Since I somehow remember the place. I just had to push myself in remembering where Forest could be.
As I hide behind the bushes in a garden next to a mansion, I remembered that this was where he and I meet. We used to walk around here before. And that mansion, that was where I stayed.
Next to it was the castle.
I saw one window still lightened up. That room... I stared at it for a while before I remembered that that is his office.
Yes, I remember it. I can go upstairs as long as I am careful.
I took a deep breath. As I gather my courage, I felt my heart jumping in nervousness and excitement.
But I had to hurry or else someone might notice that I am not in my room. I already told Gerald to take care of everything while I am away, but not everything will go our way. I have to hurry.
I ran the fastest way I could go, and within a second I was in the room but it was empty.
I remember the similar cold room, the dim place. His desk was still full of piled papers, I tried to remember the moment I was here, but I can't fully see it in my memory. It just felt similar.
"Your Highness?" I heard a voice, but there was no one.
I took a few steps back to the door, in case someone dangerous appears, I can just run like hell.
I stared at the shadow, but to my surprise, there was a silver armor appearing, and the one wearing it was Fisher, Forest's knight.
"Why are you here? How did you get here?" He asked.
"I ran. Where is Forest? I have to talk to him."
Fisher's face suddenly tensed up, then he looked away from me.
This man, I can remember his face from a memory where we were going down a mountain.
Everything's slowly going back to my memory but most of it are still hazy.
"He's meeting with a bride candidate. He was busy the whole day but he has to make up for the time he wasn't able to entertain the ladies."
As his words flowed out of his mouth, I felt my throat tightening up.
I somehow know what he means. It's a must for Forest to meet with the ladies during their schedule. Of course, he has to do it. He'll be meeting with his future queen.
"I see..." I whispered.
I felt my whole body losing its strength. My spirits suddenly flew away, leaving me unmotivated.
But I can't be like this, there's another reason why I came here. It's not only to see him.
"Where is he?" I asked.
Fisher's face went troubled, I know he knows what I am feeling, but this isn't the time to be dramatic.
"He's in the lady's room."
"Whose room?"
"Lady Chaseire's room."
Wait... Chaseire... if I am correct, if my memory serves me right... that girl - she's the lady with violet hair. The one who also took me from the human world back here.
The last time I saw her was when I first woke up in the Aplha Kingdom's castle.
I clenched my fist, that King Sorin, he even has a spy here. I can't imagine how well that lady is working, Prince Forest hasn't caught her yet. I mean, even Princess Tellusia's technically works for him too.
"I have something to tell you about Lady Chaseire," I whispered to Fisher.
I explained to him everything. He looked like he's not even surprised.
"Since you told me everything in detail, and it's you, Your Highness, who said those words. There's no doubt. I'll inform the Prince immediately."
In a flash, Fisher suddenly disappeared from my sight and now I'm left with a shadow in front of me.
As I nervously wait in the room, I decided to look around.
I saw a piece of paper on the table, it's Forest's writing. He's replying to letters from nobles and village chiefs.
He's been working hard all this time. He's always busy. How I wish I could stay here and be with him again.
As I continue to look around, I felt a short earthquake followed by a terrifying aura surrounding the whole castle. I felt my knees growing weak, and before I know it, I lost my strength all over my body.
This terrifying power... this feels like Forest.
I saw my world turning upside down as I fall down, but a warm hand held my waist, keeping me standing up.
"Forest..." I said as I saw his face.
He looks sad and worried at the same time, but his soft gaze makes me smile.
The moonlight glistened his fluffy hair, making me want to pat him.
"Amy..." He called and held me in a warm embrace.
It was pretty tight, to be honest. It felt like he was squeezing me, but it felt nice. It felt as if he kept my whole body intact when it felt like it was about to fall apart.
"I missed you," he whispered as his hand was holding my back warmly.
No matter how much I tell him I miss him too, no words can express how much I longed for this embrace.
I just kept quiet and buried my face on his chest. This body, this person, in my memory, he's supposed to be someone new, but my heart knows him so well.
He told me that he's imprisoning Lady Chaseire right after she confessed. Then, it's true, she's a spy. She even managed to be in the top three candidates. She's almost about to be a crown princess if she pulls everything perfectly.
"Don't worry, Amy. No matter what happens, you'll be my queen." He whispered as he leans to kiss my forehead.
