Rivia: Ajayib, Town of Central Rivia, Elianna's Residence

• Arell •

After breakfast, Arell went out into the courtyard chasing after butterflies near the lilac bushes until he saw Mother and Father walking towards his direction. When both of them settled down on a seat near the area and he knew he had lost his chance to sneak his way back into the house. He really didn't mean to eavesdrop but the moment his father mentioned that he would never return, a sudden surge of emotions rose in him. Using his small arms, he pushed himself to stand and revealed himself from his hiding spot. 

"Arell?" Father turned towards him in surprise, calling out to him when he first spotted him standing from behind the bushes. The corner of his lips dropped into a sad frown and he tightened his small hands into fists as he glared at his father. 

"Mea lux?" Mother asked softy and he noted the sadness in her voice. 

"You're going to abandon us again," Arell accused, feeling the tears rolling down his cheeks as he fought with the anger in him. Feelings of betrayal and resentment quickly overwhelmed him and he pivoted his feet towards the direction into the house, running as fast as he could. On the way, his small shoulder bumped into Thunder's thigh. 

"Watch where you're heading, little one," Thunder laughed but Arell wasn't in the mood to come up with a witty retort. Steadying himself, he side-stepped and continued to run without looking back until he reached back into his quarter and locked the door. 

The child sat on the carpet, all curled up into a ball. His head dropped low and cried sadly. It was the first time in his life that he ever felt so upset and he didn't understand why. 

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• Rowan •

"He ran back into the house," Rowan said to Elianna, who is now frantic when she heard Arell's scurrying footstep as he ran away. 

"I'll go and find him." She quickly stood from the seat, turning without hesitation. 

His hand shot out to grab onto her arm, holding her back. She faced him with a curious expression on her face, and in a calm voice, he spoke, "Please let me do that, love. I need to talk to him." 

"Will you be okay?" she worried. 

"I know that I wouldn't be okay if our son hates me," he gave a light-hearted laugh, trying to conceal the nervousness in his heart. Arell hadn't been very accepting of him and this misunderstanding between them stacked the hurdle higher. Closing his eyes, he swallowed a sigh before holding Elianna close to him and he offered, "Let me bring you back into the house first. The temperatures are rising and it's better to go into the shade." 

He held onto her hand and walked with her into the house from the courtyard. Then, he politely asked from Kiran to show him the way to Arell's quarter. He knocked and announced from outside, "Arell, it's me. Could you please open the door?" 

There was no response from the inside even after three tries but Rowan hadn't stepped away from the front of the door, in hopes that Arell would open up to him and give him a chance to talk. As he waited, Elianna had dropped by and mentioned that she could help to coax their son out of his room but he held her back and shook his head. 

Even if Arell's only a five-year-old child, his personal moments should be respected. Moreover, he knew how much the child refused to warm up to him yet and pushing him would only cause both of them the strain further. So, he continued to stand outside his quarter as he waited. 

Eventually, there was a soft creak as the door was being pulled ajar. Arell appeared in sight between the small gap with reddened eyes and tear-streaked cheeks. Rowan dropped his head and looked at him, smiling kindly. His presence caught the child by surprise and the door was quickly pushed shut again. It startled Rowan slightly but what surprised him more was the reopening of the door. This time, Arell looked more composed and he peered up to face him with an expression filled with question. Rowan requested, "Arell, would you give me some time to talk to you?" 

The child looked down low and nodded simply. This time, the door was pulled wider as he allowed him to enter. Without looking back, Arell had walked to the sitting area and settled quietly on the soft carpet. Rowan approached carefully, sitting close to him while maintaining an appropriate distance in case his son hadn't feel comfortable enough to be close to him yet. He watched as Arell hugged his legs and rested his chin on his knees. His gaze remained low while his stretched his index finger out to trace circles along the smooth surface of the carpet. 

Rowan asked, "Do you resent me?"

"Arell doesn't." 

"You can be honest with me, son." 

The silence that followed was an enough indication to answer his question. At this moment, Rowan realised that Elianna was absolutely right, this child really resembled him. Not just his appearance, but also his silence and all the unsaid thoughts. Rowna asked again, "Do you understand why I had said those words to your mother?" 

"Arell doesn't." There was heavy sadness in his voice when he sniffled. Rowan knew that he must be thinking about what he had witnessed back in the courtyard that had triggered another stream of tears that constantly pooled and fell from his beautiful blue-gold eyes. 

"It might be difficult, but I hope you would understand," Rowan began explaining. "I'm really happy to finally meet you, my child. It brought me great relief to know that you had grown to become such a bright, affectionate and considerate child." 

As he spoke, Arell had scooted close to him. The child opened his arms up and wrapped them around his waist. His small body slumped against his and his heart warmed, knowing that he was slowly dissolving the tension between them. Rowan lifted him up and settled him in his lap as he smoothed a hand along Arell's small back and continued, "I said those words to protect your mother and you. I live my life always needing to count my steps before I walk and deliberate through my words before I speak. If I cannot protect both of you from close, I would have to stay away because it would kill me if anyone use my love against me. I love your mother dearly and I love you too, Arell. That's why I wouldn't take the risk. Do you understand?" 

"No more goodbyes," The child whimpered, his small hands bunched tighter into the fabric of his tunic. "Arell, doesn't want to say goodbye to you."

"I wish we didn't have to say goodbyes too." Rowan sighed, patting his back gently to comfort him and soothe his crying. 

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• Elianna •

"Elianna!" Jana histed to catch her attention as she sat in the qa'a waiting. "His Highness has entered Arell's room!" 

Everyone quickly moved out of the qa'a and gathered outside Arell's room, placing their ears close to the small gap left at the door. For a child as mild as Arell, it's the first time anyone in this household had ever witnessed his temper. 

Thunder was the first to say that the child was simply going through a phase, but he was also the first to reach the door as he attempted to strain his ears to listen to the ongoing conversation in the room. Elianna sighed and exhaled a laugh, knowing that no one would be more protective towards Arell than Thunder himself. 

As the talk proceeded, it had only caused her heart to wrench. She had definitely grown weak over the years and it was infuriating to know that she had cowardly chosen to run than to fight. Five years ago, Rowan had selflessly involved himself in her matters and even sacrificed himself just to protect her. Yet, when he had asked for her to be by his side, she had selfishly pulled herself away and left him to fight his own battles. 

Despite how small she may feel with herself, both of them were a half of each other's soul. If anything, she should be supporting him through thick and thin. Together, she had faith that they could protect Arell too. What was I holding back for? She reprimanded herself as she straightened to stand and drew a deep inhale. Moving past the eavesdropping crew, she pushed on the door and entered the room. With absolute firmness she said, "Let's go back to Lyx together." 

"Yes!" Jana cheered but a loud gasp was heard and she assumed that Kiran and Thunder had pulled her back. 

"Eli?" Rowan sounded surprise. 

"We're finally here together, the three of us," Elianna spoke in a quiet voice. "I don't want to spend a single moment away from you, Rowan." 

"You have to understand that danger would be in yours and Arell's way, love," Rowan reminded.

"Omnia vincit amor. As long as we're together, we can make everything work." she said, stepping closer into the room. She felt him holding onto her as he guided her path. Folding her arms around him, she whispered, "You've been through too much by yourself. Please let us be your strength." 
(Translate: Love conquers all.) 

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spiritually, i am jana.

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