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!**Yearning for the Past** A month had passed since Abril last heard from Cassiel. A persistent sweat clung to her brow, a reminder of her longing to be with Alessandro. Yet, the visions that haunted her were not of joyful reunions but of scenes that could stretch on for years, even decades, before resolution came. This uncertainty gnawed at her. She sat in Alessandro's workshop, wondering when news from Cassiel would arrive. Just then, Lissana burst through the door, her irritation palpable. "What's wrong, Lissana?" Abril asked, rising from her seat to approach her daughter."I don't want to take any more dance classes. They're boring!" Lissana exclaimed, crossing her arms defiantly. "Why not?" Abril inquired, curiosity piqued. "The dances here are all rules and perfect coordination. You have to watch your posture and speak politely. It's horrible!" "It might be a bit difficult at first, but once you learn-" "I don't want to learn them! Dances are supposed to be fun! They should be free and expressive!" Lissana loved to dance; in the lower halls, dancing was an expression of pure joy, where everyone participated regardless of their status.But the rigidness of the court dances felt stifling to her. "Lissana, I know it's challenging, but you've grown up in a world where things are different. Now you're in the human realm, and you must learn to adapt." "I'm trying, but it's harder than I thought. Sometimes I feel like I don't belong here." "Don't say that, my dear. This is your home." "I know, but it doesn't feel that way." "You just need time to get to know the people here, to love this kingdom as your father and I do." "Do you know anything about Daddy?" "No, but I'm sure he'll return.Don't you want to visit him when he does?" "I don't feel ready yet." "He'll be here when you return. You can see him whenever you feel prepared." "Okay." Time passed swiftly, yet Lissana still felt out of place. She hesitated to voice her feelings, not wanting to burden her mother with her sadness. When Lissana turned fifteen, a grand banquet and ball were held in her honor. Everyone wore smiles and sweet words, hoping to win the favor of the princess heir. But Lissana merely greeted them with curt nods, sensing their insincerity.Once she was alone with Abril, she sighed, "More than a ball, this feels like a battlefield where everyone is waiting for me to let my guard down so they can pounce, like a pack of hungry wolves." "Lissana..." Abril began, but her daughter interrupted. "What? It's the truth, and you know it." "You need to be careful with your thoughts. You can't say everything you think." "I know, but it's not easy for me." As the dance was announced, Abril should have opened it, but she had left Lissana alone with Uzziel. Lissana had no desire to dance with any man who wasn't her betrothed.Besides, there were rumors swirling about the king's death-something Abril had tried to keep hidden, fearing it would bring back painful memories. As Lissana stepped onto the dance floor, Maya and Cassian approached Abril, taking their seats beside the throne. "How is everything?" Maya asked. Abril let out a long sigh. "I suppose it's better than I expected." "Lissana will have her first dance; we should go." When the music stopped, Lissana and Uzziel began to dance. "What's wrong?" Uzziel asked as they twirled. "Doesn't it bother you to dance like this?" "Not really.I prefer these dances; they're more enjoyable. This is our home, and we must learn to accommodate each other." Uzziel was smaller than Lissana, yet he seemed determined to make this place his home, something she hadn't fully accepted yet. When the song ended, Uzziel smiled and said, "Happy birthday, Lissana." "Thank you," she replied, a smile breaking through her earlier gloom. "Do you want to keep dancing?" "No, you know I don't like these dances. Besides, there are many noble ladies who would love to dance with you." Uzziel was charming, and she could sense the attention he drew.But she wasn't interested in that kind of attention, so she brushed it off. "Honestly, I'd rather go eat sweets before my mother finds me." Uzziel left, and Lissana returned to her mother, who congratulated her on the dance. Many young nobles approached her afterward, asking for a dance, but she turned them all down. When the opportunity slipped away, she slipped out of the ballroom. She wandered into the garden, where she had once stood at the entrance to the fairy realm. She gazed at the tree, wishing she could return to that dreamlike place where she had grown up and lived for so long.noveldramaLissana wondered if anyone would ever call her back to that kingdom, to her true home, if she would ever have the chance to visit the land of the fairies and Tarik again. Initially, they had kept in touch, but a few months after the war, the portal had closed completely, severing all communication. Only memories of what they had shared remained, along with the promise that he had made-to wait for her, no matter how long it took. That night, Lissana returned to the ballroom, lingering in the garden until the music faded away.When she returned to her room, she found Abril waiting for her, expecting to see her daughter glowing from the festivities. Instead, she wrapped Lissana in a gentle hug and spoke softly, "I feel like my little girl is growing up." "Why are you apologizing, Mom?" Lissana asked, confused. "I shouldn't have organized this dance if you hate them." "It's not that I hate them... I just can't get used to them. The rules feel like they rob me of my freedom." "There are many rules, Lissana. We can decide to change some and create new ones.I would love for you to help me with this, if you want." "Are you serious?" Lissana's eyes widened. "I'm sure if your father were here, he would say the same thing. He changed everything to prepare you for being a princess, and he would do it as many times as necessary to make this kingdom a place we can truly call home." Lissana hugged her mother tightly, emotion swelling in her chest. "Thank you, Mama."