I was sitting alone in the quiet library, even though they have told me a few times that Prince Forest won't arrive for our daily meeting.
The news shook the mansion the moment I stepped out of the carriage. The guards were running around, panicking on where they should go right after Prince Forest ordered them to find Princess Tellusia.
I was just frozen, watching as everybody's face turned pale, painted with fear and uncertainty when one of the guards announced that they have captured one of the Princess' kidnappers.
I saw a familiar black flag ripped on the hands of the guards, and I saw the face of the ex-residencia's member. He was the one I saw in the forest when I thought they wanted to hold me as a hostage.
I didn't know where they took him. But I know for sure, they're interrogating him.
I stretched out my arms above my head as I yawn widely. I still haven't had breakfast, and my stomach's starting to growl loudly while I pretend that I didn't hear my own body screaming for sustenance.
I was looking forward to this day. I was planning to tell the Prince the stories I have in my pouch from my short vacation in Aiven's house, and also, questions I want to ask about him and the different Kingdoms.
But, he's not here.
"Miss, would you like to have breakfast out in the garden?" I heard Lili whisper from the door.
I always eat breakfast with the Prince in the garden, and it's been a while since we last did that.
The last time was rather unpleasant. My emotions went unstable, and I decided to leave as if the Prince did something awful.
If only I knew he wouldn't come, I would have slept longer. My dreams were starting to come back now, and it's also been a while since I last dreamt.
"Miss," Regin called as he goes inside the library, "I have to ask you something," he said while stared at me with a pressing glance.
I saw Lili closed the door tight, as Regin walks closer to me.
He held his sword to his side, then he let out a deeply raised disappointed sigh.
I raised my brows at him. I know he's not in a good mood, but why does he have to show me that distress?
"I blamed myself when you run away, Miss. I was devastated that I wasn't able to guard you and I knew I failed as your knight, but..." He pulled out his sword and pointed it to my neck, "When you entered the forest, even after our endless warnings, you are showing that you are not following the orders given to you by His Highness."
I stared at him with a blank face. This was just like the first time I saw him. I talked ill about the Prince then he proceeded to threaten my head.
But I am not afraid of him anymore.
I know he wouldn't kill me.
I tilted my head with my eyes full of curiosity, "What was the question you want to ask?" I said with an unbothered voice.
He shook his head and returned the sword on his side, " I am serious. I was telling you when you stepped in that forest, you were committing a crime against the orders given to you. And if anyone, even the Prince, finds out you weren't following, your head might be on a platter tomorrow."
I didn't blink while staring at Regin, even though he's my knight, his loyalty is on the castle.
I knew at some point, he'll point his sword towards me again. I knew it judging by the way he stares lowly at me.
"I saw how you exchange glances with the ex-residencia yesterday when they passed by us. I know you've met him."
I shrugged and curled my lips, "I dunno," I said as I stand up, "He looked at me, I looked at him. There was no exchange of glances."
"Something was questionable with how he looked at you, Miss. I am a knight and I know those looks."
"What look? I don't know what you're saying, " I looked at him and sighed, "You're just being paranoid."
I patted his arm, but he stopped me and held my arms tightly, "This is a critical case, Miss Amelia Snow. The Delta's Princess is missing, and do you know what happens if we don't find her?" He asked with a heavy low voice as his jaw grinds with every word he says, "War happens."
His sharp glare towards me made chills run through my spine. I am not afraid of the war he's saying, I am scared of what he's trying to tell me.
"Once they find out that you went to the forest where the ex-residencias were hiding, the Delta kingdom will gladly take you to their town for everyone to witness your death. You are going to be a suspected person, and don't beg me to stay quiet about your little adventure yesterday," he let go of my hand and turned towards the door.
"It's as if I can do anything about what you're trying to make me do, " I whispered as I run towards the door and headed to my room.
I was standing by the door when I noticed what happened.
I run so fast! My anger made me speed up my tracks, how amazing. If only I can run away from my problems.
I opened the door and laid down on my bed.
I know I am guilty of going to the forest, but meeting the ex-residencia wasn't my intention.
"And you dare to run away?" I heard Regin's voice, followed by the closing creek of the door. "You have to go with me and show the way to the ex-residencia's location."
I shook my head and pulled the blanket over my head, "I don't know where!" I screamed.
I felt my hunger getting unbearable every second, but I have to deal with Regin.
If I tell him where their location is, I don't know what they might do. I don't even know what's the problem between the group and the kingdom.
I can't risk the group's safety. They did not do any harm to me and even healed my foot, even though it is their fault I tripped.
"Why don't you use the tracers? I heard they work to look for missing people?"
I closed my eyes as the blanket warms my body. I am feeling sleepy all of a sudden. My hunger can wait, I need sleep first.
