After I got the ring that King Sorin gave me, Gerald became more vigilant. He was ordered not to take his eyes off of me, not even a second. King Sorin was tight about having me secured.
Not even my own family can talk to me privately. He was afraid that someone might take off my ring if they ever find out. But of course, my family already knew what he did.
I told them immediately about the manipulation that King Sorin planned to put me into to avoid any misunderstanding that may happen in the future.
We planned to keep it between me and every ally inside the castle for a while and until we are sure that the help we can get from the outside will be successful in helping us taking down King Sorin.
I don't want to put lives in danger for now.
King Sorin and I are having tea outside, I was sitting beside him while facing him a bit to pretend I am acting close while this bastard's enjoying every bit of time smiling like a rotten-brained pig.
"You're getting prettier every time I see you, my Queen."
The hairs on my arm stood up when King Sorin leaned a little towards me as he said those words, but I don't have time to be afraid. I smiled widely and chuckled softly as I tap his shoulder.
"My, please don't tease me, I feel embarrassed."
"But it's true, your beauty reminds me of the most stunning woman I've ever seen."
Sometimes I wonder how stupid he can get. Is this how he really wants me to react? I can't guess how he wants me to be, but did I really hit the jackpot and got the acting that suits his taste?
And still, he can't let go of my grandmother. Whenever he remembers her, he talks about her non-stop and how he wants to destroy the Gathrin Kingdom.
But as time passes by, I guess he and my mother was never close in the first place. I tried to ask mother about their childhood, but she never gives me satisfying answers.
She'd always give me vague answers that change from time to time, she'd go: "Sorin was a naughty child," or "I guess he was smart."
There was not a single memory of them that my mother cherishes.
The throne definitely destroyed a family, my family.
While I tried to put on the brave face and rode along with King Sorin's foul acts, someone came in.
He was one of King Sorin's Generals who leads the attack to Echo Kingdom. He has Beta Kingdom's roots based on his scaly skin and gills on his neck.
He bowed before me and King Sorin before proceeding to report. He was hesitant at first because I was there, but King Sorin signaled him to continue.
"We heard that Echo Kingdom's planning to ask another kingdom for help. We're still finding information about what kingdom, but we better gather more men to put into the army."
King Sorin swirls his tea while listening with an unbothered look on his face, then he gave me a quick glance with a smirk plastered on his face.
At first, I didn't know what that look meant, but it hit me. He's not scared of anything because he has me. He's in control of me.
This son of a--- no, that's my grandmother. I sometimes forget that we're still related and calling him names would put dirt on my relatives sometimes.
"If that will give you a peaceful sleep at night, General. Do what you must, I'll see you tomorrow at the camp. I expect that you'll find what kingdom they're asking help for by then."
The general looked relieved as he went on his way.
Gathering more men means they're taking some villager by force or kidnapping other people from other kingdoms. I saw it one time when King Sorin brought me in one of the camps near Delta Kingdom's territory.
"Well, we have to end our time now, My Queen. I still have some work to do for tomorrow's visit."
Thank god, it's done.
King Sorin stood up while holding my hand and lead to my way. Gerald was just behind me, following my shadows.
"I'll see you soon," I curtsied and gave him a sweet parting smile.
King Sorin smiled back and turned around with his knights following him behind.
Gerald and I watched as he disappeared in the darkness where he truly belongs. As silence filled the halls, I felt the sun's rays against my skin as they try to make their way inside through the windows.
"Gerald, will you cover me up? I want to go out." I whispered as I enter my room.
"Where are you going, Your highness?"
I sat on the couch and slouched a bit to relax my body. I've been sitting straight the whole time I was having tea with King Sorin.
"To my sunshine," I answered as I stare outside watching the noon sky heat the earth.
"You can go tonight, it'll be much safer since everyone will be asleep. No one will look for you."
It's true. I sighed and closed my eyes.
It's been a few weeks since I last went to Forest. I'm tired whenever night comes and I have no more energy left to run since I spent it all in acting for King Sorin.
There are times when Kai gets to go out but it was only one time that he successfully went to Gathrin Kingdom to give Forest my letter. He'll either be sensed by the guard or someone will see him.
"What's the status of the planned attack to Charlie Kingdom? They seem to be taking care of Echo now," I mumbled as I felt sleepy.
