Prince Marin stares at me intently, waiting for my answer, reading every movement of my muscle.
Granny already told me not to trust anyone except for the Gathrin Kingdom, and this kid is from the Beta Kingdom, one of the closest friends of the Alpha Kingdom.
But he saved my life, what's the most trust-worthy act can anyone do aside from that?
If I have to be wary about anyone, it's Princess Tellusia.
She's already shady enough from the ex-residencia's experience.
"I..." my words were cut by the maids knocking by the door.
"Miss, Sir Regin is here," they said.
Prince Marin stood up and fixed his suit, "We'll continue this talk. I still haven't finished my story yet," he walks away with his eyes fixated on mine, with a look that he'll be looking forward to the next time we talk.
I just smiled at the kid as he walks past Regin who stared at him, guessing what had happened with us.
"He just checked me," I said as an excuse for Regin to avoid assuming things.
Lulu and the others served me desserts while Regin and I sat in front of each other while he reads a list. He takes glances over me from time to time, I don't even know what he's thinking.
"You will have a three-hour practice in archery with Mister Untzer every day until the hunting trial, and I will be there to watch you," Regin said, "Then, you'll also have to take lessons about knowledge and character as a preparation in case you got to pass by the second trial."
I was overwhelmed by the thought that they're already giving lessons for the third lesson, is it really that hard that they give lessons before even knowing who will have to undergo the trial? But the assurance that I'll get to practice with Aiven is great to hear.
Even if Regin will be with us, I know we can do something to talk together.
"Three boars for a beginner, it's impossible," Regin scoffed as he stands up, "You don't have to go to the lessons for the third trial, I'm sure you'll lose anyway."
The maids froze while they stare at the knight with shock on their faces.
"Excuse me?" I stood up to face him, "You don't mean that."
I can't believe he said that I know he's bipolar and he sometimes hates me, but I never thought he'll tell me those words.
I've been trying my best here, I know I'm not that obedient lady he thinks I should be, but he should be with me in this fight.
"Who said that I don't mean that?" Regin's sharp eyes landed on mine, "It's better if you lose."
It's been a few hours since he said those words, and it's already night. I should be sleeping now. I should be taking a rest for tomorrow's practice, but here I am, standing by the open window, gazing over the forest.
I can't take his words off my mind. It echoes and echoes the longer I remember the look he threw to me as if I was mere dust he can brush off any moment.
Regin was beginning to be kind, I knew he was getting soft before we went to the ball. But why the sudden change?
He's been mean to me, but I never imagined him to say those words.
If he got a problem, he shouldn't drag me down with him.
The prince already gave me enough cold shoulder, he doesn't have to add any negative vibes to me.
I wish I could pull out an all-nighter while watching an anime to forget about everything that happened, at least for a few hours, everything will not matter.
I wonder, is the time in the human world still going? Am I missing a whole semester now? Not that it even matters if I won and become Prince Forest's bride, but what if I have to go back and I'm already dropped out?
The name Rose Clair Dawn suddenly came to my mind, somehow I feel like I've heard it before. But where, and when?
I found myself staring at the mirror while brushing my hair.
If Prince Marin was right and only the royal family from the Alpha Kingdom has that hair color, that means, my mother is somehow related to the Rose Clair Dawn, or to King Sorin.
But why can't I use my firepower? Is Aiven right and they concealed it?
I have to find out, and that means I have to wait for tomorrow to hear other news from Aiven.
I didn't notice that I already fell asleep on the chair while still glaring over the moon, but my dreams interrupted the supposed rest.
I was in the same place as my first dream. My father and mother were singing happy birthday to me.
And their faces got a bit clearer, but my mother's hair was the one that caught me.
She might've colored it in a different tone, but her roots are showing a reddish-orange hue.
That means, she's also connected to the royal family.
But what bothered me was a large scar that covered her hand.
What happened? Who hurt her?
