Chapter 36: Rid of the Doubts.
The voices of Alina's new family echoed inside the dark area where she is trapped. Her new memories that she had after coming to her new world flashed as she run towards the small light that seems really far from her. No matter how far she runs, the light seems like it's running away from her as well.
'Why...why can't I reach it? Is it really that far?' Alina asked.
She can already feel the exhaustion, her chest feels tight, and her feet are starting to hurt because of all the runnings. However, she still can't reach the opening which she believes to be her way out of this darkness.
Despite that, she refuse to give up.
"Brother, the dark core is almost gone," Abel spoke as the smoke within the barrier becomes a ball of magic in front of his palm.
Asher nods his head.
"Is she going to be alright?" Helios asked. Abel smiled at the First Prince before he answered. Asher can't be bothered while he does his job of eliminating the dark core.
"The Princess will be fine, Your Highness. I can also sense her coming back to everyone," Abel answered.
Meanwhile, on Alina's side.
'Am I not getting closer to it at all...? Why...?'
She slowly stops running and lean her palms to her knees as she catch for breath. Now, she can actually breathe properly even though there is no air inside the place at all. However, it seems like her stamina still reduced everytime she runs, unlike before when she can't feel any exhaustion at all.
"See? You can't get out, right?" A voice of her previous mother can be heard just in front of her. She closed her eyes and continue to gasp for air.
"We told you, you're with us, Clara," a familiar voice of her biological father echoed to her ears, and it disgusted her.
'No way. I refuse to stay by your sides when all you do to me is force me to work my butt off for your assholes,' Alina grits her teeth without opening her eyes. She didn't want to see any of those people.
"We're your true brothers, Clara. Just come back to us," that was the voice of her first brother. The one who usually hits her whenever she did something that pisses him off. Even though a simple mistake like closing the door loudly, she'll get hit.
"I let you read my books whenever you want to. Aren't I a good brother," Alina stood straight and took a deep breath.
'This is all stupid,' Alina faced ahead and ignored the shadows that are surrounding her.
Right now, her only goal is to reach the light she's seeing. Getting affected by the voices of the people who once made her suffer is a waste of time for her.
"Ali...please come back, wake up..."
- "Come to us, Clara,"
"Her complexion is getting better now, brother,"
- "You won't get away from us, you can't escape!"
"You'll be fine, Ali. We'll wait for you,"
- "We're already here, Clara. Where are you planning to go?"
"Hang in there, Ali...just hang in there,"
- "Give up and come with us!"
Alina's movements become faster, and once she got enough oxygen again, she began running. The glowing string on her index finger starts blinking.
"Get rid of the doubts...my dear child,"
A familiar voice echoed in the dark place where Alina is still trapped.
Alina slowly stopped from running again as she hear Iliana's voice for the last time. Telling her to remove all the doubts within her.
'Am I actually...still doubting them?' Alina asked herself.
She clenched her fist and place her hands on her chest as she closes her eyes.
'Doubts...is it because of my previous life experiences?' Alina asked herself. Even though the dark core is slowly being dissolved by Asher, the dark void on Alina's heart is still refusing to accept the light.
As if it was scared that if she accepted them, she'll only get hurt again. Like what happened to her previous life.
In her previous life, when she was a kid. She believes that if she obey her parents and siblings, they'll love her dearly and preciously. However, she ended up being their servant within their household. The eyes of her parents that once looked at her with love and affection turned to a scornful look. She was only seven when the abuse has started. However, no one reported it, because they have the money.
Even after knowing how her new family genuinely love her, she's scared.
'What if...what if Amara arrives and they cast me away?' She thought. Her heart beating fast, and her eyes starting to feel hot.
'What if they like her more and starts ignoring me...?' She feels a torn in her throat just by thinking about all the possiblity in the future.
'They didn't get to spend time with her after all. So they'll probably...' Alina grits her teeth as tears escapes her eyes. She gulped, realizing how it will hurt her once she gets attached to these people and they throw her away after meeting their first princess that they haven't seen for a long time ever since she was born.
However...
'Still...I want to be with them...I want to spend the rest of my life with them. Even if the time comes that they cast me away, I will spend the remaining time I have in order to create memories with them...' She sniffles and look at the light ahead. Her face full of determination, and her eyes starting to glow gold.
'I will reach that light, and bathe myself with their warm embrace once I woke up...' Alina started running towards the light again. This time, she can already see the light moving towards her, as if it's also approaching her.
Her hair turns to a long wavy silver colored hair, as her body turns to that of a child. Wearing a white night gown with bare feet, she run towards the light with all of her might.
'I want to see their smiles again, and hear their soft chuckles everytime they find me adorable...even though I was acting then, I can feel it...'
Alina smiles as she sees the small light starting to change size. Proving that she's getting near to her destination.
'I can feel their genuine affection towards me. I figured it out, yet I still doubted them...'
Her face lightens up as she gets closer to the light.
