When Ely heard Adam ask who she was, she was dumbfounded. How could he forget her?
"You're… You're just kidding, right?" Ely took his hand and squeezed it, "I am Elizabeth, your wife!"
But the confused man pulled his hand away from her. "I apologize, but… I can't recall who you are."
"No… Adam… why…"
As Ely cried, she felt pain in her chest. She recalled their memories together, from the first day they met, to the day of their wedding. She could still remember vividly how he looked so stunning in his tuxedo, and the way they shared their first kiss as a married couple. She could still feel the warmth of his hand when they walked on the aisle.
Ely could not forget how beautiful his gray eyes were. At the end of the day, his smile would always melt away her tiredness. She missed his little sweet actions like taking out the shrimp meat, and massaging her stiff hands.
Everything about Adam that got her madly in love with him came crashing into her thoughts in a flash.
Ely missed her husband, and she wanted to follow him into the afterlife. And now that they finally met, why couldn't he remember her?
Why was destiny so cruel to her?
As Ely cried on the cold, stoned floor, Adam looked at her with pity. Because of a miracle, he was somehow revived, but he didn't expect someone to cry for him. As he glanced at her, he found her beautiful as the moonlight shone on her and made her tears sparkle.
He stood up in front of her, then offered his hand, "Please don't cry… Stand up…"
Ely glanced at her husband's hand before she tilted her face up to meet his eyes.
Adam gave her a kind smile.
When Ely saw his smile after so long, it eased the pain within her. She stopped crying, then took his hand.
"Isn't my brother sweet?" Prince Kaio suddenly spoke. He was delighted to see that the temple priestess was right; it was Ely alone who could awaken his brother from his deep sleep.
"Brother?" she looked at the blonde prince, "My husband is… yours and the King's brother?"
Prince Kaio nodded, "The husband you spoke of… is the King's twin brother."
"He… He is?" Ely widened her eyes in shock. She once thought that her late husband was actually King Maro, but she was wrong all along.
"What are you talking about? Maro became the King?" he asked his younger brother.
"Unfortunately, yes," He approached him and patted his shoulder, "But everyone in this nation knew that you're supposed to be the King…"
Ely widened her eyes in shock, "What do you mean he's supposed to be the King? But Adam is-"
Prince Kaio added, "Miss Ely, Queen Ely, or whatever you are called… In this world, do not call him Adam. His name is Seiro, the true King of this nation!"
"Sei...ro? But..." It was hard for Ely to process everything in her mind.
When Prince Seiro noticed Ely spacing out, he faced her, "You… Can I call you Ely?" he asked.
Ely nodded, "Yes, please do," she wiped her tears, "I'm sorry if I was rude… It's just that… in my world, you and I are-"
But Prince Seiro suddenly embraced her. "I may not remember you, but… I can feel your love towards me, and I can feel that you cared for me when I was in your world."
"Adam-"
"Call me Seiro."
"Sorry... Uhm… Prince Seiro…" Ely closed her eyes as she hugged him tightly.
"Seiro, why are you-"
"Kaio," He then pulled away, and caressed Ely's cheek while looking at her ocean blue eyes, "Even if I came back to our world, it doesn't change the fact that I married this woman in her world. I still want to treat her well."
Prince Kaio chuckled, "Brother, you are really the kindest person I have ever met. Truly someone more fit to be the King!" He turned to Ely, then asked her, "It's hard for you, isn't it? But what will you do? Do you want to return to your kind husband and rebuild your past, or do you want to build a new future with the ruthless King?"
Ely thought that she already knew what to answer. In her mind, the reason why she was there at the temple was to see her beloved Adam...
But she stuttered. She thought of the lonely King who needed her by his side, and it was making her confused.
Because Ely was showing an expression of doubt, the old woman interrupted them, "Excuse me, our dearest Princes, but it is time for you two to go now," she said.
Prince Seiro nodded, then turned to Ely once again as he squeezed her hands, "Ely, we have to go, now."
Even though Ely had not yet decided on who she would choose, she feared that she would not see Adam again. She grabbed his arm, and looked at him in a worried expression and teary eyes, "When can I meet you again?"
"Soon… I will meet you soon, I promise."
Prince Kaio said, "Ely. If you want him to be safe, please keep this a secret from our brother."
It would mean that she would betray the King, but even though her husband did not remember her, she wanted to keep him safe at all costs. After all, she witnessed how he died.
"I will… keep this a secret."
"Good. That means you're now our ally… You are now the King's enemy," Then, Prince Kaio said that he would permit Ely to visit his palace anytime if she wished to see Prince Seiro.
"I…" She ran out of words to say. "So in the end, I still chose Adam…"
And when Prince Seiro and Prince Kaio were led by the young priestess out of the temple, the old woman muttered, "I can finally talk to you alone," she told her, "Child of another world, Elizabeth Berry. I am Priestess Diane, the guardian of the Holy Temple of Destiny."
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you in person, ma'am…" she offered to shake hands, but the priestess ignored it.
"I will get straight to the point," Priestess Diane said in a cold tone, "You must go back to your world, Elizabeth."