While Theo carried me on his back, I asked him, "Should we tell my father and mother, about the memory I remembered?"
"If you did, they will know our secret place. We don't want, do we? And they'll know we're sneaking out." He gave a chuckle, which sound so attractive for me, I don't know why.
"Or we could tell them that I remembered a memory of us, and you confirmed that it did happen in the past. What do you think?"
He nodded, "That would work. They'll be delighted that our precious Laurana is starting to get her memory back."
"Our?"
"Yes, 'our'," He made me blush even more; so, in order to hide it, I pinched both of his cheeks and laughed at him.
"You have no doubt on yourself, huh?"
He kept teasing me, while I messed with his hair and his face. We had lots of laugh on our way back to the palace, but stopped making any sound when we arrived near the secret passage. We got in without anyone seeing us, and said our goodbyes at the garden, outside my chamber.
"Thank you for taking me there, Theo. I really can't wait to go back there, again. I'll talk to Mother and Father. Be careful on your way back to the guest wing," I genuinely expressed my gratitude to him.
He smiled at me and said, "It's my pleasure, Laurana. See you soon."
"Wait, Theo," I called him, after he took a few steps away from me. When he turned around, I asked him, "You didn't mention to anyone, about my memory loss, did you?"
He responded by first giving me a reassuring smile and said, "Why would I do that? I don't want anyone to take advantage of you, Laurana. I truly care about you.. I.."
Then, he turned around, without finishing what he's about to say. But, that didn't stop me from saying, "Thank you, Theo. I believe you."
...
After eating dinner with my parents, I asked them if I could talk to them, in my father's study. They easily agreed and didn't let anyone enter the study while we talked. Inside the study, I walked straight into the couches; I waited for my parents to sit on the long couch, before sitting down on the single couch beside it.
"Father, Mother, please don't be shock on what I'm about to tell you.. Earlier, I remembered something.. It was a memory of Theo and I, in the past. He confirmed it for me," I gently shared the news to them.
Mother suddenly moved forward and took my hands with both of her hands, "Is-- is that true? Are you really starting to remember, Laurana?"
"Please don't cry, Mother.. Father, please tell-- oh, not you, too, Father. It's true, and it's a good start, isn't it? Let me give you a hug my beautiful mother and my handsome father!" I stood up and hugged the both of them, together.
Mother cried even more while saying, "I just thought.. I thought that you'll never remember me and your father. But, now.. now, there's a chance that you'll get all your memories back. You don't know how happy that makes me."
Father hugged us tightly and said, "I love you my Empress and my little princess."
...
We stayed in the arms of each other, mostly on Father's arms; until, we heard someone's voice from the outside.
"Your Imperial Majesty, may I come in?"
"Come in." It was the head eunuch, he immediately bowed upon seeing us, "Greetings, Your Imperial Majesties and Your Imperial Highness."
"What is it?" The head eunuch looked at my direction, then, to my father's, "Say it. I don't keep secrets from my wife and daughter."
"I'm reporting that 2nd Prince Egon is requesting to have an audience with Your Imperial Majesty."
"Approved. Tell him to come by, tomorrow morning. You may go," I was wondering what's that all about, when Father talked after the head eunuch left. "Be here, tomorrow morning, Laurana. It's important that you're here."
"Yes, Father," it made me more curious, but, I had to wait 'til morning.
The next day. I wore a cross collar long-sleeved white top with blue flowers embroidered, a wrap-around long royal blue skirt and a stitch soled traditional blue shoes. Before I left my chamber, I let one of my personal servants to fix my hair into a single braid with a big blue ribbon on the end.
My parents and I ate breakfast first; before we head to the study. Arriving there, we saw 2nd Prince Egon standing with his hands on his back, he was waiting outside Father's study. Then, he turned to our direction and smiled at me. Wait, this cold prince smiled at me? What's going on here?
Then, I looked at my parents and saw my mother slightly smiling. Prince Egon met us halfway and greeted us with a neck bow, "Good morning Your Imperial Majesties, Princess." He walked beside me as I squinted my eyes at him, causing him to raise one of his eyebrows while quickly grinning at me.
Inside the study, Father sat behind his table, Mother and I sat on the opposite side; and Prince Egon stood in front of all of us. Then, Father motioned him that he can start talking.
"I'd like to ask for Your Imperial Majesty's permission to let me take Princess Laurana to Furstenberg. Not in the palace, but, on the mountains I reside."
My father nodded at him, "You have my permission. How about you, Laurana?"
"I agree, Father. I'd like to see their country, Furstenberg. Is 4th Prince Henri coming with us?"
Father shook his head, "No, it's just the two of you. When do you plan to depart, Prince Egon?"
"Tomorrow, Your Imperial Majesty," he respectfully answered.
Father ordered him, with an authoritative voice, "Both of you, prepare for your departure tomorrow. You can leave first, Prince Egon. Don't tell anyone. Are we clear?"
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. Your grace is immeasurable," he did a neck bow, then, took a quick glance at me before leaving.