A few months later,
“Do not cry, Wifey. Everything is gonna be okay. Trust me.”
A man with red hair was seen rubbing a woman’s right shoulder, who was sobbing softly while hugging a fast-asleep baby. They were in the carriage, and it was still dark outside, for the sun had not yet appeared in Zlatav’s sky.
The full moon looked so beautiful, shining. However, not all beings could enjoy this, especially a husband and wife in a horse carriage. A coachman who was outside heard the sobs and said nothing at all. He also sympathized. Only Dresden chose to remain silent, watching the situation around him. Four bodyguards also accompanied the horse-drawn carriage. They also seemed to scrutinize the atmosphere as if they were afraid of being seen by others.
The atmosphere of grief seemed to engulf the small family of Tristian Varden Writh. The handsome man had not opened the conversation again because he saw his wife’s condition, who was still crying, although not too loudly. Their beloved baby was still fast asleep but occasionally squirmed, so Lavena loosened her grip.
“Why… why do we have to abandon our lovely daugter? She is not guilty at all.”
A young woman asked with her lovely husband, although she faltered slightly when she said that. Meanwhile, the child squirmed again because the mother’s embrace tightened slightly, making it difficult for her to move, forcing Lavena to loosen the hug. The man, who had a height of one hundred and eighty-five centimetres tall, could only exhale heavily.
The atmosphere inside the carriage became awkward, for the slender woman was still sobbing, and there was no sign of stopping. “Wifey, if you change your mind suddenly, then our extended family, including you and I, will be affected. Did not we agree long ago, even before our daughter was born, that we will leave her in the orphanage? Now, why do you cry like this?”
Alexa’s biological mother could not hide her annoyance, so she did not seem afraid if she had to argue with her lovely husband. “Yes, you are right. We made such a deal. But how could I have the heart to do such an act? Alexa comes from our flesh and blood! Until then, another child will never replace our princess forever.”
The coachman heard a voice from the passenger seat. He knew the plan the husband and wife had drawn up. However, the man preferred to pretend not to hear their conversation, as if nothing had happened, so that Dresden’s safety was maintained.
Meanwhile, Tristian, who was already a father, could only shake his head and try to be patient with his lovely lady attitude. “I understand, honey. But can you think about us, including our parents? How do they feel if they find out you have actually done something that makes little sense, like now? Please, Wifey. We just need one more step, and then we will continue our normal life.”
The tears were still running down Lavena’s cheeks. She did not answer her husband’s words and chose to look the other way as if reluctant to argue. The emerald-eyed man who witnessed it all then looked at their first child, who was still fast asleep. Feelings of inadequacy began to arise within the head of the family, but Tristian tried to strengthen himself. “Wifey.”
Lavena was still reluctant to turn around, even though her beloved spouse had already called her name. That woman loved her biological daughter very much, so she was unwilling to be separated from Alexa.
“Wifey, please look at me,” said Tristian, who was still not giving up.
Slowly but surely, the twenty-year-old woman finally gave in and then started to turn to her husband. The face of the opposite sex looked sad and tired, but the well-built man still tried to smile. Tristian refrained from crying because he realized that the time had come.
“Wifey, it is time for us to say goodbye to her. We can be sure that one day we will meet and reunite with our precious daughter.”
“That is a very long time, Hubby. I do not want to wait in uncertainty. Let me hide her in a cave or a small village or anywhere. The most important thing is safe, and out of reach of the emperor’s spies. I will take care of our daughter so that she will not be hungry, thirsty, and protected from danger.”
“Wifey, do not talk like that. I am sure Goddess Magia will get us together with Alexa again. It is better for us to not waste time so that other people do not see it. You can kiss our daughter and tell her everything that you want. After that, please give her to me and I will bring her to the orphanage.”
Lavena was silent for a moment, and then she looked at the baby in her arms. The look of sadness radiated because a woman with naturally thin pink lips knew that she would soon be separated from her lovely baby. “Alexa. I hope, one day you will understand why we have to act like this. Please forgive us, because this is a tough decision. Mom and Dad will never forget you.”
The beautiful woman was crying again while Tristian quietly rubbed the corner of his eye because he felt the same way. The green-eyed woman also kissed her lovely baby’s forehead, eyes, nose, and cheeks. Alexa squirmed again but was still asleep as if she were safe in a dream. Lavena stared intently, then turned her attention towards the other person who had been waiting for him. “Hubby.”
Tristian nodded, then began to ask Alexa from the embrace of his beloved woman. The wife was very reluctant, finally willing to give the baby girl to her husband. Now, Tristian hugged his daughter, then kissed the top of the little one’s head, who still did not understand what had happened. After two minutes of silence, the man, who had a face similar to Sir Elmer’s, started to stare at Lavena. “Do you want to accompany us to the door of the orphanage or do you want to wait here Wifey?”
***
A husband and wife walk in the silence of the night. The slender woman was holding a baby, still fast asleep, while her husband was carrying a large basket. Only their footsteps could be heard along the way, plus the sound of the nocturnal beasts. A few moments later, the two arrived in front of a large house with a sign that said Ztatzav Orphanage. However, they had not yet reached the entrance.
It was so quiet, and the lights had gone out. Outside, an orange light caught Tristian’s attention in front of the orphanage door. The man stopped walking and then gave the signal using a head movement. The wife saw this as if she already understood, then did the same thing with her beloved husband.
“Wifey, now you put our daughter in the basket. I will leave this basket at the door so that if someone comes out of there, that person can immediately take it,” said Tristian slowly.
Lavena’s expression paled. She became increasingly unwilling, even shaking her head a few times. “No, Hubby. What if Alexa will die of cold or thirst? I do not know what time is it now, but I do not want to leave her alone. The danger can come anytime, anywhere, especially for our daughter, who is left alone and can’t do anything about it.”
“Goddess Magia will be her protector, Wifey. She will be safe and I believe it. Do it now, Honey! Never have any doubts! If we stay here longer, things will become more difficult for us,” the emerald-eyed man urged.
“Wait. Let me hug and kiss her again, Hubby.” After saying this, the green-eyed woman was seen hugging her daughter tightly while shedding tears. At the same time, the husband did not comment at all and tried to understand the state of his lovely lady.
“Alexa, this is the time. Mom and Dad love you more than anything. May Goddess Magia always be with you. Goodbye, my dear.” Lavena said quietly, and unconsciously two drops of tears fell on the two little cheeks of the baby, who immediately squirmed.
Lavena let go of the hug as soon as possible and handed Alexa to Tristian. Her husband accepted Alexa well, then looked at the face of his beloved daughter, then held her for a few seconds. He was forced to sacrifice his fatherly instincts by putting the baby girl in the basket.
There was already a baby blanket which was quite thick, and afterwards, a bag filled with gold coins, accompanied by a letter. The red-haired man covered Alexa and then kissed her forehead. His wife wept, because of the events that were going on, like a knife that was stabbed into the hearts of both of them, thereby killing them from the inside. “I love you, honey. See you soon.”
***