# Chapter 208: My First and Only Friend
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? Today, I will continue to walk with you and review Chapter 208 of *Forgotten Wife: Let the Traitors Kneel Down*. This is a tender, bittersweet chapter—a quiet morning of farewells, unspoken fears, and a love so deep it aches. Let us step into Abril's heart as she prepares to leave everything she loves behind for a mission that could change everything.
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The soft gray light of early dawn crept through the curtains, painting the room in muted silver hues. Abril's eyes fluttered open, and for a long, precious moment, she simply lay there—her head resting upon Alessandro's chest, rising and falling with each steady breath he took. She listened to the rhythm of his heartbeat, that familiar, grounding sound, and wished with every fiber of her being that time would stop.
But time waits for no one, not even a queen with magic at her fingertips.
Her mind drifted to the world beyond these walls, to the shadows gathering on the horizon, to the one person who might be lost forever if she did not act. She knew she could not ignore her duty. She could not turn her back on the cries of a kingdom when she might be the only one who could save it. And yet, the thought of leaving—of being separated from her lover, from her precious daughter—made her chest feel tight with an ache she refused to name.
When Alessandro stirred, his hand instinctively found her hair, his fingers threading through the dark strands with sleepy tenderness. His voice, still rough with slumber, wrapped around her like a warm embrace.
"Good morning, my love."
Abril sat up, forcing a smile to her lips, hiding the storm of sorrow she kept locked deep in her heart. "Good morning."
Alessandro squinted at the window, where the sun had barely begun to peek over the horizon. "It's still early," he murmured, reaching for her hand. "You should sleep a little more."
But Abril shook her head, her voice gentle yet resolute. "I want to leave as soon as possible."
His lips pressed against her forehead, a soft, lingering kiss, and then his arms encircled her, pulling her close. "Please take care of yourself. Don't do anything reckless. Think of me. Think of Lissana." His voice dropped to a whisper. "Okay?"
She looked into his eyes, those eyes she loved more than anything in this world, and answered with quiet certainty. "They will always be in my thoughts. Always."
Rising, Abril moved to her closet, her fingers brushing past silks and satins until she found what she needed: a blue tunic, black pants, and sturdy matching boots. She dressed with a practiced efficiency, and Alessandro watched her from the bed, a curious smile tugging at his lips.
"And those clothes?" he asked.
"I want to be able to move easily if necessary," she explained, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Dresses are uncomfortable and impractical for what lies ahead."
"You're right about that," he agreed, his gaze soft with admiration.
She gathered her hair into a neat bun, small rebellious strands escaping to frame her face. Even dressed so simply, with no jewels or fine garments, she was breathtaking. Alessandro rose and pulled on the first thing he found in the closet, and after they washed their faces, they walked together to Lissana's room.
The door creaked open slowly, carefully, for Abril wanted nothing more than to let her daughter sleep. But the little one was already awake. The nanny paced the room, gently bouncing the baby, trying to lull her back to slumber. When she saw the king and queen enter, she bowed deeply.
"Good morning, your majesties."
Lissana's golden eyes caught sight of her mother, and instantly her tiny arms stretched out, reaching, grasping, desperate to be held. Abril gathered her daughter into her arms, cradling her close, and whispered to the nanny to wait outside.
Once alone, Abril turned to Alessandro, her voice thick with unshed tears. "Take good care of Lissana in my absence."
"I will," he promised, his hand brushing her shoulder. "I will take good care of our daughter."
Lissana stared up at her mother, those beautiful golden eyes locked onto Abril's face as if she somehow understood what was happening. Her tiny fingers clutched at her mother's clothes, clinging with surprising strength—as if she knew, as if she could feel that Mom was leaving.
Abril's heart shattered just a little. She cradled her daughter and pressed soft kisses to her cheeks. "My little one," she whispered, her voice trembling with love. "Mommy will be back soon."
But the little girl began to cry.
It wasn't a fussy cry or a hungry cry—it was a wail of pure, wordless protest, as if she were trying to say: *Don't go. Stay with me.* Each sob pierced Abril's soul like an arrow. She couldn't bear it. She simply couldn't bear to hear her daughter cry and know that she was the cause of her tears.
Closing her eyes, Abril summoned her magic, letting it flow through her fingertips like a soothing lullaby, wrapping Lissana in a gentle embrace of peace. The cries faded, the tiny body relaxed, and soon the little girl was fast asleep, her chest rising and falling with innocent, dreamless breaths.
Abril placed her daughter gently in the crib, her fingers lingering on Lissana's soft cheek for just a moment longer. Then she turned to Alessandro, her voice quiet but firm.
"I know you're always very busy, but... try to spend more time with Lissana."
He nodded, his hand finding hers. "Don't worry. I will. I'll take advantage of the fact that Cassian is here."
"We should go," Abril said, pulling the blanket up over her daughter with tender care. "Let her sleep."
"Yes."
