𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏- 𝐄𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐇

CHAPTER 25

Maricar was standing on the balcony when the door opened.

"Can't sleep?" Rainier asked as he joined her.

From their vantage point, they could see the sparkling city below. "Yes. You too?" she replied.

"Yeah. I miss home."

They both sighed, feeling the weight of nostalgia for their homeland.

"Do you think Allie will come home with us?" Maricar asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Do you want me to be honest with you?" Rainier responded.

Maricar nodded, hoping for a straightforward answer.

"I don't think so. I see how happy she is while helping others. She isn’t scared at all. The way she handles things—it's something I can’t imagine myself doing. I think she belongs here, Maricar."

Maricar gazed into the distance. She too had noticed the significant change in her sister. Allie really was a princess, and it suited her very well—a strong and powerful princess. But she would miss her. Although they hadn’t grown up close, ever since the accident that brought them to this world, she had come to love her sister more. She regretted the wasted years she spent bullying her because now she wouldn’t be able to bring Allie home.

Their parents would be heartbroken if Allie didn't come back with them. Maricar knew how much they loved her sister, and she couldn’t imagine how their mother would react.

She glanced at the arm that gently wrapped around her shoulders and then turned to look at Rainier. "Everything will be alright," he said with a sad smile. Concern was also evident on his face.

"Will you still talk to me like this when we get back?" she couldn’t help but ask.

"Of course. I would love to get to know you better, Maricar. Not just because I want to repay you for your kindness and care. I genuinely want to know you more and get closer to you."

Maricar smiled at what she heard from him. "Me too, Rainier. Me too."

She leaned against him as they both gazed at the distant city. The city lights twinkled like stars playing in the dark of night, and despite everything, Maricar’s heart filled with hope. In that moment, even as she worried for Allie, she felt a connection with Rainier that gave her strength to face the challenges ahead.

"I guess we’ll just have to make the most of our time here," Rainier said, breaking the silence.

"Yes, we should," Maricar replied, looking up at him. "And I want to be here for Allie. I want to support her in whatever she decides."

"That’s the spirit," he encouraged, his smile warm and reassuring. "And I’ll be here for you too, whatever happens."

With that, the two shared a moment of comfortable silence, the sounds of the city below mingling with the gentle breeze. In that stillness, they both realized that whatever the future held, they would face it together.

Why are there no stars in the sky? Not even the moon is peeking out. No one knows why.

---

"LLOYD?!" Tam exclaimed in surprise when she saw the man enter their room.

"Tam, I’m sorry. Were you worried about me?"

Tam immediately hugged him. "Where have you been? I thought something happened to you."

"Sorry. I found my family, so I just disappeared for a while. Sir Sandrei still let me in because he knows me. How are you? How are you all?"

Tam released him from the hug. "Rainier is outside. The couple Rollieh and Jhosie are in the next room. Zen, Kim, and Maricar are in the other room."