Alie’s face lit up when she saw Carlos’ na flash across the screen. Without a mont’s hesitation, she answered.
"Carlos?" she said, her eyes brightening as though she could already see him.
"Hey, Mimi," Carlos greeted, his tone carrying a softness reserved only for her. He leaned back in the wooden chair near the window of his room, as the moonlight casting faint shadows across his face. "How are you doing?"
"I’m fine. You?"
"I’m doing alright," he replied. A small pause lingered before he added quickly, "Grandma’s doing fine too, before you ask." His fingers drumd absently against the armrest, a restless rhythm betraying the calm in his voice.
Alie smiled knowingly. "Why did you call? Don’t tell you’re already missing us." Her words were teasing, but her heart secretly hoped it was true.
"I do miss you all," Carlos admitted after a short silence. His voice dropped, carrying the weight of sothing unsaid. "And... it’s happening again. They want to lead." He let out a humorless laugh. "But I have no intention of teaching anyone anything. Sotis I just wish I’d been born into a normal family."
The smile slowly faded from Alie’s face. A worry clouded her eyes as she listened. She could feel he was frustrated and exhausted by all of this.
"Mimi," he murmured, "you know how my parents died... because of all this witchcraft and magic. I can’t stand being tied to it. The farther I am from it, the more at peace I feel." His words laced with a complaint he could no longer hold back.
"Yet, you sohow got tied to it," Alie said softly.
"Yes," Carlos admitted. "The visions started first, which I never wanted or asked for. They said it was a blessing from heaven, but to it feels more like a chain. After that, I was expected to learn, to study, to wield what was given." His fingers clenched around the armrest. "But all of this... suffocates . Makes feel as though I can’t breathe." He hesitated, then asked with sudden uncertainty, "I’m not boring you, am I? With all these unnecessary talks?"
"No, you aren’t," Alie said quickly. "I’m glad you called, Carlos. You can speak as much as you need. I’ll listen."
On the other end, she heard him release a heavy sigh, long and weary. "I want to run away, Mimi. If it weren’t for Grandmother... if it weren’t for her frail health, I would have gone long ago. She’s the only reason I’m still here. But one day, I’ll find a place far from this, a place where I can live in peace." His voice broke into a murmur, as though the words themselves were too fragile to bear.
Alie’s heart ached for him. She recalled the mont his grandmother had quietly confessed that her ti was running short.
’Carlos, your grandmother doesn’t want you bound to this life any more than you do.’
Instead, she spoke gently. "You’re always welco here, Carlos. Whenever you want, for however long you need. I understand what it ans to long for a simple mont of peace."
"Thank you, Mimi," he whispered, sincerity softening his voice. A small pause followed before he asked, "Where’s Gabriel?"
"He’s not in the room," Alie replied. She shifted slightly, glancing around the palace chamber where she sat. "We’re in the palace. Brother Dominick is getting married the day after tomorrow."
"Oh," Carlos said with a faint chuckle, tinged with regret. "I almost forgot. The King’s invitation did reach us, but... I had to politely decline. With Grandmother’s health waning, I couldn’t leave her side. Hopefully, the King didn’t take it to heart."
"I’m sure he didn’t," Alie said.
"Don’t you want to sleep?" Carlos asked after a pause.
"I already slept earlier," Alie replied. She leaned back against the velvet cushions, her fingers absently tracing the edge of the book resting on her lap. "Now I’m wide awake. I was reading."
There was a mont of silence, then Carlos’s tone shifted, unexpectedly careful. "How’s your sister?"
Alie blinked, montarily caught off guard. His sudden inquiry left her bewildered. "Why are you asking about her? Did you... see sothing?" Her curiosity slipped into her words before she could rein it back. "If you did, you can tell ."
"I saw nothing," Carlos said firmly, though there was a weight beneath his words, as though he had thought longer on the matter than he admitted. "I only asked because... she looks troubled. Puzzled, almost. I hope you understand what I an."
Alie lowered her gaze, her voice quieting. "Yes... I understand. Flora has been lost ever since everything happened. She’s still carrying those shadows," Alie replied.
"Hmm. I hope she finds her true purpose, and her happiness," Carlos said. "Anyway, I should hang up now. Thank you... and goodnight, Mimi."
"Goodnight," Alie replied gently. "And don’t forget, you’re not alone. You can call whenever you want."
A small chuckle ward his tone. "Of course. I’ll keep bothering you." She could almost see the smile that reached his eyes before the line went quiet.
Alie lowered the phone onto the mattress beside her. Suddenly, a knock interrupted her thoughts.
"Co in," she called softly.
The door creaked open, and a maid slipped inside, bowing her head low. "Your Highness," she said with politeness, "all the ladies have gathered in the hall. They request your presence. Allow to guide you there."
"Sure," Alie replied with a small nod. She closed the book resting at her side, placing it carefully on the table. She slowly swung her legs down from the bed while the maid quickly approached her.
"Are they gathered to have fun before the wedding?" Alie asked.
"Yes, Your Highness. Princess Katelyn called everyone since the princes are also having fun with their friends," the maid inford.
"Oh. That sounds fun," Alie said, still walking slowly. "How long have you been working here? You look young to ," she added.
"I joined not long ago, Your Highness," the maid answered. They were in the North corridor when they encountered Idris.
"Sister Alie!" Idris exclaid as his smile widened with joy.
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