"You may not know this, but if they used their power, they'll be able to trace your tracks as well. That means you're proudly telling the kingdom's powerful men that you met with the ex-residencia, Miss."
I groaned I don't want to think for now. I want to sleep. But, he has a point.
I will definitely be punished in whatever manner they want if they find out, and that means, I won't get to continue this bride trial.
That means I won't be able to win this.
I won't be with the Prince. He'll be married to someone else.
All that happened will be wasted.
"Alright," I pulled the blanket down, with my eyes still closed, "I'll tell you where they are. But don't hurt them."
I heard the door opened and when I glanced at Regin, he threw me a cloak right in the face.
He's really treating me like I am lower than him. If he's my close friend, throwing things at each other wouldn't bother me, but we aren't anywhere near friends.
"Hey, " I shouted at him as I take the cloak off of my face, "What's your problem, huh?!"
"Let's go, tell me where they are."
He didn't even look at me and he went out of the door.
I groaned as I stand up, I still haven't had breakfast. He should at least let me eat.
Regin told the maids and granny that he and I will have a quick walk but I knew that they understand that we have to do something.
He told the guards that I wanted to go around the village for them to let me out. And since he grew up in the fields, he knew a shortcut from the Castle straight to the field.
After a few minute quiet walks, we arrived and I saw the farmers planting in the field while we continue to walk past towards the forest.
The sky wasn't also happy with what is happening. The clouds covered the sun, as cold breeze takes its toll around the kingdom.
"Where is it?"
I quietly mocked Regin by repeating his question with an annoying expression plastered on my face.
"There, " I pointed at the track I took yesterday back to the field.
He readied his sword, as we carefully walk deeper into the forest.
But my thoughts started to wander around my mind. I wonder what the Prince is doing now? Is he looking for the Princess personally like he did when I went missing? Did he send out guards instead?
"Careful!"
I heard Regin shouted but before I can even see what he was warning me about, I was sent flying inside a trap net.
My world turned upside down, and my head began hurting due to the sudden throw.
"Miss!"
I saw Regin looking around with his sword on his hand. He was looking for the rope that holds this giant net I am in, but the trees were too tall and the rope might be hidden in the branches.
I also followed the rope above me, but it was all hidden amongst the leaves.
"I think the rope's there on that tree, " I pointed by the tree next to me.
Regin nodded and checked.
I wondered where this trap came from, I was sure there was nothing like this yesterday or I might've been caught.
From the high height, I can see the end of the forest, and to my right, I can see the little village of the ex-residencia.
I saw everyone running around, carrying things, while some were making their way to the other side of the forest, towards the mountains that the Gathrin Kingdom no longer cover.
But in the middle of their land, I saw the familiar green hair.
Princess Tellusia was tied to a chair while surrounded by woods.
One man next to her was holding a fire, threatening to throw it to the Princess.
I felt the net swaying, and little by little it goes down.
"Hey! Be careful! I'll fall badly if you suddenly cut the rope!"
I grasp the net tightly, securing that I won't suddenly fall in case the rope was cut.
"Regin!" I yelled as I felt the net swaying aggressively, and just like in some of my freaking annoying dreams, I fell and my whole body stiffened in fear.
At least if I am going to die from this fall, the last thing I saw was the cloudy sky and leaves of the tall trees.
Ah, I knew it. I should've stayed outside the day I was kidnapped. My blockmates were calling me to eat outside, but I chose to stay in and watch anime where they found and took me.
I always wanted to die old. I want to spend my younger years and go to Japan. But if this is the end, then, I will gladly accept my end.
"What the hell are you doing?" I heard a grumpy voice ask.
I thought angels have a soft beautiful voice? But why is this angel angry?
"You're alive, Miss Amelia, can you go out of the net now?"
I opened my eyes and felt the ground below me. I saw Regin holding the rope tightly on his hand.
"I thought you cut the rope too short to make me fall, " I pulled the net off of my face and stared at Regin in amazement.
"Why would I do that? You clearly saw the rope being cut, but I made sure that I will not hurt you."
He threw the rope that he held tightly that he safely pulled to slowly put me down in the ground.
"Thank you, " I said as he helped me stand up.
"We have to go now, you said you saw the Princess."
I nodded and we headed to the location of the ex-residencia.
"You witch!" We heard a man scream.
Regin pulled me behind a tree as he peeks on what was happening, "Be careful, Miss." He whispered while holding my hand tightly as if I am a balloon ready to fly away.
He sure doesn't want me running off again.
"It's your fault we're banned from all of the kingdoms! You liar!"
I heard another deafening yell then followed by a loud slapping sound.
"If you didn't play around, if you didn't spread out lies, we could've been living happily."
Regin and I exchange glances.
What is happening? Why are they saying those words to Princess Tellusia. What did she do?
"We will burn you, and your ashes will be thrown in the mud. You don't deserve to live after all you've done, little girl."