I wanted to ask her, but I can't move, I can only watch them as they sang happy birthday while giving me a round chocolate cake with my name, Amy, written on top with mocha icing.
"Miss Amelia, are you alright?"
My eyes went wide as Lili shakes me with worries on her face, "You're murmuring on your sleep," she frowned.
I saw Lulu and Lala staring at me, they've been here for a while basing on the prepared breakfast and clothes.
"I'm fine," I told them.
That dream, it did happen, I can feel it.
Is it part of the memories I can't seem to find when I was younger than seven?
I thought the memory loss was because of the shock that my mother died, but guess it's not the reason I can't remember.
"Amelia," Aiven called with the arrow waving in front of my face, "What are you doing? Move."
He gave me the arrow and I positioned myself, but my mind wasn't present as it keeps on coming back to my dream.
This is the third bow I'm supposed to aim on the target, but I'm only hitting the wind for the past arrows.
Regin was watching us behind, it seemed as if he still hasn't cooled down and he still thinks I can't catch three boars. Just you watch.
"Ready, Amy," Aiven walks behind me as he focuses on my bow, "Use your power," he whispered.
And after gathering my anger from Regin's expectations, I aimed my bow to hit the tenth circle, the yellow little circle in the middle, I felt my fingertips release such speed that when I released the bow, it went through the target and hit the trees behind it.
My eyes went wide, and I hopped towards Aiven who was frozen with what I did.
"I got it! I got it!" I exclaimed as I raise my hands on air, "I got it, Aiven," I yelled like a protagonist in anime who defeated his nemesis.
Aiven laughed as he watches me act like a hero who defeated such villain, then he pats my back, "Now you got it, practice more, and well," he shrugged as he leans to whisper, "You can do more. I know you can. Experiment with power."
I nodded, and I saw Regin with a surprised expression stare at the bow.
I don't even care if he noticed that I used my power, at least I can show him that I can do it.
After my arms almost gave out, Aiven decided to take a rest.
He walked a bit farther and sat under a tree, and I knew he did that for some reason.
I took the glass of cold juice from Lili, "I'll bring this to Aiven," I said and I went to the tree where he was resting without any word.
Regin was still watching us, I can feel his eyes glued behind me, but he won't be able to hear us.
"Drink this," I gave Aiven the glass as I sat beside him, "Any news?"
"That's what you want to hear first, huh?" He chuckled as he sips, "No information about your mother, but your father filed the report on the Queen's death, and turns out, he claimed that the Queen ordered him to protect you first before her and the assassination happened right inside your house."
I nodded as I understood that Prince Marin was right, the assassination happened in our house and the Queen ordered that my father should protect us first.
"Anyway, the investigation is still on-going, Amy. And I heard they found out something just yesterday, the time before you arrived in our house."
The ice on the glass clung as I listen to Aiven's words that made me feel like I'm suffocating while the wind blew my hair, I shouldn't have asked for any news. I should've let Aiven praise me for my improvement.
"You're the reason why she died."
The words sent me standing, but Aiven held my hand, and he said with a frown, "She wanted to protect you, Amy. She knew something. But you didn't kill her. It's her choice to cast a spell before defending herself."
I pulled my hand away from Aiven.
That doesn't change anything. The Queen died because of me. My father wasn't able to defend her because of me.
It's my fault.
"Amy," I heard Aiven running towards me, but I didn't stop, and I heard Regin stopping him from entering the mansion.
Maybe that's also the reason why Regin was being harsh, and why the Prince felt distant from me.
They think it's my fault.
I locked my door and I went to take a shower.
While the water spirals into the drainage, my mind spirals into the damage I shouldn't throw myself in, but I can't help but to drown myself with guilt.
Aiven assured me that it's not my fault, but why does it feel like it's mine?
Why did the Queen choose me before herself? She has a son to take care of, a son that I don't want to hurt.
She should've thought about Prince Forest before me.
My tears melted with the water that flows from the shower down to my feet. I wish this weird coldness I feel on my chest be washed away too.