*Kylie: Hello to the readers out there. I hope you enjoy the ongoing story. I'm not really sure how I'm doing so if you have time can you please tell me your opinion about it. Thanks if you did. I'd be really grateful to you.

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Chapter 19

*Lilia's point of view

Why can't things be the way like it was before? I miss Alyce so much and Tyki. I want to have fun with them just like last time. I don't like what's happening lately. I hate it. I hate that things have to be this way.

Who can I depend on or lean on now that Alyce is so far away? I miss her so much and Tyki. Why did they have to fight? I don't like fights at all or wars.

Why did one even start? I hate it. I hate it!

A knock came on the door, it was Allen.

"It's open."

He came inside.

"What's wrong, Lilia? Why are you crying?"

"I feel so lonely without Alyce. She's so far away. Before it was only him, now Alyce is also away."

I couldn't hold it anymore. I cried in front of Allen who was so kind enough to comfort me in the time that I needed someone.

I was lost and he appeared. His white hair didn't make him seem strange or a monster as they call it, he actually looked like a guardian angel to me. He guarded me with his strong arms in an embrace when I needed it in this time of darkness.

I guess I'm not entirely alone but I still miss them. I miss Alyce and Tyki.

"Would you like to talk about it? If you don't, I won't ask. I'll just stay and do my best to help you."

"Thanks, Allen. Just stay. And you really are funny."

"Why is that?"

"You also feel down like me but you try to be strong to help others. I'm thankful though since I really ain't as strong as you."

"Is that really considered funny?"

"No, it's just ironic."

"So do you mind telling me what's wrong?"

"I feel lonely with him and Alyce so far away. Thanks for being there, Allen."

"And thank you as well."

"Why?"

"I just felt like thanking you."

"Are we going to start training already?"

"Not today, tomorrow. We'll take a break for now."

"What should we do then?"

"I don't know. What do you want to do?"

"Is that a deck of cards?"

"Yes," said Allen as he took it out.

The deck looked similar to the one Tyki had before. He said something about having given it to someone. I didn't expect though that it would be Allen.

"Let's play poker."

"What?" asked a surprised Allen.

"You know what poker is right?"

"You know how to play?"

"Why do you think I'd ask you to play that with me if I didn't know?"

"Do you really want to play?"

"Yes."

"Okay."

.

*Allen's point of view

After shuffling the cards, we started playing. I underestimated the little girl before. I thought that she got lucky in the first few games since I was going easy on her but she was good, very good, a pro. She won the next game when I got serious. We played more games and it ended with ties and equal number of winnings from both of us. I wondered who taught Lilia how to play and got her this good. It really took a lot of time before I accepted that fact.

"So who taught you how to play?"

"A friend of Alyce."

"Was it the same person who gave you Cordelia?"

"Yes."

"So you're not telling me his name?"

"I can't. And please promise not to tell Alyce that I know how to play. He'll get in trouble because of me."

"I promise."

"Thanks, Allen."

I am very curious now as to who Lilia was talking about. Why is Alyce keeping it a secret? What's the harm of anyone knowing about him? And why did he teach a child poker?

I really am curious but I shouldn't pry into other people's business.