53 Awake

AMY'S POV

I had a weird dream after I hit my head, I felt like floating underwater, but then, someone grabbed me. I felt their arm around me, but my dream suddenly changed.

I saw the past.

I saw a blurred image of my family having dinner with a beautiful woman with curly dark hair just like Prince Forest, and that's when I realized, it's Queen Elena.

My heart sank as I stare at her. Why am I remembering this only now? Is it because I hit my head?

Then, my dream came back. But unlike the first one, it was a nightmare. I saw Forest bleeding out while standing in front of me, he was telling me something, then suddenly, he fell on my arms with a cold body and lifeless eyes.

I called his name, I can feel my tears streaming down my eyes, followed by a burning sensation on my chest. Rage covered my thoughts, and my hands started burning.

Someone else was standing not far from us, and I hit them with a ball of fire. It wasn't enough and I sent the whole place on fire. I was screaming out the pain I feel.

Then, I woke up.

I was sitting near a waterfall with Prince Arias staring at me with wide eyes, but there was also a weird tall woman crying before us.

Avean, one of the folklore I read, was begging to give back her child. I saw Prince Arias pitying the lady, that's why I pulled him to run.

I can't fight her because of the pain on my head, neither can this soft-hearted Prince.

My vision blur as the pain on my head grew unbearable until Prince Arias was the one pulling me.

I heard voices as my head came to a cracking pain, then I saw in my vision, the Queen told me to protect everyone while my mother holds a dagger and my father fighting assassins, then my whole body grew weak.

The last thing I remembered was the nymph slowly dying, her limbs broke and her back cracked open. It was hellish to watch as I felt sadness for Avean. Prince Forest did that to her, and I finally saw what he can do.

"It's been three days," I heard a familiar voice when I woke up, but my eyes still feel heavy.

I've been sleeping for three days? I tried my best to open my eyes, and I saw a blurry figure wearing a white cloak.

"Amelia," he called, "Can you hear me?" The doctor asked.

It's the Prince's doctor, that rude and annoying one I met during my first few days.

I nodded my head, but I can still feel the pain, I blinked hard to adjust my vision, slowly it came to clear out.

It was only me and the doctor. The room was still the same, except that I can see tons of plants and flowers by the window and the nightstand.

"Princess Tellusia gave them, she said she'll be able to guard you with her plants," the doctor said.

"Where," my voice was hoarse and weak, I gulped to clear it out but it didn't change, "Forest," I called. I hope the doctor understands me.

He smiled at me and wrote something on his paper, "You've been calling him all the time, and now you're awake, you're still calling him?" He chuckled.

At least, for now, this dude's not rude, I don't know what I'll do if he gives me the same attitude before.

"I'll tell them you're awake, for now, try to rest. I know the sleep you got wasn't even rest, the way you hit your head was fatal, but luckily, you're a tough one," the doctor smiled at me while as he walks towards the door.

Where is everybody anyway?

Where's Regin? The maids? Granny? Is she even back?

After a few moments after the doctor left, I heard the door opening, I glance to see who it was.

"Amelia," Prince Arias greeted with flowers on his hand, "You're already awake."

I smiled at him, if it's not for him, I would've been a fish.

"I just arrived and I immediately went to check you, I'm just," he looked around as he places the flower on the table, "Shock that no one's here."

I didn't bother sitting since my body still feels heavy, as I watch him move around, I said, "Yeah, I thought I'll get to see someone's face, but it was the doctor that greeted me."

Prince Arias seated down beside the bed, then he stared straight into my eyes, "Amelia, I know this is not the right time, but I'll take the opportunity that no one's here," he said, "Are you our friend?"

I creased my brow at him, "Yes, I am. Why are doubting me?"

He sighed, then he leaned on the chair, "I saw your hair. Only royalties have that."

"How?"

"When I saved you, you started burning up, and your hair changed."

I see, maybe that's when I started throwing fire in my dreams.

"Please don't tell anyone except for Aiven, Princess Tellusia, and Prince Marin," I begged, "They can testify, I'm not an enemy."

He looked at me and chuckled, "They did send me a letter yesterday to defend you, I just went here to ask and see if you're fine."

While Prince Arias tells me how I won and what happened after I passed out, the door slammed open, and there were the three young girls with Regin following them.

"Miss," the three young ladies cried as they run towards us. "Welcome back," they said as they walk beside me.

Prince Arias stood up to let them have the room while Regin walks towards me with a light smile.

"Hello," I said. I want to hug them but I can't with this weak body.

"The doctor sent us out for the whole day because he said we're being noisy," Lala groaned.

Lulu started tearing up when I looked at her, she must've been so worried. I feel bad that I hurt myself and gave them a hard time.

Sia came next with Marin who was visiting her for this day, the two seemed to get closer day by day.

"What are you even doing on a cliff?" Princess Tellusia nagged, "We're told to hunt in the mountains, not in the river."

I smiled at how this little girl acts as if she's older than me. I found out it's all thanks to her that they found me. If she didn't use her power, I'm in a river now, swimming.

Now that I remember, were those small fishes I saw before were also humans that Avean caught?