They slipped out of the room, leaving the sleeping child behind, and made their way to Maya's room. Abril knocked softly, waiting for a sign of invitation. The door creaked open, and Maya appeared, her finger pressed to her lips, silently motioning for them to be quiet—Cassian was still asleep. She slipped out of the room and closed the door with the softest of clicks.
"I came to check on you," Abril said, studying her friend's face. "I'm glad to see you're okay."
Maya still felt far from well; her body ached, her energy was drained, and the shadows beneath her eyes told a truth her lips could not. She wanted to be honest, truly she did, but with Alessandro standing right there, she could not. So, even though it pained her, Maya lied. "Yes, I'm very well."
But Abril saw through the lie as easily as she saw through glass. The pallor of Maya's skin, the dark hollows beneath her eyes, the slight tremor in her hands—all of it spoke volumes. Without a word, Abril took Maya's hand, and beneath the guise of a friendly gesture, she channeled her magic into her friend, infusing her with vital energy and strength.
Maya gasped softly, a wave of warmth washing over her. She looked at Abril with heartfelt gratitude. "Thank you very much, Aby."
Abril squeezed her hand gently. "I came to say goodbye. I'll be away for a few days."
"Good luck on your trip," Maya said, her voice steadier now.
"Thank you very much. I'll need it."
At that moment, Alessandro spotted one of the maids passing by in the hallway. He excused himself, stepping aside to ask the maid to prepare a satchel of food for the journey. As soon as his back was turned, Abril seized the opportunity. She leaned in closer to Maya, lowering her voice.
"Yesterday, I remembered something. In the kingdom of Laios, there is a book that speaks of fairies. I always thought it was just fiction, but..." Her brow furrowed with hope. "Maybe it could be of some use to you. I will bring it back for you."
Maya's eyes glistened with unshed tears. She threw her arms around Abril, hugging her tightly. "Thank you very much, Aby."
"I promised to help you, and that is what I will do," Abril said firmly.
"I have no way to thank you for your help," Maya whispered, her voice breaking. "You always save me."
Abril pulled back just enough to look into Maya's eyes, her expression soft and sincere. "You are my first friend. I do this with pleasure, so don't ever think you owe me thanks. Because you don't."
Those words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. A friendship born of shared suffering, of mutual trust, of silent promises—a bond that neither distance nor time could sever.
When Alessandro returned, the two women shared one last knowing glance, and then Abril followed her love to the office. There, waiting for them, stood Sirius and Taren, their faces set with determination, their gear ready for the road. Abril smiled, genuinely touched by their loyalty.
"Thank you both very much for coming so quickly," she said warmly. "I'm counting on you for this trip."
They both nodded in unison, their devotion to their queen shining in their eyes.
Alessandro stepped forward, producing several leather pouches filled with gold coins. One for Sirius, one for Taren, and one, far larger and heavier, pressed into Abril's hands. She looked at it, then up at him, a rueful smile curving her lips.
"Don't you think this is too much? I'm only leaving for three days."
"I know," he said, his eyes soft and earnest. "But even if it's only three days, I hope you have enough. I hope you never need anything."
Before she could protest further, a knock interrupted them. Alessandro called the visitor in—the maid from the hallway, carrying a satchel in one hand and two brown cloaks draped over the other arm. She bowed and presented the items. Alessandro took one of the cloaks, a dark, practical garment, and moved behind Abril to help her put it on. His hands settled on her shoulders for a moment longer than necessary.
"I see you've thought of everything," Abril said, turning to face him. "Thank you very much."
"I wish you a good trip and a quick return," he murmured, his voice low and heavy with restraint.
She stepped into his arms, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that held a thousand unspoken promises—love, longing, hope, and a fierce determination to come home. When she finally pulled away, her eyes shimmered, but her smile was brave.
"See you soon, my love."
And with those words, she turned and walked away, her cloak billowing behind her, her heart heavy yet resolute, leaving behind the two people she loved most in the world, and stepping into the unknown to face whatever fate had in store.
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## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
Oh, what a beautifully bittersweet chapter! My heart ached for Abril as she tore herself away from her sleeping daughter, using magic to soothe Lissana's tears because she simply couldn't bear to hear her cry. That moment was so raw, so devastatingly human. And the quiet, stolen moment with Maya—the promise of a book about fairies, the declaration that Maya is her first friend—it warmed my soul. This chapter reminds us that even a queen has fears, but also that true love and friendship give us the courage to face them. It's a quiet chapter, but it's packed with emotional weight and subtle foreshadowing. Beautifully written, deeply moving.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4.8 / 5 Stars
## Next Chapter Prediction
Abril, Sirius, and Taren are now on the road to Laios, but danger surely lurks in the shadows. Will she find the mysterious book about fairies, and does it hold the true key to unlocking Maya's curse or condition? Meanwhile, back at the castle, Alessandro must juggle his duties as king and father while worrying about the woman he loves—and with Cassian by his side, perhaps unexpected alliances will form. But something tells me this "simple" trip to Laios will not go as planned. An ambush? A betrayal? Or a revelation about Abril's powers that could change everything? I cannot wait to see what happens next!
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