The return of Ace’s memories has been kept as a secret. Only a handful of us knows that his memories have returned. It was all for the sake of keeping the chalice a secret to everyone as we still have no idea who’s the traitor just yet.
Therefore, Ace has to pretend that he still doesn’t have his memories.
And I have to say. I was dying inside whenever he pretended to smile and wave at the people greeting him. It was killing him on the inside that we actually have to give him some sort of stress ball just so his fuse won’t suddenly blow up.
“Stop laughing at me!” Ace hissed as we both made our way out of the meeting room the next day.
“Prince Ace.” It was Prince Gregory, who suddenly appeared behind us and grasped his shoulders. I saw Ace’s brow twitching in anger at being touched before he plastered on a fake smile and turned around to face the fairy prince.
“Hello, Prince Fuc - I mean - Gregory.” He said it is a very chirpy tone that he almost choked.
I slapped a hand over my mouth as I began to snort in laughter. It was becoming uncontrollable that I was crying. Prince Gregory was now looking at me.
“Princess? What’s wrong?”
I shook my head as a response and turned my back towards him to face the wall.
‘Master, you can do it!’ Custard cheered me on while Viex just groaned tiredly at us.
What is wrong with me? If Ace can try to act normal, then so can I!
I slapped my cheeks to keep myself focused before turning my attention back to them as if nothing was wrong. “I’m fine.” I said with a straight face and offered Gregory a very pleasant smile.
I saw PRINCE Ace glaring daggers at me at the corner of my eyes, but he quickly smiled when Gregory turned to face him. “I know I have not said this before, but I give my condolences to your father and....to the man who you once were. I sincerely hope that one day you will be able to regain your memories. We could surely use your expertise in these times of need.” He says.
“Yeah. Too bad.” Ace said without any emotion at all.
“The summit has ended. I do hope to meet you and your brothers again soon.” The fairy prince says before giving him a couple of hard pats on the shoulder before turning back to join his family.
Ace grumbled and dusted the areas where Gregory made contact with him. “These people are obviously taking advantage that I could not break their fingers if they ever touch me!” He hissed, then he turned to me. “And you. Stop laughing!”
“Yes, captain.” I immediately stood in full attention.
Ace clicked his tongue in annoyance before we both headed for the garden to wait for the others. We waited at the pavilion where we all used to hang out. Thankfully, no one was here except for us.
I sat on the railings while Ace leaned on the wall just beside me. “First, the king candidate ended. Now, it’s the summit.” I said as I watched servants busying themselves as they carried luggage after luggage of the royal’s belongings. It was about time for them to leave.
“Prince Ren is leaving as well, huh?” Ace asked.
“Yes. They leave tomorrow along with Fred.”
“And King Nate, huh? I have to say, I am not surprised.” He was referring to my decision of making Nate as King.
I looked at Ace. “You’re not disappointed?”
Ace simply shrugged. “I can’t say I am not entirely disappointed. Nathaniel has stepped up a few times already. And even though I am a lot more capable than he is, he is more compassionate about the people. I think that is what’s important.”
“Wow. Look at you being all mature and all. I am amazed.”
Ace looked at me in annoyance. “Wish I could say the same to you.”
“Hey! I have become mature! I even figured out a way to bring you back to normal. You’re welcome.” I gave him a smug look.
“Congratulations. You finally did something right.”
I frowned, but then it vanished when I thought about what might happen today. “You remember everything, right? Back in Tordis? With your dad?”
Ace gaze at the scenery for a few moments. I could see his expression softening at the mention of his father. Among his siblings, he was the only one who was able to talk with his dad just before it all happened. “Yes.” He says, now looking at the ground. “He...apologized to me for my rough upbringing. And he told me that it was all going to be over. That I should go and live a long and happy life.”
“I’m sorry, Ace.” I whispered.
“You don’t have to be.” He says before looking at me. His eyes captivating mine in a mischievous manner. “And aren’t you a sly one?”
“Huh?”
“You were completely omitting something when you asked me that question.” Even though he was leering at me, I could see that the tips of his ears were turning red. “Didn’t you promised me that we would talk about the confession once I regain my memory, you dumb blonde?!”
Custard and Viex stopped playing after that as their eyes widened in horror.
‘I um...., Master, I think I should go-’ Custard slipped and fell on the ground and taking Viex along with him. Viex snarled and hit Custard’s head with his paw before the both of them hurriedly ran away at the thickening awkward atmosphere.
Gee. What loyal spirits they are.
I smiled nervously at Ace. “Really?” I said through gritted teeth.
“Yeah, really.” His frown deepened. “So what? Are we going to talk about it or not?”
“W-Wait wait wait. Ace - I mean - PRINCE Ace, aren’t you the least bit….I don’t know….embarassed when you talk about this openly?” I can just imagine how red my face has become.
“Of course not!” He says even though he was blushing as well. “What’s more embarrassing is pretending not to feel anything and keep it.” He grumbled before backing up a bit. “I meant what I said and I believe that I have expressed myself countless times to you already when I lost my memories. I have feelings for a dumb blonde. And that is you.” His face turned into a bright shade of red before he looked at the other way. “I-I know that I haven’t been the best companion in the past, but I...I promise to treat you well if you accept me. And will you just call me Ace?”