"They'll be attacking after tomorrow. Did Prince Forest said anything about it on the letter he sent before?"
I shook my head as felt my heavy body floating towards slumber, "No. He did not."
All I can remember was he said, "... We'll see each other soon, till then, I'll be keeping my memory of you when we first met, about the weird things you talked about like college and anime..."
Even though I still can't remember that memory, it somehow filled my heart with joy and excitement, as well as worries.
But I wonder why I told him about embarrassing things? Did I tell him about college and anime? That's such a boring topic. But I hope at least I told him cool anime series.
I moved a bit to sleep comfortably on the couch while sitting. I only need a quick nap. No need to go to bed. I took a deep breath and let out a heavy sigh.
"Rest well, Amelia, my child." I heard a different voice said.
It was a low yet comforting voice. It sounded like music to my ears. It was soothing my tired soul. I felt at ease as if that voice was a guardian.
But all I know what it was coming from where Gerald was standing. Yet I didn't have the push to look at him anymore, I surrendered to sleep the second after I heard that voice.
I was shaken by one of the maids back into reality and to my surprise, I was on the bed. My blanket was over me and the curtains were closed.
My forehead furrowed as I stood up, I fell asleep on the couch earlier but why am I here?
Gerald was standing by the door, looking around, inspecting the maids, and the knights that are waiting for me to go down to the dining hall for dinner.
Did he transfer me to the bed? But that's impossible, I've taken naps a million times on the couch but he never transfers me to my bed. But I mean, who else will but why would he do that?
Then I remembered the voice I heard before. It was an old man's voice. It was has a calming soft voice, as if it was a hymn for peace.
As I pass by Gerald while we were on our way to the dining hall, I squinted my eyes at him, but he looked at me with a blank face.
I'm sure I heard that voice where Gerald was standing, but Gerald's voice is nowhere near that marvelous voice.
My family seems well as I eat dinner with them, however, I still kept the act as if I don't care about them or anyone else unless they're King Sorin. Though it hurts me to do this, they know that I have to. King Sorin didn't join us, but his knights were with us, watching me.
After dinner, I went straight back to my bedroom, prepared to go out, and waited when the castle was at rest.
Gerald was standing by the window when I finally asked, "Did you tell me to rest earlier, Gerald?"
He looked at me with wrinkled brows and shook his head, "What do you mean?"
I shrugged my shoulder as I put on my cloak, "Nothing, I just... I thought I heard a voice earlier."
He looked at me straight in the eye. He must be thinking I'm going crazy now.
"Just go back as soon as possible. Remember you can't bend fate at your own will."
I nodded, I thought he was going to call me crazy, but he's right. I have to hurry.
I did not spend another second and I dashed off to the Gathrin Kingdom, went straight to his office and to my surprise, Aiven was there too.
I jumped for joy when I saw him, and they were all shocked to suddenly see me out of the blue.
I know they were talking about something serious, but I can't hide my excitement.
Aiven froze, but I saw his eyes turned bloody red. Forest stood up from his seat with his sword ready to be drawn out. While Fisher was standing right behind me, maybe with a sword pointed at my back.
"Amy?" Forest spoke as I broke my embrace with Aiven.
"Forest, hello," I whispered as I felt my throat tighten up with embarrassment.
"You're here, are you alright?" Aiven asked with his hands on both my arms as his eyes' color went back to its normal red tone.
"Yes, I'm fine. I've been through some things, but I'm alright." I smiled and gave him another hug but I suddenly felt something stopping me.
I saw a folder between me and Aiven held by Forest. His eyes were dead but it's glaring at Aiven.
"I guess this visit isn't for me, is it? Did you two plan to meet here?" Forest's flat tone made me let out a chuckle.
I felt three pairs of eyes on me, but that didn't stop me from feeling a fuzzy thing in my chest. This is the first time I saw Forest get jealous.
I just can't hold the emotion back, I also wanted to see Aiven, but I didn't think I'd get to meet him here. And add the nervousness of seeing Forest again after a few weeks, that would really send my adrenaline over the roof.
"Don't be like that, I wanted to see you too," I told Forest as I lean to give him a tight embrace.
I felt his hand that holds the folder went down as I bury my face on his chest. I took a deep breath and held it for a while, then I sighed.
My Forest, my peace, my rest, my home.
"I miss you."