74 A Night With The Moon

"We'll leave you two alone then."

Aiven smiled as he turned around, reaching for Fisher as they head to the door, but Forest cleared his throat with his hands around my shoulder.

"We'll leave instead. I want to take a walk," Forest gave a slight nod at Fisher, "Please continue what we were discussing earlier. I'll get back later."

I furrowed my brows at Forest but he just leads me to the door.

The moment we got outside, the knights guarding Forest's office looked at me with their mouths open in surprise.

"Yo-your highness," they bowed their heads and proceeded to apologize, "We're incompetent in our duties, but please, let us bring the woman to prison."

One of the guards was about to take my hand but Forest flicked it away, "Surprising, no one remembers you just because you have red hair now," Forest gave me a soft chuckle but the guard who's hands was on air shivered in fear.

"I apologize for intruding, Your Highness," the knight said and took a step back to his position as well as the others.

We both made our way to the garden outside.

The moon was way above the sky with clouds surrounding it. Its silver beauty glimmer through the night which served as our guide in our walk.

"Do you remember this place, Amy?"

I saw fog coming out of Forest's mouth as he asked me. I shrugged and looked straight ahead.

"No, I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize," he said with a smile plastered on his face but it was followed by a deep sigh, "I just... you know. You ran away from me here and since then, you continued disappearing."

We stopped in the middle of the garden where we were surrounded by sweet lovely flowers.

"I'm sorry," I once again let out as I felt bad for whatever I did before.

There's a part of me that wants to remember everything in the past but when I found out that I must've messed up real bad, I don't want to remember anything other than Forest and Aiven since I think they're the best memories I had.

"Again, I told you, you don't have to apologize, Amy. It wasn't so bad. And it wasn't your fault. You felt lost. You were kidnapped here to be a bride of some weird Prince--"

"You're not weird, Forest."

I cut him off but he placed his finger on my lip and shushed me.

"Let me finish, okay? I don't want you leaving my side while I'm drowning in words I wanted to tell you."

I took a glance away from him since my heart suddenly felt like it was about to burst. My cheek even grew hot and my lips dried up.

"Amy," he placed his hands on my cheek, making me look to him.

It was warm, it was soft, and it was comforting.

I held his hand on my cheek and caressed it. I want to take him somewhere far and just continue doing this. I felt my eyes closed as I took every energy I can from him.

"My bride," Forest whispered.

I felt something warm brushing my nose, and the moment I opened my eyes, his lips met mine.

It was a moment of silence. The whole world froze in time and everything turned bright. It was so bright that I had to close my eyes and indulge in this short moment.

When something bad piles up, it only takes a small time of happiness to lighten the baggage.

"Forest..." I called as he breaks the kiss.

But the moment I opened my eyes, he took away his hand from my cheek and held my hand.

"Come on, I still want to walk around with you."

He said those words without looking at me, but maybe he's just flustered?

I hopped and held his arm, "Okay, let's enjoy this time."

We talked about things that I used to do in the castle, things I don't remember but Forest clearly can tell everything in detail. I used to have maids around me and as well as a knight. Regin, who was with him the first time I saw him in Alpha Kingdom was my knight.

My maids were sent home for a vacation while Regin still works in the castle and sometimes goes with Forest whenever Fisher's doing something else.

"I see... I want to see them someday, maybe they can revive some memory."

I held Forest's hand tightly as we sat in one of the benches. I looked up the sky and saw that the clouds were beginning to clear up and I can see the moon now.

"Uh, Forest. I have to tell you something. It's urgent, King Sorin's going to attack the Charlie Kingdom. And he also knows that Echo Kingdom's asking for help."

Forest seemed to be thinking about something as he stares at the moon, his eyes were blank and clouded. I shook his hand but he still didn't look at me.

Is he perhaps tired? Then, he shouldn't have walked around with me. But he seemed fine earlier.

"Forest?" I whispered.

"Yeah, I heard you."

He mumbled then he looked at me and plastered a fake smile. He caressed his thumb on my hand then he went back again in spacing out.

"This isn't like you." I whispered as I look away.

I know he's busy. I shouldn't have come here. He's got other problems in his own kingdom. He's a Crown Prince.

"You know what, you can take a rest. I'm going back since it's getting late now."

I stood up and was about to pull my hand away from his hand, but he held it tightly and pulled me to him.

I lost my balance and ended up landing on his chest, yet it seemed like it was his plan.

He held me close with his arms around me. I can even feel his chest rising and falling as he breathes.

"Forest?"

He didn't answer nor move. I just felt the embrace getting tighter.

We stayed silent for a few minutes. I may be in a hard position but it's worth it.

I took a couple of deep breaths. His scent is similar to the smell of Forest early in the morning. It's cool and relaxing, but the words that followed this moment broke me.

"I'm sorry."

I pushed him after he said those words that sent me chills, but he just kept embracing me. He wouldn't me go nor see his face.

"The bride trial ended yesterday and... Sia-- Princess Tellusia was the last one. She's now..." He stopped and leaned his head on mine. His deep sigh pierced my heart.

"Forest..." I whispered as I wrapped my arms around him.

I don't know what to say. This is what I was afraid of. I knew that this would happen, but I never thought it would come so fast.

"What did King Lorcan say? Maybe you can talk to him?"

From what I know King Lorcan is still around, maybe we can ask him to postpone this engagement.

Another sigh came out of his mouth, "He's nowhere to be found again, Amy. He left me to handle this all by myself."

"Then, let's go find him," I pushed myself from his chest and looked at Forest with a cheerful smile.

We can still end the engagement, that way he doesn't have to marry Princess Tellusia.

"Amy," he held my head and gave me a soft warm forehead kiss, "Please, let me handle this. You already have too much on your plate."

"But Forest, I don't..." I looked away, "I don't want to see you get married to somebody else."

I may be looking dumb now, I hate that I feel afraid that I may lose him, but what if I really lose him? I can't... I can never handle that.

"Amy," he spoke and chuckle, "Who said I'll get married? No matter what happens, I'll only wear a ring couple with yours."

I bit my lip with my over-flowing mixed emotions, then, no matter what happens, I'll be his bride. I was kidnapped for the Crown Prince, and I'll be with him. Not even my crazy uncle can stop that.

"Alright! I still have time," I stood up and put my hands on my hips, stared at Forest with determination, and told him what I found out about the attack on the Chariie and Echo Kingdom.