“No.” I whispered. Horrified at the scene in front of me that I had to take a step back and cover my lips.
It was horrible! It’s one of my worse nightmares.
As soon as the meeting ended I was just about to head back to the garden. It was agreed upon that the royals will be staying in Thalia for a few days in order for all the kingdoms to get together and have a polished-out plan on how to take down Ferius.
While all the royal visitors were being escorted out to their respective rooms, I went out to look for my sister. It was a good day and I was in a good mood.
It was until I saw THIS!
I was hiding behind a tree and clawing it in anger.
‘Princess, remain calm.’ He says in a comforting manner looking worriedly at me. ‘Please do not act irrationally this time.’
‘Calm? How can I remain calm at this!?’ I looked at Viex like he was out of his mind. I pointed to where my sister was hanging out with Kellar as they played house with Nora! My eyes narrowed dangerously. ‘I wonder who’s the mom and dad?’
‘Princess Stella and Prince Kellar.’ Viex says.
‘How’d you know?’
‘Because I heard Nora calling them ‘mom’ and ‘dad’.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me!?’ I huffed as I glared at the three kids. Nora was laughing as the three of them walked together. Nora was holding both of Stella and Kellar’s hands.
‘It is not a big deal.’ Viex said tiredly. ‘I don’t see anything wrong with it.’
‘Oh, you obviously haven’t read any teen fiction enough to know that this is a red flag whenever kids at this age play house!’ I told him as I continued to watch over them like a hawk.
And to think that I ran here just to see my cute and genius baby sister, only to see that she already has a HUSBAND playmate!
I hissed under my breath when Stella and Kellar’s gazes met. Viex was so surprised, he almost fell from my shoulders.
‘You’ve got issues, woman. Big time.’
“Nononono.” My eyes widened when I saw Prince Chace approaching Stella.
Isn’t he suppose to be with his family and settling in?
Unlike earlier, he finally acted like a normal prince and bowed to Stella as if introducing himself. “What the hell is that guy doing!?”
I started to go after them but Viex stopped me by covering my eyes with his tails. ‘Can you calm down? They’re just talking! Nothing’s happening. See -’ Viex paused. ‘Oh, boy.’
“What? WHAT!?” I moved Viex’s two tails from my eyes and gasped. Chace has taken Stella’s hand and kissed it!
I screamed and ran for them. As I got there, I grabbed Stella, hid her behind my back, and glared at Kellar and Chace.
Two young and good-looking princes. This is not good. Not good for my heart.
“Back off! I have a fox and I am not afraid to use him! Do anything to upset me and I will take away your essence!” I told them. At my threat, only Chase seems to falter. Kellar just stared at me.
“But I don’t have an essence.” He says.
Oops. Well, damn. Now I just feel like a jerk.
Thankfully, the awkward silence didn’t last very long as Chace looked at Kellar in surprise. “You don’t have an essence? Why!?”
“I-It’s none of your concern!” Stella immediately spoke before Kellar could reveal his true identity. “I-I mean, you said you wanted to ask something from me, right?”
Chace returned his attention back to Stella as if suddenly remembering something. “Ah yes, apologies. I came here to apologize for my rude behavior earlier.” He says. “And...to ask you a favor.”
“No! We don’t want to buy whatever it is that you are selling!” I said while pointing at him.
“Amy!” Stella lightly elbowed me and hissed. “Let’s hear it. What do you want?”
Chace took a step back bowed down at a 90-degree angle. “Please teach me how to control my magic.”
“Why me?”
“Because your ability to control magic is incredible. You know of ways on how to control it that none of my teachers could. Please. Teach me!”
I scoffed and gave the guy a pitiful look. “There’s no way in hell that-”
“Okay.” Stella said cheerfully making me look at her. My little sister has this funny expression on her face that made me frown.
I grabbed her shoulder and forced her to look at me. “Why?” I demanded. “Why would you agree?”
“N-nothing.” She averted her gaze from me.
“You.” I said suspiciously when I recognize this behavior of hers. “You were flattered at his compliments, weren’t you?”
“What? No..! Amy, don’t be ridiculous.” Her voice cracked as she denied it. But I know that I was right seeing as how she tried to hide her smile.
“Thank you, princess! My family and I, along with the other royals will be staying here for a few days. I will be looking forward to your lessons!” Chace smiled gratefully at her.
I started to panic and had no choice but to look at Kellar for help. “You! Are you sure that you are okay with this?”
Kellar raised a brow at me. “Of course. I am happy for her as well because her skills are finally being recognized.”
“Dude, are you serious!?” I gasped. Is this kid being serious? He’s not upset that Stella has a new guy friend? Wow, I guess teen fictions really aren’t just cliches of make-believe romances.
Nora tapped my grabbed my shirt and started pulling on it. When I looked at her, she was trying to stop herself from laughing. “Wose, their auwas are pink.”
I gasped. “Pink?” I blinked and then turned to face her instead. “What do you mean? Who’s pink? Who are they!? Which ones are pink!? Tell me….TELL ME!”
Instead of answering me, she just laughed even more. “Secwet!” She says and started to run away.
“Nora?” I was stunned for a few seconds before I ran after the elf princess. “Nora? Nora! Come back here. Who are pink? Which ones!?”
For a small girl like her, she can really run fast.
‘Princess, stop harassing the kids!’
‘I need to know who’s pink!’
