# Chapter 25: A Hug in the Midst of War
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? Today, I will continue to walk with you and review Chapter 25 of *"Forgotten Wife: Let the Traitors Kneel Down"* — a chapter where a princess carries a heavy heart, a king hides his fears behind duties, and a simple hug becomes the strongest shield of all.
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April had grown up without a mother. For years, she had known only the cold emptiness of that absence. She had only truly met her mother a few months ago, and now the looming shadow of war threatened to tear them apart once more. She could not bear the thought of losing her again.
Standing before Sirius, she unclenched her hands and revealed the truth buried in her heart.
"I know it's selfish of me to want her to stay with me, but I don't want to lose her," she confessed, her voice trembling with quiet desperation.
Sirius looked at her with understanding, yet kept his tone gentle. "You should talk to her and ask her what she wants, don't you think?"
April shook her head slowly. "She just wants me to be happy. But as long as my father is alive, that will never happen."
She lowered her gaze to her palms, as if searching for an answer in the lines of her own hands. "I know I must break all the seals that stop my magic... because with it, I can help defeat my father. But the price to do so is very high."
Sirius nodded, recognizing the weight of her words. "They say there is no victory without sacrifice. In wars, we all lose something valuable. That is why victories are so difficult to obtain."
"I know," April whispered. "But what's the point of winning if you lose everything? I want victory... but not at the price of losing everyone I love."
Sirius thought her words were innocent—perhaps too innocent for the brutal world they lived in. Yet he wished with all his heart that such a world could exist, that the coming war would not strip away everyone he held dear.
Then April looked at him with pleading eyes. "Sirius, that is why I want your help. Help me not to lose my mother."
He met her gaze earnestly. "I will do everything in my power to help her... although I cannot promise anything."
"Thank you."
"I must go. His Majesty is waiting for me," Sirius said, already turning toward the door.
But before he left, April added quickly, "I hope you keep our conversation a secret. Alessandro has too many burdens at the moment. I don't want to give him more to carry right now."
Sirius paused, then gave her a reassuring nod. "Do not worry. I will keep our conversation a secret."
"Thank you very much."
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When Sirius finally arrived at Alessandro's office, the king's gaze was sharp.
"You are late."
Sirius exhaled tiredly. "I am also a busy person. Since you ordered me to reinforce all the barriers, the work in the tower has multiplied."
"And how are the barriers?"
"Not so well," Sirius admitted, running a hand through his hair. "Someone has been destroying them. My wizards are exhausted, and they spend their time complaining."
Alessandro's jaw tightened. "Try to focus on protecting the towns and villages that are near the barriers."
"I have already done that. Is that why you called me here?"
"No... actually, I wanted to ask you a favor."
Sirius blinked, genuinely caught off guard. It was rare for the mighty king to ask, rather than command. "What is it about?"
"I need a magical protection object for April. Something that can protect her while I am away."
Sirius frowned deeply. "What you are asking is almost impossible. Her power can nullify my magic."
"April cannot control her power," Alessandro said, his voice carrying a heavy urgency. "She cannot use her power to protect herself. That is why I am asking you this favor. I know it is not simple, but I also know that for you, it is not impossible."
Sirius sighed heavily, pushed back his hair, and muttered, "Why is everyone asking me for such difficult things today?"
Alessandro leaned forward, his voice dropping. "I could order you if you refuse, but I don't want to do that. I'm asking you as a friend, Sirius. Please lend me your help."
Sirius knew the trap immediately. If Alessandro had ordered him, he could have refused. But a request from a friend? That was impossible to deny.
"You are very clever. You have made sure I cannot refuse." He shook his head. "I will do what I can. But I do not assure you that it will work."
Alessandro smiled faintly. "I know it will. After all, you are the owner of the Wizard Tower."
Then the king added another request. "I also want you to help April control her magic. Although several of the seals that limit her power have been broken, she still cannot use it freely."
