Departure

- Which is?

- Well, I just have to promise her to wear more women's clothes. She'll be so happy with this concession that she'll allow me anything. And that's it. The trick is done.

Isel smiled condescendingly at this somewhat casual and cheating solution, but it was no match for her way of doing things. What did not prevent her from admiring the clothes of her friend. A short dress of modern design electric blue, shoes with thick soles in green-grey varnish, completed by an astral watch.

- I say that you are very well like that. But what does it matter what I think in the end, she teased maliciously.

- Yes, I agree. But you know my mother. Answered Melly while sighing, voluntarily ignoring the hypocritical remarks of her friend. She loves everything princess, with the veil dress, the bows and the pink lace.

Avine and Isel saw Melly's mother again at the last autumn ball, coquettishly wearing a long, voluminous twilight gown, with an inconsiderate amount of veils and lace.

- Yes, it's true," agreed her two friends in chorus.

- And you, Isel?

The latter laughed sardonically, which contrasted greatly with her appearance.

- Yes? Mellira hesitantly insisted, fearing like Avine something terrible.

- Oh, I think I'll keep it to myself, my friends.

Then, standing up, she turned to Avine.

- How is your dear brother?

- Orido? Avine shrugged, a soft, tender smile stretching across her lips.

- He's fine, lost as usual in these remote regions studying, analyzing, cataloging rare plants or searching for new ones. Currently, he is somewhere on Terian.

- Terian - the green planet? One of the most protected in our galaxy?

- Yes. Looking for a rare plant whose name I always forget - Mitian or something similar.

- Wow, your brother is really something Avy - access to Terian. They don't give everyone permission to go there. And besides doing research on this kind of plant.

- Sure. And especially relieved that I don't have to come here to Kolod for my birthday. We talked this morning. He would send me countless gifts to make up for that "relief."

Isel sighed dreamily.

- You are so lucky.

- Why don't you try yours Isie?

- To do what? She asked promptly, blushing deliciously.

- Everyone knows, except of course Avine's famous botanical brother, that you are madly in love with the latter.

- It is not true? protested their friend, glowing even under anger and embarrassment.

- Yes, insisted cruelly the two friends.

- No, still refuted the young brunette, stubborn.

Avine shook her head, a strange smile on her lips.

- Ah, people like you, Isel. They always pretend to be strong, but they're the ones who can't stand to do anything to earn their love.

And she concluded this sentence by looking well at her friend, shaking the head of a falsely piteous air.

The latter, at first surprised, had soon a closed expression and her eyes became of an icy amber.

- People like me, right? On the contrary of some people that I won't name. She smiled coldly and then stood up to Avine with a vengeance.

- Let me tell you Avine, when you know what it is to love like crazy, you will know that the hardest thing to do in this case would be to reveal your feelings to your object of affection.

Then, pushing away the empty plates, she gracefully walked away, saying.

- I'm going to the bathroom.

Incidentally, she snatched a delicious dark green drink from the hand of a young boy who was initially furious and straightened up to retrieve his property. But seeing Isel's innocent face turn towards him, he blushed violently and even decided to accompany her gallantly to the bathroom.

The two friends remaining at the table followed this scene deeply amused, before bursting into laughter.

- That's Isobel for you. Always so shameless and manipulative.

***

All her life, Avine had thought she was a girl blessed by heaven. Born into a very loving family that cared deeply and fervently for each of its members, having won sincere and charming friends like Isel and Mellira, and possessing a bright magic that brought her joy, she called herself carefree, what more could she ask of existence?

Comfort and ease guaranteed, beauty and health, and above all a real affection that she received so widely from her loved ones, in short a simple and rich life at the same time that the young woman would not want to exchange for anything in the world. At least, that was what she thought for a long time. So much so that she was certain that the world was made of nothing but good things.