I stopped in my tracks when Nora was suddenly lifted up. She squealed in delight and hugged the elf prince who carried her. “Hewwo, Aish!”
“Hi.” Ace said and kissed her forehead. Then he turned in my direction and smiled as well. “Hello to you as well.”
“Hi.” I greeted him back. “Are you guys done unpacking?” I asked.
“We got to our rooms. But I wouldn’t say that I unpacked when the room that they gave me already has some of my belongings.” He says. “Well, assuming that the room is the one where I previously stayed at.” Then he frowned. “Everywhere I look, there are weapons hidden in every corner and in every crevice. I seriously doubt that it is mine.”
“No. It’s yours. It is definitely yours.” I said without a second thought.
“I...I...see. It’s from the old me.” He laughed. “Wow. I feel like I was either crazy or just obsessed with weapons.” I wanted to answer him and say both, but I decided not to speak. “So, why are you chasing after my sister?” He asked.
“She has information that I want.” I said and looked at her. “Speak, child! Who’s pink?”
Nora just giggled and pointed at her brother. “Aish!”
“What does pink mean?” Ace laughed and dared to ask his baby sister. Nora gestured for her brother to lean closer to her. When he did, she whispered in his ear. Immediately, Ace blushed and looked at me. “I knew it!” He says, his eyes were still focused on me while his face was red.
“K-knew what?”
“That I love you!”
“O-Oh dear.” Viex, Ace, Nora, and I turned to see Queen Elizabeth and Queen Siera stopping dead in their tracks. My aunt was covering her mouth in shock while Elf Queen’s eyes keep darting back and forth from Ace and I. Then, a small happy grin appeared on her face.
“We’re sorry.” Queen Siera says and started pushing my aunt in another direction. “We were just passing by to head to King Luke’s greenhouse. I heard that he was creating some sort of new medicine in there!” She says.
“Yes, do carry on, children!” My aunt chirped in as well before she and queen Siera disappeared.
I slapped a hand over my face at the newfound embarrassment that I felt. “You just had to say that out loud, do you?” I was pretty sure that my cheeks were red as his when I gave him a side glance.
“What’s wrong about it?” He asked. “Nothing is wrong with telling a person that you love them.” He says again. Then, he stepped closer to me and gave me a serious look. “What about you? Do you love me as well?”
I heard plates being dropped to the ground followed by a surprised gasp. When we turned, it was a maid covering her mouth in shock. “I-I’m sorry, your highnesses! I never knew!” Then she hurried down and gathered the broken plates and fallen cookies onto her tray and hurriedly walked away. “I’m sorry! I never heard anything!”
I feel like my face was getting redder with each passing moment. It was making me go insane!
I looked at Ace while covering my face. “Dude, why’d you do that? Keep your voice down!”
Ace’s brow drew closer as if he was hurt. “Are...are you saying that you don’t have feelings for me? Are you rejecting my feelings?”
Another gasp as a couple of elf nobles passed by. One of them carrying a letter in her hands as she looked at Ace before crying. The other elf started to comfort her as they walked away. A few paces later and the crying lady elf screamed and ripped the letter out in pieces.
Woah. Did I just witness a failed confession?
“Rose?” Ace called for me, making me turn my attention back to him. He started to open his mouth, but then I ran forward and covered his mouth with my hands.
I was embarrassed beyond words that I was pretty sure that my face was fully red by now. “Listen, can we not talk about that right now?” I said. “It’s just that I am still confused and surprised, alright? Can we talk about this once you regain your memories again? I want to talk to the you who confessed to me.” I slowly removed my hands from his lips as I watched his expression. For a brief moment, I was afraid that I might have offended him.
But it didn’t. Instead, I saw him curve up a small smile. “Then I better get my memories back. And soon.” He says.
‘Um…’ Viex sounded troubled that when I looked at him, I saw him looking in another direction. As I followed his gaze, I saw Ren and Dan watching us. Both of them were frozen in place and had a look of disbelief in their eyes.
Dan gulped and carefully moved his head to face his twin. I watched as Ren tilted his head to the side, met my gaze, shrugged, and gave me a curt nod before turning back and left.
Dan faltered for a bit. He smiled at me shortly before running after his twin.
‘You and him will need to talk one day.’ Viex pointed out.
‘I know, Viex. I know.’ I said. ‘But do you think that he will still be willing to talk to me after this?’ I was feeling bad as I watched Ren walking away. Like Ace, Ren also confessed and told me that he will wait until I can give him my answer.
‘The man probably loved you for a long time with or without you reciprocating his feelings.’ He fixed his gaze to the spot where Ren and Dan just went. ‘He doesn’t seem mad or upset at you. But it was pretty obvious that he’s hurt. He’ll understand. Don’t worry.’ He assured me.
‘I hope so.’ I agreed with him. Ren is an important person to me. And I don’t think that I can stand seeing him getting hurt. Or any of the princes for that matter.
Just when did our relationships become so complicated?
“Rose.” Ace started to speak. “I-”
His sentence was cut off the moment we heard a scream. And it was a voice that I recognize.
“That’s my aunt!” I breathed out in horror. “Viex!”
As my fox spirit jumped down from my shoulder, he immediately morphs. I jumped onto his back as we started to head for the location of the scream. I heard Ace yelling out my name as Viex ran.
But despite his calls for me, we did not stop until we barged into the greenhouse where I saw King Luke lying on the ground. Unconscious.