The room did get a bit noisier with everyone talking. Lala took some snacks as a little celebration, while I stare at the ceiling, wondering where Prince Forest is.

Is he not coming? Is he busy?

I was shocked that the other four bride candidates came to visit me as well, Lady Isabella was the nosiest one. Her voice was loud as if she's holding a mic, but her words mean well. She just wants to make a few jokes to live up the place. Lady Pia was like Sia before, she was timid, soft, very much lady-like. And lastly, Lady Chaseire, who looks very mysterious. She only said that she's glad that I'm back and went back to her room. She doesn't look suspicious or anything, maybe she was the typical introvert.

They all talked to me, told me stories of things that happened while I was asleep and how much I call Prince Forest's name.

The bride candidates didn't seem to be bothered that everyone's teasing me with the Prince. They even sometimes add other things to embarrass me, just like Lady Isabella's story that she heard me calling Forest as she passes by my room and she thought I was doing something sinful with how soft and emotional my voice was.

I don't fully remember what I was dreaming about while I was asleep for the past days that caused me to call Prince Forest's name non-stop, I just wish I knew what happened in my mind to defend myself from the teasing. Thankfully, Aiven wasn't here or else I'll die from irritation.

After a few hours of having a noisy room, one by one they left. Only the maids who are cleaning, and Regin who's watering the plants.

"Madam will be back tomorrow, she wanted to come back when she heard about what happened, but the Prince insisted that she take care of her brother first," Lulu said as she wipes my hands from the stickiness of the candy I tasted earlier.

"Did Aiven went here?" I asked.

"Yes, he did. He was here earlier, but you were still asleep. I'm sure he'll come tomorrow."

I nodded, then I gathered my courage to ask, "Where is Prince Forest?"

Regin turned to me then he places the watering can back next to the plants by the window, "He'll be here later. He was investigating another fire that happened last night," Regin said and sat down on the chair, "Do you want to have dinner now?"

I chuckled with his invitation, we just ate, but he saw how much I struggled with eating the cookies and other sweet food.

It just tasted different for me now, and I'd rather have soup than dry foods.

I nodded then I saw Lala and Lili leave after hearing my answer.

I waited after we had dinner for Prince Forest, but he still hasn't visited me even when I was about to sleep.

Regin went back to staying outside my room while guarding me, he said he'll let me sleep for today alone.

I was able to take a quick bath before sleep because I can feel the stickiness on my body, thankfully, Lulu helped me with my head.

I tossed and turn around my newly changed bedsheet and blanket, and I can smell the fragrance of the plants Sia gave. It has a calming effect and not long after, I fell asleep.

But suddenly I felt something soft that touched my cheek that caused me to wake up, I heard a movement on my side. I felt my chest tightening from the fear of who it might be.

Is it my father? Why is he here? Is he going to take me?

What if it's an assassin? Should I call Regin?

My weak body began to tremble from panic, I'm still weak, I will not be able to run away from them.

"You're not calling me anymore," a soft charismatic voice said.

The fear that I felt earlier was changed into excitement and happiness. My cheeks burned up, and my smile didn't even hide itself.

"You're still awake?" He asked followed by a light chuckle.

I opened my eyes and saw him sitting on the chair beside the bed with his arms resting on top while leaning his chin on his hand.

"Forest," I whispered and my smile grew wider.

He tilted his head as he stares at me, "You got so thin, I told that doctor to take care of you, but I guess he didn't do his job."

I shrugged, "Well, at least I'm still alive."

He smiled, but it was an empty one, followed by a heavy sigh, "I was so worried, Amy. Why do you keep on torturing me?"

My smile also faded, I feel bad that I made him feel that way.

"You should stop doing that, think of what people will feel if you get hurt. Someone wants to see you alive, you have to take care of yourself."

He frowned then he caressed my cheek softly, did he kiss me earlier when I was asleep? It was his lips that felt soft, right?

"Why are you smiling?" He asked with an irritated look, "Are you having fun while making me go crazy?"

I can't help but imagine that every night he must've been giving me soft kisses, ah, I feel like I'm sleeping beauty now.

"Amy," he called while I was out in my imagination, "I said take care of yourself."

I nodded. Of course, I would, I still want to be with you. I just did what I did because I have to, slipping off the rock was just an accident.

"Now, why don't you tell me why you always call my name. What were you dreaming about?"

I pouted, I wish I knew what dream it was. But I guess it'll be left in my sleep. I just wish it was a happy one, just like the ones I had when I was trapped in Avean's bubble.

Prince Forest told me what he found out from investigating the fire, it was similar to the one in the restaurant. But this time, a letter was left just like the ones they've been receiving.

According to Prince Arias, he said that Echo started receiving similar threats before Alpha finally told them that they will be taking their kingdom. And Prince Forest thinks this is the start of terrorizing Gathrin.

"Amy, you have to tell me everything you find out, alright? The letter you received was untraceable, that's why be careful."

I looked at his begging eyes, it's making me feel that I have to tell him everything I found out. Everything.

But what if he changes after that?

I don't know what may happen.

I'm afraid.