"Lili," Granny walked back to me and leaned, "What are you doing? The guards will notice."
I took a deep breath and took the tray with the tea from Granny, "I'll go in," I said.
"We'll both go in, young lady, I can't leave you there."
I nodded, if she did leave me, I don't know where I am going, and she might also be able to stop the Prince in case he gets angry.
Granny opened the door, and as I watch as the light from the room flash to my feet, my heartbeat came to a rumble.
The teacups are shaking along with my hand.
I felt Granny's hand push me softly inside and closed the door behind me.
"Your tea is here, Your highness," Granny said and she took the tray from me.
My eyes were glued to the ground, scared to look at Prince Forest.
His room is rather cold and dim, unlike the halls outside. The windows are closed, but there's a cold rush that greeted us when we entered.
I can hear the clinking sound of the teacups and the pouring sound of the chamomille mint tea. Its fragrance made me relax my tensed body. I took a deep breath, and with my closed eyes, I raised my head.
Breathe, Amy.
I slowly opened my eyes, and the first thing I saw was Prince Forest's pair of dull eyes staring at me with shock.
Granny nodded to tell me that I can do what I want as she stands on the side, but I was frozen on my position.
Oh my god, why does he look so empty?
His bright eyes are nowhere to be found, his smile was buried in that blank expression.
Stack of papers was scattered in his desk, some were even on the floor.
He's working this much?
My heart sank in the realization of how hard he's working for the past days.
When I saw him earlier, he looked tired, but at least he was able to smile for a second.
"Why are you here?" He asked with a cold tone.
He took the tea and took a sip, without letting me go of his sight.
"She wanted to see you, Your highness," Granny answered for me, while I struggle to find the ability to speak.
"Why do you want to see me? I told you I can't meet you because I have work," he adjusted his seat then he went to his work again.
His eyes were glued to the paper while his hand scribbles letters.
Why isn't he looking at me like before?
I don't even know what to say. I want to comfort him but the fact that he may catch me off guard about my knowledge of my identity, I can't tell him that I know everything or else it might get harder for him.
"I miss you," I whispered as my eyes went back to the ground.
The scribbling sound of his pen stopped, and I can sense his eyes on me.
Now he's looking, Amy, raise your head.
But instead of words, tears came to me.
My eyes leaked out of sadness, exhaustion, and anger.
Why does it have to be me? There are tons of people who can be the girl that the Queen prioritized, but why me? I'm already struggling with my existence and now, the only person who I care for might be angry.
"Amelia," Granny softly called my name, but instead of making me feel better, it made me feel worst.
Why do I feel like I'm hanging by a thread now?
My cries felt like an eruption, I can't help but let every tear out of my sad eyes.
I covered my face with my hands, sorry Lili, I soiled your uniform with my tears.
I went here to comfort Prince Forest, not to cry and be comforted, calm yourself, Amy.
I took a deep breath between my sobs, then with my eyes flooded with tears, I raised my head, but it was the Prince's embrace that greeted me.
He wrapped his arms around my shoulder, while his hand pats my back softly.
Come on, Amy, this isn't how it's supposed to be. You're the one who should be hugging the Prince.
"I miss you too, Amy," Prince Forest whispered to my ear.
His warm breath covered my cold emptiness.
My arms went to embrace him and without any other word, I can feel that he's sobbing too.
My sweet, sweet, Prince, how hard it must've been for you.
As my tears vanished, my hand began patting him softly while he buries his face on my shoulder.
I saw Granny wiping her tears on the other side of the room. She knows what the Prince has been feeling.
His tears fell on my shoulders, and like a blade, it stabbed my heart.
He's always smiling at me and keeping me happy, while he's feeling this way.
I wish I can just wash away his pain in a second.
"You're not supposed to be here, Regin will find out if you stay any longer," Prince Forest wiped his tears before letting me go.
But the redness around his eyes tells me he's still not fine.
"Go back now, Amy, I'm fine," he said then he took a deep breath and forced a smile.
I shook my head, he's not fine. Why does he have to pretend?
I want to say sorry to his mother, but I can't.
I know it's the darkness that covers his sky right now, and I want to clear it out.
"We'll see each other during the trial, Amy. Don't worry."
I took a step forward and leaned to hug the Prince.
"I'll win. Three boars are nothing to me, I'll win." I said as I bury my face on his chest.
He chuckled and ruffled my hair, "I'm sorry I had to do that," his voice suddenly became faint, "Things were just harsh earlier."
I nodded and stared at his puffy eyes, "I know, " I looked at him and smiled, "Don't worry. Aiven's a great teacher."
His smile suddenly vanished, then he looked away with a sharp look on his face.
My cheek heated up with the possibility why he's acting like this and said words about Aiven when we were with the seven councils, because...
My smile suddenly appeared, and I whispered, "Are you jealous?"
His brows furrowed, but his face turned red, "What? I don't know what you're saying. Maybe you're just tired."
He was about to break the embrace but I hugged him tighter, making him surprised.
"You're jealous, aren't you?" I teased, then I tip-toed, and gave his cheek a light peck, "I'm loyal to you, didn't I tell you?"
I don't even know what I'm doing right now, but if this will lighten up his mood, I'll do it.
He was suppressing his smile, but after a few seconds, he giggled, and he hugged me back.
"You're really full of surprises, aren't you?" He whispered.
I wish time can go slower for a moment, can this last for just a few more minutes?
This warmth, this happiness, this comfort... only he can change my world into fantasy.
I still can't sleep even I turned a hundred times on the bed.
Good thing Regin didn't bother asking when we came back here, and I was able to change with Lili. She was already asleep when we came, but unfortunately, she has to go back to the castle.
What happened earlier hasn't given my heart a chance to relax.
After we comforted each other, he told me everything that has been happening, and I was right, he's also suspecting the Alpha Kingdom, but not only them, the other kingdoms too, including the Delta Kingdom.
He also said that the caster that cursed me doesn't have anything to share, which put my suspicion that he's hiding something from me to an end.
It made me feel bad that I thought he killed the caster to hide something, when in fact, he was just devastated by what happened to me.
He gave me a good luck charm for the next trial, a light kiss on my forehead.
And with that, I know I can win.
But I can't sleep!
I groaned and stood up, opened the window, but the cold wind didn't greet me, instead, an arrow flew inside my room the moment I opened the window.
It landed on the vase, making a loud sound which made Regin enter the room.
I looked back to see who it was, but there was nothing in the midst of the night.
"Are you alright?" Regin ran to me and checked if I was hit.
I hid my smile, he still worries about me then.
"Yeah, I just wanted some air, but suddenly that came," I said as I point to the arrow.
Then we noticed that there was a paper tied on the arrow.
Regin was the one that took the paper, and I stood beside him.
But what we read sent chills to my soul. Now I want to sleep and pretend nothing happened.
"I'm coming to get you," Regin read with his low growling voice as if he's trying to scare me. But, it seemed that he's serious when he said, "This is not the hand-writing of the one that sent threats to the kingdom. This person is different."
I stared at him while he gazes at the night sky, wondering who sent this message.
And while I stare at the paper, I realized who wrote that message.
It's similar to my father's notes when he leaves me money in the dining table.
That old man, why does he have to send an arrow just to tell me this. He can just go here and say that, but if he's hiding... then he wouldn't want anyone knowing he's going to take me.
I looked at Regin, I know I should tell him it's my father, but right now, I have a matter to talk to my father personally and I don't want them getting involved.