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He was always mine in my dreams. It felt absurd to even imagine it as a reality now.

"Thank you for the wonderful month, Ayera, I had a lot of fun. But I believe it is time for me to leave." This time, her smile was sad.

"Are you sure you need to go?" I asked.

Amelie was a photographer who traveled around the world for her work. She didn't stay in one place for longer than a couple of months. I knew it would end soon but I didn't know it would be this soon. I would miss her. And even though I didn't like to be referred to by my pseudonym Ayera, it was liberating to be around someone who didn't know about my past. She had seen my scars and accepted them without any questions. I almost felt like a normal person. And being around Amelie made me feel grounded - closer to the old Alya.

"Yes. I was thinking about it for the last couple of days. It is time to move on. I've explored all that Poziarne has to offer. I think I need to go to a new place for some fresh ideas," she replied. I was a bit bummed but I nodded understandingly. We had a good run while it lasted but it was over now.

"I leave in two days. Come to bed once you're done." She pressed a kiss on my lips before she left.

I looked at Jay and took a deep breath. One day, I promised myself and him- one day, I would see you again.

The morning I dropped Amelie off at the airport, I gave her a hug, a chaste kiss, and bid her goodbye. She was a beautiful person with a heart deeper than the ocean and a soul that was older than time itself. While saying goodbye wasn't heartbreaking; it was a relationship worth having.

Sullivan, my bodyguard, walked over to me. I looked at him. He was wearing his usual plain black business suit, black shades, and an ear-piece. It matched his stoic and grumpy personality. I decided to annoy him a bit. It was always a lot of fun.

"Sillivan! There's my favorite stalker!" I beamed. Somehow, he turned grumpier without even moving a single facial muscle.

"I will inform Gillian about my promotion." He stood beside me and looked around before meeting my eye. "He will be quite displeased." Again, he didn't move a single facial muscle but he seemed slightly amused at the thought of annoying his younger brother.

"He'll live." I might have to treat him to some ice cream though. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your presence?" He usually stayed in his black SUV, followed me around, and stayed invisible. Coming around for a chat or to hang out while doing the job was more Gillian's style.

"You haven't been home for a few months. Prince Andrei has requested your presence."

I wanted to correct him and say that I haven't been home for a few years. Home was a feeling I hadn't felt in a long time. "Do I have a choice?" It didn't feel like I did.

"I'm afraid not, Princess," he replied.

"Lead the way."

Sullivan wasn't kidding when he said that I didn't have a choice. A jet was on standby, waiting for me. How Andrei anticipated Amelie's abrupt departure was beyond me.

I tried to sleep through the flight but it eluded me. The first rays of the sun always woke me up, and falling asleep once the sun was up had always been one of the few things where I didn't shine. Humor clearly wasn't one of those few things.

---

Imporia, Soare-Luna Kingdom

I stood in front of the gates of the great palace of Imporia and looked at the intricate designs made on the walls of the palace with ruby and gold. Some people said that this palace used to be the home of the Gods while some say that the palace was created when a drop of Nikolai and Avalyn's blood fell on the ground. I didn't know what the truth was but one thing was sure, the people of this country loved, respected, and worshiped their King and Queen.