Chapter 18

"Hey, sir! Are you deaf?! I'm talking to you!"

Alika was already screaming, but her voice didn't seem to be heard by the young man, until finally Alisa was angered by him and pulled the young man's arm. Suddenly the young man gasped when his body was very close to Alika.

The girl blinked her eyes together in a gasp when there was no longer any distance between the two of them. Only a piece of clothing separates this pair of human children.

The two of them are in one perspective, the gentle breeze that blows Alika's hair makes Alika's hair fly, brushes her beautiful eyes, making Alika's heart flutter.

"Let me go!"

Alika pushed the young man after he managed to gain consciousness. He looked away, pretending nothing had happened earlier. Alika whistled softly while looking up like she was looking for something there.

Meanwhile, the young man chose to ignore it. He looked around, after he felt safe, then he started to swing his legs leaving Alika who was still engrossed in her way of eliminating nervousness.

Alika looked at the young man from behind, her eyes were fixed on the figure of the young man she had met for the first time.

Alika could guess that the young man was actually not a native who lived around the area because Alika almost knew everyone there.

It was only after the young man disappeared from his sight that Alika realized that it was getting dark. Without realizing it, time has passed so long after he came home from school.

"I have to hurry home or Mother will be worried later."

Alika hastily grabbed her bag which was on the ground, she ran as fast as possible to leave the place to the bus stop not far from there.

Alika finally arrived home when the day was starting to show night. He rushed into the house and looked for Agatha's whereabouts.

"Mother!"

Before he had time to look further, Agatha had already greeted him with a hug. In fact, Agatha had been waiting for Alika's return for a long time. Agatha kept pacing in front of the door, when she was about to go to the kitchen to get a drink at that moment Alika appeared.

"I'm so worried about you, honey. Where have you been, why did you come back at this hour, honey?"

Alika can feel the anxiety from her mother, she returns the hug while shedding tears. "I'm sorry Alika, Mom because Alika came home late."

He really regretted his actions that had made Agatha cry. There is a feeling of regret that is very shackled in Alika's heart. Agatha stroked her daughter's hair.

"Next time you want to go anywhere, tell mommy. So you don't worry like this, honey."

Agatha slowly loosened her arms, then looked at the girl who had the black beads. Agatha rubbed her daughter's cheeks which were wet with tears.

"Don't cry, honey. I'm not mad at you. So why are you crying?"

Even though she was calmed down, Alika couldn't shake off her guilt. She was still sobbing even though her tears weren't as heavy as before.

"But… Mom…" She stammered, her breath faltering slightly from the tears she couldn't hold back. Agatha hugged her daughter again, her little daughter. Even though she is already a teenager, in Agatha's eyes, Alika is still her little daughter who can't go without her.

"Come on, don't cry like this, honey. You'd better go to your room and change clothes. After that we eat together. Mother has cooked your favorite food, honey. So don't cry anymore, Yes. Honey."

Her mother's words calmed Alika, especially when her mother smiled, adding to the calmness in Alika's heart. He nodded slowly, wiping the tears that were still wet on his cheeks.

"Come on, hurry. Change clothes, then after that we eat." Agatha closed the conversation while kissing her daughter's forehead and Alika also agreed with her mother's words.

Alika started swinging her legs to go to the room on the second floor. Agatha, smiled widely as she looked at her daughter's back. Alika also turned around for a moment, then waved her hand with a cheerful smile. Only then did Alika climb the stairs.

Agatha couldn't hold back her tears, so she started crying again. When she was lost in thoughts, at that moment Agatha was surprised by someone who suddenly pulled her hand. Immediately, Agatha was taken away to a place far from crowded.

Agatha's eyes widened when she saw the person who had brought her to that place.

"You ..." Immediately Agatha's breath hitched, the man in front of her now was not a stranger, but someone she had known for a long time.

"Why did you bring me to this place, Devan?"

Hearing this question, the man who had matured in his age immediately turned around, placing himself in front of Agatha.

His name is Devan. That's right, he is Devanca, a single man who lives across from Agatha's house. The two have been at odds for a long time and Alika loves Devan very much, as if the man with the warm smile is her father.

"What is this, Devan? Why did you bring me to this place? Where are we now? Does Alika know that you brought me here? What if she looks for me and finds me not there?"

The adult woman is now wrapped in anxiety, thinking about Alika who is far from her now. Its existence is no longer separated by distance, but space and time as well.

Devan himself was still silent, looking at Agatha from top to bottom. Not intending to think badly, but Devan was concerned about Agatha's current condition.

"Why are you so messed up, Your Majesty?" he asked, taking a deep breath. There was a bit of pity when looking at Agatha after the events of a few days ago.

Hearing the title 'Your Highness' that came out of Devan's mouth made Agatha brought back to her life a hundred years ago.

Many things have passed, but Devan still often calls him 'Your Majesty' which may never even be known by many people, including Alika, his own daughter.

"I told you, never call me that. I'm no longer the Queen of the Aqua Kingdom or the wife of the leader of the Aqua Kingdom and I'm no longer the brave princess of the Miracle Kingdom!" said Agatha.

Agatha also made it clear that she no longer wanted to be called 'Your Majesty' because it reminded her of the past.

Agatha also added that if Devan once again mentioned him as 'Your Majesty' in front of Alika, then he would not hesitate to make Devan regret later.

Devan finally nodded slowly and agreed to the request. Even though it was heavy, he had to obey Agatha's orders. His request was an order for Devan to obey.

Agatha could breathe a sigh of relief hearing this answer. However, now his mind was fixated on the figure of the man in front of him.

Devanca ...