Lie

She happily ran to her mother, and mother and daughter embraced tenderly.

Then, after a chaste kiss on her father's cheek, she left.

In her room, decorated with blue and ivory, lying on her large four-poster bed, Avine looked absent-mindedly at the little glittering insects that flitted around her room every night to help her sleep, but this time, alas, they were unable to soothe her. Tears streamed down her adorable eyes, wetting her doll-like face and the huge pink and red heart pillow she held tightly in her arms. For the first time she had lied, and a huge lie at that, and worse, it was to her mother. The person she loved most in the world. But probably the most terrible thing was the certainty that she would not go back on her decision no matter what the cost.

The reason was simple.

She remembered the end of the discussion in front of her uncle's memorial painting.

- Uncle Dobert, why now? Why do you remember him especially today?

The great magician gave a short, bitter laugh.

- Why? the girl insisted gently.

- Because a few days ago I was in contact with a person who was also very close to me in the past and who had served with me this indomitable young man. And he reminded me of the good old days and also the fact that my sovereign was currently on the planet of one of his best friends - Venezia. You know Venezie, don't you? Who doesn't know it anyway! He added cynically. This planet that is famous for hosting the best and the worst of the galaxy. Well, my prince is visiting it right now. And I would never have known about it, that's for sure.

- Are you going to go see him?

Dobert took a while to answer, so torn did he seem.

- No," he finally decided. I'm not going to see him.

- But why?

- Are you asking me for real?

- Yes, I'm asking for real. Because you finally have the chance to see him again! shouted her niece with her arms raised. So what's the problem now! I don't understand, uncle!

He shook his head and answered, devastated.

- I guess you don't. Besides, it's a little too hard for me to explain, and even harder for you to understand.

Avine laughed loudly.

- Oh, is that so?

- Yes! You won't be able to understand. He repeated with an unbearable stubbornness.

- Well, you're taking the piss out of trying to hide what's really bothering you.

- What is it? Tell me what it is!

- Your cowardice!

- What is it? Dobert shouted back, looking at Avine with eyes burning with rage. How dare you talk to me like that, little girl!

- Yes, you are a coward, uncle! insisted the little girl despite the pain she was inflicting on him. What frightens you most is not going to see him, but simply seeing that you no longer matter to him.

- You shouldn't talk to me like that! And anyway, what would a little girl like you understand!

- I thought you loved him!

- I do! I love him!

They clashed intensely, shouting at each other for a while without even realizing it. And worst, they quarreled for the first time since they knew each other. Avine couldn't believe it.

- Nevertheless, I stand by my choice not to go to him.

- Uncle, you are such an idiot!

- No, I am not! He replied, hurt by the fierce words of his little darling, but especially by their truthfulness.

- But yes, you are! His little darling repeated in turn, hammering out each word. Look! I have only heard of him since today, she said, pointing to the young ruler. I don't know anything about him, and maybe I never will. On the contrary, that I know you since always. And I guess without difficulty all the affection that you carry to him. This person who has represented your whole life! If I were capable of such tenderness towards someone, I am sure that nothing would ever stop me from going to look for him, wherever he is. And I was sure it would be the same for you.

Listening to this long and passionate diatribe, her uncle could not help but be admiring and mocking despite his terrible sadness at his niece's loyalty and courage. He reached out and stroked her long purple hair.

- I thought I saw your mother. He probably would have loved and admired you, my dear! In a way, you remind me of him. Well, without the dark parts. And I know all about your audacity, and the strength that always leads you to your goal. The same strength that will inevitably lead you to face your destiny and the person you love the most.

The young magician felt her eyes fill with tears, and an unknown emotion was born in her.

- So what's stopping you from going to Venezia and visiting him? Tell me the truth!

Dobert made a revealing gesture. He was silent for a moment, his face devastated, before resolving to give the real reason.

- How can I explain this to you? You might as well admit it," he continued, sighing painfully. You're right, I'm afraid. A tormenting fear that has never left me since the moment he left. He has long since rejected everything that made up his old life. He has changed. Maybe I wouldn't even recognize him if I saw him again. And I probably don't mean much to him anymore, except for a bright, distant past that is inexorably fading away, slowly fading into the meanders of time.

This time Avine did not know what else to say. So they remained silent, standing next to each other, immersed in complex and tormented thoughts.

- Everything is the fault of this being. Everything. Whether it is the pain of her uncle, the worry of the loyal butler Brok or her lies to her mother. Even though he is a non-existent man from Kolod, he has already been able to break so many things that Avine never imagined. I hate him already.

Then Avine closed her eyes and let sleep take her into its deep waters.