***
Returning home in the evening, Lariel sensed the presence of his enemy Palien and rushed to drive him away, finding him next to his twins Yarion and Uluria in the courtyard.
"Do you need a lift to Xantari?" The King growled angrily. "You're staying here for some reason! You pester princess Selestra all the time, she's pretty much tired of you. Go home!"
Palien recoiled and clung to his kids, eyes flashing.
"Don't drive me away, Lariel, I can't leave them, and they want to be close to their mother."
"And I don't need a henchman of the Xantarian Archons here! You spy here, then you'll tell them everything about what's happening here," Lariel raged.
"I wasn't going to tell you anything and I don't want to go back," the frowning Palien fought back.
"You ruin my mood with your presence."
Overlord Rohen appeared at the call a moment later and understood everything without words, however, he did not move from his place to take Palien with him, staring thoughtfully at King of Ornalion.
"He's been stuck on Zaria for several months, he's pushing to be sent home, he's hiding behind his kids, and I don't need an enemy under one roof. He became completely insolent: when I'm not at home, he immediately flies to my palace."
Lariel could not calm down, and Palien cowered under the impartial gaze of the all-powerful Overlord.
"Let him stay!" He stated firmly. "But irrevocably. If he does sneak away, he will never see the kids again."
He looked calmly at Lariel, sparkling blue in his lilac eyes.
"Then you will tell Kamily why you left him here!" - Angry Lariel blurted out the and retreated to the palace.
"Thank you for your support and protection, Rohen!" Palien muttered, hiding his eyes.
"Dad, the King doesn't like you very much, what have you done? Why did you offend my mother? You must tell me everything," Yarion scolded his father with passion in his thin voice.
"Do you understand everything, Palien?" Rohen asked. "You will have to stay here forever or we will go to Xantari now."
"I'm staying," Palien said decisively. "My family is here."
"Kamily has not forgiven you, try not to catch her eye. Don't forget that new Archons are present here too, so don't do anything stupid anymore."
He abruptly disappeared, and little Yarion, glaring at his father, stroked his palm in consolation.
"Oh, Dad! You've done something wrong? I'll talk to my mom, she's kind and will forgive you. I want you to be friends."
In deep sadness Palien ruffled his son's blond hair with tenderness.
"Oh, family idyll, how lovely!" Came the mocking voice of Avilena, who suddenly appeared on the teleport site.
"Palien! What an unexpected meeting!"
The Goddess of Freedom approached them with a friendly smile and playfully addressed the boy.
"Yarion! Have you behaved well today?"
The kid ran up to her, slapped her leg with his hand and squeaked:
"Have you been jumping and looking for adventure again? Soon I will grow up, and you will not run away from me."
Avilena laughed cheerfully and stroked the boy's head.
"I can't wait, my little God. You and I will have so much fun that the whole Universe will tremble!"
She looked back coquettishly at the confused Palien.
"What are you doing today? What are your plans for the evening?"
"Are you asking me?" Palien raised his eyebrows in surprise.
"Is there anyone else here?" Avilena laughed and clasped her hands. -"Why are you so depressed? Ah, I understand, Lariel caught you."
"I didn't expect your friendliness towards me after all our conflicts."
"I don't hold a grudge against those who are unhappy and cause suffering to others. They were simply not taught to love. But everything can be fixed, right, Palien? We are given eternity for redemption. Don't you want to change for the better?"
"What do you want from me?" Stunned Palien asked gloomily.
"To chat, what else? I hope this isn't too strange for you?"
"But you must hate me," Palien objected. "I treated you badly."
"Of course, I was offended that you began to scold me for my impudence and debauchery, and by the way, I also wanted to have fun with you on your cruiser, do you remember? Then you drove me away from my beloved officers. Although, if you don't like me that much, I won't impose myself."
Avilena turned away and headed into the palace.
"Wait!" Palien shouted out.
He ran up to her, grabbing her hand and looking into her eyes.
"I didn't think you was interesting to me," he said in a guilty tone. "You stunned me that moment because it was so easy for you to sit among the officers and enjoy their company. I was dependent on Kamily, I did not want her anger because of your behavior. And you, it turns out, are brave and easy going, you love noisy companies and flirting, I'm sorry that I treated you rudely. I didn't see your merits. Understand that you are a rare type; usually normal people do not behave this way. I was wrong about you."
Avilena looked at him with a serious gaze, trying to sensibly evaluate his confessions.
"Well, now it's clear why you were so freaked out. I didn't even have time to show you signs of attention. You're so handsome!"
She wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head on his chest.
He immediately grabbed her waist gently and pressed himself against her.
Palien could not believe in her sympathy and did not dare to take further actions, frozen in anticipation.
"Are we going to stand like that?" Avilena laughed, looking into his thoughtful eyes.
"The kids are looking at us," he whispered quietly in response.
"So we need to put them to bed, and we can rest properly. Shall we meet in the forest at your little bungalow?"
He nodded in response to her with a joyful smile, excited by the unexpected proposal.