The book he was touching looked just like the others, the only difference was that the lettering on the spine was in white and silver, like Ernest's hair. (Zuben: trying to keep my eyes in my head from all the rolling)
What was this about?
Ernest pushed the book sharply forward and there was a click and a faint rumble filled the room.
Amber leaned closer to Ernest as he pushed the bookshelf and it slid aside to reveal a wooden door.
'This is…'
'A hidden door to a hidden room,'
He told her the door could not be found by anyone who did not know how to open it as he turned the handle on the door,
'It's rather embarrassing but I had trouble with my sisters when I was younger.'
'Trouble…?'
'They could be moody and rather brutal. My late father made me a place I could escape to; this room. It is still very useful. Was this trouble what Rosemary had intimated in that conversation a few weeks ago?
"My older sisters used to treat older brother as a servant…"
That was why he was awkward with women, Rosemary had told her.
But because she had used a love potion to make him fall in love with her, Amber did not feel she had any right to dig into his past.
She followed him into the room.
'Wow!' she exclaimed when she saw it.
This could only be referred to as a secret base. The room behind the door was large, which a large sofa several people could lie on, lots of round cushions, and soft and fluffy blankets. It was well equipped, from good lighting, and a long work desk and a shelf with food that had a long shelf life.
'What do you think? Do you like it?'
Walking deeper into the room, she looked around her. The atmosphere in the room was calm, but also fun.
'Yes, I do.' she replied.
'Good.' He said. She looked up at him, and he looked relieved.
'You can come here anytime you feel the need to get away from it all.' He had a look of a boy who had been successful in his mischief not the king of a country. It was a beautiful expression that made Amber laugh softly. She lifted her skirts and curtsied,
'Thank you, Ernest.' She said with a smile.
He came up to her and slipped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him for a kiss. His tongue entered her mouth and sweetly entangled with hers. Their kissing made her feel like she was going to melt and stoked a gentle fire inside her.
He released her lips and took her to the wide windows.
'The scenery from here is rather beautiful. What do you think?'
She could see the royal gardens from the polished window. There was a full moon, and the silver moonlight set the beautiful flowers in the garden aglow.
'It is really beautiful.'
The moonlight gave her a clear view of the garden.
The sight of the moonlight blooming flowers undefiled under the moonlight was indeed dignified. Though the flowers were wrapped in darkness, they still were striking. They did not lose to the night. They dazzled Amber.
She looked ahead and saw something that made her heart thud in her chest from the memory.
She was certain; the simple octagonal gazebo near the moonlight blooming flowers was where she had come to grieve after Damian had fallen for Leticia. It was where she had thrown away the hair ornaments and her shoes.
She hated the pink ornaments that had been designed to look like cherry blossoms. They did not suit her; neither did a shoe with ribbons around her ankles. It looked like the clothes had been made for the adorable Leticia. How could she like clothes that did not suit her? That night she had tried to throw away her expectant heart and the love she had for Damian.
Watching the flowers, so like the ones that were around her that night, Amber remembered her terrible state of mind that night. She tried to scoff but it came out as a sob as her vision began to blur.
The gazebo dredged up bitter memories for her.
Really, why? She asked herself.
But she already knew the answer.
What had she thrown away that night? When did it start to grow again?
When she realized she could no longer fool herself, Ernest wrapped his arms around her from behind.
'I fell in love with you from that night. Only you.' his deep voice reached Amber' heart through her tympanic membrane (Zuben: Drink drink drink)
She was wrapped in his warmth as a teardrop fell down her cheek.
She loved him. She loved Ernest. From the bottom of her heart; she could no longer fool herself.
Unlike Ernest, whose love had been borne from the love potion; she truly loved him. (Zuben: Deaf.)