Running Away From Downfall

Chapter 44

Third person's POV

"She'll be okay on her own, right?" Cassandra asked Zavie while walking towards the gazebo.

"She will be okay."

Cassandra sighed. "Little by little," she whispered herself. "It's okay. She'll be okay."

"Calm down, hm? Maybe a time with nature can help her."

Little by little, they saw their parents waiting for them.

"How is she?" King Lucas asked worriedly.

"She didn't want to show herself. She even cried a bit."

"She should've stayed home, Lucas," Savannah said to her husband.

"Maybe a time with nature can help her, mom, dad," Zavie repeated what he said to his wife earlier.

In a little while, Luke and Gio arrived at the gazebo. They fixed their formation as the palace steward notified that the family they are meeting have arrived. It took a few minutes until they can spot them from where they are standing. They fixed their postures and smiled as they meet them at the entrance of the gazebo. Then a family entered, a man, a woman, and 2 boys aging around 11 and 8.

King Lucas shook hands with the man and led his family to greet them as well. Then, the introductions started with Queen Savannah, followed by Cassandra, Luke, and Gio.

"This is my daughter, Crown Princess Denise of Chaiovia," King Lucas proudly introduced. "My second born, Prince Sky of Chaiovia. And my grandson, Prince Aris of Chaiovia."

"It is an honor to meet you all." 

Cassandra gripped the visitors' hand for a handshake. "The pleasure is all mine." Followed by Luke, the Gio.

"We've heard of a young princess," the man's wife carefully trailed.

"My daughter has just gone through a lot recently. But she is wandering in this same garden. We might be lucky enough to see her," Cassandra explained with a smile.

"We understand."

The people conversed for a bit by the gazebo until the palace steward announced, "Refreshments are served, your highnesses."

"Where is that boy?" A faint whisper from the older boy was inaudible to the others.

One by one, they sat on a long table. With elegance and perfect etiquette, they picked up their cups and sipped. They started discussing. It didn't take that long before  Gio and the 2 boys, from the other family, excused themselves from the adult table.

"King Lucas," he called his grandfather.

"Yes, Aris."

"Should I tour them around the garden?"

Lucas smiled at him. "Of course."

The two boys stood beside Gio and they bowed their heads. "May we please be excused?"

"Can you try catching a glimpse of Lea while touring, Aris?" Cassandra asked.

"Of course."

When they were able to leave the table, they started touring around the garden. Gio led them to the nature park, opposite from the garden where Eli was. They sat by a mini wood bridge and beneath that is a stream of clean water.

"Giovaris. They call me Aris." Gio held out his hand for a handshake.

The older boy clasped Gio's hand and shook it after introducing himself, followed by the younger one who was the same age as Gio. Out of nowhere, the younger boy picked up a flat rock beside the bridge then he threw the stone in the water making it skip 5 times.

Gio smiled and did what he did. And in no time, they were competing on whose rock can skip farther. The older boy shook his head and stood up. The two boys looked at him.

"I'll go look for my other brother."

Gio and the boy nodded. They watched him leave before they went back to making the rocks skip.

Eli's POV

"You look like an angel who has fallen from the sky."

I opened my eyes when I heard a boy's voice. I looked ahead and saw a boy a little taller than me pluck a purple tulip then he walked towards me. The first thing that caught me was his sky blue eyes. From his eyes, my gaze dropped to what he was wearing. He was wearing a white dress shirt inside of his gray coat, a gray trousers, and white shoes.

"Hi," he greeted then he offered me the purple tulip.

I was out of words. I couldn't speak, instead I just stared at his face. He smiled then came closer to me. He held my right wrist and placed the flower in my hands. Then, he pulled my wrist more to smell the tulip which he placed in my hand. He was staring at me the whole time.

After sniffing the tulip, he slowly placed my hand down. I got startled a bit when he held my arm and caressed it, like he knows that there are scars hidden beneath the white fabric. From my arm, his hand went up to my cheeks.

"I can see your sadness. Whatever is bothering you, I'll pray that you'll find peace. Cheer up, my love," he whispered with gentleness in his voice.

I watched him as he placed his hand in his pocket. He left my gaze and stood behind me. A cold metal touched my neck that surprised me. I quickly looked down and saw a gold necklace with a big heart pendant.

"I had the feeling I'll meet my someone today so I brought this necklace with me." He held my shoulder and he made me face him. He then pulled me into a hug. "I'll meet you again in the future, mi amore. In God's perfect time."

And with that, he turned back and walked away.

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We have finally arrived at the last chapter of "Running Away from Downfall." It was nice writing with you!

I hope you enjoyed reading my book, as I enjoyed writing it. I'll be posting the Epilogue soon!

-WaterHarmony💙