'I won't leave my past behind...there's no way I can forget those. Especially when it left this huge hole inside my heart. But...it has to be buried. Deep within the back of my head,'
Alina felt her tears continuing to her cheeks.
'I'll bury it with my previous name, and live my life here...as Alina Devi de Ciera!'
And with that, she raise her right arm, towards the light. Her goal that will help her out of the dark area that trapped her and gave her nightmares.
But she won't forget her encounter with her mother.
'My mom who encouraged me. My mom who saved and protected me. My mom who loves me very much...' The light slowly covers Alina's body, as if its sucking her out from the darkness.
'This encounter will forever be etched in my heart and memory...'
Orpheus, Helios, Aelius, and Diellzain looks at Alina with concern when they saw their youngest princess crying in her sleep. Her complexion has now become better, and the dark core is already gone from her.
"Mom..." She mumbled.
Everyone inside the basement were surprised to hear what she murmured. Orpheus felt his chest tightening as he hear Alina mumbling about her mother.
The tears slowly fell to her temple. Abel and Asher can clearly feel what is happening within Alina's consciousness right now, and they felt pity for her. Asher at the same time, also feels proud that Alina is finally getting over her past and is now accepting her new life. He can't help but smile and look gently to the unconscious girl.
'Welcome back...'
Asher thought, as Alina's eyes slowly opens.
"Ali!" Diellzain and Aelius called. Alina turned her head to the both of them and she cried even more after seeing all of her family members with her.
Diellzain and Aelius walk towards her, with the First Prince following them. Alina's tears won't stop and her sobs starts to become loud as well. Aelius wiped her tears away and kissed her forehead, while Diellzain held her hand and caress it. Helios smiled as he watch his younger siblings gather around their youngest princess.
"You did well, Ali," Helios spoke. Alina sniffles as she try to lift her body to sit, Aelius helped her in doing it and she thanked him.
Her tears still flowing down to her cheeks because of the fear and relieve she's feeling. Her emotions mixed up together that she can't even tell what exactly she is feeling right now. But all she know is that she's happy to be back with her family.
"How are you, Ali?" Aelius asked, smiling at his sister.
Alina nods her head before she answered.
"I...I had a scary dream..." Alina replied, roaming her eyes to look for her father that's being blocked by the three princes.
"Don't worry, Ali. We will make sure you don't have those dreams again," Diellzain gave her a soft smile which made her tear up even more.
'I'm really back...I can see their smiles again...' Alina's tears won't stop, because of all the happiness within her. Knowing that she'll be able to be with her family again gives her the feeling of solace.
"Thank you...brother Dae...I can hear everyone's voice, and someone helped me..." Alina wiped her tears away, forcing herself to stop crying. The three princes exchange looks, knowing well that Alina is definitely referring to their mother.
'I have to tell Dad about it...' Alina turns her head to Orpheus, who's only watching them from the distance. He smiles at Alina, trying to hide the tears at the edge of his eyes.
"Daddy..." Alina called. Orpheus nods his head and walk towards her. Even though he wants to believed that Alina is his daughter with Iliana, there are questions within his mind. But thinking about doubting his wife hurts him more than anything.
Helios, Aelius, and Diellzain moves to give way for their father. Orpheus bend down his knees and placed his hand on top of Alina's head.
"You fought well, my child," Orpheus spoke. Doing his best to prevent himself from getting emotional after seeing Alina awake.
Alina smiled and nods her head at him before wrapping her arms around his shoulder. He was surprised, and his eyes widens, letting the few tears at the edges of his eyes escape.
"Hmm...Mom said I'm her daughter with you after all, and that I am Brother Heli, Brother Aeli, and Brother Dae's youngest sister,"
Orpheus got even more surprised to hear what Alina said. His eyes widens as his eyes starts to feel hotter, he was stunned.
Realing what Alina just said, he couldn't prevent himself from tearing up anymore. He slowly moves his arms to embrace his daughter back as he bury his face to Alina's shoulder. His heart racing fast after confirming that this child within his arms is his daughter, his own flesh and blood and that his wife never had an affair with other men. Orpheus felt a huge relief within his chest, after confirming that all the words his wife screamed at him were lies, and he was glad that he chose to believe her despite the lingering doubts within his mind.
Asher smirked as he saw the Emperor crying on his daughter's shoulder. He wanted to tease him, but chose not to ruin their moments. He also felt relieve now that Orpheus finally knew the truth.
But...
'Now, how am I going to explain everything to him? Hmm...I have to start on the reason why Iliana hid herself away and lied to Orpheus...'
Asher sighed.
'What a pain...'
***
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
cathcatya
cathcatya Yaaay! Volume 1 is almost reaching its end! Twoore chapters and we're done! Also, after I finished my first volume of this story, I'll release another book again! An action/fantasy with a bit of adventure genre ~ I hope everyone also look forward to it, thanksss!
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