Sirius considered the request thoughtfully. "I cannot come to the palace every day. I cannot neglect the Wizard Tower. But she could come with me. The Wizard Tower is the safest place in the kingdom. Besides... I think it would be good for her to get out of the palace. I heard the elf army has already arrived."
Alessandro's heart twisted. He hated the idea of being separated from April. But he also knew how much she hated confinement. Right now, she was locked in her room to prevent the elves—who had come to help them—from confusing April with her mother, since the two looked identical.
"I hate the idea of separating from my wife," Alessandro admitted, his voice raw. "But I am aware this is best for her at the moment. I will leave her in your care... for a while."
"For a while," Sirius echoed with a knowing smile. "I will take good care of her, Your Majesty."
"I think it will be best for her to leave with me immediately," Sirius suggested.
"No. I still have to tell her. Come back tomorrow."
"Okay. I will return tomorrow. With your permission, I will leave, Your Majesty."
Shortly after Sirius left, Gabriel knocked on the door.
"Your Majesty, may I come in?"
"Come in."
When Gabriel entered, Alessandro put down the documents he was holding. "What is it, Gabriel?"
"Duke Alfonso Vampel has requested an audience with Your Majesty."
Alessandro’s expression instantly soured. "Tell him I'm busy."
"I already did, but he keeps insisting. He wants to speak with Your Majesty."
Alessandro hated meeting Duke Vampel. He was an old fox—every time he requested an audience, it meant he wanted something. And usually, Alessandro couldn't refuse, because the Duke controlled most of the nobles.
He sighed heavily. "Fine. Tell him I'll see him."
After Gabriel left, Alessandro cursed under his breath. He just wanted to finish his work as quickly as possible, so he could return to April. And now this? "Damn. Why did he have to come precisely today?"
He waited for the Duke, but instead of the old fox, he heard a sweet, familiar voice at the door.
"Can I come in?"
His heart skipped. April.
He moved quickly to the door, opened it, and saw her standing there. His expression mixed with surprise and worry. "What are you doing here?"
That day, April had been a little sad. She didn't want to be alone. She longed for a hug, that's why she had come to see Alessandro, even though he had forbidden her to leave her room.
But when she saw that she wasn't well received, her heart shrank. She turned around quickly.
"I just wanted to see you... but I guess I'm just a nuisance. I'll go back to my room."
She had barely taken a step when Alessandro caught her hand and gently pulled her into the office. He closed the door softly, then turned to her.
"You're never a nuisance."
Hope flickered in her eyes. "Really?"
"Of course. But tell me... has something happened?"
Instead of answering, April wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face against his chest. The heat of her tears soaked through his shirt. Her voice came out muffled and fragile.
"Nothing's wrong... I just need a hug."
Alessandro's arms tightened around her. For a long, quiet minute, neither of them spoke. The world outside was falling apart—wars, politics, magic, and enemies closing in from every side. But in that moment, there was only the steady beat of his heart beneath her ear, and the sure warmth of his embrace.
Then Alessandro gently separated her, forcing her to look into his eyes.
"You can't fool me. I know something's wrong. What is it?"
April's lips trembled. But then she gave him a small, fragile smile.
"It's really nothing. I just wanted a hug... I just wanted to remember that I'm not alone anymore."
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Dear readers, this chapter is one that hits straight in the heart. It's not about battles or grand magic—it's about the quiet fears we carry, the desperate need to hold onto the people we love, and the simple comfort of being held when the world feels too heavy. April's pain is so real, and Alessandro's tenderness reminds us that even the strongest kings need someone to protect—and someone to come home to.
I loved the way this chapter balanced political tension with pure emotional vulnerability. The conversations with Sirius add layers to April's growth, while the final hug scene is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.8 / 5 Stars
**Next Chapter Prediction:** The Duke Vampel will likely make a dangerous political move when he meets Alessandro, possibly using April's presence or her mother as leverage. Meanwhile, April's journey to the Wizard Tower is coming, and she may finally begin to unlock the full potential of her powers—but the cost of that power could trigger a dangerous confrontation with her father sooner than anyone expects.
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