My consciousness returned when I heard a loud yelling of a woman answered by a familiar voice.
The first thing I felt was my cheek stinging like hell.
I opened my eyes as I put my hand on my cheek, and I noticed that I have a scrape.
"You scared the hell out of the girl! Who wouldn't run away from you three? You look terrifying enough for me to curse my own eyes!"
I snorted when I heard the woman outside the tent I was in.
The sunlight came through little holes in the tent, and I noticed that there were little children playing with cute little rabbits with me.
I was about to go out of bed, but my foot was aching badly. I saw that it was sore and has little scapes on it, I must've gotten it from tripping.
From what I remember, I was running away from the ex-residencia because they were talking about taking a hostage.
And now, I'm in an unknown place with unknown people. I should get out of here now.
Everyone might be looking for me, and I am sure dead once I go back. The old couple might also be waiting!
"Don't move!" A little girl with rock-like skin and long thin hair said as she runs towards me with worry, "Please stay still, I'll call Mama!"
She runs immediately outside while the little boy with her continues to play with the rabbits.
I was blinded by the light when the tent opened, then a huge woman came with the girl, looking panicked.
"Are you alright, dear? Tell me where it hurts."
The woman has sharp blue eyes and light-colored hair, but unlike the group I saw, she doesn't have any rock-like skin. She bent her knees and looked at my foot. She held it softly, then she looked at me with an apologetic smile.
"I am very sorry about what happened, dear. My husband can sometimes be dumb, " she said as she forces a laugh to hide that she was annoyed, "May I know who you are?"
I saw the little boy watching us. His hair similar to the woman made me realize that I am not in danger.
Who would put a kid with a hostage? The situation might only turn upside down if they do.
"I'm Amy, Ma'am, " I said and smiled, "Are you an ex-residencia too?"
The little girl nodded, then she showed me her skin with a misspelled 'ex-residencia' written with a pen on her wrist.
"We are ex-residencia! Mama, Dada, and everyone else is an ex-residencia!" She cheerfully proclaimed with hops.
"Dear, I'm sure you've heard about us, but I beg you, do not be afraid, " the woman stood up then lowered her head, and with a faint voice, said "We do not harm others. We just simply wanted to be accepted."
I furrowed my brows, "I am sorry, but I haven't heard about you. I am not from here, can you please tell me what you're talking about?"
The woman looked at me with surprise, then she smiled and held my sore foot.
"That will be a long story, but let me heal you first, " she said as a white light glows from her hand, then a warm feeling covered my foot and after a second the soreness was gone, so was the pain.
I moved my foot and it was perfectly fine, but the scrape was still there.
"My healing power can only treat serious problems such as your foot, but don't worry, small scrape wouldn't leave any scar."
I smiled at her kind face, then I stood up. I should go now, I'll be dead once they find me missing. But I'm sure they're already looking for me.
"I should go, there are people looking for me. I'll try to pay you back when I can."
I went out of the tent and saw different people. Only a few look like the other, but there's a vast variety of races here in their small community.
They all stared at me and their conversations and laughter vanished.
The ones who were cooking in firewood stopped stirring, those who were hanging their clothes stopped midair, and the ones who were walking past me stared.
"She's not an enemy, people. Don't worry."
The woman who healed me suddenly went out of the tent looking troubled as she assures the people that I am harmless.
The little boy and girl held my pants and stared at me with a smile, "Come back here and play with us and the rabbits, alright?" they asked in unison with their little voices.
I nodded, then the woman held my arms softly and I followed her out of their small community in the middle of the forest.
I saw a couple of black flags hanging by the tent which says 'Ex-residencia.'
If the Prince was cautious of them, that means they bring harm, but from what I saw, they're just a small group living together in peace.
They don't even look like bandits.
But what if they are?
"Just follow the trail, and you'll get to where you met my husband. It'll be a couple of minute walks, don't worry. I can't go with you, but please stay safe, " she held my arms warmly and gave a smile. "And please, don't tell anyone about us. I beg you, " she added as her smiles turn into a worried frown.
I can't promise that I wouldn't tell anyone about them, but for now, I'll make an excuse just in case they are already looking for me.
I nodded and headed towards the trail.
