"By any means, do you know her?" Althea asked. Looking at Alab's reaction told her that he knew something relevant.

"No, I don't... At least, not Chesa. I know someone else with the same last name though. But, her powers are related to healing, as far as I know..." He paused, and looked at Althea to say something.

"I can say it confidently. It was wind magic there... Even her blessed weapon and tree sapling detail was written there."

"A blessed weapon? And she? There's no way... The person I know doesn't have enough power to become a wind magic user. Even for passing the healing magic test, she had to struggle a lot."

"Do you know her from the Magic Academy?" The Magic Academy, as the name suggested, was the one and only school in this world, where people could become mages. All it needed was a little magic and loads of determination.

"You sound as if you knew her closely..." Althea hesitated a little. She didn't know if they were close enough to talk about their relationships and bonds with other people.

"Huh? I did want to get closer to her..." He started and then stopped, a little embarrassed that he was talking about that there, in front of Althea, who he didn't even know properly.

"Was it unrequited love from your side?" Althea asked, gathering her courage. She had acted as Liz' and Adrian' relationship counselor for years after all. One could say, she had experience...

"Is it okay to talk... About things such as these..." Alab, a little embarrassed upon being asked, asked her.

"From where I come... It's relatively easy to talk to strangers than to your friends, given that the stranger doesn't give wrong vibes. Sometimes, strangers give a fresh perspective on things. They're also sometimes easier to talk with because they have no knowledge of your history and so are non judgemental. At times, a person can strike it lucky and end up talking with a stranger who has had similar experiences or knows the answers to your confusion because they are wise enough. And don't worry, I've experience in giving relationship advices." Althea, confident with herself, answered without hesitation. She had understood that Alab was a good soul.

"Also, strangers can sometimes be more honest as there are no consequences to them. They can walk back into the crowd after meeting you and not be subject to any repercussions of their words to you. Though I hope, you won't forget me afterwards..."

"And also, sometimes the stars align and you end up talking with someone you've never met before but that is the one person who can truly help... like in some stories when an Angel appears at the right time and saves someone's life. I could be the one for you and vice versa." Althea smiled enthusiastically.

"Wow. You world must have been amazing. If only I were from there..."

"Everything has a good and bad side to it. My world wasn't really perfect either... Anyways, tell me was it an unrequited love?"

"Yes. You can say so. I loved her, she didn't... To be the only one in love, it was like I was always searching for the sun rays to warm me up in an open area where only cold winds were blowing... It was easily the most beautiful and heart breaking ride of emotions, I have ever felt. I had no idea how other person felt about me but all I knew is that I loved her with all my heart and soul and all I always wanted was to be the reason of her smile." Alab, feeling a little lost, answered.

"Loved? Don't you love her now?"

"I don't know... It's been so long I have seen her. It wasn't really a peaceful thing either, our last meeting that is... It was when I knew that she is just as screwed in her life as I was, and each day was getting more difficult for her. I wanted to be there for her in her darkest and happiest days but, I was restricted to a zone, which I couldn't cross, even if I tried. Maybe because she was afraid to show me her scars as she may have thought that it might lead her to hurt me more. Despite this I still love her. My every poem is about her and her dreams. You know, somewhere in between, I felt that she wanted to be with me too but stopped herself to express because her priorty was something else..." Alab narrated his feelings and Althea could clearly notice that he still loved her.

"To be the only one love is like to be on a journey with no destination and no guidamce. All you do is walk where your heart is taking you. To be very frank I don't think you are totally over this yet, but yes, you did start working towards some other things in your life which you totally forgot during that time. Sometimes, we fall in love with someone who don't love us back and it happens because they love someone else, you just don't make them feel that way or any other possible reason. I don't really think that Chesa may have someone else in her life... Maybe, she had other problems which needed to be taken care of. But, you know what, you need a really very big heart if you love someone despite knowing that they can never be yours because almost everyone will expect the love from the one they love. But believe me, love without expectation is true love. At least, you accept your feelings and never try to invalidate it or hide it. You don't even try to control the things which you cannot control. It is totally okay to love someone without relationship. If you're meant to be with her, nothing can stop you from being with her or else, you might find someone who gives you the love you deserve. Let's wait and see where and how it goes, that is, if I live to see that day." Althea gave a thumbs up signal to him and he smiled.

"Thank you. I have never met someone like you." Alab seemed grateful.

"We're here." One of the Royal guards told them.

"Let's go. And if there's a monster here, let's tame it." Alab smiled and Althea nodded. She was completely ready for the plot to begin.
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