“Ace, I-”
“Wow….SIGN ME UP FOR THE NEXT KING CANDIDATE!” I let out a scream when Serena suddenly popped out of nowhere and stood at the other side of the rail between Ace and I.
I almost fell to the other side when I leaned back, luckily Ace was able to pull me back before glaring at Serena, who was sighing dreamily as she batted her eyes at us.
Serena’s eyes darted back and forth before realization hit her. “Ohhh..OH! Sorry. Was this supposed to be a private thing? I thought it wasn’t because you were both clearly at a public place but wow….wow wow wow wow wow! It’s my first time seeing it in real life and I just got soooo excited. A confession. A CONFESSION! HEY EVERYBODY-”
“I’LL KILL HER!” Ace growled and started to lunge at her. Thankfully I was there to hold him back.
“Serena!” I yelled at her and gave her a warning look.
“What? I was just helping you guys gain an audience. I mean, a relationship happening before my eyes! Here’s a congratulatory bouquet!” She grabbed something from the bush and handed a bouquet to Ace. “Boy, if you are confessing, you should be ROMANTIC! For an elf who can make flowers bloom, you sure are stingy.”
“Serena? Where did you get a bouquet?” I almost wanted to take my question back when I saw how slightly wilted the flowers are.
“I saw this huge vacant lot in town where there are these HUGE stones with names on them. There are plenty of them lining. I could get you more if you want.”
Ace and I gasped when we suddenly realized where it actually came from. Ace disgustedly threw them away while glaring murderously at Serena.
“CUSTARD! VIEX!” I yelled out for my familiars.
Custard emerged from the forest as a huge black wolf. Viex came and blindfolded Serena while Custard dragged the screaming Nymph away. Once they were far away in the forest did Ace finally calm down.
“I swear, she’s making me hate all nymphs!” He growled.
“Calm down.” I told him. “If it wasn’t for her, you wouldn’t have your memories.” Then I noticed that Ace was looking down on me. “W-What?”
“You were about to say something when that blasted Nymph interrupted you. What was it?” He eyed me suspiciously. His gaze was so intense that I was getting pressured.
“I-I..Ace really can’t tell if I like someone because I have never been in love myself.” I admitted. “PRINCE-”
“I told you to call me Ace.”
“-Ace. But you know, lately, I have been thinking about you a lot. Even when Fred is here -”
“Excuse me?” He raised a brow at me.
My eyebrows twitched in annoyance as he kept on interrupting me. “WILL YOU LET ME FINISH!?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He immediately said.
I let out an annoyed sighed. “As I said, even when I was crushing on Fred before, all I thought about was your arrogant ass and how I miss you.” My voice was getting lower and lower the more I talked.
Ace crossed his arms over his chest and leaned closer to me while smirking. “I couldn’t hear you. Will you please repeat that?”
Clearly, this guy was teasing me. “Ask that question again and I will change my mind.”
Ace’s expression changed from a teasing and arrogant smirk and into a surprised one. “You-”
“Yeah. Alright, Ace. Let’s try...us.” My lips were quivering at how awkward and cringey this all sounded like. I was never one for romance yet here I am, getting into one. “Does that sound, right? Because-”
Ace suddenly hugged me just then. “Yeah. You don’t have to explain. I got your message loud and clear.”
“We’re not interrupting anything, are we?” Ace and moved back when we saw Nate, Ren, Dan, and Fred all looking at us with huge smiles on their faces.
“H-How long have you guys been watching?” I dared to ask.
“Awhile.” Nate says while winking at me.
I groaned and buried my face in my hands in embarrassment. I am now ready for a big hole to swallow me hole just to save me from his awkward situation.
Ace moved in front of me and glared at the princes. “Turn back or I will twist your heads myself!”
Dan let out a dreamily like a crazy person. “Is it so wrong that I miss hearing his threats?”
Ren stared at his brother like he wants to disown him at that moment. “The only thing that is wrong here is your brain, brother.” Then Ren looked at Fred. “What?”
“I would like to express my sympathy to Ren but I do not know which one of you he is.” Fred laughed as he wondered out loud.
“Seriously!? The six of us have been through a lot and it’s only Rose who can tell us apart!?” Dan asked in disbelief and turned to look at me. “Rose, it is not too late. My brother is still single-” Before Dan could finish his words, Ren punches him in the gut.
“Honestly, brother. You are SHAMELESS!” Ren yelled at him.
“Or, you can still come into my open arm, baby girl! I am a King now!” Nate grinned and opened his arms dramatically. “Lot’s of benefits if you know what I mean.” He smirked and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at me.
I felt Ace flinching before he straightened up. I couldn’t see his face but I saw the look of horror on Nate’s face as Ace began to crack his knuckles. “You won’t be king just yet. Not when you don’t have a head to wear the crown!”
The princes began to scatter around as Ace began to chase them like a lunatic. The five of them were starting to cause a commotion that I feared that someone would take one look at the crazy elf and figure out that he has recovered.
I groaned as it would mean that I would have to chase after them and put a stop to all of this. But even so, I could not help but feel a sense of nostalgia as I watched all five of them together.
Part of me wishes that this would last forever. But I know that despite everything that will happen, all of us will always be there for each other. Always.
I smiled at the thought before I ran after them. “Custard! Viex!”