal: Home to the Empress, as well as her younger sister, Alecia. In thier childhood, the city was always in thier view every morning. In their young minds they marveled at its beauty and size. Under thier mother's stricked rules, they would stay in the palace with no choice but to imagine how it would be to visit the city.

Alecia stands at the edge of the balcony with her hand placed on the wall before her. The heat from the sun is a soothing sensation, even the outfit she's wearing is warned up from the time of her standing here.

Being outside is a refreshing feeling. Whenever she's around her sister, there's a negative atmosphere.

Letting out a sigh before moving her hand off the wall. She can't understand why she feels this way when she's around Ruth. She shouldn't feel this way, should she?

Looking up at the clouded sky, she watches the endless number of ships fly over. She realizes after a moment that she hasn't prayed in days. She lets out a sigh before looking ahead.

She has gone through a lot since she left the temple; most of the time it has been negative. Her lips twist into a smile when thinking about the time she had with Aven. Now that she thinks about it, it hasn't been all negative.

Placing her hand over her chest, she closes her eyes, still with a smile. Despite her hazy memory of last night, she can't quite point it out, she feels as if something amazing happened to last night, but sinister at the same time.

Just then, she has flashes of images; images of Raine standing over her, before having another image of Raine looking up at her from the floor with a terrified look on her face. The third is memory of herself being in Aven's arms with his gaze fixed into hers with a gentle smile.

The last memory urges her to wake before opening her eyes. Thinking about this last memory causes a warm feeling in her chest.

Footsteps are heading from behind Alecia, urging her to turn her head.

"Enjoying the view?" Aven's voice is heard.

Turning around, she looks at him with a gentle smile.

"I am," she said, moving strands of hair around her ear.

"It feels like earth was all a dream. Like I've awakened from a coma."

A smile etched on his face.

"I understand that," his gaze shifted to the city behind her.

She stares at him for a moment before averting her eyes.

"I thought you went with Ruth to the meeting?" She said, looking at him once more.

"No." Aven steps around before leaning his arms on the wall, his gaze fixed on the city.

"I don't like those meetings. It gets very boring in there."

Alecia beside him with her eyes fixed on his face.

"I can't imagine," she said lowering her gaze before looking up him.

"So you decided to spend some time with me."

Nodding slowly with a slight smile, he turns his gaze to her.

"You can say that," he said, looking at the city once more.

"Another reason is that I have to look after Lumina while her mother is gone."

Alecia raises her eyebrows slightly.

"Where is Lumina now?" She asked.

Looking at her, he turns his attention ahead once more.

"She's getting changed at the moment," he said.

"I'm taking her out for the day."

Scoffing, Alecia looks ahead at the city before shaking her head, earning a look from Aven.

"What?" He simply said.

She lets out a chuckle before closing her eyes.

"When I was that age, my mother didn't even bother taking us out."

"I remember Ruth telling me that," Aven stated.

With that, Alecia let out a chuckle.

"Never thought an empress and her guard to be social with each other."

Aven frowns at her.

"Do you find a problem with that?"

Alecia shakes her head, still with a smile.

"What have you done to be so close to her?" She looks at him with a tilt of her head.

"Well..." He said, looking ahead, his eyes locks onto a large passenger ship flying past.

"I've helped her a lot over the years. I was there when she needed me. Even went to Epra for her, just to have a ring made."

"Why go all that way?" Alecia asked with an eyebrow raised.

"There are people here who can make beautiful rings."

"You've got a point. Though, Epra has a rare metal that we don't have here."

"Oh, that explains it," she said, looking ahead at the city.

"I'm sure she was grateful for that."

Aven smiles gently.

"She was," he said, clearing his throat.

"It was the first time I ever seen her so happy."

Alecia turns to him before leaning her arm on the wall with a tilt of her head.

"You really do care about her, don't you?"

"I am tasked to be her body guard," he answered, looking at her.

"So it stands to reason that I care about her safety."

Letting out a slight chuckle, Alecia straightens herself from the wall, before hopping onto it with her legs dangling.

"Well as her sister, I am thankful," she said, leaning back.

With his smile fading, he lets out a sigh.

"Would you get off from there."

"Why? I won't fall to my death if I slipped off," she said in a cheerful tone.

"Just get off, please,"

With a huff she reaches her hand to him.

"Fine," she simply said, before Aven grabs her hand and moves her off the wall only for her to around her arms around him, urging her to chuckle,.

"So, you care about me as well I see."

Widening his eyes, he stands still for a moment before moving her off himself.

"Apart from that," he said, lowering his hands from her arms.

"We don't want people to see you flying." Clearing his throat, he turns his gaze back to the city.

Looking at him now, at his flushed face. She could almost laugh when seeing it. Her lips twist into a smile; deep down, she knows that he truly cares for her just as she cares for him.

"I suppose you have a point there," she said, averting her eyes. Just then, she spots movement near the doors. Focusing her attention, she sees Lumina approaching.

"Oh, Lumina," Alecia said with a growing smile, urging Aven to look over his shoulder before turning to face the young girl.

"Aunt, Alecia. How are you feeling?" Lumina asked, standing in front of them both.

"I heard what happened at that prison place."

Smiling, Alecia lets out a small chuckle.

"Yes, I'm fine, Lumina."

"Lumina. Are you ready?" Aven asked.

"Of course I am," Lumina answered, fiddling with the sleeves of her green silk hood.

"I've been looking forward to this." She smiles at him, urging Alecia to smile at her joy.

"So, do you want to come with us?" Aven said, turning to Alecia.

Blinking, Alecia smiles gently.

"You don't mind?"

"Not in the slightest," Aven said, placing his hands within the pockets of his coat.

"That was why I came to meet you."

Her smile grows wider.

"Then I'd love to come with you." She takes a slight step to him with her hands joined.

Nodding with a slight smile, Aven looks at Lumina, before looking at Alecia once more.

"Then let's go." He turns and walks towards the doors with Alecia and Lumina following him.

—

Within the large city of Waranthal. Highways of ships fly in rows, each one crossing over and underneath.

Among them, is Aven's one. Alecia is seated next to him with Lumina in the back with the hood over her head.

Leaning her chin on her hand, her eyes would lock on the passing buildings, catching the glimpses of silhouettes of people residing in them.

Alecia looks over her shoulder at her, urging Lumina to look her way.

"Are you sure you're alright in the back?

"I'm sure," Lumina replied with a nod.

"It's more comfortable over here." She chuckles slightly before looking at the window once more.

Alecia smiles before looking ahead once more.

"So..." She said, looking at Aven with a gentle smile.

"Where are you taking us?"

Aven looks at her for a brief moment before glancing ahead.

"I thought it would be nice to go to some place nice for lunch."

"Oh, wow. I am pretty starving." Lumina said with an excited tone

"I'm with Lumina on that," Alecia said with a chuckle.

"That's good," Aven said, keeping his gaze ahead.

Alecia turns her gaze to the large building in tbe distance. The windows themselves, glint from the sun's light.

It has been so long since Alecia has been here. She only wishes that her mother did this for her when she was younger. It would have been amazing for herself and her sister to be out.

Sadly, it was never that way; she'll never know what it's like to have a true family. Not that it was terrible, she knew that it could have been much better than what she had experienced. Now those days are gone, she can never get them back.