Ernest turned to the royal guards and the maids-in-waiting, with a look, they dispersed and he turned down a quiet corridor.
It was just like that night one month ago. The only difference was that Amber was now certain about her feelings for Ernest.
'Ernest…'
'What's wrong? I'm not going to drop you.' Ernest said playfully.
In the face of that expression, a sharp pain ran through Amber' heart at the same time as tenderness enveloped it.
'Is it alright to have left the party…?' She asked vaguely.
It was partly to celebrate their engagement.
Because of the love potion that he had unintentionally drunk, he held a deep but false love for Amber. Yet, he had realized that she had been trying to hold back her tears, and he took such strange and bold action. He was wonderfully sensible; everyone thought him a man who was narrow-minded in love with foolish Amber.
That was what she was; foolish.
Thank you, Ernest. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, she apologized to him inwardly. But her heart was warm with joy from the great kindness he showed her. Although in her head, she knew it was because of the love potion, in her heart, she was happy that he had chosen her over Leticia.
What a foolish and selfish person, she was.
Self-hatred strangled her chest making her feel like she could not breathe.
But Ernest lifted her and kissed her temple, 'Amber, you have nothing to worry about.'
'But…'
'Once the King is gone, everyone can freely enjoy themselves. They don't have to be on their best behavior.'
Was it like that?
She couldn't understand it.
Contrary to his lonesome words, his gait as he carried Amber was light.
If Ernest's heart was not filled with sorrow, then Amber would try to be fine also. Self-hatred was just hers alone to overcome.
Ernest eventually ended up in front of a door in the royal residence, and he gently lowered Amber to the ground next to him.
'Where are we?' she asked as he unlocked the door.
'My private library,' He replied as the door opened.
They entered and Ernest switched on a lamp which cast a soft glow in the large room. She followed him tentatively, wondering why he had brought her here. He led her past the rest of the library to a wall that was just shelves of books.
'I wanted to share my special secret with you, my beloved.'
'Secret?'
Ernest smiled like a mischievous boy and touched the spine of a book,
'It's an important secret between you and me. Amber, remember this book.'