Author's Note:

A poem for the patient:

Hey, long time no see.

A kiss and an apology.

But if you knew what I have been through,

You would say, without pause, "I forgive you."

And so, on with a chapters, my dear friends,

In the story that never seems to end

End, though, soon it must

This tale of twists, love and lust.

Looking back to check whether Musa was following them, Layla abruptly turned to Riven.

"We have to talk," she began.

"You've made that all too clear," quipped Riven, motioning her to go on.

"Not here," she said, nervously.

"Oh?" he said, raising his eyebrows. "Okay, then, we'll go in here."

It was the room where Musa and him had made out. his heart skipped a beat at the memory, but he ignored everything as he focused on what Layla was telling him.

"There was something I left out," she began. It was a long time before she was done. He looked shocked, surprised and sceptical as she revealed various facts to him, but he never interrupted with words, only disgruntaled groans and curt nods.

When she was done, Layla heaved a sigh of exasperation. "And that's all," she said.

Riven looked at her unsurely. She had expected sadness, anger, frustration, resentment. Instead, what she got was a thoughtful expression, followed by a line of cross-questioning.

"This Curse, as you call it was put on Tides' by a mermaid?"

"Yes."

"Did this happen to everyone? Without an exception?"

"it did. Everyone in the royal family who had married someone they loved had ended up separated, divorced or dead."

"It was a curse only on the royal family?"

"Yes, since she cursed the prince, she used the words 'royal family' of Tides'"

"But I'm not royal."

"You are. My father is the king, isn't he?"

"Pick a suitable partner means marry, right? What about a live-in relationship?"

"No, it means marry.""So, if we live in 'sin' as some people call it, it's okay?"

A glare. A nod. "But if you think Musa will…"

"Of course I'm planning to marry her."

"But you can't, I just told you."

A smirk. A chuckle. "I'll soon take care of that."

"How?"

A pause. No attempt at an answer. "Tell Musa to wait for me."

And then he was gone.

So when Musa emerged, breadthless from the dungeons where the prisons were, Layla was the only one who met her; and answered nonchalantly when Musa asked where Riven was. She explain to her that she had no idea, but reported his last words to her. Hours later, after failed phone calls and unsuccessful tracking attempts, she realized those words had meant more than what she had thought before. It meant that Riven was leaving Tides. And going off to a place unknown. He had his phone switched off. She couldn't even tell anyone about the conversation they had before. Musa had almost goaded it out of her. It was just after they had received information from Sky and Brandon, who had volunteered to find their friend and jumped on a hovercraft to check at Red Fountain, Alfea, and later, the whole of Magix. Search parties were sent out by the overzealous Sky, who declared, "I never knew Riven was an orphan."

Layla did not do this, and received a death glare from Musa. The Winx had decided to go back to Alfea, and teach Winxology (whatever that meant) to other younger fairies who would do more ooohing and aaahing than learning. Musa confronted Layla. "There's got to be something more than this. The weird finger thing you pulled? You wanted to talk to him about something, and I, as his girlfriend, demand to know what."

Layla had simply denied it. After promising Musa several times that she would give her daily updates, and indeed, an immediate notification if any, any at all—news came about Riven, Musa and the others left Layla alone in her castle. She couldn't say she wasn't glad to see the Winx leave. She wasn't a part of the class, Thank god. Who ever heard of a classroom with six teachers? Idiotic. She was sure Riven would have agreed. Where was he, actually?

That's when she saw her. Alberta. Sheepishly peeking out of a pillar, studying her as she openly revealed her relief to see the back of the Winx Club.

"Aren't you teaching Winxology?" she asked, stepping out of her hiding place. Her tone showed that she would have agreed with Layla, too.

"No. What are you doing here?" Layla asked her, tiredly. "Hasn't Sky left?"

"He has." That's all she said.

"And?" Layla probed.

Alberta's eyes found the floor. "I decided to stay where I am to be by law, at your mercy."

It sounded weird, coming from the girl whose prime traits had been sarcasm and rudeness, to make such a meek statement. Layla regarded her uncertainly.

"What happened to Sky, he actually let you stay?"

A guilty look crossed her features. "I kind of, kind of told him that you had commanded me to stay here," she mumbled, in the most un-Alberta voice ever. Layla groaned.

"No wonder he stopped speaking to me since Jared was found. Have you met him?" Layla asked, suddenly realizing why Alberta might be staying. Jared? She was mistaken. Alberta gave a snort. "That nerd?" she quipped. "I wouldn't go near him with a nine inch pole. He's getting the noose, isn't he?"

Layla flinched. "No, I and dad are seeing to that… but, wait a minute, why are you here, anyway?"

She shuffled her feet uncomfortably. "I told you, I am here because it is the law-"

"Rubbish, go back to Eraklyn. I must clarify this with Sky-"

She was reaching for her phone.

"No, wait-" Alberta snached the phone from Layla.

"Give it back, or I'll spell you," Layla growled. She was irritated. She thought she would finally have some time to herself, to mull over her loss. But this stupid girl was not allowing her to.

"I'll like to see you try," Alberta shot back, speeding off. Layla did not try to find her. Instead, she headed towards the control room. Sky would hear of it through videoconference, even if it was not her phone. Alberta flew towards her, blocking her way.

"What is your problem?" shrieked Layla. "I would like some peace in my own castle. Get out."

Alberta stood her ground. "You know you'll only going to hurt yourself more, by mulling over…his death." She said this almost like an accusation.

Layla's eyes flashed. Since when had this blondie become her BFFL ? and how dare she make judgements on what was right and what wasn't?

"Since when do you know what's best for me?" she yelled.

"Right back at you," Alberta retorted, eyes reflecting the same flash of anger in Layla's. seeing the confused look that crossed Layla's face, she continued, "Since when do you think it is okay to take my sins upon yourself? Since when is it okay for you to tell me that I'm no longer welcome here?"

Layla tried to retort, but Alberta held up her hand as she went on. "actually, scratch the last one. I forgot you are royalty too, just like Cousin Sky. I should have known that you think you are better than everyone, that you know what's good for the commoners, and indeed, anyone below your station. Do you know why I decided to stay?"

"because—because you thought it was your duty?" whispered Layla, whose own breadth had hitched. She was taken aback to see Alberta wipe a tear away angrily, and even more so when she felt herself tearing up, too.

"No," Alberta whispered, "It's because I couldn't believe someone could ever forgive what I had done. Least of all, you. And you did. You actually forgave me, and even faced Jared's words of hatred for me. And I decided that for that reason, I could never leave your side."

Layla didn't know what to say. The look in Alberta's eyes was so gentle and sincere, she couldn't say anything. Besides, she was afraid to even admit it, but no one had looked at her that way but Nabu.

She couldn't keep gazing into those eyes, liquid pools of ocean water that stung cheeks as they ran down, leaving saline painful tracks in their wake.

She couldn't say a single word. So she nodded her concent. And then, receiving her cellphone, rushed up those hundred stairs to finally mourn for her love.