Thank you for reading on ! We provide free access to all our stories, but maintaining this platform requires ongoing costs. To keep the site running and continue offering free content, we display advertisements. You can close the ads anytime, or upgrade to premium membership ($5/month) for an ad-free reading experience while supporting our mission. You can also earn premium for free by completing simple tasks. We truly appreciate your understanding and support!While pressing the skin, Lissana asked, "Is that why you chose Tarik as your best friend?" "Yes," Maya replied, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "I even thought about marrying him when we grow up." Lissana was sure there was something special about that. "What is marriage?" she inquired. "It's promising to be there for your best friend, to support each other at all times, to play and have fun forever," Maya explained. "Is that what it is?" Lissana asked, her curiosity piqued. Maya remembered how Tarik had once told her the same thing. "I want Tarik to always be my friend.That's why we promised to get married." Maya felt a wave of tenderness towards Lissana, even though she also wanted to give Fay a piece of her mind for teasing her about her feelings for Tarik. Yet, she recalled that Fay had once shared a deeper meaning about soul balance, and in the end, it seemed that the truth was simply incomplete. "Why does Papa dislike Tarik so much?" Lissana asked, her voice tinged with concern. "We love each other. Can't we just be friends?" "That's why your daddy is worried," Maya said gently."He fears that Tarik will take away all your attention and care." "So I can't be with Tarik?" Lissana's eyes closed as she pondered the implications. Maya caressed her head and reassured her. "No, just ignore what your father says. If someone tells you otherwise, ask them who they think they are. You'll be happy." "I love Dad, but I love you too," Lissana said, her voice softening. Maya pressed a kiss to Lissana's forehead. "We love you very much." "But I also want Tarik," Lissana insisted, her determination shining through.--- When Cira emerged from the cave deep within the mountain, Liona bowed before her and said, "Your Majesty, we have a problem." "What is it?" Cira replied, her patience wearing thin. Alessandro and Princess Abril stood nearby, their expressions grave. Cira felt a severe headache throbbing at her temples; she had little desire to continue listening to Liona's report. "Speak quickly," she urged. "They killed everyone in the surrounding area," Liona said, her voice trembling. "They purified the well." Cira's frustration flared. "I spent a lot of energy opening that well.Those monsters, shaped like horses but completely unnatural, climbed onto the hill and headed straight for the well. Now it's been purified, and I can no longer return to Adam. That wretched woman has ruined my plans." Cira mounted her horse, her mind racing. "Can we use the well again to connect to others in Hades?" she asked Liona. "No," Liona replied. "It's completely empty, and its surroundings are purified. I can't reach the key now, and without the monsters, it will be difficult to retrieve it. We need to find another way to get to the key. For now, we can do nothing here.We need a new plan." --- Alessandro was worried as he watched Abril, who had been resting for days. He had seen her sleeping for weeks, and the sight of her stillness filled him with dread. Late at night, when she finally stirred, he felt a rush of relief as she began to breathe again. He hugged her tightly. "Thank God you're awake," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I was so worried." "I'm fine," Abril replied, her voice soft. "How long have I been sleeping?" "One day," Alessandro said, his brow furrowing. "I thought you wouldn't wake up." "You need to rest," he urged.noveldrama"You must restore your magic. Without it, you cannot fight." "You're right," she conceded. "But I haven't eaten anything all day. I must be hungry." "I'll ask someone to bring you something light to eat," he promised. Just then, Kiara peeked through the door, her head tilted with concern. "Can I come in?" "Of course," Abril said, gesturing for her to enter. Kiara stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room. "The servants are awake and came to check on you." "I'm fine," Abril assured her, though she still felt tired and hungry."I just need to recover." "You're tired because your magic hasn't fully returned," Kiara explained. "You used a lot of it. Try to control your magic so it can heal. You don't need to release so much energy." "I know," Abril replied. "But this time, my enemy was stronger." "What do you mean?" Kiara asked, her curiosity piqued. "We encountered a creature that seemed unaffected by my light magic. These creatures are not easy to kill, and I need to control my magic better to fight them." "I see," Kiara said thoughtfully."That creature is from a world that has never been conquered by inferior beings like us." "What do you know about demons?" Abril pressed. "My mother doesn't talk much about Hades, so I don't know much," Kiara admitted. "I had to ask her when she was with the elves." "I didn't know that the monsters could speak," Abril said, intrigued. "Not all of them," Kiara replied. "I only encountered monsters who could. They had human forms, but their intentions were clear." "I'm sorry I don't know more," Kiara added."It was something unique to my own history, so I never showed interest in learning about Hades."