I want to believe in his words, I know he loves me, I surely know it. But he can't suddenly back out from the winner. It was a promise, that whoever wins will be the Crown Princess. He can't avoid it. If only I'm still part of this trial, then, I'd do anything to win.
I want to tell him that I also want to be his queen, how much I want to be with him, how much I love him... but I can't. I just came here for two things, to see him and tell him about my plan, that's all.
If I try to open the conversation about how I'll still be his queen, I'll be swayed and forget about my plans.
"Forest, listen," I pushed him away to break the embrace and I did my best to look at him with formality and confidence.
"I have a plan and I hope you can help me. This is to destroy and stop King Sorin. If ever you agree, I'm counting on you to tell the other Kings and Queens who are on our side."
Forest seemed to be shocked by me pushing him away, but he's more surprised that I already have a plan.
Of course, this was what he was waiting for. If I didn't ask him to stop when he was planning to kill King Sorin during the ball, then, we would be in a terrible situation right now.
"I'll hear it. No matter how difficult it is, I'll try my best to help you carry it out perfectly," Forest said as he pulls away his hand from me.
As he stares at me, his eyes slowly looked as if I'm drifting away.
Is this because I'm not a candidate anymore? I'm not a formal potential partner anymore. No matter what he does... he can't do something that will tarnish his name. He can ignore the winner of the bride's trial and pursue me, but that will leave him in a bad position.
"I am planning to get everyone who is against King Sorin on our side to help us. We're starting with those in the castle, I still haven't got a reply from them, but if they agree, we'll soon reach out with those outside. If King Sorin loses his puppets, he won't have anyone to pull off his threatening acts to the innocent kingdoms. He'll only be left with his B-level power."
I tried to do my best to explain it in the simplest manner, and it seems like Forest understood me. He kept on nodding, but I can see that he's thinking.
"This is a pretty simple plan, Amy. Have you thought about the consequences and other possibilities? Not everyone can be on your side, it can only be a number you can count on your finger. And I'm telling you, it won't be enough."
I nodded, "I know. That's why we'll also play King Sorin's game. If he threatens people, we'll have to remove the threat. He's only good at scaring them. If we secure their safety, I'm sure they won't be a problem. If it goes smoothly, we'll only be left with problems about those who really follow him like a shadow."
I clenched my fist as I resist getting flustered as I stare at his beautiful face. I am currently drowning in eagerness to mess his fluffy hair. I want to hug him, shower him with kisses, and tease him. But I have to contain it. I can't, if I let my emotions play, I'll only get hurt in the end.
"I see," he looks down on the ground while thinking, "That is a good plan, Amy. But you know that it doesn't mean it will be perfectly done. There are people who will always go behind your back."
Gerald's idea was mostly about securing that no one will spill the beans to King Sorin. He was wary that the Alpha Kingdom is full of spies.
"I know. That's why we have to act fast and carefully. We'll only tell the plan to those who we trust and we'll lay it low. We just have to let the opportunity come to us."
It suddenly surprised me when Forest looked at me, making me look away in embarrassment. He flinched when he saw my action.
"Why are you looking away, Amy? Is something wrong?" He asked with a soft voice.
"No, nothing's wrong. I was just thinking."
I unconsciously stared at the floor the whole time we were talking. I never dared to look up to him. I felt like if I met his gaze, I won't be able to stop myself.
I'll either run to him and kiss him, or I'll stare at him and cry.
I was hoping that after all this, I can still fight my way to be beside him, but I guess the Great Council doesn't like me that much.
But... if I prove to them that I am not an enemy... I can still be a bride candidate, right?
I raised my head in hopes that what I was thinking was possible. I can't contain the happiness that I am feeling now that I got an idea, my lips were uncontrollable and I just kept on smiling.
"Amy?" Forest asks with his furrowed brows.
This is it. If everything went according to my plans, not only will every kingdom be safe, I'll also have Forest.
"Just wait, Forest. I'll do everything and stop King Sorin. I'll save everyone."
And I'll save you from marrying the wrong one.
I took a deep breath and gave Forest a tight hug, then I tiptoed and pecked his cheek.
"For now, please, help me. I'll be back in case I have to tell you something, but until then, please take care of yourself."
Forest gave me the warmest smile I ever saw, it was also full of hope and happiness. Both of us are hoping for the same future. Both of us are staring at the same bright sun.
"I'll wait for you, please be safe, my sweet Amy."