I ran fast and didn't bother looking back. The old couples were nowhere to be found, I guess they might've left already.
I hid behind a tree near my tent and saw that everyone's still busy.
Regin was still with the other guards, Granny was still helping out another maid, and Lili, Lulu, and Lala were all helping out in cleaning the tools we used.
I hopped back to my tent and pretended as if I was sleeping. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
I guess I was out for a few minutes, no one seems to notice I wasn't here.
"Miss!" I heard Lili yell beside me.
I opened my eyes and saw her fearful eyes as she stares down at me.
"What happened to your face?!" She yelled as she points at my cheek where the scrapes were.
I shook my head as I cover my cheek, "Nothing, I was just walking around the field then I tripped!"
I'm dead once they find out. I shouldn't be in the forest in the first place, but I wanted to help the old couple.
"How come you got such graze if you're walking in the fields?"
I saw Regin standing beside me which sent me shivers, especially that he's gazing over me with suspicion.
"The soil has turned to mud, and there aren't any rocks around to hurt you."
I looked away from him, I knew he's going to investigate, but I have to make the lie true, or else not only my safety will be in danger.
"I was..." Think, Amy!
"We apologize, Sir, " an old man spoke, "She was helping us take the sacks to the farmhouse and she tripped."
I look at the old man and saw that they were the farmers I helped earlier. The old woman smiled at me, she knew I need help. But, why are they still here?
"Mr. and Mrs. Fhalai, I am glad to see you here. I thought you're in the Echo Kingdom?"
The Prince suddenly appeared and bowed before the old couple.
"Oh my, little Forest has become a fine young man, " the old woman said with a smile, showing her toothless gums.
"Thank you, " Prince Forest said, then he turned to me with a delighted smile, "I heard Amy helped you, isn't she the kindest?" His eyes even looked pleased with what he heard.
I can feel my fluttering heart going out of control with a compliment coming from him, but the guilt of lying suddenly became bigger.
"Yes, she is kind. I'm sure she wouldn't be harmed with her compassion. There are only a few people like her, you are lucky, Your highness." The old man chuckled and then he turned his heel and bid farewell.
Regin never took his glances over me, he knew something wasn't right, but he just kept his mouth closed.
Prince Forest watches the old couple go on their way, then he faced me with a kind glance. "I am happy to hear that you helped the former captain of the farm, Amy, " he said then he bent his back and caressed my cheek, "You should always take care of yourself. I wish I can take the bruise off of your precious face."
I looked deeply into his eyes as I felt the warmth from his hands flow through my skin into my veins.
The world seemed to stop spinning while engraving the words he said into my mind.
I wanted to feel more of his warmth, I want to be in his embrace, I want to hear his heartbeat.
He slowly got closer to me, but a guard suddenly interrupts.
"The results are ready, Your---"
"Mood killer!" I heard Lili scream as she throws her shoe to the guard. "I was about to witness love bloom in front of me, like a theatre show but you ruined it!"
The Prince pushed himself away from me and cleared his throat, "Alright, " he said as his cheeks turn bright red, "Let's have the results announced then, " he said with a slight stutter.
My fluttering heart suddenly went nervous. My whole body stiffened and my mind went blank.
The results are here.
I know I did well. I am sure of it, but what if there are better candidates?
Just like...
I glanced at Princess Tellusia, but she's already staring at me as if she's about to sacrifice me to a volcano.
Her piercing glances made me feel awkward.
I turned my gaze over Regin.
"Miss, the dirt on your pants says where you've been. The Prince might've not noticed it, but I know where you've been."
I gulped as Regin continues to stare at me, but he never said a word to the Prince.
As the announcing began, one after another, a bride's name was called.
I stare at the ground while waiting for my name.
I hear the laughter and the cheers of the ladies who were still in the line as a bride candidate, while I, Regin, and the maids were waiting for mine.
"And may we acknowledge the outstanding harvesting these ladies did, Princess Tellusia and Miss Amelia!"
I smiled when I heard my name, then I looked at Prince Forest and I saw him smiling but not to me.
Princess Tellusia was already beside him, clinging to his arms with a devilish smile.
And right then and there, I professed a war.