But maybe that was the reason she decided to do this. Was it a phase of rebellion or a feeling of helplessness and suffocation? Although deep down, she knew exactly what was really driving her. Whatever it was, she suddenly decided to celebrate her birthday away from her friends and family. This sudden decision to leave for a place so far away from her existence in every sense of the word, was brave, terrible and foreign to her character. A world as mysterious and dark as night, in the reflection of the young cursed ruler so beloved of Uncle Dobert. And her obstinacy to go against all reason only reinforced her dismay.

It is however with enthusiasm and a deep joy that she organized with her best friends this exceptional trip.

And it was indeed exceptional. But in a way that Avine would never have dared to imagine in her wildest dreams. She may have been in many ways just a child, but a child who understood perfectly the greatness of the moments she had to spend in Venèzia. Moments so fleeting and derisory in the eternal march of time. But in her life they represented a part of her, probably the best. Unique, unforgettable, irreplaceable. No words could really describe them. And if the day should come when she would have to rewrite her history, then she already knew with an unshakeable certainty that she would not change anything of what she lived, no matter how great the price, because she discovered in those few moments the most beautiful thing.

By deciding to go on this trip, Avine had allowed her wonderful mother to do what she was most passionate about and what made her so strong, and her brother to stay where his heart and mind always wanted to be. Her guilt was greatly reduced. And to top it all off, the very night she told her mother of her decision, the latter transferred the money to her.

And since Avine's family made sure to spoil her and cater to her every whim, especially because of her place as a daughter and youngest child, she easily got everything she needed for this secret trip. As always.

Planning in advance their stay with laughter punctuated by various jokes and never getting serious, not even for a minute, it was really surprising that they still managed to establish a semblance of a program in two weeks, and in addition to manage, a few days later, to catch up with many tourists as excited as they were, the boat designed to transport them to the empire of the shadow.

It was wonderful, Avine felt free and happy. She wore a lovely pale pink suit with a dark coat and dark boots of the same tone, her bright hair wisely pulled up in a bun above her head, clearing her delicate neck, and as a unique ornament, she had put on the earrings her mother had sent her to wish her departure. When Avine's two friends saw her, they were delighted with her beauty. She was not exactly modest, nor was she overly conceited, but she was well aware of her beauty and graceful looks. And oh how her fragility and delicacy attracted the eyes of many boys, even handsome males, arousing their lust as well. But alas, for them, none had ever been able to touch her heart so that she could respond to any invitation.

- Why Venèzie Avine?

Avine immediately gave up her vague thoughts when she heard this abrupt question asked by one of her friends.

- What was it? she asked, feigning surprise, even though she heard the question perfectly.

- Why Venèzie?" Mellira repeated patiently.

- Why this question and only now? She asked, trying to gain a little time. Don't you like this destination anymore?

Avine's friend sighed.

- You know very well that's not the point. The first time, you didn't want to answer it. And we both accept your silence. But now that we are about to arrive, don't you want to reveal this deeper reason now.

Then the three friends looked at each other openly.

- We're just worried, that's all.

- I know you are.

- You went so far in this lie to... Melly laughed briefly before continuing, to go on. I didn't know myself that you were capable of such stubbornness to get what you want. It makes you wonder.

Avine was silent for another minute, then reached out to her Melly and stroked her face.

- Do you want to go home?

But the beautiful redhead only shook her head, as a sign of certainty, her hands resting on her chest.

- Of course not, you know me. I love doing crazy things and discovering new things with you and Izy. But anyway, whether this place is one of my favorite destinations or not wouldn't matter much, it seems to me, she added wryly.

- Right. So what's the problem?

- No, I just wanted to know. Because it's a pretty special choice, let's face it. There are a lot of other places that would have been much more desirable to visit to celebrate a birthday, and accumulate memorable moments of happiness.

Mellira smiled happily.

- A wonderful and famous place and above all safe. Like Volgia and Sukio. Ah...dreamer. concluded the girl while sighing of envy.

Avine laughed.

- I think you mentioned places YOU would like to visit!

- I wouldn't really put Moriova on the list, but there are many other kingdoms we could explore. And especially made for someone like you.